Bulwark Takes

Episoder

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  Jack Smith Reveals the Words That Could Have Buried Trump 04.10.2026 21min

  Will Saletan lays out the case against Donald Trump that Jack Smith never got to present at trial. Drawing from Smith’s testimony before Congress, Will looks at the evidence that Trump was repeatedly told the truth about the 2020 election by his own advisers, Republican officials, and Justice Department officials and chose to ignore it.From Georgia and Pennsylvania to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Will walks through what prosecutors would have shown a jury about Trump’s election lies, his efforts to pressure officials, and his refusal to stop the violence after it began.
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  A Trump Rally, A Funeral and a Revealing Day in Ohio | Bulwark on Sunday 04.10.2026 27min

  Bill Kristol is joined by Andrew Egger, reporting fresh from Ohio after an extraordinary day on the ground: the funeral of 20-year-old Haitian immigrant Pierre Damas Bel in Springfield, followed by Donald Trump’s rally nearby.
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  BOMBSHELL POLL: NYT/Siena Finds a Stunning Shift in Red America 03.10.2026 23min

  A bombshell New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrats running surprisingly strong across traditionally red states, including Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas. Catherine Rampell and Bill Kristol explain what the numbers actually tell us, why Trump’s erosion with his own voters matters, and whether this is what a real electoral wave looks like.
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  Trump Just Posted GOP Sen. Tom Cotton’s Private Phone Number 03.10.2026 17min

  Donald Trump posted Tom Cotton’s private phone number because the Arkansas senator is blocking his push for permanent daylight saving time. Will Saletan and Joe Perticone take on the strange fight, the golf-industry interests behind it, and why Trump is picking on one of his own loyal allies with Republicans already staring down a brutal midterm environment.
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  LIVE: Sarah Longwell AMA 02.10.2026 1t 3min

  Ben Parker puts Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell through an AMA on how a Democratic House should investigate the Trump administration, what focus groups reveal about James Talarico’s path in Texas, and how a future Democratic president should balance accountability with reform. Longwell also discusses universal health care, the post-Trump GOP field, why The Bulwark hired a former Trump aide, and criticism of her advice to Democrats in 2024.Buy Sarah's book! https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-eat-an-elephant-one-voter-at-a-time-sarah-longwell/6a0996cb43d2ef5b...or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR8JRW71?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
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  The Daily Wire is Making the Most MAGA Movie Imaginable 02.10.2026 15min

  Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the leaked script for the Daily Wire’s upcoming fictional movie Pawn Shop, a pro-ICE thriller set amid an imagined Antifa siege of a Minneapolis pawn shop. They discuss the film’s fictionalized version of the Renee Good shooting, its portrayal of ICE agents, Antifa and MS-13, the “rooftop Korean” storyline, and the movie’s many conservative-media tropes. Will also explains how the production has caused protests in Livingston, Montana, where the movie is being filmed.Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/daily-wire-quietly-shooting-pro-ice-movie-pawn-shop-renee-good-ben-shapiro
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  Trump Crashes Out: You Haven't Asked "One F'ing Positive Question" 01.10.2026 24min

  Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s bizarre new interview with Time Magazine, from his claims about having the “highest” IQ to his ever-changing story about how long the war in Iran was supposed to last.They also discuss Trump’s claim that annihilating Iran would create peace, his latest attempt to rewrite his four-to-six-week timeline, his complaints about “negative” questions, and his fixation on the White House renovations and other personal projects.
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  Elissa Slotkin Spots a Big Warning Sign for Trump’s GOP | Command Post 01.10.2026 22min

  Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joins Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker to share her takes on what she learned from her recent trips to Hungary and Poland and what those lessons could mean for America after the Trump era.Slotkin explains how countries can recover from authoritarianism, why she believes the U.S. needs to “Trump-proof” its government, and why Democrats need a new generation of leaders with big and bold ideas. She also discusses the growing grassroots pressure around government surveillance, the need for congressional oversight of war powers, and the threat she sees to the American middle class and the American dream.
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  Ex-CIA Officer Warns: Trump is Gutting the Expertise America Needs Right Now 01.10.2026 34min

  Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and national security reporter Michael Weiss take on the attempted hijacking of a flight bound for Tel Aviv, a suspected plot targeting an air base in Britain, and the troubling signs that Iran may be taking its fight abroad. They also ask whether America is prepared for a renewed terror threat as experienced counterterrorism personnel and resources are pulled toward other priorities.
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  Pete Hegseth’s Speech Was a Hyper-Macho Freak Show 30.09.2026 16min

  Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s bizarre State of the Force address, from his “no fatties, no weirdos” vision for the military to his fixation on testosterone, wokeness and American universities.They also dig into Hegseth’s new Project Meridian, which will bring together Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to study the future of warfare, as well as his proposal to have governors compete for new troop deployments. Sam and Ben discuss Hegseth’s attacks on the press, his history of purging military leaders and advisory boards, and the growing signs that he may have his eyes on a political future beyond the Pentagon.Plus, why does Hegseth’s vision seem so focused on domestic political enemies while the U.S. is dealing with actual wars and threats from countries like Iran and China?
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  Ken Paxton’s Leaked Trump Comments Are a Spectacular Own Goal 30.09.2026 19min

  Ken Paxton is caught on tape blaming Donald Trump for hurting his Senate campaign, telling a small group of donors that Trump’s Texas convention actually hurt his numbers. The New York Times first reported on the leaked recording, which came from a small Paxton fundraiser where an attendee recorded the conversation. JVL and Andrew Egger break down Paxton’s donor problems, his reliance on Trump’s financial support, and what the recording reveals about his struggling campaign.They also discuss Paxton’s political baggage, the Texas Senate race against James Talarico, and Angela Paxton’s unusual argument that Republicans should keep the seat “in the family” despite their ongoing divorce.Plus, why the Paxton campaign’s struggles could reveal deeper problems for Texas Republicans and the MAGA movement.
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  Command Post: Hegseth Takes an Axe to Generals, Admirals and Military Education 30.09.2026 54min

  Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s reported plan to cut 20% of the military’s general and flag officers, and what that could mean for military leadership, congressional oversight, and civilian-military relations. They also discuss Hegseth’s push to remake Department of Defense schools, including curriculum changes and book bans, as well as growing concerns about the Pentagon’s handling of military casualty reporting.Plus, U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue’s odd comments that Trump reportedly offered to sell U.S. weapons to China and the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq after more than two decades.
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  GOP Senator’s Jack Smith Ambush Ends in Spectacular Humiliation 29.09.2026 16min

  Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt’s disastrous attempt to catch former special counsel Jack Smith in a perjury trap during a Senate Judiciary hearing. Schmitt thought he had a smoking gun showing Smith was in Atlanta for a Hawks game on the same day as a controversy involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. But there was one problem: Smith wasn’t at the Hawks game. The text messages Schmitt’s team found were apparently referring to the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team, who were playing in Maryland that same day.Sen. Amy Klobuchar quickly pointed out the apparent mix-up, while Schmitt continued to defend his questioning even after accusing Smith of perjury. Sam and Andrew also discuss the poor timing of this faceplant after Axios reported that Eric Schmitt was being floated as a possible running mate for JD Vance in 2028.Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted Tempo meals at https://tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES. Rules and restrictions may apply.
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  BREAKING: Jack Smith Comes Out Swinging in Hearing | Morning Shots 29.09.2026 42min

  Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on Jack Smith’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Smith defended his decision to prosecute Donald Trump and said he would make the same decision regardless of whether Trump were a Republican or Democrat. They also discuss Republicans’ focus on the former special counsel, Chuck Grassley’s accusations against Smith, and Bill’s argument that the hearing amounts to a “perjury trap.”Then, Andrew makes the case for Democrats to keep impeachment on the table if they retake power in 2026, arguing that Trump’s use of government resources for political messaging and other alleged abuses could warrant renewed scrutiny. Bill and Andrew compare the current political environment with Trump’s 2019 impeachment and debate what Democrats should do if they regain control of Congress.Plus, Bill lays out why he sees a broader 2026 Senate map as potentially competitive, including races in states that have traditionally been difficult terrain for Democrats.Get 60% off your first box of fresh, chef-crafted Tempo meals at https://tempomeals.com/BULWARKTAKES. Rules and restrictions may apply.
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  This Kash Patel Photo Raises Some VERY Awkward Questions 28.09.2026 27min

  Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos are back to give their takes on the latest allegations of corruption and counterintelligence concerns surrounding the Trump administration, including Alina Habba’s star-studded wedding and the appearance of FBI Director Kash Patel alongside a former informant who was suspected of being a double agent.They also look at U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and her relationship with a Greek lobbyist, allegations that she pressured Greek officials over energy contracts, and claims that she threatened to help bring down the Greek government. Plus, Michael and Marc discuss the FBI’s leadership turmoil after a top deputy resigned.
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  MAGA Mondays: Trump Admin Party Video Sparks MAGA Backlash 28.09.2026 45min

  Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the latest drama on the online right, from a bizarre AI video posted by Trump aide Dan Scavino to the growing influence of QAnon conspiracy theories inside Trump world. Will explains why QAnon followers believe Scavino was sending them a coded signal and what the reaction reveals about the movement.Plus, the pro-data-center party bringing a strange mix of MAGA, tech, and online-right figures together in Washington, Mark Halperin’s warnings about Republican prospects, and the growing fight over anti-Indian rhetoric on the right. Sam and Will also discuss disgusting comments from Texas railroad commissioner candidate Bo French, including previously deleted posts found by CNN's KFile calling for the execution of Barack Obama.
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  Trump Said It Out Loud. His Cabinet Says It Never Happened. 28.09.2026 11min

  Trump says he’s banning news organizations over negative coverage. Then his own officials go on TV and insist that’s not what’s happening. Will Saletan meticulously breaks down Todd Blanche’s defense of Trump’s press crackdown, Mike Waltz getting confronted with the president’s own words, and the shifting story about the war with Iran.
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  Just How Crazy is the White House Right Now? (w/ Sarah Matthews) | Bulwark on Sunday 27.09.2026 35min

  Trump’s White House is racking up losses, picking fights with the press, and increasingly operating without anyone willing to tell the president no. Bill Kristol talks with former Trump White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews about what’s happening behind the scenes, why Republicans are suddenly putting some distance between themselves and Trump, and why she fears things could get even more reckless after the midterms.
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  Trump’s MAGA Replacement for the Media Is an Amateur-Hour Disaster 26.09.2026 25min

  Catherine Rampell and Will Sommer take on Trump’s escalating war on the White House press, the amateur-hour MAGA media operation stepping in to replace the traditional White House pool, and Byron Donalds’ awkward attempt to put a little distance between himself and Trump. Plus, Kimberly Guilfoyle’s misadventures as ambassador to Greece involve a mysterious lobbyist, questionable energy dealings, a middle-of-the-night trip to Albania, a shattered vodka venture, and one extraordinary warning to a U.S. ally.Byron Donalds removes Trump references from his campaign website: https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2026/09/22/byron-donalds-removes-trump-mentions-florida-governor-campaign-website/Trump responds by announcing two rallies with Byron Donalds: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/821961-trump-to-rally-twice-with-byron-donalds-ahead-of-election-day-says-donalds-would-lose-if-he-dropped-trump/The Mystery Man Shadowing Kimberly Guilfoyle as She Pushes Deals Across Europe: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kimberly-guilfoyle-mystery-man-energy-5adeb541?mod=hp_lead_pos10Listen to Catherine's new show, Receipts!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/receipts-with-catherine-rampell/id6807470569Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1O2Z2akwyonpAsbxyMqBTV?si=7d81ca2f299e4409
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  Inside the Strange CIA Briefing That Sent Europe Into a Panic 25.09.2026 30min

  Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss examine the growing Russian threat in Europe, separating the real danger of Russian sabotage and state terrorism from the media panic over a potential Russian invasion of NATO territory. They discuss the intelligence briefing that sparked concerns across Europe, how the assessment has since been revised downward, and why Russia’s escalating sabotage campaign could still lead to a dangerous mass-casualty event.They also examine how Europe can respond to Russian aggression, the role of NATO and Article 5, and why Russia may be testing how willing the West is to push back.Need specialized help without adding another full-time hire? Find skilled freelance professionals for software development, marketing, design, business operations, and more on Upwork. Sign up and post your job for free at https://www.upwork.com/