Bulwark Takes - podcast cover

Bulwark Takes

The Bulwark•www.thebulwark.com
News
Politics
News Commentary
Society & Culture
{"_":"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.
\n\n","$":{"audioboom:html":"1"}}
Last refreshed:
Follow on
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
RSS
YouTube
Overcast
Pocket Casts
Episodes.fm
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The Trio: Fake Badges. A Strip Club. Iran Airstrikes. Two MAGA Weirdos.

Sam Stein, Tim Miller and Will Sommer take on an insane MAGA scandal in DC—fake Secret Service badges, a strip club blowup, tearful confessions about an Iran airstrike that never happened, and an arrest that finally brought the whole charade crashing down. Plus: what exactly is going on with Kari Lake's face? Read Will Sommer's False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-shocking-arrest-of-a-maga-pit-bull-fake-secret-service-pal-ryan-fournier-jordan-daley Bulwark website subscription...

Jun 19, 2026•30 min•Ep. 954

A Dramatic Reading of JD Vance’s Awful Book

Tim Miller and JVL attempt to read JD Vance’s new memoir 'Communion' and discover a book full of contradictions, self-owns, political rationalizations, and some very revealing clues about the vice president’s worldview. Buy Vance's new book (or don't!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTQ68YZN

Jun 18, 2026•51 min•Ep. 952

U.S. Intelligence is Winning the War in Ukraine (w/ Michael Weiss & Marc Polymeropoulos)

Journalist Michael Weiss, editor of The Insider, and retired CIA veteran Marc Polymeropoulous take over The Bulwark for the kind of conversation they have with each other every day about the intelligence world, what the hell is happening in the United States and what it means around the globe. As they started recording, Trump was wrapping his bizarre Wednesday speech at the G7 Summit defending his deal with Iran. Marc and Michael go off about the news conference and turn to a riveting conversati...

Jun 18, 2026•38 min•Ep. 951

Trump Doesn't Understand the War He Just Lost (w/ Tom Nichols) | Command Post

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are joined by Tom Nichols to discuss the week's military news. Read more from Tom Nichols: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/06/trump-g7-comments-misunderstsand-middle-east/687569/ Buy Mark's book here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1966786727/?tag=bulwark08-20...

Jun 17, 2026•52 min•Ep. 949

BOMBSHELL: Trump’s Ballroom to Cost Taxpayers $300 Million

Sam Stein and JVL give their takes on a bombshell new report from the Washington Post showing Trump's White House ballroom project could cost more than $600 million with taxpayers footing half the bill. They break down the ballooning price tag, the demolition of the East Wing, and whether a future president should just tear the whole thing down. Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/bulwarktakes to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you....

Jun 16, 2026•15 min•Ep. 948

Trump’s DOJ Has A New Target: Gavin Newsom (w/ Chris Cadelago)

Sam Stein and POLITICO’s Chris Cadelago take on reports that the Trump Justice Department is investigating Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. They discuss what's actually known about the probe, the long-running Trump-Newsom rivalry, and whether the investigation is a legitimate corruption case or the latest example of Trump targeting his political opponents. Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide ...

Jun 16, 2026•19 min•Ep. 946

I Watched Kyiv Burn Last Night (w/ Caolan Robertson)

Tim Miller is joined by journalist and YouTuber Caolan Robertson, reporting from Kyiv after one of Russia's most devastating attacks on Ukraine in months. Caolan witnessed the aftermath firsthand as Russian missiles and drones struck the Dormition Cathedral, a historic monastery and church complex more than 1,000 years old and one of the most significant sites in Christian history. They discuss Putin's escalating campaign against Ukrainian civilians, the hypocrisy of Russia's self-proclaimed def...

Jun 15, 2026•21 min•Ep. 945

UFC Fighter Calls Michelle Obama a Man at Trump’s Birthday Party | MAGA Mondays

Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to unpack last night's gross UFC fight at the White House, Eric Trump's alleged betting scandal, MAGA allies unhappy about a proposed Iran deal, James Fishback calling his opponent Byron Donalds a "slave," and Spencer Pratt now becoming the Joker after losing the LA mayor's race. Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at BollAndBranch.com/bulwarktakes with code bulwarktakes. Ex...

Jun 15, 2026•51 min•Ep. 944

The Iranian Regime Isn't Going Anywhere (w/ Kenneth Pollack)

With Eric on vacation, Eliot welcomes Kenneth Pollack, VP for Policy at the Middle East Institute, to the show. Ken outlines MEI's mission before providing analysis on the current state of the Iran war. They discuss the difficulty of ending a conflict when both sides believe they are winning, and whether we are on the cusp of significant concessions or escalation. They explore whether the war was a good idea badly executed or a bad idea badly executed. The pair also speculate about what a succes...

Jun 15, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 942

Trump’s “New Iran Deal” Sounds A Lot Like Obama’s

Will Saletan gives his take on the Trump administration’s victory lap over a potential Iran agreement and explains why the supposed deal sounds remarkably similar to the nuclear deal Trump spent years attacking. After Pete Hegseth and Mike Waltz hit the Sunday shows to sell Trump’s foreign policy “win,” Will examines the White House's contradictions and what the administration may not be telling you.

Jun 14, 2026•9 min•Ep. 942

The Congresswoman Who Forced Trump's Name Off the Kennedy Center

The Bulwark's Brendan Hartnett reported live from the Kennedy Center at 2:30 AM on Saturday morning, where Rep. Joyce Beatty—who sued Trump in December after being silenced during the board vote to add his name to the building—joins him to watch it finally come back down, following a federal judge's ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the memorial.

Jun 14, 2026•4 min•Ep. 940

The People Running America Are So Much DUMBER Than You Think (w/ Destiny)

Tim Miller and political streamer Destiny take on Bulwark Podcast clip that radicalized an anti-communist, Elon's first trillion, Trump's kakistocracy cabinet, why Democrats keep walking into far-left media ambushes, and whether the rest of us have any idea what to do about any of it.

Jun 13, 2026•46 min•Ep. 939

Holy Cow, These Trump Voters are FURIOUS With Him!

Tim Miller recaps his appearance on Deadline: White House with Nicole Wallace, then delivers his personal thoughts about Pride. Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

Jun 13, 2026•18 min•Ep. 938

Pete Hegseth's Bench Press Is Embarrassing

Pete Hegseth's latest workout video was supposed to showcase strength. Instead, it was sloppy, in poor form, and seems to show Trump administration officials more determined to become fitness influencers than lead a country. Will Sommer and Joe Perticone give their takes on Hegseth's viral bench press session, RFK Jr.'s airport pull-up stunts, Kash Patel's workout videos, and the broader obsession with macho posturing in MAGA politics.

Jun 13, 2026•14 min•Ep. 937

BREAKING: Judge Denies Trump Request for Stay on Removing Name from Kennedy Center

Bill Kristol, Sonny Bunch and Brendan Hartnett went live to cover the court ordered removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. Watch Sonny's conversation with Kennedy Center whistleblower Josef Palermo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rEDNCdqYzg Read Sonny's piece on the dismantling of the Kennedy Center: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-day-and-a-nation-at-the-kennedy-center...

Jun 12, 2026•26 min•Ep. 936

The Trio: RFK Jr.'s Podcast Guest Injected Stem Cells Into His WHAT?!

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer are back and the FBI is coming after Will! How much time is Kash Patel's bureau spending on posting memes than fighting crime? Then, RFK Jr. sits down with a wellness guru whose résumé includes injecting stem cells into his own penis. Naturally, he's now dispensing health advice from the Health and Human Services podcast studio. And finally, the man leading the push to draft former Border Patrol official Greg Bovino for a 2028 presidential run is facing a f...

Jun 11, 2026•37 min•Ep. 934

BREAKING: Trump Threatens Iran Invasion

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are going live to cover President Trump's post threatening an invasion of Iran's Kharg Island. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat, Aspen, and Walden frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES

Jun 11, 2026•36 min•Ep. 933

NYT: Dan Bongino SCREAMED at Pam Bondi Over Epstein Files

Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Sonny Bunch give their takes on the New York Times bombshell surrounding the Trump White House’s frantic effort to manage the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Behind the several meetings in the Situation Room, JD Vance looks ahead to his own 2028 prospects, Dan Bongino screamed at Pam Bondi, and Susie Wiles and Stephen Chung were left trying to contain damage that keeps multiplying. The only consistent goal was protecting Donald Trump from whatever the files might...

Jun 11, 2026•27 min•Ep. 932

Trump Says He "Loves" Inflation, Claims to Reveal Military Secrets During Bizarre Press Event

JVL, Andrew Egger and Ben Parker are going live to discuss Trump's June 10th press event where he said he "loves" inflation and claimed to reveal military secrets about oil in Iran. Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code BULWARKTAKES.

Jun 10, 2026•33 min•Ep. 931

The Bulwark's Primary Election Coverage for Maine, South Carolina, and More

Join Sam Stein and Bill Kristol as they cover the evening's primary elections: Maine, South Carolina, and more. Plus, the latest on Iran and Trump digging his heels in on the appointment of Bill Pulte. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat, Aspen, and Walden frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES

Jun 10, 2026•47 min•Ep. 929

Trump Snoozes as Knicks Lose, GOP's Craziest Election-Fraud Conspiracy Yet | Morning Shots Live

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover Trump falling asleep after getting booed at the NBA Finals, Mike Johnson and the GOP launching back into election-fraud conspiracy theories, and an update to the Pentagon's fighting with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat, Aspen, and Walden frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES Read more from Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/hegseth-loses-his-holy-war-defens...

Jun 09, 2026•44 min•Ep. 928

Three Democrats, Three Paths (w/ Mallory McMorrow, Abdul El-Sayed & Haley Stevens)

Jonathan Cohn interviewed all three major Democratic candidates in Michigan’s high-stakes Senate race—Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, and Haley Stevens—to compare their views on healthcare, electric vehicles, government spending, and the future of the Democratic Party. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat, Aspen, and Walden frames at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES Read more on the Michigan Senate race: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/issues-that-could-decide-michigan-sen...

Jun 09, 2026•29 min•Ep. 926
← PrevNext →
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android