Bulwark Takes - podcast cover

Bulwark Takes

The Bulwarkwww.thebulwark.com
The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.
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Episodes

Is This the Greatest Photo in the History of Politics?

Tim Miller breaks down the surreal viral moment of Lindsey Graham at Disney World—and why it’s more than just a weird photo. He also joined Nicolle Wallace to talk about the government shutdown and rising global tensions, and argues it reflects something deeper about accountability and leadership.

Mar 31, 202626 minEp. 722

Ex–Trump Intel Official Sounds Alarm on Iran (w/ Sue Gordon)

Sam Stein talks with former top intelligence official Sue Gordon to break down the fast-moving Iran crisis—and why the U.S. may not have the intelligence it needs for what comes next. Drawing on decades at the CIA, Gordon explains the growing intel gaps, the risks of escalation, and why bombing Iran is the easy part compared to what follows. As tensions rise and off-ramps shrink, the big question remains: is the U.S. prepared for the consequences of a conflict it may not fully understand?

Mar 31, 202633 minEp. 721

NEW POLL: Trump Approval COLLAPSES to 33%

JVL and Sarah Longwell give their takes on the shocking new UMass poll showing Donald Trump at just 33% approval, only one point away from the “Bush line.” As the Iran war drags on, gas prices rise, and inflation worsens, they dig into what’s really driving Trump’s downfall and whether it signals real movement with voters. Plus, they react to Brendan Carr openly celebrating media firings as a political “win” for Trump and what it says about power, influence, and the future of the press.

Mar 30, 202619 minEp. 720

As Millions Protested “No Kings,” Trump Did This

Will Saletan takes on a series of moments showing how Donald Trump is pushing past basic limits of presidential power—from putting his face on coins and signature on currency to calling judges “criminals” and claiming he doesn’t need Congress for war or NATO decisions. As millions joined “No Kings” protests, the pattern becomes hard to ignore: a president who treats the rules as optional, surrounds himself with loyalists, and increasingly acts like the law doesn’t apply to him.

Mar 30, 202613 minEp. 718

Trump Thinks He’s Going to Heaven

Tim Miller gives his take on Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social spiral and why he's boosting pro-war voices like Mark Levin, who’s floating plans that sound more like a uranium heist than a real strategy. Tim breaks down how Trump’s feed has become a window into his decision-making, why the signs point toward escalation and possible troops on the ground, and how the war is already causing global disruptions. He also reacts to the surreal Palm Sunday moment with Trump sharing a letter from Frankl...

Mar 29, 202618 minEp. 717

Holy Cow, ‘The Pitt’ Took on ICE!

Sonny Bunch and Adrian Carrasquillo take on The Pitt’s ICE episode—how a single raid transforms the ER, triggers fear across patients and staff, and mirrors real-world reporting on immigration enforcement. They discuss the show’s attempt at “balance,” the ripple effects of fear, and why dramatized storytelling can land harder than traditional coverage. They also explore the reaction online, the pressure on Hollywood to soften political edges, and why The Pitt is connecting right now as a rare sh...

Mar 28, 202616 minEp. 715

No Kings Rally Coverage

Join JVL, Catherine Rampell, Andrew Egger, and many, many others from The Bulwark for live "No Kings" rally coverage.

Mar 28, 20261 hrEp. 714

Trump Loves Putting His Own People Down

Sam Stein takes on a series of bizarre Trump appearances, ranging from crude jokes and made-up stories to comments that may have revealed something far more serious. The pattern raises a bigger question: when the president speaks, how much of it is real?

Mar 28, 202619 minEp. 713

Tim Miller: If You’re Feeling Hopeless, Hear Me Out

Tim Miller was on MS NOW's Deadline: White House to explain why Trump’s Iran decision may be doing lasting damage to his own coalition. From GOP infighting to failed election interference efforts and another Democratic win in Washington, MAJOR cracks are starting to show.

Mar 28, 202619 minEp. 712

Iran Hacks Kash Patel's Emails

Sam Stein and Tim Miller give their takes on the latest fiasco for FBI Director Kash Patel after Iran-linked hackers breached his email and released a trove of personal messages and photos. From embarrassing photos during a trip to Cuba to serious counterintelligence concerns, it’s another brutal moment for a guy already struggling to prove he’s up for the job.

Mar 28, 202611 minEp. 711

Why is Kash Patel’s Girlfriend Posting Insane Gibberish?

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on Kash Patel’s girlfriend, a country music “sensation,” over her bizarre Twitter rant about Michael Flynn, Candace Owens fights with MAGA media darling Nick Shirley, and comedian Druski mocks Erika Kirk in viral video. Text TAKES to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Mar 27, 202626 minEp. 709

We Sat Through a Painful Trump Cabinet Meeting So You Don’t Have To

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger watched an hour-and-a-half long Trump cabinet meeting and it was a mess. From ranting about $1,000 pens and fake gold columns to personal attacks on Gavin Newsom’s dyslexia and Jerome Powell, Trump spent more time complaining about the Kennedy Center than he did on foreign policy. We break down the top five most unhinged things that happened during Thursday's meeting. Text TAKES to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY s...

Mar 26, 202628 minEp. 708

No Kings Could Be the Biggest Protest EVER (w/ Ezra Levin)

Tim Miller talks with Ezra Levin—co-founder of Indivisible— about Saturday's “No Kings” protests. They get into whether protests actually work, how movements grow beyond a single weekend, and why discipline, nonviolence, and even humor can throw off an authoritarian playbook. Plus: the rising threat of political violence, how organizers are preparing for it, and what comes next if this keeps growing. Text TAKES to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of...

Mar 26, 202617 minEp. 707

Tim Miller: Florida Just Shocked Everyone

Tim Miller was on with Katy Tur to take on a surprising shift in Florida politics after Democrats flip a seat in Trump’s own backyard. Is this a one-off—or the start of something bigger? Plus: the corruption questions that still aren’t being investigated—and what it all could mean for 2026. Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

Mar 26, 202616 minEp. 706

Karoline Leavitt Thinks We’re All Idiots

JVL and Andrew Egger take on a surreal White House briefing where everything is supposedly “going great”—even as TSA chaos, rising gas prices, and a widening Iran conflict tell a very different story. Plus: how JD Vance is getting boxed into a political no-win situation. Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

Mar 26, 202629 minEp. 705

Tim Miller, JVL and Katie Couric on Iran, Airport Lines, CBS and More

Katie Couric joins Tim Miller and JVL to dig into some of the biggest stories so far this week on a special edition of Bulwark Takes happening live on Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET. With Iran rejecting a cease-fire proposal, what will President Trump do next? And why is Iran requesting that Vice President JD Vance come to the negotiating table? Plus, reactions to new reporting from NBC that for the last few weeks, Trump has been shown by his team highlight reels of destruction in Iran. Plus, a look at...

Mar 26, 20261 hrEp. 704

AIPAC Spent $7 Million to Stop Daniel Biss. He Won Anyway.

Daniel Biss joined Lauren Egan to discuss his win in a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. AIPAC spent more than $7 million trying to stop him. Biss, whose mother is Israeli and whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors, opens up about what it felt like to be personally targeted and why he believes those attacks backfired. He also breaks down the strategy behind his campaign, taking on outside money head-on, defining the race early, and turning a flood of spendi...

Mar 25, 202618 minEp. 703

This Trump Pick Couldn't Stop Talking about Boobs and Hooters

Sam Stein, Joe Perticone, and Will Sommer give their takes on the bizarre rise and abrupt fall of Nick Adams, the self-styled “alpha male” known for his tweets about boobs, Hooters, and American exceptionalism. Adams saw his ambassador nomination pulled before landing in a made up new State Department role. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month Shopify trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwarktakes .

Mar 25, 202618 minEp. 702

Democrats’ New Strategy to Win: Hot Candidates

Sam Stein and Lauren Egan take on a real idea circulating among Democratic operatives: run more “hot” candidates. They discuss what that actually means—youth, charisma, online presence—and whether it reflects a deeper effort to fix the party’s image and win back voters. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month Shopify trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwarktakes .

Mar 24, 202614 minEp. 701

This Is How the GOP Starts to Crack

Tim Miller was on Deadline: White House to take on the political fallout from Trump’s Iran war, warning that the real backlash hasn’t shown up in polling yet as rising costs start to hit voters. He also looks at growing cracks inside the GOP, where even MAGA voices are struggling to defend a war with no clear objective. Plus: chaos at U.S. airports after ICE agents are deployed to “help,” a Supreme Court case that could reshape mail-in voting ahead of the midterms, and Trump’s reaction to Robert...

Mar 24, 202620 minEp. 699

Trump's Iran Ultimatum (w/ Margaret Donovan)

Mark Hertling, Ben Parker, and special guest Margaret Donovan go live at 7:30 p.m. EDT for a Command Post episode on Trump’s threats of massive war crimes against Iran—and the broader ethics and legality of the conflict. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES .

Mar 24, 202642 minEp. 698

BREAKING: Trump Blames Hegseth for Iran War, Insults Widower

JVL and Andrew Egger are going live to cover the bizarre statements that Trump made at an event this morning in Memphis. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES .

Mar 23, 202632 minEp. 697

Dan Bongino Gets Heated After Heckler Calls Him a “Coward” | MAGA Mondays

Sam Stein and Will Sommer go live to talk about Dan Bongino getting heckled for not "taking on the deep state," James Fishback being banned from Mar-a-Lago, and a double dose of TPUSA controversy. For a limited time, get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES

Mar 23, 202637 minEp. 696

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher: Texas May Finally Be in Play

Sarah Longwell talks with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher about Texas redistricting, the GOP’s push for new seats, and why that strategy could backfire. They discuss the 2026 outlook, the Paxton–Cornyn fight, and why Democrats see a real opening in Texas.

Mar 22, 202624 minEp. 695

Trump’s Plan: War Abroad, Chaos at Home

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger take on Trump’s “48-hour” threat against Iran and the risk of a wider war, with global oil markets and the global economy hanging in the balance. They also discuss the administration’s push to put ICE in security roles at airports and Sen. Mike Lee’s bizarre SAVE Act post.

Mar 22, 202616 minEp. 694
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