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Bulwark Takes

The Bulwarkwww.thebulwark.com
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

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, 20269 minEp. 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, 20264 minEp. 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, 202646 minEp. 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, 202618 minEp. 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, 202614 minEp. 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, 202626 minEp. 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, 202637 minEp. 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, 202636 minEp. 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, 202627 minEp. 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, 202633 minEp. 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, 202647 minEp. 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, 202644 minEp. 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, 202629 minEp. 926

Trump Gets Mercilessly Booed at NBA Finals

Tim Miller gives his take on Donald Trump's appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the president was met with a chorus of boos from Knicks fans. Tim breaks down the reaction inside MSG, the even harsher response from fans gathered outside to watch the game, and the attempts by Fox News to spin away what everyone could plainly hear. Why does Trump's movement always seem to need validation and why can't they just admit when the crowd turns against him? Elevate your...

Jun 09, 202610 minEp. 927

Trump’s UFC White House Stunt Could Be Illegal

Sam Stein went on MS Now to give his take on the lawsuit trying to stop Donald Trump’s planned UFC event at the White House, the legal questions surrounding it, and why it’s yet another example of Trump blurring the line between public office and private interests. His longtime ally Dana White is involved, Trump holds a financial stake in UFC’s parent company, it's on federal property, and they're having it be a nationally televised by another Trump ally. Then, Sam dives into a new report on FBI...

Jun 09, 202611 minEp. 925

Jared Kushner Makes Hunter Biden Look Like a Boy Scout

Andrew Egger is joined by Casey Michel, author of the forthcoming book United States of Oligarchy: How America's Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy, to examine how Jared Kushner became a walking conflict of interest at the center of American foreign policy. From cultivating relationships with Saudi royals and Gulf autocrats while serving in the White House to launching a multibillion-dollar investment fund backed by foreign governments after leaving office, Ca...

Jun 08, 202629 minEp. 924

MAJOR MAGA on MAGA Fights | MAGA Mondays

Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the flurry of stories across the right-wing fever swamp. They discuss: Mike Lee blasting Pete Hegseth for snubbing Mormons, Kash Patel launching attacks against Judicial Watch, Republicans claiming fraud because Spencer Pratt is losing in the LA mayoral race, Lauren Boebert sounding off on a Fox News reporter, and whether Albania’s PM could be ousted over Jared and Ivanka’s luxury resort. Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to https://Quince.com/bulwark...

Jun 08, 202659 minEp. 923

'Pressure' Is a Great Movie With the Wrong Eisenhower

Sonny Bunch and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) review Pressure, the new film about the D-Day weather decision that nearly derailed the largest invasion in history. They discuss what Eisenhower was really up against: a catastrophic dress rehearsal, a ghost army commanded by Patton, alliance politics, and a lone British meteorologist telling him the June 5th launch date would be a disaster. Plus: Hertling on getting caught in an Iraqi sandstorm, the Coast Guard's impossible mission in The Perfect S...

Jun 08, 202636 minEp. 922

Trump Completely Loses It During Bizarre NBC Interview

Tim Miller reacts to Donald Trump’s combative NBC interview, where the president lashes out at the press, revives election conspiracy theories, defends his Jan. 6 compensation fund, dismisses farmers’ economic pain, and makes fresh promises on gas prices and Iran. By the end, the interview devolves into a shouting match—and Trump storms out.

Jun 07, 202628 minEp. 921

The Most Important Research Project in American Political Journalism

Sam Stein and Brendan Hartnett take on the most important research project in American political journalism: documenting every time Donald Trump has publicly lost his mind over how handsome a man is. After over 100 documented instances, it's fair to say we have a pattern on our hands. The president cannot stop slow-panning across a room full of guys and narrating what he sees. We're not here to judge. We're here to document

Jun 06, 202610 minEp. 919

Art of the Gaffe: Trump’s Greatest On-Air Trainwrecks

Donald Trump has spent years giving his critics material. Will Saletan brings together some of his favorite Bulwark Takes videos covering Trump's most absurd interviews, bizarre conspiracy theories, embarrassing gaffes, and unforgettable Fox News trainwrecks. From anchors desperately trying to coach him through interviews, to the dumbest lies he's said about elections, to his strange relationship with Vladimir Putin, there is no shortage of moments that go from comical to infuriating. Stop putti...

Jun 06, 20262 hr 18 minEp. 917

Beef Prices Are Already Sky High. Now Comes Screwworm.

Catherine Rampell and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the return of the flesh-eating parasite screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has already blamed the Biden's border and immigration policies as a potential cause after saying in November that it was under control. But is that the full story? We examine whether DOGE-related staffing cuts and the broader erosion of international cooperation may have played a role in weakening surveillance and response systems. Plus, beef prices are ...

Jun 05, 202623 minEp. 918

Thom Tillis Said He Would Kill Trump’s Slush Fund. What Happened?! | Receipts Live

Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein went live to cover the week's financial and economic news. Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://ZocDoc.com/BULWARKTAKES to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Read Catherine Rampell's 'Receipts' newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/receipts

Jun 05, 202647 minEp. 916

Hunter Biden Is Going Through It Online

Hunter Biden is back online and he’s not just lurking. He’s posting, replying, and diving headfirst into viral Twitter debates with users big and small. JVL, Sam Stein, and Sonny Bunch give their takes on whether Hunter’s unexpected social media renaissance is just chaos…or something more strategic. Could this be a redemption arc? A political liability? Or even the beginning of a strange new media career? Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://ZocDoc.com/BULWARKTAKES to fi...

Jun 05, 202618 minEp. 915

Trump Destroyed His Career. Why Is Cassidy Still Kissing His Butt?

Tim Miller takes on the Senate vote that kept Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion fund alive, exposing the Republican lawmakers who condemned it in public and then helped save it behind closed doors. Plus, the growing controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s luxury island project in Albania as questions about corruption and self-enrichment continue to mount. Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house...

Jun 05, 202623 minEp. 914
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