{"_":"Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the \"both-sides\" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy. \n \nBulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.\n","$":{"audioboom:html":"1"}}
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This episode features Bill Kristol and Tim Miller dissecting several pressing political issues. They criticize the White House Correspondents' Dinner for legitimizing a president hostile to the press and vehemently reject false flag theories surrounding a recent security incident. The discussion then shifts to Trump's Iran policy, which they argue is heading for a humiliating defeat, damaging US credibility and the global economy. Finally, they highlight Zelensky's emergence as a strong liberal leader and analyze the intricate landscape of the upcoming Senate midterm elections, noting Trump's declining political standing and its potential impact on key races.
This episode features Nicholas Kristof, who sharply critiques the Iran war, highlighting its failure to achieve stated goals and its devastating global consequences. He discusses the heightened risk of Iran developing nuclear weapons, the severe depletion of US military resources impacting Taiwan's defense, and the escalating humanitarian and economic crises worldwide. Kristof also delves into the political opportunities for Democrats to realign with working-class voters by focusing on domestic issues and ethical governance.
Tim Miller and Sarah Matthews discuss the Trump administration's disarray, from its confusing Iran policy and unqualified appointments to Kash Patel's abuse of power and Trump's anti-conservative stances on government intervention. Later, Ben McKenzie joins to reveal the extensive fraud within the cryptocurrency industry, detailing how figures like SBF and Alex Mashinsky operated Ponzi schemes, the questionable origins and efficiency of blockchain technology, and Jeffrey Epstein's early funding of Bitcoin. The episode culminates in a critical look at how Donald Trump has embraced crypto for personal enrichment, accumulating billions through branded scams, and the urgent need for stringent regulation to combat this widespread corruption.
The podcast dissects former President Trump's tumultuous Iran strategy, highlighting its economic impact and the failure of his "madman theory" against a resolute adversary. It celebrates the Virginia Democrats' surprising and aggressive redistricting victory, showcasing their willingness to play hardball. Additionally, the hosts critically examine Kevin Warsh's alarming Fed Chair confirmation hearing, questioning his independence, and lament the media's sparse coverage of a tragic mass shooting in Shreveport.
This episode explores the global economic shocks from recent geopolitical events, including oil and fertilizer market disruptions, and analyzes the unusual market reactions influenced by political rhetoric. It also delves into the challenges facing modern American men, examining themes of masculinity, community, and economic changes through personal stories and societal trends. The discussion highlights the interplay between individual lives and broader economic and cultural forces.
Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a face-saving off-ramp. Meanwhile, back in reality, Iran too can see how desperate Trump is, the war is helping China feel emboldened, and some of our closest post-WWII allies think Beijing is more dependable than the U.S. under Trump. Plus, Hegseth has chosen an ideal time to pick a fight with the secretary of the Ar...
Ben Rhodes breaks down the 'absurdity' of Donald Trump's Iran deal, arguing it bolsters the regime and undermines US standing, unlike the Obama-era JCPOA. He discusses the hypocrisy of right-wing hawks, Israel's misaligned war objectives, and Trump's eroding international influence. The conversation extends to Cuba policy, the role of moral leadership, and a critical analysis of JD Vance's 'blood and soil' definition of American identity.
From Trump's sacrilegious use of Jesus, to his massively corrupt pardon scheme, and his desire to plaster his name on every federal building and institution, this country has never had such a bad president. The Dems need to plan now how they will do oversight and also keep his loyalists from helping him cheat in the midterms. Plus, Hegseth really doesn't know his Scripture, Trump is turning America's 250th birthday into a party for himself, and RFK has really got a thing about dead animals. Aman...
Alastair Campbell joins Tim Miller to dissect the widespread European anger and economic fallout stemming from Trump's Iran war, contrasting his chaotic approach with historical diplomatic efforts. They explore the illusion of American omnipotence, China's strategic gains, and the perplexing unpopularity of European leaders, questioning the future of democratic politics and the capacity for European self-reliance amidst global instability.
The Iranian regime may be wounded, but it’s likely to seek revenge for the war at some point, maybe even through sleeper cells in the United States. And with a second round of peace negotiations potentially in the works, Iran could rake in billions in return for pausing its nuclear program. On the more uplifting side, the election news out of Hungary has feel-good shades of 1989, and is a reminder that reality and facts can get in the way of a stubborn authoritarian. Plus, Tim on Trump's Jesus p...
Orbán’s loss in Hungary was so overwhelming he couldn’t cheat his way out of it. But the decisive defeat for both Putin and authoritarianism may also suggest that the vibes they are a changin’. For instance, at home, Trump had to take down his Jesus post because of the backlash from across the political spectrum. People can see he’s flailing on the war and the economy. Plus, Vance has the stink of a loser, Dems can learn some campaigning tricks from Peter Magyar, the Melania-Epstein mystery cont...
No one was really asking about Melania’s ties to Epstein. But after her surprise White House statement to the press on Thursday, the questions are flowing—particularly because a former Brazilian model who moved in both Trump and Epstein circles is posting threats against the First Lady on social media. Tim and Jane break it all down. Plus, Melania does not speak or read English very well, Trump is furious about Tucker & co.’s opposition to the Iran war, Vance’s motives for converting to Cath...
Anne Applebaum dissects Hungary's election, where a new challenger confronts Viktor Orbán's corrupt, post-reality campaign built on disinformation and anti-Ukraine sentiment. The discussion extends to JD Vance's misrepresentation of Orbán and his ignorant stance on the Ukraine war, revealing a profound misunderstanding of global conflicts. Furthermore, the episode critically examines the Trump administration's erratic foreign policy, highlighting astonishing threats against the Vatican and NATO, and the failure of its "madman theory" in the ill-conceived Iran conflict, ultimately leaving a trail of instability and unmet objectives.
Trump showed that he is completely unequipped to be a war leader. He threatened crimes against humanity, and not only let a foe prove it could take our punches, but also inflict economic pain on the global economy as well. Indeed, with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran looks to have emerged from the war with a stronger hand. We also don't know how much Trump's financial ties to Gulf countries are influencing his wild and erratic handling of the war. And if this military operation was jus...
Tim Miller hosts Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz to discuss their New Yorker piece on Sam Altman, detailing his journey from founding an AI safety nonprofit to his current, profit-driven leadership. The conversation highlights Altman's alleged serial deception, his shifting views on AI's existential threats, and the significant political and economic implications of his actions and Silicon Valley's influence. It also touches on Trump's dangerous rhetoric regarding Iran and the need for a coherent Democratic strategy.
Hosts Tim Miller and Bill Kristol analyze President Trump's escalating and chaotic threats against Iran, which include targeting civilian infrastructure and are detached from original war objectives. They discuss growing bipartisan criticism of Trump's conduct, the impressive professionalism of the military contrasting with the administration's rhetoric, and concerns over the Pentagon's lack of transparency. The conversation also delves into calls for impeachment, allegations of Trump family war profiteering, his attacks on the Supreme Court, and disturbing instances of overt racism and family separation impacting military personnel.
The pro-Iran war hawks keep crowing about how U.S. military prowess is supposedly striking fear in Beijing and Moscow. But what’s really happening is that Trump is doing exactly what China and Russia hoped he’d do. Beijing has wanted the U.S. out of the Western Pacific and Putin, of course, wants NATO wrecked. Our major allies are scrambling to form new economic and military relationships, and America is likely to be very lonely in the world with only a few stooges to count as friends. This is w...
Trump fired Pam Bondi, maybe the most destructive AG in the history of the United States, because she wasn't able to magically and lawlessly jail his political enemies. On Wednesday night, he told Americans that gas prices would naturally go down when he was finished with his war—much like the way he told the country in March 2020 that COVID would just go away. In reality, China may end up in control of the Strait of Hormuz and with freight passage paid with the Chinese Yuan. America and the wor...
The war-induced global oil shock is already pushing consumers and businesses to new pain points because of higher fuel prices. Airlines are cutting back routes and ticket prices have started to spike. Expect road trips to be canceled, lifestyles to change, and more people to work from home. Trump is trying to deflect blame onto Iran and NATO, but the world will focus its rage on him and his war of choice. Plus, stagflation may be in the offing, tariffs made people poorer, both Kristi and her hus...
Trump has served up so many rationales for why he had to do this war, but helping Iran project even more power in the region was surely not one of the reasons. And yet, here we are. Iran is in control of a good chunk of the global energy supply, and other countries are going to have to beg to get through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the moment for Democrats to show what a real opposition is—especially when warmonger Lindsey Graham runs off to play at Disney World. Plus, Trump's coalition is mid...
Thousands of soldiers and Marines have arrived in the Middle East to potentially engage in combat on Iranian soil. Trump has done nothing to make the case for an invasion of Iran, even though he’s got plenty of time to wax rhapsodic about the patios and Corinthian columns on his ballroom project. The Republican congress may have abdicated its Constitutional obligations, but that doesn’t mean Democrats can’t raise hell: Cut your vacation short, demand a vote on the deployment of troops, and go on...
In addition to the global energy shock brought on by Trump's war, mortgage rates are surging, and labor costs and prices are rising. And Republicans don't seem to have a plan except to spend more, blame trans kids, and feed Trump's megalomania by allowing him to put his ugly signature on our currency. Plus, JD thinks Americans are stupid, the gap between Bibi's and Trump's objectives vis-à-vis Iran continues to widen, and where is Marco Rubio? Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod....
For nearly 50 years, since the Ayatollah seized power in Iran and took Americans hostage, the U.S. has known that the regime could single-handedly shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Trump was reportedly warned of this threat, but the failed casino owner blew it off. And now Iran unilaterally controls 20% of the world’s oil supply and an even higher percentage of the fertilizer inventory. But the former vice president tells Tim that Trump’s judgment has been even worse on climate change. On the 20th...
Trump's shamelessness has been his political superpower, but the regime in Tehran is seeing a desperate and panicked man doing the opposite of what he's said about Iran for the past decade. But his supporters are not likely to see the dangerous moment we are in unless or until they feel real economic pain personally. Plus, Markwayne Mullin is another shorty tough guy, the Dems don't understand our reality show politics, and how an alternate universe might look if Kamala were president and we wer...
A war of choice may evolve into a war of necessity because the brains at the White House apparently did not anticipate that Iran—in response to the bombing campaign—would shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which the global economy depends on being open. It's also not a good look for the U.S. to be got by a power like Iran because China is watching. Plus, how the war is impacting the supply chain, the markets may be underpricing oil because traders keep banking on Trump to do his usual TACO, and Isr...
The man in charge is bluffing, blustering, and trying to manipulate the markets by claiming that the administration is in negotiations with Iran and was holding off on further military strikes. Israel's reaction was to drop more bombs on Iran, and the regime itself used Trump's own lines against him in its response. In any event, Iran has shown it can close the Strait of Hormuz, which is much more of a power move than the degradation of Tehran's missile capacity. With the war hitting Americans f...
The U.S. is at war with the leading state sponsor of terror, and Donald Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin—a man with no counter-terrorism experience—to help defend the homeland. At the same time, Hegseth is a meathead, and the shoe designer at the top of the FBI is preoccupied with visiting all the places on his bucket list. This is the moment for Democrats to argue that Trump has made the country very vulnerable. Plus, the administration apparently did not consider worst case scenarios vis-à-vis...
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico outlines his strategy for a statewide win, emphasizing the need to move beyond political echo chambers and engage diverse voters through persuasion rather than purity tests. He critiques foreign policy's impact on domestic issues and current economic policies, advocating for leaders who address core concerns like the cost of living. Talarico also details his balanced stance on immigration, supporting both immigrant communities and border security, and plans to reconnect with Latino and Black voters by actively listening and speaking to their values and faith.
POTUS is pretending the laws of supply and demand don't apply when it comes to the price of oil. And his long list of conflicting statements on the Strait of Hormuz is not providing any clarity on whether it will reopen to Western vessels anytime soon. But while Rep. Khanna successfully helped create the Epstein coalition, he says most of his Republican colleagues on the Hill are sticking with Trump's war narrative—though with a little less chest thumping. Plus, progressive Squad candidates came...
A former MAGA influencer who saw the underbelly of the immense power and wealth around this administration says never-Trumpers should show compassion for people who are now feeling betrayed by him—and who are starting to have second thoughts about the cult they joined. Ashley, who is the mother of one of Elon's kids, also tells Tim that an increasing number of MAGA women are waking up to the fact that they've been used as pawns in the movement. Plus, Ric Grenell's desperate effort to land a job ...
