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Bulwark Takes

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Is Tim Miller’s 2028 Strategy a Little TOO Evil? | The Next Level
Political StrategyRepublican PartyDonald Trump

Is Tim Miller’s 2028 Strategy a Little TOO Evil? | The Next Level

This episode dives into a controversial political strategy: letting Donald Trump's unpopularity 'touch the stove' to discredit Trumpism for future elections, alongside a heated debate on the efficacy of impeaching him again.

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Secret Podcast Preview: The Founders Never Imagined a President This Corrupt, Weak and Stupid
Political CorruptionAmerican DemocracyPresidential Power

Secret Podcast Preview: The Founders Never Imagined a President This Corrupt, Weak and Stupid

Donald Trump's proposed $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded 'slush fund' to compensate allies and January 6th participants reveals a profound breakdown of democratic norms and highlights the challenge of accountability in a polarized political landscape.

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We Have Six Months to Crush Trump. Here's the Playbook. | Bulwark on Sunday
Political StrategyElectoral CampaignsMidterm Elections

We Have Six Months to Crush Trump. Here's the Playbook. | Bulwark on Sunday

Despite recent political setbacks, Democrats have a six-month window to leverage voter anger over economic issues and Trump's perceived self-interest to secure a decisive victory in the upcoming midterms and lay the groundwork for future political power.

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Swing Voters Absolutely HATE Trump's Iran War (w/ Ashley Parker) | The Focus Group
Political AnalysisVoter BehaviorSwing Voters

Swing Voters Absolutely HATE Trump's Iran War (w/ Ashley Parker) | The Focus Group

Swing voters are deeply alienated by Trump's Iran war and economic policies, viewing his administration as increasingly out of touch and driven by personal whim rather than national interest.

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Trump is Struggling | Secret Podcast Preview
US Foreign PolicyIran ConflictTrump Administration

Trump is Struggling | Secret Podcast Preview

Hosts JVL and Sarah Longwell dissect how Trump's political maneuvers, including cabinet shake-ups and a widely panned Iran speech, reveal a struggling presidency amidst escalating foreign policy crises and rising oil prices.

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Karoline Leavitt Thinks We’re All Idiots
Political CommunicationPress ConferencesTrump Administration

Karoline Leavitt Thinks We’re All Idiots

The hosts dissect Karoline Leavitt's press conference, exposing the Trump administration's disingenuous messaging on the Iran war, TSA lines, and economic issues, revealing a strategy of contempt for the press and public.

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Even Trump’s Cheerleaders Are Saying “Oops” | The Next Level
GeopoliticsMiddle East conflictEnergy crisis

Even Trump’s Cheerleaders Are Saying “Oops” | The Next Level

The Bulwark hosts debate the 'stove touching' theory, arguing that current geopolitical and economic crises, exacerbated by political leadership, are a necessary but dangerous learning moment for the American public.

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Trump's Swing Voters Don't Want Another Middle East War (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Focus Group
U.S. Foreign PolicyIran ConflictPublic Opinion

Trump's Swing Voters Don't Want Another Middle East War (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Focus Group

Swing voters who supported Trump in 2024 express deep skepticism about a new Middle East war with Iran and are increasingly influenced by mainstreamed conspiracy theories, particularly concerning the Epstein files and Israel.

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Trump Clearly Doesn’t Understand His Own War | The Next Level
US Foreign PolicyIran WarTrump Administration

Trump Clearly Doesn’t Understand His Own War | The Next Level

The hosts dissect how the Trump administration deliberately obscures the realities of war and manipulates public perception, highlighting the dangerous implications of Jared Kushner's undisclosed role in negotiations and the media's complicity.

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TNL Live! Iran War Nukes MAGA
US Foreign PolicyIran WarDonald Trump

TNL Live! Iran War Nukes MAGA

The Bulwark hosts dissect the chaotic and contradictory justifications for Trump's war in Iran, highlighting its political vulnerabilities and the administration's lack of a coherent strategy.

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NEW POLLS: Trump’s Iran War is Deeply Unpopular
Political PollingPublic OpinionForeign Policy

NEW POLLS: Trump’s Iran War is Deeply Unpopular

Early polling indicates broad public disapproval for Trump's military strikes against Iran, particularly among independents and even some of his base, challenging his 'America First' platform.

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Hegseth’s Press Conference Felt Like an SNL Sketch (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast
US-Iran ConflictForeign PolicyTrump Administration

Hegseth’s Press Conference Felt Like an SNL Sketch (w/ Bill Kristol) | The Bulwark Podcast

The Bulwark hosts and guest Bill Kristol dissect the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the Trump administration's incoherent war objectives, chaotic communication, and the significant domestic political risks involved.

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Trump’s DHS Is Eating Itself Alive | Secret Podcast Preview
DHS internal conflictICE operationsTrump administration tactics

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.

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Trump is Crashing Out And We're LOVING It | The Next Level
Donald TrumpApproval RatingsEpstein Files

Trump is Crashing Out And We're LOVING It | The Next Level

The hosts dissect recent polling data and unfolding controversies, including the Epstein files and cultural missteps, to argue that Donald Trump is experiencing a significant decline in public and party support.

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JD Vance Just Got BOOED at the Olympics!
US politicsInternational relationsCultural commentary

JD Vance Just Got BOOED at the Olympics!

JD Vance faced widespread booing at the Winter Olympics, signaling a broader public and institutional pushback against the current political climate and figures like him, contrasting sharply with MAGA media's 'snowflake' outrage over global superstar Bad Bunny.

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These Idiots Want to End Gay Marriage
Gay MarriageObergefell v. HodgesLGBTQ+ Rights

These Idiots Want to End Gay Marriage

The Bulwark hosts dismantle a new anti-gay marriage campaign, exposing its flawed 'children's welfare' premise and highlighting its political miscalculation amidst broader societal issues.

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This Isn’t What These Trump Supporters Voted For (w/ Adrian Carrasquillo) | Focus Group
Immigration EnforcementPublic OpinionPolitical Strategy

This Isn’t What These Trump Supporters Voted For (w/ Adrian Carrasquillo) | Focus Group

Recent high-profile ICE killings and child detentions are eroding support for aggressive immigration enforcement among Trump voters, shifting their focus from border security to accountability and human rights.

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Federal Judge Threatens ICE With Contempt (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News
ICEDepartment of JusticeFederal Judiciary

Federal Judge Threatens ICE With Contempt (w/ Elliot Williams) | Illegal News

A former DOJ attorney and CNN legal analyst breaks down how ICE and DHS are aggressively challenging established legal norms, from defying federal court orders to asserting unprecedented powers for home entry, sparking judicial outrage and a shift in public opinion.

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The Next Level LIVE: Lil’ Greg Bovino Sent Home; Tom Homan In
US PoliticsImmigration EnforcementICE

The Next Level LIVE: Lil’ Greg Bovino Sent Home; Tom Homan In

The hosts dissect the political fallout from recent ICE actions, including Gregory Bovino's demotion, the debate over impeaching Christy Gnome, and the shifting public opinion on immigration enforcement, highlighting the hypocrisy of conservative Second Amendment arguments.

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Trump Is Now Deeply Unpopular | Secret Podcast Preview
Donald TrumpPolitical PollingUS Politics

Trump Is Now Deeply Unpopular | Secret Podcast Preview

Despite media 'sanewashing,' recent polling reveals Trump's deep unpopularity across key issues, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the opposition.

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Trump Voters Don’t Know What to Believe About the Shooting (w/ Bill Kristol) | Focus Group Podcast
Political PolarizationMisinformationAccountability

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.

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ICE Shot a 21-Year-Old in the Face and Blinded Him
Immigration EnforcementICEExcessive Force

ICE Shot a 21-Year-Old in the Face and Blinded Him

The host exposes a series of aggressive ICE and CBP actions, including a protester blinded by a 'non-lethal' round and agents threatening citizens, arguing these tactics are politically motivated and eroding public trust.

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Trump Is Bleeding Support From Young Men
Donald TrumpPolitical PollingPublic Opinion

Trump Is Bleeding Support From Young Men

Donald Trump's support is eroding among key demographics like young men and Hispanics, despite his base remaining fiercely loyal even to unpopular policies.

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Bill and Sarah Ask: How Bad Can It Get? | Bulwark on Sunday
US Foreign PolicyVenezuelaTrump Administration

Bill and Sarah Ask: How Bad Can It Get? | Bulwark on Sunday

Bill Crystal and Sarah Longwell dissect the Trump administration's impulsive foreign policy in Venezuela, revealing profound concerns about its lack of planning, potential for domestic authoritarianism, and the critical need for a long-term 'offense mentality' from pro-democracy forces.

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