Elon Musk is the largest single donor in American political history. He's also the world's most prominent booster of white supremacy. While Democrat after Democrat gets asked about Hasan Piker, most reporters don't seem to ask Republicans about the views of the man who's pumped nearly a half billion dollars into their Senate campaigns. Nor do they ask about the destruction he rained down on our government under DOGE. Plus: Trump is trying to build a city-size mausoleum for himself, his targeting of Ilhan Omar is also an attack on Congress, MBS is finding out he bribed the wrong family, the gang of jackals around Trump has no loyalty to the U.S., and is JD such an a-hole because deep down he hates his mother...and himself? 

Jamelle Bouie joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:

Jamelle’s piece, “Elon Musk Is Beyond the Pale” Jamelle on the targeting of Ilhan Omar JVL’s “JD Vance Is a Sociopath” Walter Isaacson’s interview with Elon Washington Sun on State Dept only promoting officials who voted for Trump The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are already divvying up how to investigate Musk, the one-time shadow president who's still making foreign policy decisions about the war in Ukraine. Also on tap for hearings is the impeachable Hegseth, who ironically broke the iconic globe used by Eisenhower—a man who actually knew how to fight a war. And of course there's self-enriching Jared Kushner, who pretends to do diplomacy with his Putin-worshipping sidekick, Steve Witkoff. Plus: Vance's support of Vivek's ad suggests that he has deep psychological problems, Marco keeps flailing on the Starlink debacle, the crypto industry is spending $55 million to buy Ohio Senator Jon Husted, Mike Rogers's wife has won some very large government contracts, and Kinzinger feels a real energy behind Talarico in Texas.

Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Kinzinger's YouTube Kinzinger on Substack Andrew in “Morning Shots” on the Texas trans mailers Drop Site News on Mike Rogers’s wife’s government contracts Jon Stewart on Mike Rogers Chris Christie dragging Vivek The NYT on Alina Habba’s $50 million deal The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Closing Song: Orville Peck - “It’s the End of the World”

Could there be a bigger sign of Ramaswamy's depravity and desperation than using a mother from hell to sell your message? His campaign for governor of Ohio against Amy Acton has been a nightmare from the beginning. Meanwhile, Murphy senses kryptonite in the water around Trump as well, particularly with the farm belt in revolt over tariffs and the price of diesel. But in Michigan, El-Sayed has got to cool it on the cocky bro stuff in the final days of his campaign. Plus: From our live show in Atlanta Tuesday evening, Gen. Hertling joined Tim to discuss the continuing blame game between Musk and the administration over the crippling of Ukraine's military communications, the lack of leadership at the Pentagon, and the failure to protect our troops.

Mike Murphy and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Hertling's recent piece, "Siding With Russia Is a Double Betrayal" Murphy’s “Hacks On Tap” pod Amy Acton’s campaign site The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Closing Song: MJ Lenderman - “She’s Leaving You”

Though they deny any involvement, the Trump administration and Elon Musk are apparently helping Putin escalate his campaign of terror against Ukraine. Civilian casualties across Ukraine are rising—including women and children—but Trump said Monday that Russia "has been fine on Ukraine." At the same time, Team Trump looks to be lining up business deals with Russian energy companies. And Marco's whitewashing of it all is sickening. Plus: Zelensky is tired of Trump's games, China is playing a curious role on both sides of the war, and JD has another whopper to add to his stack of lies. 

Former Amb. Michael McFaul joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

McFaul’s book, “Autocrats vs Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder” Tim’s ‘Take’ with Caolan Robertson in Ukraine The NYT on potential Kushner/Witkoff deal with Russian company Lukoil Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta TONIGHT The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Closing Song: Orville Peck - “It’s the End of the World”

The vice president had the gall to suggest he didn't know anything about what millions of Americans know: that Trump is using his office to enrich himself and that the administration made major mistakes in executing the war in Iran. But the polls strongly suggest a rebuke of Putin's biggest fan is coming because of the conflict in the Middle East. Plus: The obsession at Fox over Abdul El-Sayed is getting embarrassing, Mike Rogers is a POS, Tim and Bill share their new round of long shots (in North Carolina and Mississippi), and the tech oligarchs will be among the last to break with Trump.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

The Bulwark LIVE in Charlotte Sunday evening Monday’s “Morning Shots” CBS’s town hall with Vance Mississippi’s Scott Colom’s campaign site Paul Barringer’s congressional campaign site for NC-13 Kimberly Hardy’s congressional campaign site for NC-7 Judd Legum on Zuckerberg Abdul El-Sayed confronting a Republican plant at one of his campaign events Bulwark LIVE in Atlanta on Oct. 20 Closing Song: The War on Drugs - “Suffering” The Bulwark store For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK.

For more than 10 years, Trump has been showing us how skilled he is at sowing division and riling people up. Alan sees the kind of tribal mentality that Trump has fostered on his own reality show, "The Traitors," where contestants make incredibly stupid decisions because they don't want to deviate from the pack. The actor takes the opportunity to urge people to vote, protest, and stay vigilant in the face of the Republicans' campaigns of hate against immigrants and trans people. (And that includes Vance's dumb, dated gay jokes.) Plus: Rep. Garcia of the House Oversight Committee is preparing to get the gavel in January. He's already teed up new Epstein legislation, and he's planning to end the cover-up of 3 million Epstein documents, many of which have to do with Donald Trump. Also on the target list: the Trump family's business deals and the donors to the ballroom.

Alan Cumming and Rep. Robert Garcia join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

"The Traitors" on NBC Alan's show, "Tip Toe," on Starz October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Mike Johnson sure sounds afraid of what might come out when the House—under Democratic control—actually does its job and investigates the corruption of this administration. Democrats should start with the families of Trump officialdom who've been making bank since Inauguration Day. And as the Guilfoyle firing shows, everyone in Trumpland is expendable. Plus: Republicans have got nothing to offer voters but bribery and bigotry, Talarico shows the right way to disarm MAGA lies, the Elon-Putin-Trump Axis of Evil is together again, and George—in his first week back with The Bulwark—passed a cognitive test just like our president. 

George Conway joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Follow George’s new Bulwark pod, “Psycho Politics” Trump talking to Ken Bone in 2016; evidence of his current mental decline Ossoff on Chris Hayes’s show Miss South Carolina at the Miss Teen 2007 pageant October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Closing Song: Orville Peck - “It’s the End of the World”

Elon is now pitching in to help POTUS sabotage Ukraine while Trump makes a payout to Putin and works on his next self-enrichment scheme. A Cooper victory in North Carolina would be key to a potential Democratic Senate majority—a first step to reining in Trump—but the former governor warns Tim that Republicans have historically been undercounted in the polls and his lead should not be taken for granted. Plus: Scheiber in his recent book has the backstory on the radicalization of recent college grads, who tend to support the DSA and think America has too much power. And at a time when even white collar professionals identify with the working class, Trump's economic messaging sounds even more ridiculous. 

Roy Cooper and New York Times reporter Noam Scheiber join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Cooper’s campaign site Noam’s book, “Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class” JVL on Trump screwing the housing market This week’s “The Next Level” Link to send to elected Democrats on behalf of Maryam Tahmasebi and her family The Jay Kang piece that Tim referenced about Noam’s book October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to
NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad

Americans are living in a more dangerous world now because of Donald Trump. Not only because of his now-expanding war in the Middle East, but also through his reckless advocacy of AI. And in his desperation over the midterms, he's cut a sinister deal with Putin, the very same man helping Iran to kill Americans. Rice tells Tim this is not the time to be complacent over the good polling numbers. Just go vote. Plus, Democratic strategist Jackie Rosa checks in from South Texas on the electoral landscape there and offers up some advice on how Dems should talk to Latino voters.

Susan Rice and Jackie Rosa join Tim Miller.

show notes:

JVL on Trump's desperate, weak deal with Putin "The Next Level" podcast out later today Tim's updated candidate list Bobby Pulido's campaign site Johnny Garcia's campaign site in TX-35 October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Not only did the lamest of October surprises blow up in the faces of Ken Paxton and the rightwing loons desperate to get Talarico on something, Greg Abbott is now in a tight race with his Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa. And all the money pouring in to prop up Paxton could be better spent on Senate races in Alaska and Kansas. This would be a great time for the Democratic Governors Association to steer (a lot) more funding Hinojosa's way. Plus: Bill and Tim share their long shots, POTUS can't quit showing how much he's in the tank for Putin, MBS is finding out the hard way how the Trump family treats their business partners, don't be distracted by DHS's clownish authoritarianism in raiding Ilhan Omar's home, and the Iranian family that Tim has been advocating for is still in the Dilley detention center.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Will Sommer and Andrew on MAGA's Talarico breakdown Bill in "Morning Shots" on thinking beyond the midterms Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ron Brownstein Brendan on the Trump superfan running in upstate New York Blake Gendebien's campaign site (NY-21) Gina Hinojosa's campaign Tim's piece on Maryam Tahmasebi and her family October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Bulwark LIVE in Atlanta on Oct. 20 Closing Song: MJ Lenderman - “She’s Leaving You” The Bulwark store Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK
#oneskinpod

While the cult of Trump is dragging Republicans' popularity down, the Democrats have good, ideologically diverse candidates running all over the place. And voters aren't stupid: They know Trump's war and his tariffs are why prices are higher. But high-profile polling misses in recent years still haunt Dems, so Adam takes a deep dive into whether Republicans are doing better than the polls are showing. Plus: Derek explains how AI is making our lives more expensive and ponders why people behind AI think it's the most dangerous thing in the world yet still keep trying to build it as fast as possible. And no, AI does not have feelings.

Derek Thompson and Adam Carlson join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Derek's "The 26 Most Important Facts About AI and the Economy" Sam's interview with the guy who snitched on Guilfoyle Tim's Take on Vance discussing socialism Nate Silver on Derek's "Plain English" pod The New Yorker video, "Josh's Wedding," that Tim referenced Johnny Garcia's campaign site in TX-35 Katy Padilla Stout's campaign site in TX-23 October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Closing song: Orville Peck's "It's the End of the World" Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

The king of the birther conspiracy knows he needs to round up the white male vote, so he's serving up one of his old faves—straight-up anti-Muslim bigotry. And he's added a new one: Making Americans pay for another political ad, this time about what a tough guy he is. But Trump also has another corruption problem, courtesy of Trump Jr.'s ex-fiancée, Amb. Kimberly Guilfoyle, who seems to have a habit of calling in very expensive favors. Plus: Rubio is laying the groundwork for 2028, Hegseth is lobbying to keep his job after the midterms, the Democratic establishment is coming together for El-Sayed, Bibi has been very bad for Israel, and Trump has created a long-term security crisis for the West as a result of his Iran war.

Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Susan on Hegseth declaring victory in the wrong war The NYT on Iran forcing Trump and Hegseth to retreat Sam's interview with the guy who snitched on Guilfoyle Susan's 'Political Scene' podcast Trump falling asleep during the Susan Dell photo-op Will Sommer on the Andrew Tate eel-sex problem October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Closing song: MJ Lenderman's "She's Leaving You" Upcoming Bulwark LIVE show in Atlanta on Oct. 20 The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield

The Bulwark store

Join at functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK and use code THEBULWARK25 for a $25 credit.

Florida's Democratic nominee for the Senate says average Americans right now are living in the dreams of oligarchs and the super-rich, and it's time for regular people to live their own dreams. The progressive maverick promises to fight to help all Floridians—regardless of party—to be healthy, prosperous, and safe. And while Republicans like to point out Nixon's DSA affiliation, the Trump administration itself is acting socialist, while also sending immigrants back to countries like Cuba and Venezuela. Plus: Nixon weighs in on Vance's racist dog whistle, and Tim praises Troy Jackson's debate performance against Susan Collins—who seemed out of touch and was forced to play defense over Trump, the war, and the stupid tariffs.

Angie Nixon joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Angie’s campaign site October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE shows, including Atlanta on Oct. 20 Closing Song: The War on Drugs - “Suffering” The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and
use promo code BULWARK at checkout For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

Destroying trust in the government is one of Trump's key sources of power, but Michael reports from the front lines of the deep state that there still are good employees serving the public interest. In his new book, Michael celebrates some of the heroes who either managed to survive DOGE—or were stupidly pushed out despite the vital roles they filled. And the absolute failures of DOGE raise serious questions about how Elon could be trusted to run any enterprise. Plus: Trump sure sounded like he was inviting Iran to bomb two big blue cities, and Republicans are rushing money to South Carolina and a very GOP district in Kentucky. Seems like Tim and Bill were onto something with their long-shot midterms picks on Monday.

Michael Lewis joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Michael's new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State" Tim's 'Take' on how Trump's corporate enablers should be worried about 2027 Michael's post-Katrina piece, "Wading Toward Home" "The Fifth Risk," Michael's book on Trump 1.0 Michael on Sam Bankman-Fried, "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon" October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE shows, including Atlanta on Oct. 20 Closing Song: MJ Lenderman - She’s Leaving You The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Like all good demagogues, Trump's appeal works when he's got someone to blame. But it's on his watch that we've got a war-related global food crisis brewing and mass layoffs in Ohio—where Trump just happened to hold a rally over the weekend. So, POTUS is focused on getting his family more money through a new bribery scheme while Republicans struggle to demonize Dems and throw away resources on Paxton. Plus: Bill and Tim share their new long shot picks (in South Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky), Thom Tillis is a coward and a weakling, online trolls claiming The Bulwark is trying to get Dems more hawkish on the war really ought to catch one of our podcasts, and Russia's got a worrisome plague outbreak.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Andrew in “Morning Shots” on the Pierre Damas Bel funeral vs. Trump’s rally Andrew joins Bill for “Bulwark on Sunday” Follow “Bulwark Takes” for breaking and developing news Washington Sun on Trump meme coin/bribery scheme The WSJ on the brewing global food crisis Tim’s new candidate list October Surprise: The Bulwark is 30% off Upcoming Bulwark LIVE shows, including Atlanta on Oct. 20 Closing Song: The War on Drugs - “Suffering” The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK

What is going on with Trump's legs? He appears to be wearing a brace and a recent video shows him standing in a most unnatural way—as though he is mid-exorcism. But his apparent health issues don't seem to be stopping the administration from re-escalating against Iran with an additional 10,000 troops on their way to the region. Meanwhile, Trump's son-in-law, Jared (AKA the point person on the Gaza peace deal) turns out to be a war profiteer heavily invested in Israeli bomb-making companies. Plus: Some of the recent polls have been too rosy for the Dems, Islamophobia may be at play in the Michigan Senate race, Tim makes the case for regime change in Eritrea, and the cabal of guys at the All-In podcast—who bought their access to Trump—are some of the loudest voices pushing for his all gas, no breaks approach to AI. 

Tommy Vietor joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:

Tommy’s “Pod Save the World” Recent video of Trump standing Closing Song: Orville Peck - “It’s the End of the World” The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Finally, some accountability in Washington: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s general counsel and poster-holder is in career limbo after the infamous basketball mix-up in the Jack Smith hearing. And Americans seem to be holding Trump responsible for their economic frustrations—he’s below the Bush Line. Josh Barro explains: We’re not in a recession, but people feel stuck because borrowing costs are higher. Big budget deficits are inflationary, the president’s war of choice is making things worse, and our leaders don’t have a plan to deal with any of it. Plus, JVL explains why the markets are finally pricing in the risk of Trump’s war, and he and Tim discuss the weirdos running our government, Hegseth’s obsession with masculinity, and the importance of shame in a liberal democracy.

Josh Barro and Jonathan V. Last join Tim Miller.
show notes:

Part one and part two of Tim’s list of Democrats who can win Red America TIME’s interview of Trump Subscribe to JVL’s Triad JVL on oil risk premiums Jodi Kantor for The New York Times on the public shaming of John Roberts Closing Song: The War on Drugs - Suffering Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

The Trio comes together on the daily pod for the first time to give a little taste of the MAGA-land news Sam, Will, and Tim are covering for The Bulwark. The latest developments include speculation that Candace Owens may be a lesbian and that Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds pretended he was Jamaican. He may also have very poor judgment on financial matters. But first, Maria talks with Tim about Eric Schmitt and what may be the biggest self-own in the history of the Senate. Plus: Most of the media is still doing fake balance in favor of Trump, the pivotal scandal that knocked Chris Christie out as the 2016 frontrunner—and may have opened the door to you-know-who—and Tim shares details about a kiss he wanted but never got. 

Ex-Christie aide Maria Comella and Trio members Sam Stein and Will Sommer join Tim Miller.
show notes:

Tim’s updated list of additional Democratic candidates to support in “The Triad” Will’s “False Flag” newsletter The Trio on Youtube or on Substack The campaign site for Montana’s Sam Forstag The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Vigilance is still in order, but Trump’s efforts to rig the midterms have so far flopped. And that includes Trump’s self-sabotaging of his own plan to blame China for hacking our voting machines. But should the Dems win back Congress, they’re going to be busy tracing all the money that was stolen for the ballroom, the arch, and Pentagon contracts with Trump family members. Plus: Evan discusses his new book, which memorializes both his 16 months in Russian captivity—and the recent history of Russia at war under Putin.

Amanda Carpenter and Evan Gershkovich join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Evan’s book, “This Cursed Beautiful Land” Protect Democracy’s Substack Andrew in “Morning Shots” on impeaching Trump again Sam and Will on Texas’s Bo French The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

The Trump administration stole our tax dollars to run a campaign ad during NFL games on Sunday. They're also breaking the law on congressional funding appropriations—and enjoying rubbing the public's face in all the illegality they're getting away with. In Dayton, The Bulwark had its largest live show ever, and the community came through in a huge way with donations for Haitian immigrants in Springfield. For a taste of the event, we're sharing Tim's interview with Democratic strategist Patrick Gaspard. Plus: Tim and Bill launch a new segment on longshot picks to back in the midterms, Trump is being unbelievably irresponsible on AI, the media is still not talking about the Iranian green card-holding family being held at the Dilley detention center, and Americans need a reminder of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. 

Bill Kristol and Patrick Gaspard join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Monday's "Morning Shots," with Bill on Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington Bill’s longshot in Idaho, Todd Achilles Tim’s longshot in Colorado, Jessica Killin The Trio on Victor Marx, running for governor in Colorado A sampling of Jim’s newsletters on Springfield Ohio’s Don Leonard for Congress campaign site Dan Scavino’s AI image Tim referenced Closing Song: MJ Lenderman - She’s Leaving You The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

Trump pulled out all the stops at the state dinner to regale the guy who is working with our enemy: Not only has China been helping Iran target and kill American soldiers, it's also been shipping Tehran component parts for drones and missile guidance systems. Senate Republicans, of course, blocked an effort to end the war as one of their last votes before the midterms. Meanwhile, election deniers keep showing us that they're going to try to monkey around with the election results in November. Plus: Alex discusses her new book about the origin story behind today's supermajority Supreme Court, and warns that Republicans may try to steal another SCOTUS seat in the lame duck Congress. 

Alex Wagner joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes:

Alex’s book, “The Steal” Tim’s ‘Take’ on Republican candidates trying to run from their record on the Iran war The WSJ on China shipping drone parts to Iran Tim’s playlist The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store

First, Sam Stein sits down with Tim to discuss the latest humiliation of our troops: Trump’s red carpet welcome for President Xi. Plus: the White House’s insane propaganda machine, a new Maine poll throws some cold water on the midterms hopium, Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s obsession with furries, and is RFK Jr. running for president? Then, Tim pulls back the curtain on his interview with Mary Peltola, which wrapped just hours before a new critical New York Times piece dropped. In their conversation, Peltola explained how nearly every issue Alaskans care about can be summed up by “fish, family, and freedom.” And that viral debate moment with Dan Sullivan revealed something deeper: He is not doing enough to protect Alaskans from corporate greed in Washington.

Sam Stein and Mary Peltola join Tim Miller.
show notes:

The New York Times story on Mary Peltola Trump’s new propaganda ad paid for by your tax dollars Video of Trump greeting President Xi The White House’s AI reconstruction of the meeting Jonathan Cohn’s newsletter “The Breakdown” Closing Song: MJ Lenderman - “She’s Leaving You”

The cozy White House Correspondents' Dinner, where Trump joked around with reporters, was only in July. But now he's ripping away press credentials and setting up state-run media. Sarah scolds the WHCA for bending the knee to Trump to begin with. And recent Italian history even foreshadowed the Trump era. Jason, in his new book, explains how Silvio Berlusconi learned how to become the central character in the media. The more he was talked about, the more powerful he became—and the more his opposition became trapped. Plus: a case study of Giorgia Meloni, her love of the hobbits, her opposition to Trump, and the rise of far-right populism in Italy. Also, a little hopium for Texas turning blue. And today's Republicans will always choose power over the interests of women.

Sarah Matthews and The New York Times' Jason Horowitz join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Brendan on watching six straight hours of Trump TV Sarah on MAGA world trying to save Max Miller Jason's new book, "The Italian Job" Catch Tim's TNL rant on George W. Bush Nicole Bassett's Oregeon state senate campaign site BJ's Lounge in NOLA Go to https://zbiotics.com/thebulwark and use THEBULWARK at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

The party has been busy playing defense in Trump states, and now comes the news that Susan Collins is corrupt on top of being a loyal MAGA supplicant. More Democrats should walk with Ossoff's swagger and keep their message simple: attack Trump on his corruption and the war. (And in colder climes, the price of heating oil.) Meanwhile, subpoenas over Trump Jr.'s Russian mobster-funded wedding are coming, and even some Republicans are likely to get on board. Plus: Ukraine is showing how to fight wars now and how the U.S. under Trump and Hegseth is not ready. And Tim keeps his promise and puts on a hair shirt after LSU's loss to Ole Miss. 

Stuart Stevens joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

ProPublica’s reporting on Susan Collins Lauren on how Dems are dealing with the Republicans’ huge war chest Tim’s interview with Wright Thompson last week Stuart’s books, including “The Conspiracy to End America” and “The Last Season” Stuart on performance-enhancing drugs The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/thebulwark for 50% off your first order today!

As Trump’s war of choice continues to expand in the Middle East, it’s clear that the president is desperate not to show how weak he really is. The administration is out of time and out of both strategic and rhetorical options in Iran. Another sign that he is flailing: Trump is trying to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House press pool. But other TV outlets are pushing back in solidarity, forcing Trump to choose between two of his favorite things: punishing his critics and dominating the airwaves. Plus why the triumphal arch would be the silliest possible place for a military installation, Trump’s American Idol-style vote on what to call AI, and the unaddressed, ongoing education crisis.

Sitting in for Bill Kristol, Andrew Egger joins Tim Miller on the Monday pod.
show notes:

Tim’s conversation about the latest AI news with Stephen Witt Tim and JVL’s 2023 conversation with Reid Hoffman Andrew in today’s “Morning Shots” on AI Dan Selsam’s statement Nikole Hannah-Jones on her daughter’s public school education The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark Store Song of the Day: MJ Lenderman - “She’s Leaving You” For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK.

In Greenland, the Trump administration has got tech bros and hedge fund guys running an influence operation there. The aim may be to fulfill Trump's territorial ambitions—or to create a sovereign state run by CEOs. In Venezuela, the administration is imperialistically seizing its gold, oil and other assets with no oversight. And in Brazil, the White House is trying to bring the Bolsonaro family back to power—which may or may not have something to do with Elon being angry about the country's tech regulation laws. In Trump 2.0, informal envoys, private companies, and hardened ideologues are turning American diplomacy upside down. Plus: Putin has played Kushner like a fiddle, don't let the story of Don Jr.'s Russian gangster-funded wedding die, new additions to the Applebaum book club, and we're going to have to bulldoze the ballroom.

Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Anne’s Atlantic cover story, “Empire of Grift” “Whistler: A Novel,” Anne's latest book recommendation Tim’s book recommendation, “The Disappearers: A Novel” The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield The Bulwark store Tim’s playlist Closing song - War on Drugs - “Suffering” Try ZipRecruiter to post your job FOR FREE at http://ziprecruiter.com/BULWARK
4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day.

Republicans are reeling, the vibes are shifting, and the wave is building. Jesse serves up a particularly optimistic view of the Democrats' chances in the midterms, with even stretch districts now in play. And ahead of Saturday's Ole Miss-LSU game, Wright shares how Mississippians are responding to the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and says that conservative farmers in the state are turning on MAGA. Plus, the love of a father and Ole Miss football, some Magnolia Bowl lore, why 1956 is the linchpin year in college sports history, and predicting the hate ratio on Saturday in Oxford.

Wright Thompson and Jesse Lehrich join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Wright's books, including "The Barn" and "The Cost of These Dreams" Wright's ESPN piece on Friday will post here Jesse's "Nobody Knows Anything" podcast "Nobody's Listening," Jesse's newsletter Campaign site for Eliott Rodriguez, Maria Elvira Salazar's opponent Erick Erickson piece Tim mentioned Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield The Bulwark Store Try ZipRecruiter to post your job FOR FREE at http://ziprecruiter.com/BULWARK
4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day.

The Fed raised interest rates to curb inflation, as expected, but mortgage rates are surging and flailing Scott Bessent remains the treasury secretary. Meanwhile, the alarm raised in the AI community is not an op despite the backlash from people like Nvidia's Jensen Huang, who seems to get everything he wants from Donald Trump. Plus, the Europeans who once parked their gold in the US to hide it from the Nazis are now trying to protect it from Trump.

Catherine Rampell and Stephen Witt join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Subscribe to Catherine Rampell's Receipts podcast and newsletter on Substack or follow her new show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | More  Stephen's "This Is Really Bad" piece in the NYT Stephen's "The Thinking Machine," about Nvidia and Jensen Huang The latest episode of "The Next Level" Dan Selsam's statement on Twitter that Tim read from "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies," the book Stephen mentioned Huang's "impromptu" phone call with Trump Closing song - Orville Peck - It's the End of the World NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield
Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio.  Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship.

The co-author of the signature book inside Trump 2.0 says the media only knows 5% of what is happening inside the administration—particularly when it comes to national security, the money-making, and the self-dealing. Jonathan does have new reporting about how the administration keeps pretending that our military is not running low on long-range missiles. In reality, the war is costing us a month's worth of Patriots almost every day. Plus: Stephen Miller has become the White House's resident kingmaker, why Trump is turbocharged on AI, and some contentious moments when Tim and Jonathan discuss how to characterize JD's divergent private and public posturing on the war.

Jonathan Swan joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Jonathan’s “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump” The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield Closing Song - MJ Lenderman - She's Leaving You Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK
#oneskinpod
Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield
Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. 
Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship.

A Putin bestie who's involved with the kidnapping of Ukrainian children bankrolled Don Jr.'s island wedding for some mysterious reason. Kushner is calling on Ukraine to give in to Putin's territorial demands. And Trump himself is blaming Zelensky for the high cost of diesel even though prices shot up after Trump launched his war of choice. It's the whole Trump family that tends to remind us of their close ties to Russia, Russia, Russia. Meanwhile, POTUS is not troubled by China's involvement with the death of U.S. soldiers in the Mideast. Plus: Adam Hamilton in Kansas was on fire in his debate with Roger Marshall, the list of horrible Republican candidates keeps growing, and the fears about AI have broken wide open.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

ProPublica on the Russian oligarch bankrolling Don Jr.'s wedding The Bulwark's campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield Tim's 'Take' on the debate between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan Bill in "Morning Shots" on AI fears The NYT on Roger Marshall suing patients for debts The Trio 'Take' on Brandon Herrera The Bulwark Store Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.
Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield
Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio.  Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship.

Rudy Giuliani and others who purport to represent the families of 9/11 victims ginned up the idea that it would be wrong for the Muslim mayor of NYC to attend Friday's memorial at ground zero. Republican politicians and Laura Loomer keep pushing their trash Islamification conspiracy. And a law-abiding Muslim family has been imprisoned for five months because Rubio declared them a national security threat—and most of the media could care less. At the same time, Tucker has a new, large Muslim fan base because they like what he's saying about Gaza and the Palestinians, even though he's a solid anti-Muslim bigot who just hates the Jews more right now. Plus: Trump seems to really like communism, JD has never publicly said he opposes the Iran war but he keeps leaking that he's against the administration's signature foreign policy initiative, and Hunter is a crypto-scamming mess.

Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. 

show notes:

Mehdi’s Zeteo news site Tim’s piece for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Tim on the Iranian family Marco is imprisoning The Bulwark store Tim’s playlist Closing song - Orville Peck - It's the End of the World Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield
Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio.

Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship.

Benefit for Ohio

All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need.
Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/BULWARK and use gift code BULWARK25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.”

As Sarah explains in her new book, Trump has been so successful teaching a new generation of Republicans about the political value of vice signaling that Nazi talk and racism has become the norm among young MAGA edgelords. Disdain for women is also a key element. One former true believer, Pedro, says the right sees all of Trump's corruption and abuse of power as justified because he's focused on the country's true enemies: brown people, immigrants, and their white allies. And Vance buddying up to the racists shows that he is the real heir apparent to Trump. Plus, Tucker is not well, Trump keeps lying about handing out money, Pence can't seem to come to terms with how he enabled this moment we're in, and Pedro's anti-Tim tweets before his Road to Damascus moment.

Sarah Longwell and Pedro Gonzalez join Tim Miller.
show notes:

Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time" Pedro's Substack Pedro's piece in The Nation The Bulwark, including Tim, live tonight on YouTube or Substack Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," mentioned by Pedro Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield
Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio.
Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. - TICKET INFO

With Republicans in tight races stripping Trump’s name off their campaign websites, the president is in need of some love from Republicans he has summoned to Dallas to celebrate him. The fake convention also conveniently serves as a distraction from the surging price of oil. Plus: Vance may be the source who’s leaking about the missile depletions, Fox is giving more leeway for criticism of Trump, anti-Muslim hysteria is driving the complaints about Mamdani attending the 9/11 memorial in NYC, and Jessica from “The Five” has what she’s calling a “survival manual” for how to talk about politics with your MAGA friends and family members. Also, Tim is furious about the lack of media attention on Maryam Tahmasebi and her family, who are being imprisoned because of their bloodline.

Jessica Tarlov joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Jessica’s new book, “I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends” Tim’s piece on the green card-holding family Marco Rubio is imprisoning NYT on the newly-released 9/11 documents Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

From politics to sports, business, and tech, the rich are breaking the rules, looking out for their friends, and still getting rewarded in the end—maybe with the help of a little trip to the White House with a POTUS gift in hand. For the midterms and beyond, Adam is bullish in his new book about the Dems' prospects to win on a grand scale and pass the kind of policies that help regular people. Part of the trick is cooling it on the purity tests over fraught issues like Israel. And in this Trump era, when accountability is so scarce, Pablo shows with his Pulitzer-winning reporting on the LA Clippers that consequences are still possible. Plus: Trump fatigue seems to be settling in, Fetterman only cares about fighting with other Democrats, the NCAA doesn't like capitalism, and the WNBA may be on the cusp of a heyday.

Adam Jentleson and Pablo Torre join Tim Miller.

show notes

Adam's new book, "Supermajority: How Democrats Can Build Lasting Power" Sarah's book out today, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time" Pulitzer-winning reporting by “Pablo Torre Finds Out” on the Clippers Chris Murphy on the NCAA asking for an antitrust exemption on player salaries Lane Kiffin's halftime locker room speech on Saturday Pablo's episode on Oz the Mentalist and his episode on Rony Seikaly COME HANG WITH THE GANG—Sarah, Tim, JVL, Sam and friends—during our Bulwark LIVE: Good Fight Tour this October 16-20:
🎤Friday, October 16 at The Senate in Columbia, S.C.—Will Sommer joins the gang on stage. Is Columbia ready for the Trio? 🎤Sunday, October 18 at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, N.C.—special guest Pete Buttigieg joins the gang with Catherine Rampell and Lauren Eagan.

🎤Tuesday, October 20 at The Eastern in Atlanta, Ga.—Gen. Mark Hertling and the Morning Shots duo—Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol—join the gang for this final stop.

Tickets are on sale NOW through the links above or through TheBulwark.com/Events. At Bulwark LIVE we can promise you a night of fellowship and politics with lots of laughs—and maybe a few tears too. We’ll keep you sane.

With just under two months until Election Day, Tim and Bill revisit the run-up to the midterms in 2006 and 1994, two major wave election cycles where the bottom just fell out from under the party in power. The 1994 blowout was more about the end of an era, while 2006 was about an unpopular war in the Middle East, a scandal, and a disappointed base. What do those wave elections suggest about the prospects for a big blue year in 2026? Plus: Do not miss either the war stories from Tim as a young Republican operative on the campaign trail or Clinton blaming Bill for helping to tank his health care reform plan.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a special holiday pod.

show notes:

Tim in 2006 Bill in "Morning Shots" with his Truman-related advice for the Dems

COME HANG WITH THE GANG—Sarah, Tim, JVL, Sam and friends—during our Bulwark LIVE: Good Fight Tour this October 16-20:

🎤Friday, October 16 at The Senate in Columbia, S.C.—Will Sommer joins the gang on stage. Is Columbia ready for the Trio?

🎤Sunday, October 18 at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, N.C.—special guest Pete Buttigieg joins the gang with Catherine Rampell and Lauren Eagan.

🎤Tuesday, October 20 at The Eastern in Atlanta, Ga.—Gen. Mark Hertling and the Morning Shots duo—Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol—join the gang for this final stop.

Tickets are on sale NOW through the links above or through TheBulwark.com/Events. At Bulwark LIVE we can promise you a night of fellowship and politics with lots of laughs—and maybe a few tears too. We’ll keep you sane.

Marco Rubio is using dubious powers to create a new class of immigrant political prisoners. Meanwhile, DHS officials are bragging about how they're brutally shackling and frog-marching Haitians who came here under protected status. On this American holiday weekend, David takes a "nerd moment" to explain that the Founders always intended our Constitutional liberties to apply to noncitizens as well—including even despicable Milo Yiannopoulos. Plus: How Trump keeps getting away with his illegal ballroom construction, what normie Texas Republicans are thinking about Paxton vs. Talarico, the risks of legal shenanigans after the votes are all counted in November, and an update on the Iranian green card-holders who've now been detained 150 days. Also, Tim is heartily enjoying the LSU ruling ahead of Saturday's game against Clemson.

David French joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.

show notes:

Follow "Bulwark Takes" for the latest releases over the weekend David's piece on Marco's tin-pot dictator leanings More on the Iranian green card-holders from a local NBC affiiliate in LA Tim's playlist Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Thom Tillis was the pivotal vote to confirm a buffoon to run the Department of Defense, and now he’s shocked about Hegseth’s incompetency. JD wants everyone to know he’s a Catholic now, but he doesn’t seem to have absorbed even the basic teachings of Catholicism. And Susan Collins claims she has influence with her Senate colleagues over Trump’s agenda—even though on almost every occasion she has made sure that her vote won’t matter. Meanwhile, Trump did a coup in Venezuela with an associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Plus: Tim reads from the mailbag, Trump is repulsed by Ken Paxton, the Antichrist might be walking amongst us, and what would happen if armed, leftwing activists created a sanctuary space in Ohio to protect Haitian immigrants?

JVL joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

JVL’s ‘Triad’ on the illegal Venezuelan oil deal Tim’s ‘Take’ with MAGA pollster Rich Baris Pulitzer-winning reporting by “Pablo Torre Finds Out” on the Clippers Tim’s interview with Ruby Cramer on MAHA Here’s how you can help the city of Springfield and its Haitian Community:Support the Haitian Community Help & Support Center, St. Vincent de Paul, and Second Harvest Food Bank

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Go to Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.

The Army is currently operating without any Senate-confirmed civilian or military leaders at the top. For Navy secretary, Trump is nominating an election-denying veteran who thinks witches and Wiccans are taking over cities. And when Hegseth is not busy purging the DOD’s leadership, he seems to be under the spell of a Rasputin-like character who failed a polygraph and may have taken the supposedly sober defense secretary out for a bender. Meanwhile, Don Jr. got another Pentagon contract, and the administration keeps ignoring the fact that Russia is helping Iran try to kill American soldiers and sailors. Plus: Tim today launched a new series featuring a younger generation of Democratic operatives who are working hard to win the midterms. First up is Biden White House alum Rodericka Applewhaite.

New Bulwark pod host Michael Weiss and Rodericka Applewhaite join Tim Miller. 

show notes:

Tim’s candidate recs (which will be updated soon!) The Atlantic on Trump being surprised about all the top officers being fired ProPublica on Don, Jr.’s Pentagon drone contract Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Vaccine skepticism and distrust of pharmaceutical companies long predated RFK, Jr.'s 2024 presidential campaign. But the distrust of mainstream medical authority has now grown so deep that the United States can no longer contain the spread of measles. The country’s measles-vaccination rates have dropped below the threshold for herd immunity. Obviously, Trump’s misleading vax ruminations from the Oval Office have not helped the matter. The New Yorker’s Ruby Cramer discusses her reporting on one family’s frightening medical experience after one parent fell down the MAHA rabbit hole. Plus: The administration has given Big Ag a pass, Democrats should try recapturing health-conscious voters, the overlooked case of an American shot by immigration thugs, and the surprising backstory of Kari Lake becoming ambassador to Jamaica.

Ruby Cramer joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

"The Next Level" pod will be out later today Ruby's New Yorker piece, "The MAHA Custody Battle" Ruby's reporting on the preschool worker who was shot by Border Patrol Ruby on the DNC's Ken Martin Eddington, the film Ruby referenced and Sonny recommends

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Trump’s war is far from over, top military leaders are warning Hegseth that prolonged ops in the region are unsustainable, and Americans have been financing Pentagon propagandists who’ve been secretly collecting taxpayer money to try to convince us that things are going great in Iran. This is not the time for congressional Democrats to allow Republicans to easily pass a spending resolution that keeps the government open. At the same time, Trump keeps handing gifts to Democrats—like his sell-out to tech oligarchs and his praise of data centers. Plus: The Venezuelan oil deal is a socialist PR stunt, vile Laura Loomer is trying to bring back the normalization of Islamaphobia, Massachusetts voters should recall the risks of sending an 80-year-old back to the Senate, and Marco really is the worst Cabinet member of all

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Monday’s “Morning Shots” Will Sommer on the taxpayer-supported Pentagon troll army The Post on the Pentagon propagandists collecting taxpayer money The WaPo on military leaders warning Hegseth against extended Iran operations Sam on last week’s show with Tim Sam and Ben on Trump’s new threats to press freedom Military Times on the damage done to the U.S. base in Bahrain

The wars in Iran and Ukraine are increasingly entangled, CIA Director John Ratcliffe had to personally deliver a message to Moscow, and Trump is driving our Gulf allies into the arms of China. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israel relationship keeps mucking up our domestic politics, particularly in Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign in Michigan. But it also turns out that podcast host (and senator) Ted Cruz seems to be pocketing money from the state of Israel itself. Plus: Some Democrats have finally figured out how to deliver speeches again, Vance is always trying to turn himself into something he’s not, the DSA posters sound a lot like the Resistance 1.0, and Enes Kanter is still a POS.

 Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

We’ve hit the August doldrums, so Tim is taking the daily pod on a little excursion. The Bulwark community delivered some epic mailbag questions, one of which prompted Sam to make one of the nerdiest confessions ever. Also, Tim and Sam adjust their Cabinet member rankings: Marco is an utter catastrophe, RFK Jr. is failing on all fronts, and Kelly Loeffler is proof that aliens exist. Plus, DeSantis is doing some seemingly dirty dealing down in Florida, ICE arrests are soaring—and here’s hoping that Trump’s super PAC spends millions on ads for the midterms extolling what a great job he’s doing as president.

Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

NYT on the surge in ICE arrests Vanity Fair piece on Lutnick that Tim referenced The Atlantic on Trump's midterms ad campaign Tim's latest 'Take' on Trump's immigration policy Sam's 'Take' from May on the DeSantis Medicaid scandal  Alien Kelly Loeffler video

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

The only likely way to end the nightmare of Trump—and Republicans supporting him no matter how much he ruins the country—is for Democrats to win in Republican-leaning states and congressional districts. That means giving moderates the grace to compete for people who voted for Trump. Likewise, moderates also need to recognize that the left will be swing voters in key races this election cycle. Plus: the online brawl over Hasan Piker, Scott Jennings’ desperate campaign to be the new White House press secretary, Trump is widening his attack on the First Amendment to research institutions, and Rob Sand is breaking the candidate mold in Iowa.

Epic poster and Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

The Center for American Progress website 'Take' on the CIA director's trip to Moscow (with Weiss & Polymeropoulos) Neera's busy Twitter feed Jonathan Martin's interview with gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand

Yield curve control has gone mainstream (seriously, just ask the Asheville Beatnik with a message for Scott Bessent), so Tracy Alloway is here to explain the latest economic turmoil to Tim. Bessent’s bond buyback gambit seems to have flopped, but apparently, according to the President, there’s always the option of military intervention to bring the market to heel. In the meantime, consumers are going to pay more interest on everything, and there’s no plan to reduce the federal debt. Then, for some MAGA drama dessert, Will Sommer joins the pod to talk about Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s dud of a pay-for-play road trip video series, the Trump/Tucker beef, and the feud between a Groyper-adjacent Undersecretary of State and an anonymous MAGA propaganda account that your tax dollars are paying for.

Will Sommer and Tracy Alloway join Tim Miller.
show notes:

Picture of the Asheville protestor with the yield curve sign Tracy’s Odd Lots podcast Will and Tim’s DC tour Will’s False Flag newsletter on Data Republican Catch Tim, Sarah, and JVL on The Next Level later tonight

Canada flat-out rejected Trump’s terms in trade talks, so now it looks like we are going to have a trade war with our friends in the Great White North. Sorry, Maine. Sorry, bourbon industry. And in MAGA farm country, ranchers are furious that POTUS is increasing beef imports free of tariffs. Even Tom Cotton has dared to question Trump’s move. And on the other side of the aisle, Democrats should maximize their attacks on ICE, the midterms are looking wave-ish, and Hakeem should explain why he would have a conversation with Kushner that did not involve a subpoena. Plus: the Iran war has been a strategic loss for the U.S., Trump’s summer 250 celebrations were a bust, Lindsey’s sister is an empty vessel, and hater Enes Kanter’s campaign against the WNBA is gross and disgusting.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Lauren’s piece on Roy Cooper Tim’s latest crazy, stupid Republicans ‘Take.’ This time: Andy Biggs Bob Kagan on “Iran Unleashed” Katie Britt’s contact page for Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/thebulwark for 50% off your first order today!

Melania had to come out of hiding and practice her English after days of embarrassing coverage of Trump aide Natalie Harp. And now Harp’s newly released gushing notes to POTUS show unparalleled devotion to him. But they also hint at an abusive relationship built around trying to manage his easily-wounded ego with fantasy-grade good news stories. Meanwhile, Michael Cohen reminded everyone that he is a pathetic little lapdog. Plus: Trump is running the country like a socialist, he’s driving up the debt to dangerous levels, he seems determined to muck with the midterms—and the ‘orange man bad' resistance has been right all along.

George Conway joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Two of Natalie's love notes to Trump JVL on the 'human printer' Tim's interview with Julia Curlee Tim's interview with David Wallace-Wells  Katie Britt's contact page for Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis

Tim's playlist

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Mark the summer of 2026 as the moment when an unlikely supermajority of Americans came together on one issue: their opposition to data centers. This new, big, messy coalition spans the political spectrum and is rooted in a fear that the sociopaths of Silicon Valley will determine the future of our lives, our communities, and our economic prospects. And (most) politicians have noticed which way the wind is blowing. Plus: Carbon emissions are getting better but the planet is still getting warmer, the coming El Niño may be the strongest ever, and ICE arrests are dramatically up because Stephen Miller is siccing agents on immigrants who are following the rules.

The New York Times' David Wallace-Wells joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

David's recent newsletter on keeping the world safe from AI David on Trump's deportation machine ramping up Derek Thompson's recent "Plain English" pod on AI that Tim referenced

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

When Trump came back into power, his administration leaned heavily on former CIA analyst Julia Curlee to help safeguard our national security. The first CIA officer to transition openly, Curlee had worked at the highest levels in the White House for years. But once her gender identity became public through a witch hunt, she was hounded out. Curlee talks with Tim about the chaos of Trump’s slash-and-burn firings, the administration’s demonizing of trans people, and how Mike Pence treated her with dignity and respect when she was his personal briefer. Plus: The 19th’s Errin Haines joins to discuss the Florida primaries, the Dems’ prospects in the South, the real backlash against the Callais decision, and AOC’s Woke 1 comments. And Tim asks The Bulwark community to help Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis.

Julia Curlee and Errin Haines join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Katie Britt’s office: 202-224-5744 Britt’s chief of staff: [email protected] and her subcommittee clerk  Dave Roth at at 202-224-4319 Britt’s Twitter: @SenKatieBritt Where Tim shared the letter and drawing that were sent to Britt Curlee's Atlantic piece, "The Wrong Kind of American" Mona's podcast, where Curlee will also be a guest later this week Errin's newsletter, "The Amendment" Tim's 'Take' on the detained Venezuelan family

Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Trump is flailing so badly on Iran. He dispatched Jared Kushner to negotiate with the regime but then denies that any talks are happening at all. He also threatened to bomb one ally and hammered another for not helping him fight his war. And somehow, in all of this, Kushner—a private businessman and a consultant for the Saudis—is meeting with Hamas officials and Netanyahu while also looking out for his own financial interests. Plus: a primer on why we keep troops in South Korea, Hegseth may be mulling a presidential run, and Gen Alpha may save us all.

Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

"The Next Level" podcast—out later on Tuesday Tim on another family being held at the Dilley detention facility The Gen Alpha TikTok video Tim mentioned Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale starting August 18. Watch your inbox for details. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Thanks to a shrewdly-timed Jon Ossoff campaign event, a lot more people are suddenly learning about young and blonde Trump confidante Natalie Harp AKA ‘the human printer’—and one of only three aides who accompanied POTUS on his catering truck-secret flight escape. Meanwhile, Trump is lending a hand to white-collar criminals and expanding his extortion and bribery options with his crypto firm. Plus: the flat-out lies about Fauci and miscarriages, Andrew loves the Great Lakes, the tariffs have done so much damage that even Sherrod Brown is against them, and Tim has some choice words about the primary challenge against Jared Moskowitz in Florida.

Andrew Egger joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Catherine's piece on Trump trying to destroy the shell company registry  Tim on crazy, stupid Republicans running in the midterms. First up: Mike Collins Andrew's critique of Politico's piece on Trump's tariffs in "Morning Shots"  Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale starting August 18. Watch your inbox for details. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.