The former president doesn't think our country is exceptional, and the political press won't hold him to any standard because it has zero expectations of him. Plus, Lindsey Graham is an empty shell, John Kelly was nearly driven mad working for Trump, and JD Vance can't stop spinning conspiracies. 

Jeffrey Goldberg joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes

Jeffrey's new book, ?On Heroism: McCain, Milley, Mattis, and the Cowardice of Donald Trump"
Atlantic piece on Trump's diminished speech abilities
JVL's Triad newsletter from Thursday
Orlando Sentinel's straightforward headline about a Trump threat
Tim's playlist 

While Republicans paint a vision of America as a dystopian hellscape, Kamala is helping herself to the sunny optimism of Reagan and the Bushes. Plus, Taylor is breaking MAGA's brains and driving up voter registrations, Sarah Palin is no longer the worst VP candidate, and Laura Loomer is even too crazy for MTG. Mark McKinnon joins Tim Miller.

Kamala laid trap after trap during the debate, and because he's so impulsive, Trump walked into every single one. And while he seethed, she was the normal and sane one?who came so prepared she was name-dropping missiles and tanks. It was a good night. S.E. Cupp joins Tim Miller, who also shares his scoops from the spin room.

show notes:

S.E.'s show, "Battleground"

Trump and Kamala are meeting for the first time at tonight's debate, because in 2021, he took his ball, went home, and skipped the inauguration. Seven weeks after the change in the ticket, Trump still doesn't seem to know how to fight her? while Kamala will likely be focused on her message of fighting for the people vs Trump fighting for himself.

show notes:

Olivia's piece, "I Examined Donald Trump?s Ear ? and His Soul ? at Mar-a-Lago
Symone's MSNBC show, "The Weekend" 

This is not a close call, Bush 43: Follow your vice president's lead and say you're voting for Kamala. Meanwhile, stay alarmed that this is a close race, and don't forget that JD cares more about guns than kids. Plus, after 12 years of Ted Cruz not caring about his state, have Texans had enough? Tim Miller spoke with Rep. Colin Allred at TribFest in Austin, and Bill Kristol joined for a political news roundup.

show notes
Tim on Kamala's new "Best People" ad featuring ex-Trump appointees

Before a packed house in D-Town, Tim Miller and Adam Kinzinger covered it all, from Trump's incoherent muttering about childcare to his graveside camera-mugging. Plus big boos for Cruz, advice for Colin Allred, and should Kinzinger run for Congress from Texas? Our first of two live shows from the Lone Star State.

After the decade we've been living through, we will remember the people like Liz Cheney, who have made the choices that really matter. Meanwhile, will the MAGA influencers who say they were unwitting Russian propagandists give their millions back? Plus, Tucker's praise and promotion of Holocaust denialism, Vance's pathological feelings about women, and the continuing tragedy of guns everywhere in America. 

David Frum joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Frum's recent piece on the Gaza protesters

The media still haven't figured out how to cover Trump, so they don't scrutinize even his most shocking statements?like when he claimed he had the right to interfere in the '20 election. Plus, Kamala's strong Indian mom, the Dems' improved response to sexist and racist attacks, winning rural voters, Mark Robinson's porn habits, and how it looks in Trump country. 

Neera Tanden and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Heitkamp's One Country Project
Heitkamp's "Hot Dish" podcast

Kamala is showing that she's good at politics by uniting the party's coalition and making appeals to the center. But many Democrats can't help themselves and are just waiting for all hell to break loose. Plus, building affordable homes, conserving the republic vs. preserving conservative policies?and Walz, the everyman. Sen. Brian Schatz and Mona Charen join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Mona's piece, "What Are We Conserving?"
Pat Toomey on CNBC today

Kamala looks to have a very narrow lead in the polls, but she needs to do more to drive Trump down?a good target would be his announcement that he's voting against protecting abortion rights in Florida. Plus, his sudden concern for Pence and Vance's copious podcast blathering. 

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a special Labor Day pod. 

show notes:

USA Today piece about Will Selber
Hersh Goldberg-Polin's childhood bedroom with art about Jerusalem 

Harris has been watching and learning about the ways of Washington, and she keeps sticking the landing like a gymnast. Meanwhile, Trump is desperately trying to unring the bell on abortion. Plus, what is his plan to delegitimize the election this time? PBS' Margaret Hoover joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.

show notes:

Margaret's Firing Line special, "Counting the Vote" on your local PBS station
Margaret's Firing Line documentary on YouTube
Tim's playlist
John Avlon's congressional campaign website

Policy differences pale in comparison to maintaining self-governance and restoring sanity in the country?high time for the anti-Trumpers to endorse the candidate who's not posting crap like a 17-year-old in his parents' basement. Plus, the Arlington incident, jealous Megyn Kelly, and why Russia is freaking out about the Telegram-related arrest. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Will Selber on the Arlington episode and Section 60
Tickets for The Bulwark LIVE next week in Dallas

The pundit class keeps talking about how Trump hasn't figured out how to respond to Kamala?but she already knows how to deal with him. And the man who's used to controlling the narrative finds himself on the sidelines. Plus, maximizing the efficiency of Kamala's digital campaign over the next 10 weeks. 

D.L. Hughley and Teddy Goff join Tim Miller.

show notes:

D.L.'s radio show, streaming
D.L.'s radio show, terrestrial options

Rumors have surfaced about Joe feeling sad and resentful about the re-energized party. At the same time, Kamala seems happy to share the limelight with party stars, like Pete Buttigieg. And over at Mar-a-Lago land, the flat-footed Trump campaign still doesn't know how to respond to the change in the Dem ticket. Plus, the mysterious and sketchy way Trump is allocating campaign contributions. Mark Leibovich and Juleanna Glover join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Mark's piece on the Buttigieg Bubble
Elaina Plott Calabro's piece on Kash Patel
Juleanna's essay for The New York Times on Trump's expenditures
The "YIMBYs for Harris" event Tim is part of
The Apple playlist link for Bulwark Pod music
Tim's Spotify list

Some of the people best suited to make the case against Trump are the jilted Cabinet members and others who worked with him?doing the right thing is never the wrong thing. Plus, McMaster's preposterous spin, appreciating the words Kamala didn't say in her speech, making Trump own RFK, Jr.'s antivax views, and the gamesmanship over the debates. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Adam Kinzinger on speaking at the Democratic convention
Tim on the big fish anti-Trumpers who should endorse Kamala already
Bill on the key line in Kamala's speech

Kamala delivered a real work of art?a perfect American story filled with love of country, democracy, family, and the pursuit of big dreams. She also spoke to the center of the electorate, and conveyed a strength to take on the bullies and protect the nation, all with a feminine touch. Meanwhile, the sitting black VP has positioned herself as the challenger against an incumbent Trump, infuriating him in the process. A.B. Stoddard joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Elaina Plott Calabro interview about Kamala that Tim referenced
Tim's playlist

The former senator from Minnesota recounts his early fandom for Tim Walz and how he won an unlikely congressional race in 2006. Plus, Kamala finding her footing, the cowardly Republicans who are shying away from endorsing her, a floundering Trump, and Franken's 70s-era comedy. Al Franken joins Tim Miller.

show notes:
The 1976 SNL episode featuring Al and Elliott Gould's skit; costs $1.99 to watch

Michelle Obama killed it last night, and did the job that every speaker at the Democratic convention should be doing: persuading the undecided to vote for Kamala. Plus, the inside scoop on her husband's big (... er small) moment, making sure young men know about the toxic crap in Project 2025, and embracing America's great, big, beautiful pluralism. 

Jon Favreau joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

That big ( ... er small) moment
Jon's book 

Kamala's genuine smile and Walz's empathetic version of manhood is coming through loud and clear?and may explain the joy that is coursing through the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Vance remains a popularity sinkhole. Plus, the prospects for Texas ever turning blue, Cancun Cruz, Latino voters, getting the young to the polls, and staying in to fight the good fight. Beto O'Rourke joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Beto's Texas voter registration group, "Powered by People"
Beto wrote about visiting Ulysses, Kansas in 2018

Kamala's first month as a presidential candidate before the Democratic convention has gone exceedingly well?she's been controlling the narrative, infuriating people like Ben Shapiro, and Trump can't get her pretty face out of his head. Meanwhile, Putin talks a big game, but Ukraine has surprised everyone with its incursion into Russia. Bill Kristol and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Dan Pfeiffer piece Tim mentioned
A.B.'s piece Tim referenced
Michael's stories at The Insider
WSJ story referenced by Michael (for Journal subscribers)

Swapping out Biden for Kamala has been such a big mood boost that consumer confidence among Dems and independents is suddenly surging. Meanwhile, Trump keeps having Potemkin press conferences as a ploy to reclaim the narrative. Plus, Bond-style villains have made hating Project 2025 so easy, and the 'suckers and losers' guy again shows that he doesn't respect the troops. 

Brian Beutler joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Brian's piece on mass psychology
Tim's playlist

Two Democratic members of Congress who called on Biden to pass the torch join Tim Miller today. Both Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Mikie Sherrill said it was voters who told them they wanted the party to turn the page. 

Plus, more Tim Walz insights, and Vance's odd obsession with how females use their bodies throughout their lives.

The anti-MAGA world should keep going on right-wing media platforms, and maybe embarrass their hosts in the process?like Buttigieg on Fox, and Tim on Tomi Lahren's show. Plus, the direct line between Secret Service failures in Butler, PA and the Dallas book depository. And will the FBI ever be able to confirm if Trump took a $10 million bribe from Egypt? Brian Tyler Cohen and Carol Leonnig join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Brian's new book, "Shameless: Republicans' Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy"
Carol's reporting on the $10 mil cash withdrawal from Egypt
Carol's book on the Secret Service, "Zero Fail"
8 Times Tim SCHOOLED Right-Wing Tomi Lahren on Her Own Show!
Will Selber's piece on the Walz 'stolen valor' claims
John Kerry campaign vets on how to respond to the Walz swiftboating
Will Selber and Ben Parker video on the Walz 'stolen valor' claims

Trump may be holed up at Mar-a-Lago because he's afraid of another attempt on his life. Meanwhile, he keeps trying to take away Kamala's identity. Plus, the stunningly different way the media is handling hacked campaign docs in 2024, the threat from rando county clerks who may try to block the electoral vote count, and more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

A.B.'s piece on Republican election officials refusing to certify a Harris win Tim's 2021 story on voting machine tampering coming from inside the MAGA house Tweet thread on Florida's smooth election process

Biden's departure from the race has put Trump in a real funk. He's in denial about Kamala's crowds, he's publicly pining the loss of his preferred rival, and he's doubling down on his helicopter story?and conflating two different black CA politicians in the process. Plus, filling in the gaps in Kamala's inner circle. Bill Kristol and Chris Cadelago join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Cadelago's story on the other black politician who was in a helicopter with Trump that almost crashed

Cadelago's story on Kamala's 2020 staffing

Cadalago's story on tensions withing Kamala's campaign staff

Kamala is now the star of a story involving a woman called into duty at a moment of crisis with a sitcom dad as a running mate?and Trump can see the danger. Nate Silver joins Tim Miller to explain what his polling model is showing. Plus, the survivorship bias of Elon-world risk takers, and good, old gambling tips. Your weekend pod.
show notes:

Nate's new book, "On the Edge The Art of Risking Everything," out Tuesday
Tim making the "conservative case" for Kamala
Tim's playlist 

Trump and his supporters don't like America as it currently exists, and their veep pick JD Vance is like the U.S.-hating Code Pink, but in a suit. 

Meanwhile, the Democrats have seized the patriotism mantle, à la the Republicans of the 80s. Plus, the sick, unhinged, and inaccurate attack on Tim Walz after his 24 years of service in the National Guard. 

Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Kinzinger on the swiftboating of Walz
Kamala clapping back against some Gaza protesters on Wednesday 

Tim talks to a local Minnesota reporter to get the low-down on Tim Walz's recent political history, including where he falls on the progressive-to-moderate spectrum?as well as his weak spots from his tenure as governor, like the 2020 riots in Minneapolis. 

Plus, JD Vance, as a senator, has been texting with a Holocaust-denying far-right fringe character, but won't take calls from high-ranking Ukrainian officials. 

MinnPost's Peter Callaghan and the Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Peter's story on how Walz beat the odds to become the VP pick
Isaac's story on Vance's texts with Charles Johnson
Tim's book, "Why We Did It" 

Tim Walz is a great foil for Kamala's West Coast vibe: He looks like he'll fix your car, then grab an Arby's sandwich before he goes duck hunting. And he's a perfect contrast to JD Vance, the callus-free faux hillbilly who went to Yale. Michael Steele weighs in on the veep pick. Then Rep. Adam Schiff joins Tim Miller to discuss decision to call on Biden to step aside, and "The Biggest Loser: Donald Trump." 

Recent polls are showing some pretty significant movement to Harris, and she hasn't even had to play defense yet?though at some point she's going to. Meanwhile, Trump and Vance have had a strategically disastrous three weeks. Plus, RFK, Jr and the poor dead bear cub, the stock market sell-off, and Peter Thiel's lack of appreciation for how he has benefited from liberalism. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Joe Weisenthal on the stock market sell-off
The bear cub and RFK, Jr. 

Donald Trump checks all the boxes of a person with narcissistic personality disorder, but the mainstream press goes out of its way not to cover his apparent pathologies?and ends up normalizing them. 

George Conway wants to change the media narrative to stop the guy who only cares about himself from getting back in the Oval Office. Conway joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

George's Anti-Psychopath PAC
Rolling Stone piece by Alex Morris that George references
Post story on whether Trump took a $10 million payout from Egypt
Tim's playlist

We are witnessing a man who thought he was cruising to a landslide who's now afraid he doesn't know how to talk about Kamala?or how to beat her. Plus, he's also worried about that prison issue. 

At the same time, the election has quickly shifted from a referendum on Joe Biden to one about the future vs. the past. Dan Pfeiffer joins Tim Miller today.

show notes:

Dan's Message Box newsletter

Sure sounds like kind words and affection were in short supply in the Trump household in Queens. Perhaps if Donald had been hugged a little more, America would have been spared a lot of trouble?and Trump wouldn't have told his nephew that he wanted his disabled son to die. Meanwhile, Kamala and her team feel like they're in to win it: She's tacking to the center on the border, needling Trump, and projecting strength. Fred Trump and Will Saletan join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Fred's book, ?All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way"
Will's recent piece on Trump's threats
Will's video take on Trump's threats
Tim's playlist 

Republican men used to be stoic and quiet technocrats, but now they're screechy and freaky. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has a whole crop of strong, silent types to choose from as a running mate. 

Plus, a shout-out to Charlie Sykes, movies Tim hasn't seen, and can we quit the identity-oriented Zooms for Kamala? Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Tom's piece on the manliness flip-flop
Tom's piece on Biden stepping aside
Charlie on how Never Trumpers really mean never
Trump's 400 kids remark

Democrats are leaning into the 'Republicans are weird and creepy' talking point?a strategy Tim has long advocated for. JD Vance is Exhibit A for this kind of profile, which explains the rumors about Trump possibly replacing him on the ticket. 

Meanwhile, Kamala may have whittled down her veep choices to Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz. Plus, if anyone is going to turn the US into Venezuela, it's Trump, the insurrectionist. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

Women candidates get asked different questions than male candidates?that's just a fact. Kamala has a whole team around her ready to handle queries about her ambition and the racist and sexist attacks. But this 100-day sprint also gives Kamala an advantage: an opportunity to show that she is the tougher, stronger, and more prepared leader. Jennifer Palmieri joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Jennifer's book, ?She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man?s World.?
Jennifer's book, "Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World"
Bulwark piece on former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Tim's playlist

Nancy Pelosi has amassed power through persuasion, and she had the nerve to push a sitting president off the ticket because she prioritized victory. Meanwhile, Kamala's veep pick is key to extending the new generation message?and wouldn't choosing Josh Shapiro be a good way to show she's not on the side of the flag-burning Hamasniks? Plus, mixed emotions for Joe Biden, and jealous Trump is back to being a total d**k. A.B. Stoddard joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

A.B.'s piece on Pelosi 

The modern conservative movement has a built-in ratcheting-up mechanism, so that even when Republicans win, they act like they're losing and the country is on the verge of collapse. Even Democrats long for the days of responsible, Main Street conservatives. But today's GOP is racing headlong into authoritarianism, and the fever is not going to break until we defeat it. Rick Perlstein joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Rick on Project 2025
Rick on abortion
Rick on the "authoritarian ratchet"

We may have been conditioned to just accept candidates who share their meandering thoughts or end sentences with 'anyway.' But Kamala Harris is delivering a big upgrade, and showing how a good political speech gets done. Meanwhile, what would Kamala's winning coalition?and her path to 270?look like? Plus, Trump may be having some buyer's remorse over JD Vance. Ron Brownstein and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Ron's piece on Kamala's path to 270
Sam's piece on how the Dems got their shit together
Ron's book, "Rock Me on the Water"

It's now the Kamala Harris parade, and James Carville has grabbed his whistle and baton for the march. The veteran strategist shares some campaign advice for the vice president and argues her 2020 message will play better in 2024?she's already being turned into a brat summer* icon. Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans may have been prematurely cocky. Tim Miller's pod today.

show notes

*The run-down on brat summer
USA Today piece on brat summer, published before Biden dropped out of race
The Charli XCX Trend, Explained

Tim Alberta piece that Tim referenced

After banging the drum for quite a while, Bill Kristol and Tim Miller got their wish, and the political world is scrambling for the 106-day sprint to the election? with Trump now officially the oldest presidential nominee in history. Is it Kamala time? What about the possible VP options? Tim's special weekend pod.

show notes:

https://x.com/brianbeutler/status/1814517879309553898?s=46

Republicans wanted a 'do no harm' convention, but it was too corporate and lacked any joie de vivre. And then they ended the affair with grievance, fasci Tucker, and 96 minutes of weird incoherence from Trump. Meanwhile, AOC gives a peak behind the scenes of what's going on with Democrats trying to push Biden out. S.E. Cupp joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:


Savannah Chrisley talking about her imprisoned parents at the RNC
Tim's playlist 

Republicans are tamping down the crazy and the weird at the convention?like no election fraud, no abortion ban talk, and no vaccines?to present their dangerous agenda in a non-threatening way. Meanwhile, why can a 20-year-old buy 50 rounds of ammunition, but not a White Claw or a pack of cigarettes? Plus, we introduce a new Kamala-themed segment: The Coconut Meter. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.

show notes
NY Times analysis of Saturday's shooting

Trump's shark/electrocution anecdote was not a sign of deterioration. Trump is actually getting better at communicating a solid message in a carnivalesque atmosphere?and he's reaching people outside of MAGA. Plus, when Republicans talk about a message of unity, they are referring to the party, not the country. Jeff Sharlet joins Tim Miller from New Hampshire, while Joe Perticone checks in from Milwaukee.

show notes:

The Andy Kroll piece about J.D. Vance that Jeff mentioned
Joe's Press Pass dispatch from the convention on Tuesday

We?re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.

J.D. Vance is an incredibly polarizing figure, and his addition to the ticket signals a complete realignment of the Republican Party. Plus, he gave the single-worst response to the assassination attempt on Trump. Meanwhile, democracy is a team sport, and Democrats are playing a dangerous game. Alyssa Farah Griffin joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Full speech from Mark Robinson, GOP gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina

We begin with a rejection of the fatalist rhetoric from the left. It may be an uphill battle, but the pro-democracy forces have to keep our morale up and be creative. Also the debate around political rhetoric after the assassination attempt is way out ahead of the facts and needs some context. Plus, the Republican convention, Aileen Cannon?s ludicrous dismissal, Axios? credulous report on Trump?s new tone, and the VP pick. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

The 2019 piece Tim referenced

In this bonus episode following the assassination attempt on Trump, The Bulwark's managing editor Sam Stein joins Tim Miller to discuss the precarious moment we are in, how to dial back the temperature, and how both parties should respond to the violence.

show notes:

Bill Maher on the shooting
Rep. Andy Kim's response to the shooting

Not having dementia is not enough to change the dynamic. Biden needs a proactive message against Trump. Meanwhile, you don't have to play 'Connect the Dots' to see the overlap between Project 2025 and Trump?and members of the media claiming he has a 'new tone' are like frogs in boiling water. Plus, more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter is back with Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Tim's playlist
The Authoritarian Playbook for 2025

Inviting "populist slut hero" Amber Rose to speak at the Republican convention and adjusting the platform on abortion?Trump is trying to distance himself from MAGA's Christian fundamentalist ranks. Meanwhile, the Christian Nationalist project to turn the constitutional clock back 70 years continues apace. Plus, the effort to get Biden to leave the ticket is not a conspiracy?but the sign of a working party. David French joins Tim Miller.

show notes
David's recent column on the Supreme Court

Top Democrats say they don't see a way for Biden to win, and some are resigning themselves to being the resistance against Trump, despite the threat he poses to our democracy. Batten down the hatches?this interview is a tough listen. Ezra Klein joins Tim Miller.

show notes
Ezra's piece from February 
Ezra's book recommendation, "Health and Safety: A Breakdown"