Bulwark Takes

The Real Reason Hasan Piker Is Gaining Power
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell debate whether Democrats should engage with or condemn far-left streamer Hasan Piker, whose controversial views are gaining traction amidst shifting public sentiment on US foreign policy and Israel.

Tim is Getting Bimbofied
Host Tim Miller, after a humorous 'bimboification' stunt, delivers a sharp critique of centrist Democratic political strategy, advocating for a 'big tent' approach that engages disaffected voters and controversial figures to counter the existential threat of Trumpism.

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.

Red State MAGAs ASHAMED as Trump Craters (w/ Angie "Pumps" Sullivan & Phil Gordon) | Bulwark Podcast
This episode features a two-part discussion: first, an Oklahoma-based attorney and podcast co-host shares her insights on engaging MAGA voters and red-state women, highlighting the role of privilege and the rise of Christian nationalism; second, a former National Security Advisor to VP Harris analyzes Trump's chaotic foreign policy in Iran and offers a critique of Democratic foreign policy caution.

MAGA Isn’t a Majority—So Why Is It Winning? (w/ Dan Cantor) | How to Fix It
Explore how fusion voting, a historical electoral system, could depolarize American politics by empowering minor parties and incentivizing compromise, directly challenging the current two-party duopoly.

Support for Israel Has Collapsed Among Young Americans
A new NBC poll and focus group data reveal a sharp decline in young Americans' support for Israel, coupled with a disturbing conflation of anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism, and a widespread desensitization to violence and hate rhetoric.

Tim Miller: Trump Sounds Erratic—Especially on War in Iran
Tim Miller dissects the US-Iran war's dubious origins, its severe economic fallout, and the resulting 'civil war' within the MAGA coalition, framing Trump's erratic leadership as a catalyst for political and economic instability.

Primaries are Creating a Political Doom Loop (w/ Nick Troiano) | Mona Charen Show
Partisan primaries, decided by a small fraction of voters, are driving political polarization and preventing effective governance, but a solvable path exists through open all-candidate primaries and ranked-choice voting.

The Real Conflict is Between Decent and Indecent (w/ David French) | Mona Charen Show
David French and Mona Charen analyze how extreme political polarization, tribalism, and a disregard for the rule of law are eroding American democracy and its international standing, advocating for a focus on liberalism over partisan divides.

Trump 2.0 is Trashing Sarah M's Love Life
Gen Z and younger millennials navigate a dating landscape reshaped by political polarization, financial anxiety, social media, and evolving gender roles, leading to a low-commitment culture and a 'male loneliness epidemic'.

Trump’s DHS Is Eating Itself Alive | Secret Podcast Preview
The Bulwark hosts dissect the internal chaos and public perception battle within Trump's DHS, highlighting the strategic blunders of political appointees versus career officials and the broader implications for American democracy.

Pam Bondi LOSES IT In Congressional Hearing
Pam Bondi's congressional testimony on the Epstein documents revealed a Justice Department operating with open contempt for Congress, prioritizing political performance over accountability, and raising serious questions about transparency and competence.

The GOP Dismantled Its Own Humanitarian Legacy (w/ Peter Wehner) | The Mona Charen Show
Peter Wehner and Mona Charen discuss how the Trump administration dismantled the GOP's humanitarian legacy, particularly PEPFAR, and analyze the psychological underpinnings of MAGA support and the effectiveness of civil resistance.

The Military’s Silent Rebellion (w/ Kori Schake) | Shield of the Republic
Kori Schake challenges foundational civil-military theories, arguing that the US military's subordination to civilian authority, exemplified by George Washington, is constantly tested by political pressures and the complex legality of orders.

Republicans in Congress CHOSE to Be Weak (w/ Heath Mayo) | How to Fix It
Heath Mayo, founder of Principles First, discusses how Republicans in Congress have abandoned constitutional principles, enabled executive overreach, and failed to protect democratic institutions, advocating for specific reforms to restore balance and accountability.

The GOP Retirement Wave Is Here
A significant wave of Republican retirements from Congress is underway, driven by anticipated minority status, Trump's absolute control over the House agenda, and a resulting inability for members to pursue their policy priorities.

RFK Jr. Is Letting Measles Come Back
Measles, once nearly eradicated, is making a dangerous comeback in the U.S. due to declining vaccination rates and a politically charged environment that undermines public health efforts.

Law Enforcement Reckons With ICE Fallout
A unique focus group of Trump and Harris-voting law enforcement officers reveals deep divisions and surprising common ground on ICE tactics, police shootings, and the erosion of professional standards.

Is a Blue Wave Coming in November? (w/ Dave Wasserman) | Mona Charen Show
Dave Wasserman, an editor at the Cook Political Report, analyzes why the 2026 midterm elections will not replicate the 'blue wave' of 2018, citing shifts in the political landscape, economic factors, and strategic differences.

The White House Wants Distance. MAGA Media Wants Blood.
The White House attempts to moderate its stance on the Alex Prey shooting are met with fierce resistance and calls for uncompromising aggression from MAGA media, creating a dangerous echo chamber.

Trump Voters Don’t Know What to Believe About the Shooting (w/ Bill Kristol) | Focus Group Podcast
This episode exposes how political tribalism and misinformation prevent consensus on clear facts, as Trump voters struggle to process events like the ICE shooting and Epstein files, while hosts reflect on their own evolving political views.

Republicans Should Be Nervous About Trump's Approval | Secret Podcast Preview
New polling data reveals significant public disapproval of Donald Trump's performance and immigration policies, signaling potential electoral challenges for Republicans.

A Dangerous Start to 2026 | Shield of the Republic
The hosts dissect a volatile global landscape, from aggressive US foreign policy actions and European alienation to internal political shifts in Ukraine and escalating protests in Iran, warning of a perilous 2026.

Tim & JVL: America Used to Know This Was Wrong
Tim Miller and JVL dissect America's desensitization to state violence, contrasting it with historical conservative values and exploring a provocative counterfactual about the January 6th Capitol riot.
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