Bulwark Takes

The MAGA Dominos Are Falling (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol dissect the Trump administration's erratic and unhinged foreign policy regarding Iran, the moral and political implications of his war threats, and the growing calls for his impeachment from across the political spectrum.

BREAKING: Trump Unveils Insane New Budget; March Jobs Numbers
The Trump administration's latest budget proposal prioritizes massive defense and immigration enforcement spending while cutting critical domestic programs like scientific research and social services, leading hosts to question its political viability and economic sense.

No Kings: What We—and You—Saw at the Rallies (w/ Jim Swift) | Bulwark on Sunday
The hosts share their firsthand observations from the recent 'No Kings' rallies, revealing a surprisingly sober, community-driven, and strategically organized public pushback against authoritarianism.

LIVE: The Bulwark's No Kings Rally Coverage
The third 'No Kings' rally across the U.S. demonstrates sustained anti-Trump sentiment, evolving from a broad show of force to a movement grappling with specific 'asks' and the challenge of translating mass dissent into concrete political outcomes.

Trump’s Support is About to Crater | The Next Level
The hosts critically analyze Trump's handling of the Iran conflict, arguing it is a self-inflicted economic disaster that will erode his base, while also dissecting the ideological void and financial motivations within the modern conservative movement.

Republicans Don't Even Pretend to Care About Debt (w/ Jessica Riedl) | Mona Charen Show
Both Republican and Democratic parties have abandoned fiscal responsibility, leading the U.S. towards an inevitable debt crisis exacerbated by demographic shifts and ineffective policy approaches.

The Economic Consequences of Trump’s Iran War (w/ Catherine Rampell) | Bulwark on Sunday
This episode dissects the severe economic fallout of a hypothetical Trump-initiated war with Iran, revealing how pre-existing fragilities like inflation and stagnant job growth are exacerbated by disrupted oil supplies and destroyed infrastructure.

James Talarico: I Know EXACTLY Why Voters Stopped Trusting Democrats | The Bulwark Podcast
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico argues that Democrats lost voter trust by taking communities for granted, failing on border security and cost of living, and alienating faith-based voters through cultural insensitivity.

Trump’s Half-Baked Border Plan Collides With Legal Reality (w/ Andrew Weissmann) | Illegal News
Legal experts dissect how Trump's politically motivated legal strategies, from targeting Jerome Powell to fabricating border trespassing charges, consistently collide with judicial scrutiny and legal precedent.

Sen. Kennedy Tried to Dunk… And Got Schooled Instead (w/ David Bier)
David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, details how Senator John Kennedy's attempt to discredit him with out-of-context social media posts backfired, while highlighting the significant economic benefits of immigration and the extreme nature of current anti-immigrant policies.

America’s at War—and Trump’s Dancing to YMCA (w/ Sam Stein) | The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark hosts dissect the Trump administration's chaotic Iran war, disastrous immigration policies, and pervasive political idiocy, highlighting a leadership more concerned with personal image than national consequence.

Saagar Enjeti on Trump: “Greatest professional disappointment in my life” | Bulwark Podcast
Saagar Enjeti, a prominent right-wing populist, expresses profound disappointment with Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly on Iran and Israel, framing them as a betrayal of 'America First' principles and a failure of the movement to influence policy.

BREAKING: Jobs Report Shows MAJOR Miss; Warning Signs for Economy
A new jobs report reveals significant losses and a slowing economy, exacerbated by the administration's Middle East war and trade policies, creating a 'handcuffed' Federal Reserve scenario with looming inflation and political fallout.

BOMBSHELL: Trump Fires DHS Sec. Noem; Sen. Mullin Tapped as Replacement
Donald Trump publicly fired DHS Secretary Christy Gnome via social media while she was on stage, appointing Senator Mark Wayne Mullen as her replacement, a move driven by Gnome's self-promotional spending and perceived disloyalty.

Thom Tillis Just WENT OFF on Kristi Noem!
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Kennedy unexpectedly grilled Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, sparking a heated debate among hosts about political accountability and the nature of Trump-era governance.

Mark Hertling and Ruben Gallego: A Rush to War | The Bulwark Podcast
Retired General Mark Hertling and Senator Ruben Gallego critically analyze the US and Israeli military actions against Iran, exposing a lack of clear objectives, inadequate planning, and the high human and financial costs of a rushed intervention.

Trump’s America Is Losing People
The hosts argue that America is experiencing a concerning decline in population and global standing, exacerbated by foreign influence in media and Trump's inconsistent policies.

Netanyahu Knows Trump Won’t Say No—And That Won’t Last | Secret Podcast
The hosts predict an imminent war with Iran driven by Netanyahu's leverage over Trump, expose a 'command economy' where the US President dictates media acquisitions, and detail the inhumane treatment of migrants by US law enforcement.

Pete Buttigieg: Why Would ANYONE Sit Through Trump’s Speech?
Pete Buttigieg breaks down the State of the Union, critiquing the current administration's economic claims and outlining a proactive Democratic strategy focused on family, affordability, and simultaneous institutional reform.

Tim Miller: Yes, the GOP Has a Nazi Problem.
Tim Miller argues that the Republican Party actively tolerates and even integrates white nationalist and Nazi ideologies into its base and policy, while also critiquing Marjorie Taylor Green's call for political civility as disingenuous.

State of the Union Coverage From the Bulwark (w/ Pete Buttigieg)
The Bulwark panel and guest Pete Buttigieg critically dissect Trump's State of the Union address, highlighting its disconnect from reality, focus on self-aggrandizement, and the Democratic response's strategic pivot to affordability and anti-corruption.

Tina Smith Names the Republicans She Can’t Stand | The Bulwark Podcast
Senator Tina Smith and host Tim Miller dissect the current political landscape, criticizing Republican figures for their 'cruelty' and 'authoritarian project,' while also reflecting on Democratic party missteps and the need for leaders willing to 'rock the boat.'

Trump’s Own Voters Are Uneasy With His Second Term (w/ Margie Omero) | The Focus Group
Focus group data reveals a growing segment of Trump's 2024 voters express regret and disappointment, driven by economic concerns, unfulfilled promises, and the handling of the Epstein files, while Democrats show surprising shifts in views on personal safety and institutional trust.

BREAKING: Massive Jobs Revision Clouds Jan. Gains (w/ Paul Krugman)
Despite strong January job numbers, a significant downward revision of last year's job growth, coupled with political interference in the Federal Reserve and economically damaging immigration policies, paints a concerning picture for the US economy.
Want more on immigration policy?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Immigration Policy Episodes→Don't see the episode you're looking for?
We're constantly adding new episodes, but if you want to see a specific one from Bulwark Takes summarized, let us know!
Submit an Episode