MAGA pollster Rich Baris joins Tim Miller to explain why Republicans may be underestimating just how competitive the 2026 Senate map could become. Baris says that Michigan and Georgia are effectively locks for Democrats Abdul El-Sayed and Jon Ossoff. He also sees Democratic opportunities in states Republicans have long considered safe—including Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Texas, and Ohio.

Tim and Rich also talk about why Republican messaging about “socialism” is missing the point. Voters are far more worried about the cost of living, paying their bills, and affording everyday life than they are about scary ideological labels. Rich says it's clear that Trump is betraying the coalition that put him back in the White House. The war, affordability, immigration, and social-media trolling are all alienating voters who once found his approach entertaining and effective.

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Sam Stein and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on Russia’s attempted attacks in Germany, the growing threat of Russian hybrid warfare across Europe, and why Germany’s muted response could invite even more aggression. They also dig into the extraordinary contradiction at the heart of U.S. policy: American intelligence is helping Ukraine fight Russia while the Trump administration cozies up to Putin and welcomes Russia back onto the world stage.

Plus, Sam and Marc take a closer look at the Trump administration’s strange new Venezuela oil deal, the questions it raises about American power and influence, and the increasingly uncomfortable gap between the GOP’s rhetoric about socialism and what the administration is actually doing.

For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners 60% off your first box! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BulwarkTakes

There’s big news from The Bulwark: Marc and investigative journalist Michael Weiss are launching a brand-new podcast, Reporter and the Spy. The show will explore the fascinating intersection of journalism and espionage, drawing on their firsthand experience reporting from and operating in the world’s most dangerous places.

Subscribe to The Bulwark so you don’t miss Reporter and the Spy when it launches this fall. If you value independent reporting, sharp analysis, and people who actually know what they’re talking about, become a subscriber today.

The USS Abraham Lincoln finally returns to port after nearly 300 days at sea—and the visible wear and tear is a stark reminder of the strain being placed on the U.S. military.

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) discuss the Navy’s mounting readiness challenges, the Pentagon’s purge of senior Army leaders, and the departure of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. They also break down what leaked Pentagon orders reveal about commanders’ concerns over the sustainability of ongoing operations in Iran and why the warnings coming from inside the military deserve attention.

Plus: Trump’s potential Navy secretary pick, and the Pentagon’s bizarre new plan to fix defense acquisition with a “Shark Tank”-style competition.

Read Mark Hertling’s reporting and analysis: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/leaks-from-hegseth-orders-book-warning-risk-iran-war-hormuz-military-commanders-munitions

For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners 60% off your first box! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BulwarkTakes

A 20-year-old Haitian college student, Pierre Damas Bel, came to America to study, play soccer, serve in JROTC, and pursue a career in medicine. Instead, he was placed with an ankle monitor, bullied and humiliated by classmates, and made to feel like a criminal despite having committed no crime.

Tim Miller and Sam Stein discuss Pierre’s tragic death, the human cost of Trump’s immigration crackdown, and the cruelty being inflicted on Haitian immigrants by Trump and JD Vance.

Tim and JVL on JD Vance's book: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-dramatic-reading-of-jd-vances-awful

For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners 60% off your first box! Go to https://TempoMeals.com/BulwarkTakes

We’ll be honest—stories about the human cost of this administration’s policies are devastating. But they matter, and paid Bulwark members give us the freedom to cover them anyway—without having to let the algorithm decide which stories deserve attention. Join us and help make that important work possible.

Sam Stein and Lauren Egan give their takes on the behind-the-scenes scramble for campaign staff, the Democrats already courting operatives in early primary states, and why South Carolina is suddenly such a crucial piece of the 2028 puzzle. They also debate just how massive the Democratic field could get and where the next presidential campaigns may set up shop.

Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering our audience 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code BULWARKTAKES for 30% off.

A quick note: Lauren’s reporting in The Opposition is already being passed around the group chats of campaign staffers, operatives, and political pros trying to figure out what’s coming next. If you want to read the same reporting insiders are reading, sign up and get The Opposition in your inbox: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/2028-democratic-presidential-primary-is-quietly-raging-staffers

Andrew Egger has uncovered one of the strangest congressional candidate stories you’ll hear all year: a woman facing federal fraud charges in Illinois appears to have resurfaced as a different candidate in Florida and denied being the same person.

Plus, Dan Driscoll’s stunning resignation exposes the deepening chaos at the Pentagon, Bill Kristol explains why Pete Hegseth may be harder for Trump to get rid of than you think, and the Supreme Court clears the way for Trump’s White House ballroom.

Read more from Andrew's piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/we-found-her-the-most-absurd-general-election-candidate-te-brown-illinois-florida-congress-fraud-primary-election-putin-whale-orca-polar-bear-russia-ukraine

Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering our audience 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code BULWARKTAKES for 30% off.

Tim Miller and a secret guest take on JD Vance’s disastrous trip to Michigan, from his awkward attempt to defend Trump’s deeply unpopular data-center push to an astonishing 9/11 gaffe and an ugly attack on Abdul El-Sayed’s Muslim faith. Tim breaks down the hypocrisy behind Vance’s “populist” persona—and eventually, he blows his lid.

If you value having an outlet that can call out this kind of garbage without pulling punches, become a paid Bulwark member. Your support helps us keep making things like this every day.

Donald Trump is posting AI-generated war footage, threatening Canada, spreading dangerous vaccine misinformation, and flooding Truth Social with bizarre content—and Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell are trying to make sense of it all.

From the fake footage showing U.S. strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island to Trump’s bizarre AI videos about Canada, the president’s latest posting binge raises a bigger question: Does Trump know what’s real anymore? And when the president’s information diet is increasingly filled with AI slop designed to flatter his worldview, the consequences go far beyond embarrassing social media posts.

Fall Show Tickets: thebulwark.com/events

Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to cover the Pentagon’s secret army of MAGA influencers, including the government employees allegedly working behind anonymous accounts to attack Pete Hegseth’s critics and target the left. Next, Milo Yiannopoulos has been deported. Watch the video to see Will break down the spectacular feud between Milo and Laura Loomer that helped get him there. Plus, the rise of a neo-Nazi boxing spectacle that drew thousands of spectators in Florida.

If you want to understand the increasingly unhinged world of MAGA influencers, join The Bulwark. Will Sommer is one of the few reporters actually spending his days tracking these people, figuring out who they are, what they’re doing, and how their influence keeps spreading.

Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

Sam Stein and Ben Parker unpack a brutal 24 hours for press freedom: Trump threatening Kristen Welker with the FCC, journalists barred from G20 Treasury access, a leaked Pentagon assessment on Iran drawing threats against reporters, and big tech's silent complicity as DHS bypasses judges to subpoena journalists' data.

Tim Miller talks with author and Tulane professor Nathaniel Rich about climate change, the growing backlash to data centers, their security and privacy risks, and Rich’s new novel, Cloudthief. They also discuss public anxiety about AI and technology, the appeal of scams and get-rich-quick thinking, and how people navigate a future that increasingly feels uncertain.

Buy Cloudthief: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374619794/cloudthief/

Bill Kristol talks with Jim Swift, reporting from Springfield, Ohio on ICE's crackdown on Haitians who lost protected status, and ACLU attorney Sarah Mehta on third-country deportations, "remigration," and the legal and legislative fights over immigration enforcement.

Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer give their takes on Milo Yiannopoulos being detained by ICE, Laura Loomer taking credit, and the latest bizarre fallout inside the MAGA world. Plus, a KKK/Nazi-linked staffer in the orbit of Georgia Senate candidate Mike Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unforgettable message to JVL, and the latest bizarre saga surrounding Colorado gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx.

If the Trio’s particular brand of political insanity is your thing, watch the full video and subscribe to The Bulwark. There’s nowhere else you’ll get this kind of reporting and commentary on the characters Will is tracking—and there are plenty more freaks where these came from.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Substack.

Trump’s immigration crackdown isn’t just targeting people who entered the country illegally—it’s making it harder for legal immigrants, international students, nurses, and highly skilled workers to come to and stay in the United States. Catherine Rampell and Doug Rand, former senior advisor at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, break down how the administration is shutting down legal pathways, imposing massive new barriers on H-1B workers, and driving international talent toward other countries.

Listen to Doug Rand's podcast, 'The Melting Pod' — https://meltingpod.org/

A quick note: This is the kind of conversation we want to do more of at The Bulwark: bringing in people who have actually worked inside the agencies and understand how these policies operate beyond the headlines. There aren’t many outlets putting out substantive conversations with experts like Doug, giving them the time to explain what’s changing and why it matters. If you value having that kind of expertise available—and accessible to everyone—becoming a Bulwark member helps us keep making it possible.

Karoline Leavitt is leaving the White House and George Conway has a few thoughts about her tenure as Donald Trump’s press secretary. Andrew Egger and George give their takes on Leavitt’s talent for lying, deflecting, insulting reporters, and never losing her cool, even when defending the indefensible. They also look at the potential candidates to replace her, including CNN’s Scott Jennings, and ask whether he has what it takes to become Trump’s next professional gaslighter. Watch as George makes the case as to why replacing Leavitt may be harder than it looks.

Get your tickets for The Bulwark's Good Fight Tour this October, coming to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta. (https://www.thebulwark.com/events)

Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump’s escalating trade war with Canada and why Canada may be looking to China and other countries as more reliable partners.

Plus, Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is “open.” So why does the actual data tell a very different story? Watch Catherine break it down and share what the administration doesn’t want you to look at.

Read more from Catherine's reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/receipts

Tickets for our Good Fight Tour: https://www.thebulwark.com/events

Tim Miller and Joe Perticone give their takes on Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania’s Trump-endorsed Republican nominee for governor and one of the country’s most committed election deniers. From her role in the January 5, 2021 rally in Harrisburg to her refusal to back away from Trump’s election lies, Garrity has built her political career around MAGA loyalty. Plus, Joe shares some memorable stories from covering Andy Biggs and explains why some of the nicest politicians can be among the worst for the country.

Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

Read more from Joe: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/we-are-not-prepared-for-election-denying-swing-state-governors

Check out these previous episodes in Tim's "worst Republicans" series.

- Mike Collins: https://youtu.be/dCGutIrGS1M?si=RcHzqPpRipUuncv0
- Andy Biggs: https://youtu.be/MlJGh86jzKs?si=Ubc_jcJyh1HRBjsw
- Zach Lahn: https://youtu.be/0NFPrcBWHSw?si=J7ASh_2v0tY5kC9x

Watch TNL for a discussion of the South Carolina primary: https://youtu.be/bVAzs6YLayo?si=TQqTvBgNULQgmpHU

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger went live to cover Trump order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America." They give their takes on the absurdity of it, the cost, and why Trump’s latest map-making stunt is a perfect snapshot of a president who seems increasingly out of ideas and out of touch. Plus, they dig into Trump’s bizarre claims about the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. missile shortages caused by the Iran war, and why the administration is suddenly asking Russia for favors.

Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

Good Fight Tour tickets: https://www.thebulwark.com/events

Tim Miller joins Katy Tur on MS NOW for his take on Trump’s growing disconnect with voters on the economy and affordability—and why his billionaire bubble may be making that problem worse. Tim breaks down new polling showing a dramatic swing toward Democrat James Talarico in key Texas districts and explains why the Texas Senate race is increasingly within Democrats’ reach. Plus, Trump plans to use his massive super PAC war chest to promote himself ahead of the midterms and that could backfire on Republicans.

Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

Watch The Moment with Katy Tur on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports

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Tim Miller gives his take on the intentional cruelty and escalating human cost of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown—from a five-year-old boy detained by ICE on his way to soccer to the father of a U.S. Navy sailor being detained, with the White House defending the decision. Plus, ICE is planning a facility in Louisiana that could hold women and children, developed by the company that operates the state’s notorious Angola prison. Now, immigrants are being sent back to dangerous areas of Haiti and Guatemala, and even deported to countries they aren’t from. In some cases, people sent back to dangerous areas have been killed. Tim breaks down the growing list of horrifying cases and what they reveal about the administration’s immigration policy. 

Go to https://zbiotics.com/bulwarktakes and use BULWARKTAKES at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Trump’s latest claims that the U.S. has “really dominated” Iran, the Pentagon’s purge of senior military leaders, and reports that a top Army official was pushed out after opening an investigation into the bizarre Kid Rock helicopter flyby. Plus, they discuss reports that the Navy could rename an aircraft carrier planned to honor Doris Miller, the Black sailor and Medal of Honor recipient who became a hero at Pearl Harbor—and name it after Trump instead.

Read more from Mark: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-pentagons-purge-at-stars-and-stripes-hegseth-firing-military-newspaper-aircraft-carrier-iran-war

Stanley Druckenmiller just delivered a brutal public rebuke of his former protégé, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Catherine Rampell is joined by Bob Elliott, co-founder and chief investment officer at Unlimited, for his take on what’s behind Druckenmiller’s criticism and why Bessent’s bond-market strategy may be making things worse. They also discuss Bessent’s failed attempt to push down long-term interest rates, the erosion of confidence in U.S. economic policymakers, and what Druckenmiller’s intervention says about the growing divide on Trump’s economic team.

Go to https://zbiotics.com/bulwarktakes and use BULWARKTAKES at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow has raised major questions: Is he there to warn Putin, negotiate over Ukraine, or deliver a message about Russia’s escalating covert attacks across Europe? Reporter Michael Weiss and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos break down Ratcliffe’s unexpected visit, the intelligence warnings about possible Russian provocations against NATO, and the growing campaign of sabotage and attacks targeting European infrastructure. Plus, they turn to the U.S.-Canada trade war and the extraordinary strain being placed on one of America’s closest allies.

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Congressman Jared Huffman joins Joe Perticone for his take on the rise of Christian nationalism and the religious movements reshaping the American right. Huffman, the author of "No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism," explains how he believes Christian nationalism has become increasingly powerful and entrenched in American politics, from the events of January 6 to the highest levels of government. They also discuss JD Vance, “just war” theory, the rise of the “Rad Trad” movement, Pete Hegseth’s crusade rhetoric, and the religious factions influencing MAGA.

Read more from Joe: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/presspass

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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover Trump's dumbest idea yet: renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." Plus, Andrew and Bill give their takes on the Supreme Court's decision Monday regarding Trump's executive order on mail-in voting and ICE deports the wife of an active-duty Army sergeant.

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Katy Tur hosts Sam Stein, Mona Charen, and others for a wide-ranging discussion of Donald Trump’s role in the 2026 midterms, his focus on sporting events and legacy projects, turnover in the White House, Jared Kushner’s meeting with Hakeem Jeffries, and the growing political backlash to AI and data centers.

Watch The Moment with Katy Tur on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports

Tim Miller breaks down the ugly smears fueling Michigan’s Senate race, why Mike Rogers’ allies have him furious, and how Republicans are scrambling to distract voters from Trump’s struggling economy.

This video is sponsored by The New York Times.

Watch On the Line with Alicia Menendez on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/on-the-line

Sam Stein is joined by UCLA School of Law's Richard Hasen and Georgetown University Law Center's Steve Vladek to break down the Supreme Court's decision to allow Trump to restrict mail-in voting.

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell give their takes on the latest escalation in Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada. As Trump attacks Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney is looking to deepen economic ties with the European Union, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford fires back with a blunt message of his own to Trump: “Kiss my ass.” 

Catherine explains why Trump’s claims about the U.S.-Canada trade deficit don’t add up, how deeply intertwined the American and Canadian auto industries are, and why the trade war could end up hurting American workers and consumers.

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover the IndyCar race in DC, the Republican operative who thought you was being entrapped by the "deep state," Enes Kanter Freedom being ejected from a WNBA game, and Sean Duffy's war against Harvard in his reality tv show.  

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Trump’s trade war with Canada is back and this time, the negotiations have completely fallen apart. Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Canada’s decision to walk away from trade talks, Trump’s latest tariffs, and why the administration’s escalating fight with one of America’s closest allies could hit U.S. businesses and consumers hard. They also look at the political risks for Republicans in states like Maine and Michigan, Susan Collins’ attempt to distance herself from Trump’s trade policies, and why Republicans keep blaming Joe Biden for economic problems happening on Trump’s watch.

Bill Kristol talks with veteran Michael Wood about six months of the Iran war: strained military readiness, munitions and base vulnerabilities, growing politicization of the officer corps, Hegseth's leadership failures, and what a post-Trump president must do to rebuild U.S. alliances and credibility.

Tim Miller runs through the disturbing record of Arizona gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, from his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 election to his extreme positions on abortion, healthcare, the FBI, and more.

Watch Tim's video on Zach Lahn, Republican candidate for Iowa governor: https://youtu.be/0NFPrcBWHSw

The Green Party is supposed to be a left-wing alternative to Democrats. So why are Republican-connected candidates showing up on Green Party ballots in competitive races? Andrew Egger and Brendan Hartnett walk through Brendan’s reporting on a series of suspicious Green Party candidates in Michigan, Arizona, and Pennsylvania—including one Michigan candidate who showed up to the party’s nominating convention on Zoom, never turned on his camera, spoke for 33 minutes, and walked away with the nomination. In some of these races, a third-party candidate could siphon off just enough votes to help a Republican win.

This video is sponsored by The New York Times.

Read more from Brendan: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/did-maga-infiltrate-the-green-party-in-michigan

Catherine Rampell and JVL went live to cover Scott Bessent flailing as he intervenes in the bond market and Catherine's reporting on how Trump's political appointees hijacked the U.S. Census Bureau, numbers that we're supposed to trust. Plus, for more than a decade, Trump promised to pay down the national debt. This week, it grew to $40 trillion.

This video is sponsored by The New York Times.

Read more from Catherine's newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/donald-trump-maga-war-on-reality-comes-for-the-census-bureau-voting-citizens-fraud-bogus-report

Tim Miller joins Alicia Menendez on MS NOW to take on the growing questions around Natalie Harp’s access to Trump, why Republicans are hiding from their own voters, and the Trump administration’s increasingly shaky economic message.

This video is sponsored by The New York Times.

Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

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Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos discuss Trump’s “economic D-Day” against Iran, the risks of secondary sanctions and a prolonged blockade, and why Tehran may retaliate rather than simply give in. They also examine the bizarre influence and security concerns surrounding Natalie Harp and the dysfunction inside the White House. Plus, Michael and Marc discuss Ukraine’s evolving role as a military technology powerhouse, America’s intelligence support for Kyiv, and Russia’s growing threat to Europe.

Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/BULWARKTAKES #sponsored

Chris Cillizza and JVL use Hulk Hogan and the strange world of professional wrestling to explain Donald Trump’s political dominance, why conventional political skills don’t seem to matter anymore, and why Trumpism may survive long after Trump himself is gone.

Check out Chris Cillizza on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chriscillizza

...and subscribe to his Substack, "So What": https://chriscillizza.substack.com/

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Will Saletan tracks House Republicans—Mike Johnson, Gabe Evans, Jason Smith—flailing to defend Trump's Iran war and rising gas prices, catching them in contradictions, dubious legal justifications, and outright lies about the economy ahead of the midterms.

Note (August 27, 2026, 3:30 p.m. EDT): FirmTech has requested that we mention that “FirmTech is a health-technology company developing smart wearables that provide objective, personal, and actionable data concerning sexual function, vascular wellness, and broader health,” and that FirmTech’s “patented technology is designed to objectively measure and monitor erectile function.”

Zach Lahn is the Republican candidate for governor of Iowa with a very unusual résumé and some very unconventional positions. Tim Miller and Brendan Hartnett dig into Lahn’s ties to Kansas and the Koch network, his investment in FirmTech and its award-winning “sex tech” device that Lahn insists is not a sex toy, and questions about whether he’s really an Iowan. They also examine Lahn’s opposition to mRNA vaccines, support for a total abortion ban, MAHA politics, his defense of Trump’s tariffs, and the other positions putting him on the far edge of the Republican field.

Read Brendan's article: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/zach-lahn-please-stop-calling-the-award-winning-sex-toy-a-sex-toy-firmtech-iowa-governor-campaign

Watch Tim’s take on Mike Collins: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/republicans-found-a-way-to-blow-georgia

Andrew Egger and Lauren Egan break down Florida’s Democratic primaries—and what Angie Nixon’s surprise Senate win means for Democrats in a state they’ve struggled to compete in. They discuss Nixon’s uphill battle against Republican Ashley Moody, David Jolly’s path for governor, and the awkward dynamic of having a self-described democratic socialist and a centrist Democrat at the top of the ticket. Plus, Cory Mills loses his primary despite Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump's newest push to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Trump contradicting Jared Kushner on Iran. Plus they walk through what a typical Deputies Committee would look like in the NSC.

The Good Fight Tour: https://www.thebulwark.com/events

Tim Miller is back in DC and it's somehow crazier than he left it. With National Guard troops patrolling Dupont Circle, Tim recruits Will Sommer for a scavenger hunt through Trump's Washington: a $500K-to-join MAGA club co-founded by Don Jr., the bar where Rand Paul's son got into it with Rep. Mike Lawler, the strip mall club where Bessent allegedly threatened to punch out Bill Pulte, and a visit to Mitch McConnell's house, where nobody's quite sure who's home.

Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

Andrew Egger and Ben Parker went live to cover the Republican election deniers in 2020 now running for office, the company that put out a bogus poll on purpose, Trump’s latest threats against an American ally, and the White House response to a question about Natalie Harp.

Read Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots

The Good Fight Tour: https://www.thebulwark.com/events

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Tim Miller shares the story of a Venezuelan family — a pregnant mother, father, and their 7-year-old daughter — who have spent weeks detained at the Dilley detention facility in Texas, despite doing everything the Trump administration has asked of immigrants seeking to leave the country. The family followed every legal step: they applied for asylum, never missed an ICE check-in, and when they decided to return to Venezuela, they went through the official self-deportation process. Instead of being sent home, they were arrested and detained.

For more on the Texas Immigration Law Council: https://txilc.org/

Call Sen. Katie Britt: 202-224-5744

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JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump’s latest chaotic press conference, from his bizarre claims about talking with Kim Jong Un to his demand that South Korea pay up for U.S. protection. They also look at Trump’s latest comments on the Iran war, the state of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and his increasingly strange defense of his White House ballroom. Plus: Trump lashes out at a CNN reporter, calls the press “fake news,” and insists his ballroom will be bulletproof and missile-proof.

Read more from JVL: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad

Read more from Andrew: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots

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Jonathan Cohn gives his take on the viral “puppy killer” attack against Abdul El-Sayed—and explains how a misleading story about Detroit’s animal control department became a powerful piece of political misinformation. The reality is far different from the headline. El-Sayed inherited an animal control system plagued by neglect and abuse, and the department improved significantly after he took over.  Jonathan breaks down how the Daily Mail, right-wing influencers, Republican candidates and Fox News helped spread the story and why this episode is a warning about how easily misinformation can overwhelm the truth.

Function provides 160+ lab tests for $1/day and member pricing on advanced imaging. Join at https://functionhealth.com/BULWARKTAKES and use gift code BULWARKTAKES25. #FunctionPartner

Read more from Jonathan: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/debunking-maga-puppy-killer-smear-against-abdul-el-sayed

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump threatening to bomb Oman, an ally, as a deal to end the war in Iran remains elusive. Plus, Trump praised North Korea over the weekend and cancelled our military drills with South Korea. 

Read more from Mark: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/canceling-military-exercises-hurts-us-south-korea-ulchi-freedom-trump-hegseth-iran

Read Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-won-on-tariffs-lol-trade-prices-manufacturing-economy

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Will Saletan takes on Kristen Welker’s Meet the Press interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, arguing that Blanche’s evasions on Justice Department independence, Trump’s influence over prosecutions, January 6 pardons, and a proposed compensation fund expose him as a loyalist ready to do the president’s bidding.

Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell discuss Sen. Bill Cassidy’s criticism of vaccine policy after his vote to confirm RFK Jr., questions surrounding Mitch McConnell’s prolonged absence, growing support for price controls in the GOP, the political fallout from Trump’s tariffs, and the Navy’s potential multibillion-dollar warship redesign to suit the president’s aesthetic preferences.