Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Episode: BOMBSHELL: Trump Border Czar Took $50K Bribe—in CASH!
Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell

Overview

This urgent episode centers around the explosive MSNBC report by Carol Lennig revealing that Tom Homan, Trump’s former border czar, accepted a $50,000 cash bribe during an FBI sting operation. The discussion unpacks the details of the sting, the administration’s decision to shut down the investigation, and what it signals about the scale and nature of corruption in Trump’s orbit. Hosts Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell analyze the political implications, draw comparisons to past scandals, and critique responses from both supporters and critics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Breaking Story: Homan's Cash Bribe (01:00)

• Details of the Sting Operation:
  • FBI undercover agents, posing as contractors, offered Homan $50,000 in exchange for help securing government contracts if Trump was re-elected.
  • Homan accepted the bribe on camera in September 2024 in Texas.
• Federal Investigation:
  • The case began after someone in a separate investigation reported Homan’s solicitation for payments.
  • Despite video evidence, the Justice Department shut down the investigation.
• Quote:

  “We had FBI officials posing as contractors…Homan saying yes and then accepting the cash.” — Tim Miller (01:00)

The Trump Administration's Response & Implications (02:38)

• Official Statement:
  • Patel, a Trump DOJ official, dismissed the case:

    "They found no credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing…as a result, this investigation has been closed." — Tim Miller quoting Patel (02:49)

  • Hosts note the absurdity given clear video evidence.
• Corruption Culture:
  • The discussion connects Homan's actions to a broader pattern of influence peddling around Trump.
  • Sarah notes how Trumpworld figures, including lobbyists and consultants like Jason Miller, profit mainly from proximity to power.

The Simplicity of Cash Corruption (05:22)

• Public Perception:
  • Cash bribes are easier for people to understand compared to nebulous cryptocurrency or policy quid-pro-quos.
  • Quote:

    “This is like old school. Everybody gets this. Dude got cash...he was like, yes, I will do that. I am corrupt.” — Tim Miller (06:19)

• Comparison to Biden Scandals:
  • The Trump camp repeatedly focused on Hunter Biden’s comparatively small ethics issues, while Trump’s circle is “selling influence so openly and regularly.”

The Notoriety of Tom Homan (06:47)

• Why This Case Hits Harder:
  • Homan's reputation as a “villain” due to harsh immigration policies means this story will draw more fire.
  • Quote:

    “He is the architect of going and yanking people off the streets, of sending people to torture prisons…He has never made even an ounce of an attempt to act like he is going to work through the immigration process in sort of a lawful, humane way.” — Sarah Longwell (06:56)

Systemic Corruption & Justice Department’s Role (08:15)

• Politicization of Justice:
  • The hosts juxtapose the Trump Justice Department's actions against the previous administration’s restraint, noting the contrast in how similarly damning information was handled.
  • Quote:

    “They need to take the politics out of the Justice Department…what we've seen with the Biden administration…their DOJ didn't use it as a campaign issue. I think that's noteworthy.” — Tim Miller (08:49)

• Broader Corruption:
  • References to other Trump-adjacent scandals (UAE stablecoin deal, AI chips) highlight the administration's pattern of transactional dealings.

The Narrative Challenge (09:52)

• Scandal Fatigue & Focus:
  • Democrats struggle to keep corruption salient due to the overwhelming, ongoing number of Trump scandals, in contrast to the focused Republican messaging on Hunter Biden/Benghazi.
  • Quote:

    “Trump is so corrupt…the same thing happened when he was being indicted—he had so many indictments, it became difficult for the American people to recognize the different cases against him and for it to all turn into white noise…” — Sarah Longwell (11:17)

Will This Scandal Break Through? (11:45)

• Potential Political Impact:
  • Tim and Sarah discuss whether the simplicity and outrageousness of the Homan scandal could give Democrats a clear narrative to focus on and rally public outrage.
  • Quote:

    “Sometimes you need like a grip handle on the whole thing. Right. And I think this could be it. Like a guy with a sweaty wad of bills who's been doing enormous damage since he got into the administration.” — Sarah Longwell (12:03)

Social Media and Political Reactions (12:18)

• Notable Statements:

  • Connor Lamb (D-PA):

    “Dems must immediately demand the entire investigative file and not give DOJ another dollar till they get it.” — Tim Miller reading (12:23)

  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:

    “Who’s the illegal now? Real Tom Homan.” — Tim Miller reading (12:29)

  • Adam Schiff:

    “Pam Bondi new, cash. Patel new email. Bove new. And they made the investigation go away.” — Tim Miller reading (12:39)

• Host Commentary:

  • Sarah expresses regret that “Conor Lamb and not Fetterman” isn’t in the Senate.
  • Tim jokes:

    “File your Connor Lamb apology form. Any of you Fetterman people out there.” (13:33)

Conservative World’s Response (13:48)

• Megyn Kelly’s Reaction:
  • She posts:

    “We do not care. Don’t bother Tom Homan. He’s a national treasure.” — Tim Miller quoting Megyn Kelly (13:57)

  • Hosts mock the hypocrisy, noting right-wing figures who otherwise preach law and order now justify outright bribery when it’s “their” side.
  • Sarah:

    “Yes, Meghan, we know you don’t care about Trump’s corruption. We know you’ve sold out all your principles. You didn’t have to tell us you don’t care.” (14:58)

Final Thoughts

• Summing Up:
  • The episode closes by praising Carol Lennig’s reporting and noting the need for continued vigilance as the story develops.
  • Tim:

    "Shout out to Carol Lennig. As always, great stuff, great reporting. She’s unbelievable." (16:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is like old school. Everybody gets this. Dude got cash…he was like, yes, I will do that. I am corrupt.”
  — Tim Miller (06:19)

• “He is the architect of going and yanking people off the streets, of sending people to torture prisons…He has never…acted in a lawful, humane way.”
  — Sarah Longwell (06:56)

• “Sometimes you need like a grip handle on the whole thing. Right. And I think this could be it. Like a guy with a sweaty wad of bills…”
  — Sarah Longwell (12:03)

• “We do not care. Don’t bother Tom Homan. He’s a national treasure.”
  — Megyn Kelly, quoted by Tim Miller (13:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] Tim Miller introduces the breaking story of Homan’s cash bribe
• [02:38] Hosts analyze DOJ's response and implications
• [05:22] Discussion of how straightforward cash corruption is for the public
• [06:47] Sarah on Homan’s notoriety and the implications for the story’s traction
• [08:15] Reflection on the politicization of the DOJ and broader corruption
• [09:52] The narrative problem with “too much” Trump corruption
• [11:45] Will the simplicity of Homan’s scandal help focus public outrage?
• [12:18] Sharing political reactions (Lamb, AOC, Schiff)
• [13:48] Critique of right-wing reactions, especially Megyn Kelly
• [16:03] Closing remarks and shout-out to Carol Lennig

Tone & Style

The episode is frank, irreverent, and biting, blending detailed policy insight with blunt, sometimes caustic, critiques of the Trump administration and its defenders. The hosts use humor, disbelief, and incredulity to underscore the gravity of the corruption exposed.

Summary

This episode unpacks the bombshell report on Tom Homan’s cash bribe in plain language, situating it amid a broader pattern of Trumpworld corruption, while also highlighting the challenges and opportunities Democrats face in communicating such issues. With a focus on storytelling clarity, political response, and media critique, the conversation underscores both the seriousness and the simplicity of “old school” corruption—arguing this might be the rare scandal that sticks.