Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the news that Dan Bongino is on his way out at the FBI. They discuss Bongino’s bizarre tenure, his struggle to reconcile conspiracy culture with reality, and what comes next.
Tim Miller gives his take on Kash Patel using Katie Miller’s podcast to push back on criticism about spending time with his girlfriend, and why the interview felt more like reputation management than leadership at a critical moment for the FBI.
Sam Stein joins Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace to discuss the stunning Vanity Fair interviews of Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles. Watch Deadline: White House on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell take on a weak jobs report and why the topline numbers may hide more serious economic trouble. They discuss into manufacturing job losses, the Fed’s warning that growth is overstated, and the White House’s shaky spin—plus how AI could soon hammer white-collar workers.
Tim Miller takes on the planned deportation of Uyghur whistleblower Heng Guan, a decision that raises deeper moral and strategic failures in America’s approach to China. Please contact your senators and representatives: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Celebrate the life and work of Rob Reiner with The Bulwark’s Bill Kristol and Sonny Bunch, who will be joined by The Ankler’s Richard Rushfield and Semafor’s Dave Weigel tonight at 9 PM. He was one of the most versatile directors of his generation, with classics like This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men under his belt; come remember your favorites with us. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES...
Tim takes on Trump’s latest disaster of a press conference, including his claim that fentanyl is a “weapon of mass destruction,” a fake pardon promise, and a doubling down of his attacks on Rob Reiner. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
JVL and Sarah Longwell give their takes on Donald Trump’s ghastly response to the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. From victim-blaming to self-obsession, Trump turns a horrific family tragedy into a fantasy about “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” exposing the moral rot and hypocrisy at the heart of his presidency. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
Tim Miller and Sam Stein run through a Sunday potpourri of news and the week’s weirdest internet moments, from Trump’s awkward Army–Navy coin flip, brawls outside of a New York Republican’s Club event, Erika Kirk dominating Twitter’s algorithm, and Tekashi 6ix9ine catching strays.
Bill Kristol is joined by Managing Editor Sam Stein to discuss the latest news, and a variety of Bulwarkian developments including Andrew Egger’s scoop causing chaos with the RNC chair, Adrian Carrasquillo making The White House’s “naughty list”, and Sam updates on the efforts on the pediatric cancer funding.
Tim Miller joins Katy Tur on MSNOW to talk the complexities of the Epstein files being released as more photos of the rich and powerful become public, and Trump’s continued support among his most faithful beginning to see cracks. Watch Katy Tur Reports on MSNOW
Tim takes on a disturbing press-freedom story: after a Mother Jones reporter asked the Pentagon about a senior adviser tied to Pete Hegseth, Jack Posobiec, a Pentagon-connected figure, sent threatening emails targeting the reporter’s personal life. Read the Mother Jones story: “I Asked the Pentagon About Pete Hegseth’s Mentor. Then the Threats Started.” — https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/12/eric-geressy-goodreads-pentagon-dod-pete-hegseth-jack-posobiec-threat/...
Sam and Andrew take on the GOP’s latest self-own. RNC chair Joe Gruters went on a radio tour predicting “absolute disaster” in the midterms, the RNC posts the clips, deletes the clips, and then rage-tweets at anyone who quotes the clips. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com , promo code BULWARKTAKES.
JVL and Hannah Yoest break down the Department of State’s sudden font switch: goodbye ‘woke’ Calibri, hello Times New Roman. Why does this matter? Because apparently even fonts are political now, and Marco Rubio thinks professionalism starts with a serif. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com , promo code BULWARKTAKES.
Tim Miller gives his take on how Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have turned the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk into a carnival of baseless conspiracy theories. From claims about the French Foreign Legion secretly being on the ground, to Egyptian planes following Kirk’s widow, underground trapdoors at Utah Valley University, and even a mysterious “communist bee cult,” Owens and Carlson are amplifying the most absurd ideas imaginable. Meanwhile, the real case is clear: a suspect with motive and c...
Sam, Sonny, and Politico’s Adam Wren break down how Indiana Republicans defied Trump, rejecting his push for redistricting 31-19. It comes after weeks of threats and pressure from the White House. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
Jasmine Crockett just changed the entire Texas Senate primary and maybe the Democrats’ whole “find a viral candidate” strategy. Sam Stein and Lauren Egan give their takes into why moderates have struggled to find their footing online, why the party is obsessed with digital darlings like Crockett and James Talarico, and whether going viral can actually win elections. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES...
Sam Stein speaks with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for her take on the fast-moving fight in Congress over extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies, the looming spike in premiums, and why millions could lose coverage if lawmakers fail to act. Shaheen breaks down the competing proposals, the political pressure inside the Senate, and the GOP’s reliance on Donald Trump to bless any deal. They also discuss the administration’s continued escalation in the Caribbean, the unanswered questions surrounding th...
Trump wants your kids to have fewer dolls and fewer pencils, but he’ll happily take a new ballroom, a Gatsby party, and a marble-soaked Lincoln bathroom. JVL, Sam Stein, and Sonny Bunch give their takes on the surreal contrast, his obsession with opulence, and why Trump should instead be hosting an HGTV show. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
Will Saletan breaks down Donald Trump’s shocking pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras convicted of trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States. Since the pardon, Republican senators have been asked to explain it, and the results have been excruciating. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump’s rally at the Mount Airy Casino Resort, where the supposed “affordability” message was instead swallowed by recycled riffs, Somali rants, and compliments about his staffers’ lips. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES
Sam Stein sits down with CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski to discuss Pete Hegseth’s past comments on military law and unlawful orders. Kaczynski unearthed video of Hegseth defending troops for refusing illegal orders—something he now attacks Democratic lawmakers for saying. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES Read more of Andrew’s work: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/08/politics/hegseth-trump-warned-unlawful-orders-kfile...
ProPublica’s Justin Elliott talks with Tim Miller about a fresh set of Trump-connected mortgage records that deserve a closer look. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES Justin’s story: https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-mortgage-fraud-florida-principal-residences...
JVL is joined by Catherine Rampell and Sonny Bunch to give their takes on the wild Warner Brothers takeover drama and the surprising role Jared Kushner is playing in Hollywood’s biggest bidding war. we break down how Kushner and Trump allies are shaping the bidding war and why Paramount and Netflix are fighting over Warner Bros. and CNN. Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library at https://Calm.com/BULWARKTAKES .
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer give their takes on the wild Benny Johnson vs. Milo Yiannopoulos feud that started with with gay allegations, lawsuit threats, and MAGA chaos. Even George Santos somehow becomes the voice of reason in this mess. We dig into the political infighting, factional battles over TPUSA’s legacy, and how the right-wing influencer world weaponizes sexuality for power. Is Benny’s “traditional family man” persona under threat? Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s ent...
Tim Miller takes on the jaw-dropping story of GOP Rep. Corey Mills with guest Roger Sollenberger—the reporter who’s spent nearly a year digging through Mills’s financial records, sex scandals, secret religious conversion, and his bizarre “rescue mission” abroad. Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library at https://Calm.com/BULWARKTAKES . Read Roger’s article on Substack, “‘George Santos With a Gun’: The Untold Story of Cory Mills, A Mercenary In Congress”: https://substack.com/home/p...
Tim Miller takes on the ICE raids unfolding in Louisiana, exposing how the operation leans on spectacle, intimidation, and political theatrics instead of real public safety.
Sam Stein talks Donald Trump’s chaotic pardons, from Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar to the Honduran ex-president, and the political mess they’ve left for Republicans to attempt to explain.
Bill Kristol is joined by Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia to discuss the boat strikes, what really happened, and the latest intelligence raising new questions.
Sam Stein highlights 16-year-old cancer patient Mikaela Naylon, who spent her final days lobbying Congress for the Give Kids a Chance Act, helping revive the long-stalled pediatric cancer research bill, with her story inspiring new momentum and raising cautious optimism it could finally pass. Sam's piece from September 2025, "Elon Musk Torpedoed a Beloved Pediatric Cancer Bill. It’s Yet to Recover.": https://www.thebulwark.com/p/elon-musk-pediatric-cancer-bill-congressional-inertia-give-kids-a-c...
