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The Bulwark Podcast

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The Bulwark

Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy. Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.

#500

Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last: We Are Sticking with the Mission

While some media outlets may be moving to accommodate Trump out of fear he'll target them, The Bulwark will not be recalibrating. We'll keep providing the (sometimes funny) content you expect, we'll try not to chase Trump's bait (Canada, Greenland, Panama), and we'll disaggregate the real from the trolling. Plus, when one of the worst people in the world makes a good point, and how much is Trump stuck with Elon? Sarah and JVL join Tim for the last show of 2024. Happy New Year! show notes --- [The NBC News president’s comment on their Nebraska bread story that JVL referenced ] (https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3lel6z5keck22) --- [NBC segment on the Omaha bakery ] (https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/nebraska-congressional-district-could-determine-presidential-election-217101381916) ... Read more

21 hrs Ago

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:25

21 hrs Ago

#499

Bill Kristol: Exploit the Rifts

MAGA v DOGE, the Christmas gift that keeps on giving, is an early sign of the coming infighting that could diminish Trump's power—we're definitely not seeing signs of an iron fist amid all that golfing and DJ-ing at Mar-a-Lago. Meanwhile, the world he'll be dealing with is far less stable than it was in 2017. Plus, a Carter appreciation, love for Chalamet's Dylan portrayal, and anticipation of a wild January. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes --- [Tim's Bannon interview ] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bannon-kash-patel-will-absolutely) --- [Tim's dispatch from AmericaFest & Kari Lake Part Deux ] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/maybe-you-can-get-tired-of-all-the) --- [Bill's conversation with Eric Edelman ] (https://conversationswithbillkristol.org/transcript/eric-edelman-on-the-world-trump-inherits/) --- [The Post on retribution advocate Ivan Raiklin (gifted) ] (https://wapo.st/4gMHyFY) --- [Sonny's review of Chalamet's "A Complete Unknown" ] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-complete-unknown-review) ... Read more

Yesterday

47 MINS

47:52

Yesterday

#498

'The Hottest Circle of Hell Is for Those Who Stay Neutral'

Do you have to pick a side in politics? That was the question Reason Magazine, the flagship publication of the libertarian movement, invited The Bulwark to debate. In a panel moderated by Reason features editor and [Across the Movie Aisle] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/looking-ahead-to-2025) co-host Peter Suderman, Sarah and Tim debated picking sides with Reason editors-at-large Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie. The debate was sharp, occasionally heated, enlightening, and definitely amusing. The results were . . . resounding. Watch for yourself. ... Read more

27 Dec 2024

1 HR 23 MINS

1:23:29

27 Dec 2024

#497

Jon Favreau: Funny and Horrible

While it's still going to be bad, for the first time since the election we're beginning to see that we may actually have a little fun watching these idiots prove they don't know how to govern. Meanwhile, we've also got aspiring authoritarians on the left who think they're right at any cost. Plus, the challenge of holding on to American ideals, how to reach low-info voters, Tim's take from Phoenix on TPUSA, and can Tim make Jon cry? And one more Biden critique (that comes toward the end)... Merry Christmas. Jon Favreau joins Tim Miller. show notes: [Jon's piece in The Atlantic] (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/12/democrats-need-change-minds/680950/?gift=AO0MhSsTDaHgiP_RxFGfB50Yrt9kbmcmfSSnVEy1UUE&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) [Clip from Stavros Halkias about not voting Trump that Tim referenced] (https://youtu.be/kWyumOAB6n0?si=4v804h9ixRUPpeeO) [Tim's playlist] (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch) ... Read more

20 Dec 2024

1 HR 08 MINS

1:08:18

20 Dec 2024

#496

Heather Cox Richardson: The Reality Show-ification of the Government

We are seeing in real time what it looks like to turn a democracy over to an oligarch, namely the unstable guy from South Africa who thinks he's going to be emperor of the universe. It's also authoritarian for that one unstable guy to threaten members of congress with job loss if they vote to provide hurricane relief or to rebuild part of the interstate highway system. Plus, the need for a pro-democracy media ecosystem, the difference between liberal and left, and the terribleness of the William McKinley era. Heather Cox Richardson joins Tim Miller. show notes Some of Heather's books: [“Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America" ] (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717588/democracy-awakening-by-heather-cox-richardson/) ["Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre" ] (https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/wounded-knee-party-politics) ["West from Appomattox: The Reconstruction of America after the Civil War" ] (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300136302/west-from-appomattox/) ... Read more

19 Dec 2024

47 MINS

47:35

19 Dec 2024

#495

Mark Hertling: Putin's Weakness

Russia is on its weakest footing since it invaded Ukraine: Putin has destroyed his military, his economy is in the toilet, and the North Korean troops who've been deployed to help out are dying in waves on the battlefield. Why would the US bail Putin out? Meanwhile, MAGA world is trying to distract us with phony DEI issues in the military while we're dealing with some of the biggest challenges we've ever faced in the international space. Plus, with 180,000 US troops currently deployed overseas and 100+ Navy ships at sea, the DOD probably needs someone with a little more breadth of experience than a weekend talk show host on Fox. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller. show notes [Hertling's piece on the Army's and America's values] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/i-helped-the-army-remember-its-values-american-values-thanksgiving) [Hertling's piece on North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/north-korea-and-russia-a-match-made) [Tim and Sarah's live event with Reason magazine in DC Wednesday night] (https://www.thebulwark.com/i/143356168/december-tim-and-sarah-join-the-reason-debates-in-washington-dc) ... Read more

18 Dec 2024

46 MINS

46:22

18 Dec 2024

#494

Tom Nichols: Don't Descend into Darkness

The existential dread has a strong pull, especially since Trump has made a lot of Americans worse people, but we've had other bad, immoral, and creepy presidents who've sullied the office. Meanwhile, Vance is basically the invisible man while Elon lives in Trump's bedroom, and Andreessen is loading up a pile of BS to justify his vote. Plus, a Tim v Tom Christmas playlist. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes: [Tom's audiobook version of "The Death of Expertise"] (https://bsky.app/profile/radiofreetom.bsky.social/post/3ldbt4bcpkk2g) [Tim's Christmas playlist] (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qPRdDI7BcJI5fAgcGHBli?si=NFFa2bt3Q8GF25tBlGelCQ&pi=u-cAwvtqXmTte_&nd=1&dlsi=005b91c0c16444a9) [John Ganz book Tom and Tim referenced] (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374605445/whentheclockbroke/) ... Read more

17 Dec 2024

58 MINS

58:09

17 Dec 2024

#493

Bill Kristol: Fake Nicey-Nicey Sh**t

ABC News and George Stephanopoulos have joined the preemptive capitulation parade by settling Trump's defamation suit—and by conspicuously paying out protection money ahead of the inauguration. The potential chilling effect on a key First Amendment issue is breathtaking. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney backs off of his criticism of Trump and Vance. Plus, the anti-oligarchic, semi-populist grounds for challenging the incoming administration. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes: [NYT piece Bill mentioned] (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/us/trump-immigrant-deportations-rome-georgia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.h04.0PvV.gnkZbdZxc4mL&smid=url-share) [Bulwark debate on potentially ending Daylight Saving Time] (https://youtu.be/l-gaKjzPKg0?si=ZcJPcG4zpiM_i5Ow) [Bill's conversation with Jack Goldsmith ] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/harvards-jack-goldsmith-on-the-coming-trump-presidency/id925428680?i=1000680183669) ... Read more

16 Dec 2024

36 MINS

36:45

16 Dec 2024

#492

Anne Applebaum: Planning for a Techno-Oligarchic Regime

The billionaires rushing to get on board with Trump, and contributing millions for his inauguration, may have missed this key detail: Enhancing the power of a leader—to bend the rules and undermine the rule of law—is often very bad for business. Meanwhile, Team Trump is distracting the media and the public with the firehose of nominations. Plus, election laws v TikTok and Elon, how brutal regimes can quickly die, and the impact of Israel's campaigns on international law during wartime. Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller. Show notes: --- [Anne's recent piece on Syria, and potentially other brutal regimes, falling quickly ] (https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/12/sudden-collapse-bashar-assad/680917/?gift=AO0MhSsTDaHgiP_RxFGfB1HJnrp5unAlmDFOrG_5Z9o&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) --- [Video of Clarissa Ward finding a Syrian prisoner who didn't know about the fall of Assad ] (https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/11/world/video/syrian-prisoner-freed-clarissa-ward-digvid) --- [Tim's playlist ] (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch) ... Read more

13 Dec 2024

44 MINS

44:20

13 Dec 2024

#491

Matt Yglesias and Tyler Austin Harper: Popularism v Populism

The origins of the Democratic party's current malaise include ineffective messaging on climate and economic policy, too rigid a tent on cultural issues, and Dem politicians just too scared to speak their mind. Like, Kamala could've turned the trans youth in sports convo into one about parents spending boatloads on sports camps so their kids can get into a good college. Plus, Christopher Wray chose the worst option. Matt Yglesias and Tyler Austin Harper join Tim Miller to hash it out. show notes: [Tyler's new piece in The Atlantic ] (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/12/political-parties-populist-policies/680951/?gift=AO0MhSsTDaHgiP_RxFGfB8CO0WDsKDsHewywgs_sJEI&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) [Matt's "Common Sense Manifesto #4" from Slow Boring ] (https://www.slowboring.com/p/common-sense-manifesto-4-identity) [Ben Wittes piece in Lawfare on Chris Wray ] (https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-situation--chris-wray-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-kash-patel) [Book recommended by Tyler, "The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America" ] (https://www.ravenbookstore.com/ebook/9781684516087) ... Read more

12 Dec 2024

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:07

12 Dec 2024

#490

Adam Kinzinger and Pat Ryan: Bring It On

Team Trump is trying to intimidate the opposition. Stop showing them your fear. Plus, Gaetz moves from AG nominee to low-rent MAGA cable channel host, and RT's girlfriend, Tulsi, could have access to the identities of our informants in Russia if she is confirmed. Meanwhile, as Dems plot a way forward, they need to be more clear about calling out the heroes and the villains: When you're trying to be everything to everyone, you're nothing. Adam Kinzinger and Rep. Pat Ryan join Tim Miller. show notes [Kinzinger's Substack response to Trump's jail threat] (https://adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/bring-it-on-donald-the-january-6) [Jake Tapper's 2017 interview with Tulsi Gabbard after her meeting with Assad] (https://youtu.be/OcAxXd_X2-U?si=fKrJsdlSOeKD_jqU) ... Read more

11 Dec 2024

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:29

11 Dec 2024

#489

Susan Glasser: A Lame Lame Duck

A sense of Biden's irrelevance has descended on Washington, with Trump flying off to Paris and meeting world leaders, and also openly conducting his own foreign policy—often at odds with the current US policy. Meanwhile, following the diminishment of our foes in the Middle East, and after all the assistance America gave to Israel and Ukraine, Biden isn't being given credit—or he's choosing not to take it. Plus, the MAGA media mob is doing all it can to get Trump's nominees through, and a postscript from Tim on the danger of romanticizing someone who was "radicalized" by a bad experience. Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller. show notes [Susan's most recent column] (https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/the-scandal-of-trumps-cabinet-picks-isnt-just-their-personal-failings) [Cathy's piece last year on the Daniel Penny case] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-chokehold-killing-neely-penny?r=2jt0v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true) [Noah Smith piece on how insurance companies aren't the main villain in the healthcare system ] (https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/insurance-companies-arent-the-main) ... Read more

10 Dec 2024

52 MINS

52:32

10 Dec 2024

#488

Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss: Catastrophic Success

Trump is threatening members of Congress with jail and Republican senators may be circling the wagons around his nominees, but we still need to protect ourselves from a nihilistic mindset. Plus, cautious optimism and uncertainty after the fall of Syria's brutal dictatorship. And no, Tulsi: You were wrong. Assad was our enemy. Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller. Show notes: [Tim's Triad piece on fighting a nihilistic mindset ] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/dont-let-donald-trump-take-your-soul-lolnmr-integrity) ... Read more

09 Dec 2024

57 MINS

57:14

09 Dec 2024

#487

Jamelle Bouie: Bad at Being President

Trump may have authoritarian aspirations, but he's very bad at governing and managing—four weeks into the transition, he's had two major Ls. Meanwhile, Democrats have to rebuild their connection to voters with local party clubs, and not wait until an election year. Plus, a reverse cancel culture is silencing any conversation about the role that gender and race played in Kamala's loss. And finding solace in the words of Frederick Douglass. Jamelle Bouie joins Tim Miller. show notes: [Jamelle's column about one of Frederick Douglass's final speeches] (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/opinion/election-frederick-douglass.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fU4.QcKh.kFvXmEfHS8uh&smid=url-share) [Tim's playlist ] (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch) ... Read more

06 Dec 2024

49 MINS

49:00

06 Dec 2024

#486

David French: We Are in the Bad Multiverse

Kash Patel is making legal threats to try to silence his critics, and Tulsi Gabbard wouldn't even be able to get a security clearance in the regular job market: The parade of incompetence is so bad that Pete Hegseth is being described as the most unqualified Cabinet nominee in American history—and that's before the rape and alcoholism. Plus, Bluesky v Twitter, Russia is running out of military equipment, and are preemptive pardons a good idea? David French joins Tim Miller. show notes [Steve Schale's Bulwark piece on the Democratic Party] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/democratic-party-collapse-in-florida-and-nationally) [The Southern Baptist Convention's 1998 "Resolution on Moral Character of Public Officials" ] (https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/resolution-on-moral-character-of-public-officials/) [Longer version of Jake Tapper clip ] (https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3lcjbq5eejt2u) ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:58

05 Dec 2024

#485

Rep. Mikie Sherrill: Who Will Be In Charge of Our National Security?

We're going back to a president who can't be bothered to read his briefing books. So who will be getting in the ear of the man who had the judgment to choose Pete Hegseth in the first place? Plus, blue state governors v Trump, the need for more mid-range housing, the role of women in modern combat, and Tim reads more from the mailbag. New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill joins Tim Miller. ... Read more

04 Dec 2024

51 MINS

51:30

04 Dec 2024

#484

Michael Weiss and Thomas Zimmer: Competent and Radical

Russ Vought, Trump's nominee to run the Office of Management and Budget—and a Project 2025 author—believes we are living in a post-constitutional America and that any check on Trump's power would be illegitimate. And what's really scary is that Vought knows how the government works. Meanwhile, jihadi technocrats effortlessly took over Syria's second-largest city because Assad's protectors—Russia and Iran—are a bit distracted. Plus, Ukraine prepares for Trump. Michael Weiss and Georgetown's Thomas Zimmer join Tim Miller. show notes [Zimmer's piece on Russ Vought] (https://thomaszimmer.substack.com/p/meet-the-ideologue-of-the-post-constitutional) [Michael's piece on the fall of Aleppo] (https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-backstory-behind-the-fall-of-aleppo/) [Cathy Young's latest regarding Russia's war on Ukraine ] (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/whos-afraid-of-putin-nuclear-blackmail) ... Read more

03 Dec 2024

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:05

03 Dec 2024

#483

Bill Kristol and Elaina Plott Calabro: A Sordid Lot

Kash Patel, who could potentially run the FBI, is a compulsive liar who can't keep his facts straight about his work experience or even where he was born. Aside from being a player in the attempted coup, even Trump loyalists are alarmed by his devotion to the president-elect. Meanwhile, by pardoning Hunter, Biden is not only putting his family ahead of the public interest, he's also giving a giant gift to Trump. Plus, more details on Pete Hegseth's disqualifying behavior, and Trump's avenue for getting around the Senate confirmation process. Elaina Plott Calabro and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller. show notes: [Elaina's profile of Kash Patel] (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/10/kash-patel-trump-national-security-council/679566/?gift=AO0MhSsTDaHgiP_RxFGfBw_ul-nM0GqRo5tmfpkr8qg&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) [Patel's target list] (https://x.com/Timodc/status/1863620081873244259) [Jack Goldsmith on Trump getting around the Senate confirmation process] (https://bsky.app/profile/jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social/post/3lcb7aznkwc2h) [Tim and Sam on Biden's pardon of Hunter] (https://youtu.be/wOuWW1YoDaw?si=8UWrnCtJox-EESzl) [Tim and Sam on Pete Hegseth's mom] (https://youtu.be/fvI0ndqNsQQ?si=e4LKRXppY0erIgGI) ... Read more

02 Dec 2024

1 HR 17 MINS

1:17:59

02 Dec 2024

#482

Jonathan Chait: A Scary Clown

Pete Hegseth may have a winning Fox & Friends smile, but his desire to shoot protesters, commit war crimes, and purge non-MAGA leaders from the military aligns with Trump's views—and is probably the reason why he was nominated for defense secretary. Plus, Republicans won without offering a middle-class economic agenda, and the ties between the Democrats' loss and the party's busy-body language police. Jonathan Chait joins Tim Miller. show notes [Chait's piece on Pete Hegseth] (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/transgender-rights-election-public-opinon/680813/?gift=AO0MhSsTDaHgiP_RxFGfBwuubMLmUIpD1eRNc8g3ljk&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share) [Tim's Thanksgiving playlist ] (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/311uQBIqcxorz9odBcRgKG?si=RJEDAsIVQv6VUsXvCuByng&pi=u-p9h2YA3TSWCt&nd=1&dlsi=abe8fac8ed22434a) ... Read more

27 Nov 2024

52 MINS

52:23

27 Nov 2024

#481

George Will: Democracy Rests on Persuasion

For those living under a gray cloud because of what the American electorate has done, it's time to get to work on changing opinions. People who follow the news and read op-eds may be in a minority, but salient minorities have propelled history. On the 50th anniversary of George Will's tenure at The Washington Post, George joins Tim to discuss the power of criticizing presidents and saying what you think. Plus, Tim reads from the mailbag and serves up some advice for dealing with Trump-supporting relatives at the Thanksgiving table. George Will joins Tim Miller show notes [George on his first 50 years as a columnist ] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/26/george-will-fifty-years-washington-post-column/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzMyNTk3MjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzMzOTc5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MzI1OTcyMDAsImp0aSI6ImRhYmNjOTBjLTExNzYtNGY3OS1iZTI4LWRjMGE2YTQ2OTRiNCIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9vcGluaW9ucy8yMDI0LzExLzI2L2dlb3JnZS13aWxsLWZpZnR5LXllYXJzLXdhc2hpbmd0b24tcG9zdC1jb2x1bW4vIn0.0KhDx6bc8jKWGfuGCxW0jqfzs7vQVezoqv9roHJkOEE) [George's first column for The Post ] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/1974/06/07/as-american-as-los-angeles/) [An appreciation of the Iron Man of America's oped pages ] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/22/george-will-fifty-years-columnist/) [Mona's tribute to George ] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/24/george-will-conservative-intellectual-leadership/) ... Read more

26 Nov 2024

50 MINS

50:46

26 Nov 2024

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#500

Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last: We Are Sticking with the Mission

#499

Bill Kristol: Exploit the Rifts

#498

'The Hottest Circle of Hell Is for Those Who Stay Neutral'

#497

Jon Favreau: Funny and Horrible

#496

Heather Cox Richardson: The Reality Show-ification of the Government

#495

Mark Hertling: Putin's Weakness

#494

Tom Nichols: Don't Descend into Darkness

#493

Bill Kristol: Fake Nicey-Nicey Sh**t

#492

Anne Applebaum: Planning for a Techno-Oligarchic Regime

#491

Matt Yglesias and Tyler Austin Harper: Popularism v Populism

#490

Adam Kinzinger and Pat Ryan: Bring It On

#489

Susan Glasser: A Lame Lame Duck

#488

Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss: Catastrophic Success

#487

Jamelle Bouie: Bad at Being President

#486

David French: We Are in the Bad Multiverse

#485

Rep. Mikie Sherrill: Who Will Be In Charge of Our National Security?

#484

Michael Weiss and Thomas Zimmer: Competent and Radical

#483

Bill Kristol and Elaina Plott Calabro: A Sordid Lot

#482

Jonathan Chait: A Scary Clown

#481

George Will: Democracy Rests on Persuasion