Bulwark Takes: A New Low? Trump Invites SEX OFFENDER to the White House (w/ Pablo Torre)
Host: Tim Miller, The Bulwark
Guest: Pablo Torre
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller is joined by Pablo Torre, the unofficial sports correspondent from The Bulwark's YouTube platform. The discussion delves into a controversial White House assembly led by former President Donald Trump, which includes figures with questionable backgrounds, notably a registered sex offender and professional entertainer Triple H. The conversation spans various topics, including Trump's handling of scandals, the state of college athlete compensation, and the broader implications for sports culture.
Trump's Controversial White House Assembly
The episode opens with Tim Miller addressing a peculiar event where Donald Trump, now a prominent figure at the White House, is surrounded by individuals who appear to be leveraging their notoriety for political purposes.
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [00:15]: “Donald Trump, the President was flanked by several people who seem like they're using PEDs to discuss the re-establishment of the Presidential Fitness Test.”
Pablo Torre expresses his frustration and amusement regarding Trump's choice of associates:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [02:21]: “Lawrence Taylor, who is literally at one point an actual registered sex offender. New York Giants great is up there.”
Tim Miller sarcastically criticizes the strategy of bringing a sex offender into the White House, suggesting it serves as a distraction from administration scandals:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [02:32]: “It's important to bring in, you know, when you're dealing with a scandal about that's embroiling your administration, about how you are covering up Your involvement in a sex offender. It's important to bring a registered sex offender to the White House to kind of distract.”
The duo continues to dissect the odd composition of Trump's entourage, highlighting the inclusion of Triple H, a professional entertainer rather than a genuine sports figure:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [02:40]: “Triple H is there. This is what I'm mad at. Like, I live in sports. I feel like the kid in high school who's like, he doesn't even go here.”
Handling of Sexual Scandals
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the involvement of high-profile individuals in his administration.
- Notable Quote:
Donald Trump Clip [04:22]: “We banned men from competing in women's sports. And last week the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced that they will be complying with that order.”
Tim Miller critiques Trump's response to the Epstein allegations, suggesting a lack of genuine accountability:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [05:07]: “He's got LT with him. It's like RFK is there. And he's like, gotta answer this question from ABC about, like, whether he knew what Jeffrey Epstein was doing.”
Pablo Torre adds depth to the conversation by questioning the authenticity of Trump's initiatives, labeling them as "fake" and ineffective:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [13:38]: “And so it's like, what do you do with Tim? What's more, what's more notarized than having triple H there counterpoint.”
State of College Athlete Compensation
Transitioning from political controversies, the conversation shifts to the evolving landscape of college sports, particularly the debate over athlete compensation.
Tim Miller shares a personal anecdote about his passion for college athlete pay, illustrating the intensity of his commitment:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [01:38]: “I have a longtime passion for college athlete pay. It's been like when me and Jeb one time got into a fight on a plane...”
Pablo Torre critiques the current proposals by Trump’s council, arguing that they lean more towards socialism than free-market capitalism:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [11:48]: “It's so much more socialist than anything Z Doron is proposing. It is. It's just like you had for the first time the sort of primordial ooze of a free market.”
The discussion highlights the confusion and frustration within college sports regarding the lack of clear regulations, with the NCAA being criticized as an ineffective governing body:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [12:15]: “The NCAA is basically an absentee institution that's I think participating in this whole circus, this charade because they want an antitrust exemption.”
Tim Miller defends the current system, emphasizing the autonomy it provides athletes in choosing their teams and negotiating NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [10:25]: “They're on LSU and they're not playing or they're not getting a good NIL deal and Nebraska comes in... it's the student that's able to make this choice for themselves. It's a pure capitalist system.”
However, he acknowledges the potential for future regulation issues if initial rules are not effectively implemented:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [13:40]: “If some of the people start following the rules, well then that's what other schools will be like... You can sue us and we'll go see you in court.”
Pablo Torre underscores the chaos that could ensue without proper contractual agreements, comparing it to an "eternal free agency":
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [15:28]: “That's very frustrating to Nick Saban... it's like, you half heard a complaint by Tommy Tuberville at a golf course, and you're like, I got it.”
Sports Culture and Personal Anecdotes
Throughout the episode, Tim Miller interjects personal stories and accolades to highlight positive aspects of sports culture, such as celebrating his daughter's achievement at a basketball camp:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [07:53]: “Shout out to my daughter and her cousin who got the gold medal in the 89 year class at the Nuggets Denver Nuggets basketball camp this week.”
He contrasts this with the cynicism towards professional athletes like Nikola Jokic, emphasizing the importance of nurturing youth sports:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [08:04]: “Care as little about winning a trophy as they do Nikola Jokic.”
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Tim Miller praising Pablo Torre for his insightful contributions to the discussion, hinting at future conversations on similar topics:
- Notable Quote:
Tim Miller [15:28]: “Pablo, thank you for being our unofficial sport correspondent. Everybody, go support Pablo. Go listen to stuff...”
Pablo Torre responds with anticipation for continued dialogue, suggesting that the issues discussed are far from resolved:
- Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre [15:42]: “I have a feeling we will be talking about this way too soon. Actually.”
Key Takeaways
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Controversial White House Moves: Donald Trump's inclusion of individuals with dubious backgrounds, such as a registered sex offender and Triple H, raises questions about the administration's priorities and strategies for handling scandals.
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Handling of Sexual Scandals: The episode critiques Trump's approach to addressing allegations related to Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting a superficial handling of serious issues.
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College Athlete Compensation: The discussion underscores the complexities and challenges in regulating college sports, especially concerning athlete compensation and the role of the NCAA.
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Sports Culture: Personal anecdotes emphasize the importance of fostering positive sports environments for youth, contrasting them with the chaos and cynicism in professional sports.
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Future Implications: Both Tim Miller and Pablo Torre acknowledge the ongoing nature of these issues, indicating that further discussions and potential legislative or regulatory actions are anticipated.
Final Thoughts
Bulwark Takes delivers a nuanced exploration of intersecting themes in politics and sports, anchored by Tim Miller and Pablo Torre's candid dialogue. By weaving together personal experiences with critical analysis of current events, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and controversies shaping today's socio-political and sports landscapes.