BREAKING: Massive Jobs Revision Clouds Jan. Gains (w/ Paul Krugman)
Catherine Rampell, JVL, and Paul Krugman take on the January jobs report. Follow Paul Krugman on Stubstack at https://paulkrugman.substack.com/
Feb 11, 2026•37 min•Ep. 596
Bulwark Takes
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Episodes
A 20-Year-Old Meth-Smoking Influencer Is the Future of Right-Wing Masculinity
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer break down the bizarre, disturbing, and increasingly influential world of “looksmaxxing” and the internet personality at its center, Clavicular. The trio give their takes on how a 20-year-old influencer built a massive following by bone smashing his face, abusing steroids and meth, and livestreaming chaos all while becoming a minor celebrity in right-wing online culture. They explain the strange vocabulary (mogging, jestermaxxing, foids), the overlap with i...
Feb 10, 2026•27 min•Ep. 595
Lutnick Lied About Epstein. Why Don't Republicans Care?
Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on why Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces zero consequences for lying about his contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files reveal family trips, business deals, and charitable donations between Lutnick and Epstein, contradicting his claims that he cut off contact with him in 2005. They break down how other governments, including the UK, Slovakia, and Norway have forced resignations or investigations over Epstein ties, and w...
Feb 10, 2026•20 min•Ep. 594
Kid Rock was Laughably Bad
JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Adrian Carrasquillo give their takes on the record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show by Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar delivered a joyful, confident, massively popular performance and MAGA promptly lost its mind. The trio break down why Bad Bunny’s show worked, why Kid Rock’s conservative counter-programming flopped, and what it all says about Trump losing his grip on American culture. Posting a job is now easier than ever with UpWork at https://UpWork.com ....
Feb 09, 2026•31 min•Ep. 593
A Conservative Finally Says It: Trump Is Incredibly Corrupt
Tim Miller takes on a stunning National Review series that details the scale of Trump’s crypto corruption—dwarfing anything ever alleged about Biden—and explains how Trump’s crypto business operated as a pay-to-play system for foreign money, why Republican oversight collapsed, and why it matters that conservatives are finally starting to say it out loud.
Feb 08, 2026•15 min•Ep. 592
Yes, Democrats Could Win the Senate in 2026 (w/ Ron Brownstein)
Senior CNN political analyst Ron Brownstein joins Bill Kristol to discuss the Democrats chances of winning the Senate during the 2026 midterms.
Feb 08, 2026•44 min•Ep. 591
ShamWow Guy Has America’s Dumbest Campaign Ad
Tim Miller, Catherine Rampell, and Will Sommer give their takes on the rise of the infomercial wing of the GOP. From ShamWow and MyPillow to the ambassador selling blood-flow vitamins and miracle sleep aids, they unpack how selling stuff became a political credential and why Trump’s brand of politics made it inevitable.
Feb 07, 2026•15 min•Ep. 590
More Than THIRTY Republicans Are Leaving Congress
Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone give their takes on the growing wave of House Republicans announcing their exits as the midterms approach. They break down why Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei and others are heading for the door, how Trump’s iron grip over Congress has made life miserable even for Freedom Caucus hardliners, and why the prospect of being in the minority is driving GOP members to run for the hills.
Feb 07, 2026•10 min•Ep. 589
JD Vance Just Got BOOED at the Olympics!
Tim Miller and Adrian Carrasquillo joined Nicolle Wallace to relish the moment JD Vance was loudly booed at the Winter Olympics. They also talked about MAGA’s meltdown over Bad Bunny to growing signs of global and cultural rejection, and how Trumpworld’s behavior is turning into a real political liability. Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
Feb 07, 2026•17 min•Ep. 588
LIVE REACTION: Trump Posts Racist Video Depicting Obamas as Apes
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Andrew Egger react to Trump's racist video last night depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. As the White House defends the post, Republicans like Sen. Tim Scott are "praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House" and calling for it be removed.
Feb 06, 2026•29 min•Ep. 587
Trump’s Crypto Grift Is Imploding
Tim Miller and Catherine Rampell give their takes on the crypto crash, why Bitcoin and meme coins are plunging, and what the sell-off says about speculation, interest rates, and the broader economy. They break down why crypto hasn’t held up as an inflation hedge, how rising rates are squeezing risky assets, and why Trump-world’s deep exposure to crypto and speculative stocks suddenly looks a lot more precarious.
Feb 06, 2026•13 min•Ep. 586
The Trio Breaks Down the Trad Right’s Freakiest Scandal Yet
Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on the chaotic scandal surrounding far-right influencer Elijah Schaefer. After disappearing from his online show, Schaefer reemerged with a black eye, paranoid Rumble rants, and a series of increasingly bizarre videos, including wandering through a flooded hotel. The fallout has pulled in secret audio recordings, trad Catholic influencer drama, Milo Yiannopoulos, online feuds, and renewed scrutiny of Schaefer’s self-styled role as a “family...
Feb 06, 2026•33 min•Ep. 585
Steve Bannon Threatens “ICE Surround The Polls” For The Midterms
Tim Miller joins Katy Tur on MS NOW with his take on what the newly released Epstein documents reveal about Jeffrey Epstein, but about how few powerful adults were willing to say no, draw a line, or walk away when it mattered. Tim also responds to Steve Bannon’s threats for ICE to surround the polls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and what Stephen Miller’s continued influence inside Trump’s orbit says about the current state of Republican politics. Watch Katy Tur Reports on MS NOW: https://w...
Feb 05, 2026•11 min•Ep. 583
Trump Gives Rambling, Combative Speech at National Prayer Breakfast
Sam Stein and Andrew Egger react to Trump's latest craziness at the National Prayer Breakfast and his interview with NBC's Tom Llamas.
Feb 05, 2026•30 min•Ep. 584
Hegseth Threatens to Cut Scouts’ Funding Over “Woke” Policies | Command Post
In this edition of Command Post, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) joins Ben Parker to break down the surprising clash between the Department of Defense and Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts). Secretary Hegseth is threatening to cut support for Scouting America over DEI policies and integrated troops, but is this really what the Pentagon should be focusing on? Hertling explains why the Scouts’ values like honor, service, and leadership align with military priorities, and why Hegseth’s fight seem...
Feb 05, 2026•26 min•Ep. 582
GOP Scrambles After MASSIVE Minneapolis Blowback
Tim Miller and Andrew Egger give their takes on why Democrats may actually be winning the fight over DHS and ICE funding, even as critics on both the left and right accuse Democratic leadership of weakness. With a partial government shutdown looming, Democrats managed to fund the rest of the government while isolating DHS, forcing Republicans to defend some of ICE’s most unpopular and constitutionally questionable practices.
Feb 05, 2026•15 min•Ep. 581
BREAKING: Jeff Bezos is Gutting the Washington Post (w/ Max Tani)
Sam Stein, JVL, and Semafor's Max Tani react to the Washington Post laying off roughly one-third of its newsroom staff, cutting entire desks, and shutting down major areas of coverage—including foreign bureaus during an active war. They break down what happened, who made the decisions, and why this collapse didn’t have to happen.
Feb 04, 2026•30 min•Ep. 580
Trump’s Gross Attack on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins After Epstein Question
Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on Donald Trump’s explosive White House press conference, where he lashed out at CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, dismissed questions about the Epstein files, and once again showed how comfortable he is attacking female reporters. They explain why Trump’s treatment of Collins was especially revealing, how it fits his long-standing pattern of defending powerful men accused of abuse, and why the press corps’ failure to step in matters more than people realize. They ...
Feb 04, 2026•20 min•Ep. 579
IT HAPPENED! Pediatric Cancer Bill To Become Law
Sam Stein gives his take on the good news out of Congress. After years of inexplicable delays, political dysfunction, and gut-wrenching defeats, the Give Kids a Chance Act has finally passed and is set to become law. The bipartisan bill will expand pediatric cancer research by allowing the FDA to study combination drug therapies, opening new funding streams, and cutting bureaucratic red tape that has long slowed progress for kids with cancer. Sam walks through how this widely supported legislati...
Feb 04, 2026•14 min•Ep. 578
Tim Puts on His Tinfoil Hat Over Epstein Rumors
Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest wave of Trumpworld absurdity, as the 2020 election conspiracy crowd suddenly snaps back into focus after an FBI raid in Fulton County, Georgia. They unpack Trump promoting a conspiracy about Italian satellites, the apparent sidelining of Ed Martin, the expose on Rep. Nancy Mace that includes late-night tequila runs and Reddit vanity projects, and Florida long-shot gubernatorial candidate James Fishback deciding to join Tinder ...
Feb 03, 2026•24 min•Ep. 577
Is Trump Going to Demolish the Kennedy Center?
JVL and Sonny Bunch give their takes on Trump’s sudden decision to shut down the Kennedy Center for two years after politicizing it, slapping his name on it, and driving ticket sales to historic lows. They break down how an iconic, nonpartisan arts institution ended up with pandemic-level attendance, why artists and audiences fled, and how a pathetic vanity project backfired spectacularly. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com , promo code BULWARKTAKES....
Feb 03, 2026•18 min•Ep. 576
Measles Is Back and the Government Doesn’t Care
Sam Stein and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the alarming return of measles in the United States. The disease is spreading again, with major outbreaks in South Carolina and hundreds of cases appearing nationwide. They break down why falling vaccination rates are driving this preventable crisis, how government leaders are downplaying the threat, and why vaccine skepticism has become a badge of honor on the right, from RFK Jr.’s influence at HHS to Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s push t...
Feb 02, 2026•21 min•Ep. 575
Todd Blanche Broke His Promise to the Senate
Will Saletan takes on Todd Blanche’s Sunday show appearances, where Trump’s former lawyer—now running the Justice Department—defends mass deportations, self-issued warrants, foreign money flowing to Trump, and openly political prosecutions, despite promising the Senate none of this would happen.
Feb 02, 2026•15 min•Ep. 574
Will There Be ANY Consequences for New Epstein Revelations? | Bulwark on Sunday
Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell discuss Epstein releases and other news.
Feb 01, 2026•45 min•Ep. 573
Watch the Anti-Gay Marriage Ad With Tim and Sarah
Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell react to the “Greater Than” ad campaign, a polished rebrand of the push to roll back gay marriage. They watch the ads, break down the claims about children and families, and explain why the argument doesn’t hold up—factually, morally, or politically.
Jan 31, 2026•20 min•Ep. 572
The Melania Movie Is a $75 Million Bribe
Sonny Bunch saw "Melania" so you don’t have to and it’s no surprise that it’s not good. Sonny is joined by JVL to give their takes on why the movie makes no sense as a business proposition, Donald Trump’s central role in shaping its purpose, and the decision to put the project in the hands of Brett Ratner, a director exiled from Hollywood after multiple sexual misconduct allegations, as part of his attempted comeback.
Jan 31, 2026•24 min•Ep. 571
Buckle Up, There Are MORE Crazy Epstein Emails
Tim Miller and Sam Stein give their takes on the explosive revelations from the recently released Epstein files. They delve into the disturbing connections of high-profile figures, including Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk, Bondi's lack of involvement in today's presser, and what the latest docs dump says about Trump’s relationship with Epstein.
Jan 31, 2026•27 min•Ep. 570
Law Enforcement Says ICE & DHS Are Making Policing Worse
Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller listen to a rare focus group of 14 law enforcement officers, Trump-voting and Harris-voting, to get honest reactions to ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. Hear more on "The Focus Group" on Saturday morning.
Jan 31, 2026•34 min•Ep. 569
Sen. Chris Coons: Democrats Are Willing to Shut Down DHS Over ICE Abuses
Sam Stein is joined by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) for his take on the rapidly unfolding government shutdown fight and why Democrats are willing to shut down the Department of Homeland Security unless Congress passes real, binding limits on ICE and CBP. Coons explains why Democrats agreed to a short-term DHS extension, what specific statutory reforms they’re demanding, and how Trump’s governing chaos is reverberating beyond U.S. borders.
Jan 30, 2026•20 min•Ep. 568
BREAKING: Don Lemon Arrested, Kevin Warsh Trump's Fed Chair Pick
Sam Stein, Sarah Longwell and Catherine Rampell are LIVE discussing Don Lemon's arrest related to a Minneapolis church protest and Trump tapping Kevin Warsh as the new Fed chair.
Jan 30, 2026•50 min•Ep. 567
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