BREAKING: Trump Fires Pam Bondi
Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Will Sommer react to the breaking news that Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Apr 02, 2026•29 min•Ep. 729
Bulwark Takes
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
Sam Stein, JVL and Mark Hertling React to Trump's Iran Address
Sam Stein, JVL and Mark Hertling were live to reacting to President Trump's April 1st address on the war in Iran.
Apr 02, 2026•45 min•Ep. 728
Is Hegseth the Dumbest Man in the Trump Admin?
Will Saletan takes on Pete Hegseth’s conduct during a wartime briefing campaign that keeps veering off course. Instead of focusing on strategy or coalition-building, he’s taking shots at past presidents, the press, and even U.S. allies.
Apr 01, 2026•13 min•Ep. 727
Trump’s Library Looks Like a Wedding Venue in Hell
Sam Stein, JVL, and Andrew Egger give their takes on the newly unveiled “Donald J. Trump Presidential Library” that Trump now himself admits will “most likely” be a hotel. The crew digs into the absurd renderings, including the giant gold statue, an oversized ballroom, and even the Qatari plane overhauled to become Air Force One in the lobby. They also break down how valuable land originally owned by Miami Dade College was transferred to the state and then handed over for the Trump "library." Re...
Apr 01, 2026•20 min•Ep. 726
Possible Ground Troops in Iran, Trump Speech Preview and The Slow-Motion Destruction of NATO
Command Post Live! Mark Hertling and Ben Parker are going live to discuss Trump’s speech tonight, the prospect of ground troops in Iran, and Trump’s slow-motion destruction of NATO.
Apr 01, 2026•38 min•Ep. 725
Court Orders Trump to Stop Construction on His Beloved Ballroom
Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on a judge’s decision to halt Donald Trump’s plan to build a massive White House ballroom, Trump’s fixation on the project, how often he brings it up in public, and the bizarre moments where it overtakes everything else—even during major national and global events.
Apr 01, 2026•17 min•Ep. 724
Trump & Hegseth Are Increasingly Delusional on Hormuz; TACO Incoming? | Morning Chaser
Andrew and Bill discuss the morning's news.
Mar 31, 2026•37 min•Ep. 723
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, 2026•26 min•Ep. 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, 2026•33 min•Ep. 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, 2026•19 min•Ep. 720
CPAC Leaders Claim It’s “Packed”—The Footage Says Otherwise | MAGA Mondays
Will Sommer and Andrew Egger are going live to cover a strange weekend at CPAC, where sparse crowds, defensive spin, and open infighting raised questions about where the MAGA movement stands right now. Plus: Clavicular went to jail...again!
Mar 30, 2026•31 min•Ep. 719
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, 2026•13 min•Ep. 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, 2026•18 min•Ep. 717
No Kings: What We—and You—Saw at the Rallies (w/ Jim Swift)
The Bulwark's own Jim Swift joins Bill Kristol to talk about No Kings.
Mar 29, 2026•35 min•Ep. 716
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, 2026•16 min•Ep. 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, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 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, 2026•19 min•Ep. 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, 2026•19 min•Ep. 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, 2026•11 min•Ep. 711
Markets Rattled, Consumer Sentiment Plunges—While Trump Plays Emperor
JVL and Catherine Rampell are going live on Trump’s economic messaging, falling consumer confidence, and rising recession fears driven by oil prices.
Mar 27, 2026•59 min•Ep. 710
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, 2026•26 min•Ep. 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, 2026•28 min•Ep. 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, 2026•17 min•Ep. 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, 2026•16 min•Ep. 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, 2026•29 min•Ep. 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, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 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, 2026•18 min•Ep. 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, 2026•18 min•Ep. 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, 2026•14 min•Ep. 701
Under Pressure, Trump Retreats on Iran and DHS | Morning Chaser
Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger are going live to discuss the DHS funding fight, ICE at America's airports, and Trump's erratic flip-flops in Iran.
Mar 24, 2026•39 min•Ep. 700
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