The one-time most powerful man in the world is now being told when to sit, when to stand, and what he's permitted to say. Scenes from the New York courthouse, with Olivia Nuzzi. Plus, Dana Mattioli discusses her book on Amazon, a modern-day Standard Oil, with huge power across numerous industries?but which is also on the outs in DC.

show notes:

Dana's book, "The Everything War: Amazon?s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power."

Tocqueville noted that Americans forever brood over advantages they do not possess, but now our grievance culture has run amok. From the aggrieved-in-chief, Trump, who just can't catch a break, to the social justice warriors who apply the same lens to every situation, we're losing the line between what is righteous and what is bratty. Frank Bruni joins Tim Miller today.

show notes:

Frank's book, "The Age of Grievance."

Tom Mauser lost his son, Daniel, in the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. He joins Tim Miller to discuss his long fight against gun violence, small victories over the NRA, and the continuing inspiration of his son. Plus, Bill Kristol on marginalizing Trump over Ukraine, how Biden could use some FDR, and the Columbia protests.

show notes:

https://danielmauser.com/

Hey, look: Republicans and Democrats are working together! Meanwhile, Trump is still trying to destroy our institutions, Bill Barr is comfortable playing Russian roulette, and Mark Esper speaks the truth. Plus, more from the mailbag. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Amanda on the pardon power
Amanda's piece about Trump's attacks on the courts
Bill Kristol's interview with Mark Esper
The Times' Mike Bender on Trump's VP contenders
Trump being scared of a bald eagle
Trump claiming a protester was from ISIS

Tim's playlist

Mike Johnson shows hints of Reaganism with his new push for a foreign aid bill that includes support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Republicans in Arizona self-own on abortion, the GOP in DC flails on a staged impeachment, and Biden makes a populist move on tariffs. Ali Vitali and Will Saletan join Tim Miller.

show notes:

VOTE HERE for Will Saletan's 'Corruption of Lindsey Graham' podcast
Sen. Chris Murphy's Bulwark piece
Ali's book, "Electable" 

For 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the United States lived in a delusion that Russia and China could not touch us. And while Americans are not all that interested in the rest of the world, the rest of the world is interested in us. Plus, Biden and Bibi don't like each other. David Sanger joins Tim Miller.

show notes:


Sanger's just published book, "New Cold Wars."

Trump wins voters who don't read The New York Times or listen to The Bulwark Podcast, and elite opposition may not be enough to defeat him. Ross Douthat joins Tim Miller for a spirited debate about what the conservative movement gave away in sacrifice to Trump on world leadership, abortion, and democracy.

show notes:

Douthat's recent piece on the pro-life movement

**Join Sarah, Tim and JVL  for a Bulwark Live event in Philly on May 1, and May 15 in D.C. with the George Conway. For information and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/events

While Biden spent the weekend helping fend off Iran's missile and drone attack, supposedly pro-Israel Trump embraced the anti-Israel chant, "Genocide Joe," at his rally. Meanwhile, the trial involving the first time Trump allegedly broke the law to win an election gets underway. Bill Kristol and Ben Wittes join Tim Miller.

**Join Sarah, Tim and JVL  for a Bulwark Live event in Philly on May 1 and May 15 in D.C. with the George Conway. For information and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/events

show notes:

Eliot Cohen's piece in The Atlantic

Pound for pound, the media treats Trump better than any Democrat. Plus, talking about abortion in a way that wins the most votes, NPR and identity politics, Biden gets too little credit for bipartisan deals, and the first big sign of softening support for Israel on the populist right. Jon Chait joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes
VOTE HERE for Will Saletan's 'Corruption of Lindsey Graham' podcast

O.J. verdict live on Oprah
The guy behind the 1864 Arizona abortion law
Tim?s Playlist
Goose x Vampire Weekend 

Steve Bannon fueled the rise of MAGA by offering true believers a sense of community and purpose. A new book tells the story of ordinary Americans swept up in the movement. Plus, hanging out at the DC jail with the Jan 6 choir, and the House drama over Ukraine and FISA. Isaac Arnsdorf and Joe Perticone join Tim Miller.

show notes:

Isaac's book, "Finish What We Started"

Kari Lake can deliver a good performance, but she's not really a true believer, as her flip on the Arizona abortion law shows. Plus, the normal part of life near the border, the specter of violence at MAGA rallies, and the grueling but necessary function of covering Trump for the long haul. Olivia Nuzzi joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Olivia's new piece on the AZ Senate race and the border
Matt Labash profile of Roger Stone
Trailer for "A Face in the Crowd"
*Graphic: Palin's pre-Thanksgiving interview with turkeys

Two powerful Republican congressmen say some of their colleagues are advancing Russian propaganda, but they're still letting Moscow Marjorie run the show. Plus, Biden needs to hammer the GOP on Ukraine, Trump's weird smell, and how the Bush 43 contingent in Texas can help KO Ted Cruz. Kinzinger joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Tim's article on Red Dog Democrats
Trump ad, with his head blocking out the sun

Trump's billionaire donors had it so bad under Obama, Clinton, and RINO presidents that they just have to go with the authoritarian. Plus, the return of s**thole countries, women's hoops and culture war killjoys, a follow-up on white rural rage, and Trump's latest abortion position. Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

White Rural Rage episode 

While Trump's calling card is stoking white grievance, he's making unprecedented inroads with Black and Hispanic voters. But in a twist, Biden is matching or even exceeding his support among white voters from 2020. Plus, the perils of Michigan and RFK, Jr., and more from the mailbag. Ron Brownstein joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:


Ron's piece on Trump's support among nonwhite voters
RFK speech from 1968
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch?si=1acb0411ebdc43fa

Republicans can't get off the Trump highway to hell, but business and media elites are also cozying up to him in case he returns to power. Meanwhile, Trump's project to legalize crimes and delegitimize democracy continues. Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins Tim Miller today.

show notes:

Umberto Eco's essay on fascism
Ruth's book, "Strongmen"

The 118th Congress has made history: by removing a speaker, expelling a member, and holding sham impeachment hearings. Without Dem votes, the government would have shut down multiple times. Plus, the home insurance crisis, abortion politics, and the Democrats' uphill climb in Florida. Rep. Moskowitz and Marc Caputo join Tim Miller.

show notes
Steve Schale's Bulwark piece on Florida
Tim's interview with Fred Guttenberg

Kari Lake said she'd fight to the bitter end to prove the AZ governor's race was stolen from her, but in court she essentially conceded that it was all a lie. Plus, the danger of the white grievance movement, the Florida abortion ruling, and a shout-out to Caitlin Clark. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer and Will Saletan join Tim Miller.

show notes
https://stephenricher.com/
Vote for Will's 'Corruption of Lindsey Graham' here
'The Corruption of Lindsey Graham' limited series

MAGA spent the holiday weekend arguing that Trump is more faithful than Biden, and also managed to slip in a possible dog whistle to evangelicals about Catholics. Plus, the value of Never Again Trump voters, early Senate polls, and Tim Miller reads from the mailbag. Kristol joins Tim today.

show notes:

Tim's Triad note about Widespread Panic from 2020

Cheney makes clear where she comes down on the POTUS rematch and is showing ex-Trumpworld figures how it's done. Plus, the 'Dallas' and 'Dynasty' show at the RNC, Biden's unforced error with anti-Trump Republicans, and 'Genocide Joe' campus activists are not the Dem base. A.B. Stoddard joins Tim Miller for the Easter weekend Bulwark Pod.

show notes:

Send your mailbag questions here: [email protected]

Tim?s Playlist

Article on Biden with a super soaker

Tim and Eric Levine on MSNBC: https://youtu.be/N7Or-ORaW30

Republicans have entrapped themselves with the promise of a massive surveillance state for American women. Plus, how Never Trumpers can put Biden over the top, the dangers of RFK, Jr.'s super pac money, Hamas may have gotten what it wanted, and a remembrance of Miranda Frum. David Frum joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

Frum's piece on the passing of his daughter
Frum on Trump's self-sabotaging campaign
Reagan's "Morning in America" ad
Reagan '84 ad with the Statue of Liberty 

As local news is hollowed out, rightwing news fills in the gaps. In Tennessee?ground zero for the culture war?Justin Kanew's site, The Tennessee Holler, holds leaders to account. Kanew joins Tim Miller on the anniversary of the Nashville school shooting. Plus, an update on the bridge disaster from Baltimore Banner reporter Justin Fenton.

show notes:

The Tennessee Holler
The Baltimore Banner
Baltimore bridge collapse (around 5:40)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, as a high school student, dressed in drag

Elon Musk, for all his keyboard courage, couldn't handle Don Lemon's Q and A, but then sicced his Twitter minions on the ex-CNN host after their interview. Plus, a surprising take on Tucker?and a shout-out to Rachel Maddow and other MSNBC anchors speaking out against the Ronna McDaniel hire. Lemon joins Tim Miller.

show notes:

The Don Lemon Show 

Mike Gallagher is following Ken Buck out the House door, as they both abandon their jobs, their voters, and any sense of public service. Plus, MTG threatens Mike Johnson, Lisa Murkowski signals she may leave the GOP, and Lil Marco auditions for the VEEP stakes. Kristol and Perticone join Tim Miller today.

Rural white voters wield outsized power in our democracy, yet they are also more likely to support violence as a political tool?and to hold antidemocratic views. Meanwhile, rural whites enjoy the perk of being seen as the "real" Americans. Waldman and Schaller join Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:
Tom and Paul's book
Tim?s Playlist

It used to be that politicians who had affairs, took bribes, and paid people off lost their office or lost their base. Tapper joins Tim to discuss his CNN series, "United States of Scandal," as well as his role in freeing a wrongly convicted man. Plus, rising antisemitism on the left and right.

show notes:

https://www.cnn.com/videos/title-2411812
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/03/cj-rice-philadelphia-exonerated/677787/
Fundraiser for C.J. Rice

A recent editorial in The Dispatch rejected both Trump and Biden as acceptable choices in 2024. Tim takes strong exception to that position, arguing it's a danger to democracy. Today, a debate between Steve and Tim over how to handle the choice in this year's election. Plus, an agreement on spending.

show notes:

The Dispatch editorial on the Trump-Biden rematch
Matt Yglesias on spending

Trump's 2024 lies are not just the familiar ones about a 'rigged election' and 'Sleepy Joe.' He's also unleashing a flood of untruths about Biden and his record that gets filtered through the media mill and reduced to background noise. Plus, Putin's Potemkin victory. Glasser joins Tim today.

show notes:

Susan's most recent column

Trump stands and salutes the  insurrectionists during the national anthem, and may rehire the treasonous Paul Manafort to help out in '24. Plus, the dust settles on the Fani Willis' prosecution in Georgia, and Aileen Cannon seriously entertains Trump's absurd claim in the docs case. Kristol and Wittes join Tim.

He lost, he's low on campaign cash, and he's juggling criminal court dates. Are the bad things he says about America a projection of how he feels about himself? Plus, Candace's crazy new crazy conspiracy, MAGA nuts in swing states, and the most alarming threat from a Trump 2.0. Amanda joins Tim for the weekend pod.

show notes

https://www.authoritarianplaybook2025.org/

One of the biggest reasons voters are not happier about the economy is because interest rates are much higher than they were few years ago. Plus, publicity-hound RFK Jr's self-own, more from the mailbag, and should Sotomayor retire this year? Barro joins Tim today.

show notes

Josh arguing for Sotomayor's retirement
ABC News story Tim mentioned

In 2016, the Trump campaign used microtargeting to suppress the Clinton vote. Since then, digital malfeasance has become the dominant subplot in our politics. How did the Biden team respond to 'Sleepy Joe' and 'Creepy Joe' in 2020, and what's the game plan for viral disinfo in '24? Issenberg joins Tim today.

show notes

By Sasha:
The Lie Detectives
The Engagement

Biden has the air of a man with no doubt about his campaign strategy?which is not exactly soothing to some Democrats and Never Trumpers. Plus, Hur's questionable framing of his report, the RNC bloodbath, jealous elites, and Tucker can't get no respect. Osnos joins Tim today.

show notes

By Evan:
Joe Biden's Last Campaign
Rules for the Ruling Class
Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now
Wildland: The Making of America's Fury
Plus:
Richard Ben Cramer's "What It Takes"

Old guy Biden got Ezra Klein to back down?and Kristol a little bit as well. Plus, Orbán at Mar-a-lago, the fallout from the "illegal" immigrant line, and Longwell joins Tim to read from the mailbag, and highlight this week's Focus Group pod.

show notes:

Bill's interview of Timothy Snyder

Send your mailbag questions here: [email protected]

The White House explains why Biden led his State of the Union speech with the threats to democracy at home and abroad. Plus, MAGA's meltdown over Biden's vigor, Mike Johnson's squirming, and Katie Britt's freakish performance. WH Comms Director LaBolt and Saletan join Tim for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Democratic response to Reagan's '85 SOTU, moderated by Bill Clinton

Tim?s Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch?si=duwnuIpGRxeVWDSkrwaD1w&pi=u-QDtY_MnOS0mV

Republicans keep painting Biden as an antifa-loving, Iran-coddling communist as they try to create a moral equivalence with Trump. Plus, McConnell won't even stand by his wife, the Russian wing of the GOP wants to defund the police, and Katie Porter: Give us a break. Nichols joins Tim today.

show notes:
New edition of 'The Death of Expertise,' out April 3

The Biden campaign is facing a buyer's market among voters and will really have to up its persuasion game, particularly with voters of color. Plus, Nikki packs it in, Republicans went for the craziest SOBs, and Kamala's coming heavy lift on the campaign trail. Haines joins Tim Miller today.

Trump's plans to add tariffs and shrink the labor force? via an immigration crackdown? would likely reignite inflation. Plus, Biden's secret energy boom, and how the recent immigration surge has been a gift to the economy. Rampell joins Tim today.

show notes:
Rampell on the economic benefits of the immigration surge
Rampell on Trump's economic policy plans

The courts aren?t taking care of Trump and we can?t live in denial about the state of play. Meanwhile, words keep failing him at his weird rallies?and telling Romney voters you don't need them doesn't seem all that smart when Nikki gets 30% of the vote. Kristol rejoins Tim, and Wittes is back for a mini-Trump Trials.

show notes:
Send your questions here: [email protected]
Tim's Not My Party: https://t.snapchat.com/SnxQ5aG0

Tech has allowed some very bad people to do some very bad things?including in the democracy arena. Swisher joins Tim for the weekend pod to share her burns of Elon, Trump and the vampires of Silicon Valley. Plus, a capitalist case for government doing more to rein in Big Tech.

show notes:
Kara's new memoir, "Burn Book"
Tim's Walter Isaacson interview

McConnell wouldn't put the stake in the heart of Trump?will that overshadow his legacy? Plus, Dan Crenshaw is not happy, debating Gaza & media bias, and it's up to 'we the people,' not the courts, to save us from Trump. The Dispatch's Weinstein joins Tim Miller today.

show notes:
Weinstein's interview with Crenshaw
Finding Matt Drudge pod

The MAGA crew in the House is against majoritarian democracy and thinks bipartisanship is bad?Democrats are the only big tent party now. Avlon explains his moment of moral clarity in deciding to run for Congress. Plus, what happened to his former boss, Rudy Giuliani?

show notes:

Avlon's essay on 9/11

Tim?s Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0dApY6YT48kTh6j9xFDQch?si=duwnuIpGRxeVWDSkrwaD1w&pi=u-QDtY_MnOS0mV

In our first crossover pod, Tim queries Yglesias and Beutler about Biden's Gaza response, and why Dems aren't holding Kushner hearings?or raising hell about the GOP's promotion of fake oppo from a Russian spy. Then catch the tables getting turned on Tim on the Politix pod Wednesday.

show notes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/politix/id1485109198

Voters who backed Haley in South Carolina are not buying the American carnage message, and may represent a kind of gettable voter in swing states. Plus, the shamelessness of Stefanik, the enduring racism of Trump, and a defense of Archie Bunker. Kristol is back with Tim Miller.

Tim is joined by John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri, and Mark McKinnon, his former colleagues from "The Circus," for a South Carolina primary preview. Plus, the prospects for a post-Trump GOP, and some advice for the Biden campaign: Normalize his gaffes.

Christian nationalism is not only a threat to democracy, but also to Christianity itself. Prominent evangelicals, like David French and Russell Moore, break it all down in a new documentary, "God & Country." Charlie Sykes is also in the film. Reiner and Partland take it to 11 with Tim Miller today.

show notes:

https://godandcountrythemovie.com/

Billy Crystal and Bill Kristol ad 

A rundown on double agent Alexander Smirnov, and Republicans' eagerness to amplify information sourced from Russia. And in Ukraine, feelings of betrayal on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. Thrush and Mak join Tim Miller.

show notes:

https://www.counteroffensive.news/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/us/politics/fbi-informant-hunter-biden.html

Couric revisits the impact of her Sarah Palin interview, and shares her views with Tim on the evolution of the GOP, the #MeToo movement in the media, and Kamala's tendency to rely too much on her talking points.

Charlie Kirk hates Taylor, pro sports, Disney?and anything normal. Plus, the Alabama ruling on frozen embryos, the House is now the destination for Republicans who want to do nothing but court fame, and Heath Mayo also joins Tim to discuss this weekend's Principles First summit.

show notes
https://www.principlesfirst.us/summit/2024/

The vulgar carnival barker used the holiday weekend to hawk crummy, over-priced sneakers, and compare himself to Navalny. Plus, the House skips town before voting on Ukraine aid, and Haley now declines to say whether she'd vote for Trump. Kristol is back with Tim Miller.

Alexei Navalny heroically stood up to Putin, but Tucker and MAGA's worst actors can't get enough of the Russian leader?and Russia itself. Plus, another anti-Biden witness bites the dust, and Fani Willis' table-turning moment. Wittes joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

show notes:

Navalny's investigation into Putin's $1.3 billion Black Sea villa