{"_":"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"}}
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Sonny Bunch and Catherine Rampell break down a wave of major FCC developments shaping the future of American media. Paramount is asking the FCC to approve up to 100% foreign ownership in a massive media deal that could impact CBS and CNN. Foreign money is flowing deeper into American news—and regulators may be on the verge of signing off. Meanwhile, the FCC is also reviewing Disney’s broadcast licenses following comments made by Jimmy Kimmel, raising new questions about free speech, media pressu...
Tim Miller joins the Lib & Learn podcast to discuss the WHCD incident, the media spin that followed, and why both parties keep getting the moment wrong. He explains the real problem inside the Democratic coalition, how the GOP’s viral messaging machine works, and what it would actually take for Democrats to win again. Exclusive $25-off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES . Promo Code BULWARKTAKES Check out the Lib & Learn podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LibAndLearn/str...
Sam Stein and Ben Parker break down a Bulwark exclusive that the State Department is putting Trump's face on U.S. passports, as part of "America 250." Sam and Ben walk through what the redesign would actually include, why it’s unprecedented, and how it fits into a broader pattern of Trump branding across federal symbols and institutions. Plus, they break down how we reached out to the White House and State Department for comment and gave them time to respond. Instead, the White House sent the st...
Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol are going live at 10am ET to discuss the week's biggest news items. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events For a limited time, listeners can get an exclusive $25 off AuraFrame's best-selling Carver Matframe at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKTAKES with code BULWARKTAKES.
Sam Stein welcomes Axios' Marc Caputo to discuss Florida’s new redistricting map—and the legal storm it’s about to trigger. Governor Ron DeSantis has unveiled a plan that could shift Florida’s congressional delegation from 20–8 to as much as 24–4 in favor of Republicans. But there’s a major problem: Florida’s constitution explicitly bans partisan gerrymandering. So how is this happening? Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code BULWARKTAKE...
Sam Stein and Will Sommer are going live to discuss how Trump's allies are relentlessly using the WHCD shooting to push the new ballroom, the fascinating details of the individual reactions from Trump cabinet members to the shooting, and the absurd fight at the Substack party. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code BULWARKTAKES.
Bill Kristol and Tom Joscelyn went live to discuss white supremacy in the online Right and why they're obsessed with attacking the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Tim Miller joins David Pakman for a wide-ranging conversation on Trump’s unraveling, the “MAGA betrayal” moment among anti-war influencers, and what comes next for the right. They discuss why some of Trump’s loudest supporters feel misled, who actually drives conservative media, and how Never Trump has evolved into something broader. Plus: how to talk to voters who are starting to reconsider—and what a post-Trump GOP might look like. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angele...
Catherine Rampell and Sarah Matthews take on the botched White House photo op that went viral. Donald Trump hosted the 2025 NCAA champion Georgia Bulldogs women’s tennis team—but puts them in the background and skips their handshake. They break down the optics, the politics, and what it reveals about the “women’s sports” talking point. Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Sam Stein and Jared Poland give their takes on Trump’s new acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao. From viral podcast clips to resurfaced campaign interviews, Cao leans hard into “alpha male” rhetoric, conspiracy-adjacent claims about witches, and extreme takes on immigration, NATO, and the military. It’s a wild collection of moments, including comments about “peeing standing up,” calling ICE on people, and KKK hoods. Cao’s rise to the top ranks of the Pentagon raise serious questions about judgment an...
Sarah Longwell breaks down California’s chaotic governor’s race, where 61 candidates and a fractured Democratic field could open the door for Republicans. In polls, Xavier Becerra is quietly rising as the “safe” choice with Katie Porter still facing questions about her personal baggage, and billionaire Tom Steyer took most of the heat on the debate stage. All of this as Republicans, like Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, stand to benefit from the split in a chaotic jungle primary.
This episode delves into the breaking news of the DOJ dropping its criminal probe against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, examining the political motivations and implications for his potential successor, Kevin Walsh. The discussion also covers plummeting consumer confidence, partisan interpretations of economic data, and the real-world impact of inflation and rising fuel costs. Finally, the hosts analyze the potential government bailout of Spirit Airlines, questioning the economic and ethical ramifications of such interventions in a "command economy."
Tim Miller appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored and got into a heated on-air clash with a right-wing “pastor” while dismantling the case for Trump’s war with Iran. Watch more Piers Morgan Uncensored: https://www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events
Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down a chaotic day involving Kash Patel. First, Patel snaps at a reporter when pressed about his own lawsuit, turning a simple question into a total meltdown. They also dig into the Justice Department’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, explaining the allegations and why the case is already raising serious questions. Finally, they examine a troubling development: the FBI questioning a New York Times reporter after a story about Patel’s girlfriend. Rea...
The Epstein files are back in the news and JVL and Will Sommer are here to break down the latest. Republicans are now weighing whether to recommend a pardon for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. At the same time, the Department of Justice’s internal watchdog is launching a review into how the Epstein files were handled, raising new questions about what was released, what was withheld, and why. Is this a routine oversight review—or the start of something much bigger? Read more from Will...
The episode features Katie Couric, Bill Kristol, and JVL dissecting the current political landscape, including Tucker Carlson's controversial "conversion" and its implications for the conservative movement. They explore Trump's declining poll numbers and potential third-term ambitions, driven by a desire to preserve the Trump dynasty and its associated financial flows. The discussion also covers the chaotic war in Iran, examining Trump's erratic leadership and the military's internal struggles, as well as the ongoing gerrymandering battles and the changing nature of the White House Correspondents Dinner, reflecting a deeply polarized and unstable political era.
Sonny Bunch speaks with whistleblower Josef Palermo, who saw the collapse of the Kennedy Center from the inside. The Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell and the Trump administration said the shutdown was about renovations. But Palermo says the real story is financial collapse, political interference, and a dramatic shift away from the institution’s mission. From six-figure ticket markups to a fundraising pitch delivered during an October 7 memorial, Palermo lays out how things went wrong and ho...
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are discussing the week's major military and foreign policy news. The Bulwark is going to Southern California! Go to https://thebulwark.com/events to learn more.
Tim Miller and Bill Kristol give their takes on a major election night development in Virginia as voters approve a redistricting referendum that reshapes the state’s congressional map and clears the way for a potential 10–1 Democratic advantage. The result marks a significant political victory for Democrats, who moved aggressively to counter Republican-led gerrymandering efforts in other states. Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes to find and ins...
Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer break down the explosive feud between Candace Owens and Laura Loomer, including the shocking “sexual predator” and gay husband accusations flying back and forth. The trio takes on Donald Trump’s teased MAGA media rankings and builds their own list of winners, losers, and the truly unhinged figures in Trumpworld. Plus, why a devoted Nick Fuentes supporter went on CNN to talk about his hero and then found himself in his crosshairs. Read more from Will's "Fals...
Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol are going live at 10am ET on April 21 to cover the week's biggest news items. Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.
Andrew Egger talks with JVL about a 2028 scenario that sounds ridiculous at first… until you actually walk through the logic. A surprise contender is polling near the top of the GOP field and could have a clearer path to the nomination than anyone wants to admit. They break down why the Republican primary may be effectively frozen for 2028, how the MAGA base shapes the field, and why some of the most obvious candidates could be boxed out before the race even begins. Read more from JVL's Triad: h...
Will Saletan takes on Trump's threats to destroy Iran’s infrastructure—and the chilling defense from top officials who say “all options” includes targets that blur into civilian life. As the language shifts from bridges to hospitals and schools, the question isn’t just strategy—it’s how far the U.S. is willing to go. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwarktakes .
Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to discuss the week's biggest developments in the right-wing fever swamp. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/bulwarktakes . The Bulwark is headed to Southern California! Go to https://thebulwark.com/events to get your tickets for our LA and San Diego live shows.
Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell take on why two Democrats are breaking through, and what the rest of the party is still getting wrong. They look at standout appearances from Jon Ossoff and Pete Buttigieg, focusing on message discipline, authenticity, and why showing up in tough places matters more than chasing the latest podcast trend.
Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell discuss the latest chaos in Trump’s Iran strategy, from collapsing negotiations to escalating threats that may be pushing the U.S. toward a much bigger conflict, and the growing concern that even his own team is managing around him.
NYU law professor Ryan Goodman joins Bill Kristol to discuss how surveillance powers could be used—and abused—by the Donald Trump administration. Plus, a broader look at Trump's escalating clashes with the rule of law and what, if anything, Congress can still do to push back.
Rachel Janfaza and Lauren Egan explore a striking political shift: campus protests that once followed every move of Democrats have all but vanished under Trump—even amid a growing conflict with Iran. From massive campus shutdowns to near silence, what happened to Gen Z activism? They discuss protest fatigue, fear of consequences, changing campus rules, and a deeper cultural shift among young voters who may be giving up on protests altogether. Read more from Lauren’s reporting: https://www.thebul...
