Bulwark Takes
Did Trump Just Reveal an Attack on a US Aircraft Carrier?
The host unpacks Donald Trump's recent public appearances, highlighting a pattern of bizarre, potentially revealing, and often fabricated statements, including a possible accidental disclosure of an attack on a US aircraft carrier.
The 5 Most Unhinged Things Trump Said in One Cabinet Meeting
Hosts Sam Stein and Andrew Egger dissect a recent Trump cabinet meeting, ranking the five most 'unhinged' and factually dubious statements made by the former president and his allies, from Sharpie rants to alarming claims about nuclear weapons and NATO.
They Walked Into This War Completely Unprepared (w/ Adam Kinzinger)
Adam Kinzinger and Tim Miller dissect the current administration's unprepared entry into a costly war with Iran, contrasting it with Ukraine aid, and lambasting the hypocrisy of modern Republican leadership.
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.
JD Vance Will Say Absolutely Anything (w/ Seth Jones) | Shield of the Republic
The US defense industrial base, once the 'arsenal of democracy,' has critically atrophied, leaving America unprepared for a protracted conflict against a rapidly militarizing China and facing acute munitions shortages in current skirmishes.
Trump Has Total Tantrum After Supreme Court Loss
Following a Supreme Court loss on tariffs, Donald Trump's press conference devolved into a 'total tantrum,' marked by alarming accusations against the judiciary and revealing insights into his motivations.
The Most BLASPHEMOUS Speech in US History?
Will Salatan dissects Donald Trump's speeches at religious events, arguing his rhetoric and actions consistently contradict fundamental Christian teachings and biblical commandments.
Minnesota Solidarity is Beating Trump's Goon Squad (w/ Ta-Nehisi Coates) | The Bulwark Podcast
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Tim Miller dissect the Trump administration's weaponization of 'homeland' rhetoric, the erosion of truth in politics, and the alarming shift from journalism to 'takes,' while highlighting the power of collective action against systemic oppression.
Man Rushes Ilhan Omar With Syringe at Town Hall
An assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at a town hall sparks a wave of controversial political reactions, revealing deep divisions and the spread of inflammatory rhetoric within the Republican party.
Tim Miller: You Don’t Get a Mulligan for Murder
Tim Miller argues that the Trump administration's attempts to 'tone down' rhetoric and make minor personnel changes regarding ICE/CBP actions in Minneapolis are insufficient, demanding fundamental policy shifts and accountability for alleged murders.
Trump Doesn’t Even Know What Greenland Is (w/ Rep. Sarah McBride) | The Bulwark Podcast
Representative Sarah McBride and host Tim Miller dissect the profound, real-world consequences of presidential rhetoric, from Trump's 'imbecillic' Greenland demands to the direct impact on children, and reveal how Democrats successfully thwarted anti-trans legislation.
Trump Says We “Shouldn’t Even Have an Election.”
Donald Trump's 'joke' about canceling elections is framed not as a casual remark, but as a deliberate tactic that normalizes authoritarian ideas and tests the boundaries of political acceptability, echoing a broader pattern of 'half-irony' on the political right.
Trump’s “Economy” Speech Went off the Rails
An economist dissects Donald Trump's Detroit Economic Club speech, revealing how his economic claims are misleading and his proposed policies are either illegal, ineffective, or counterproductive to affordability.
Trump Wants to Take a Nobel Prize That Isn’t His
The Bulwark hosts critically dissect Donald Trump's perceived desire to appropriate Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize, exposing what they view as his materialistic worldview and reliance on outdated, misinterpreted historical narratives.
Minneapolis Mayor: ICE Flooded Minneapolis With 2,200 Agents (w/ Jacob Frey) | Bulwark Podcast
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey details how ICE deployed over 2,200 agents to the city with an alleged agenda to deport American citizens of Somali descent, leading to a fatal shooting and a profound challenge to local authority and community safety.
Want more on political rhetoric?
Explore deep-dive summaries and actionable takeaways from the best minds across different podcasts discussing this topic.
View All Political Rhetoric 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