Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Decoding Trump’s Kennedy Center Fever Dream"

Release Date: August 13, 2025

In this engaging episode of Bulwark Takes, host Sam Stein, Managing Editor at The Bulwark, is joined by Sarah Longwell, the publication's fearless publisher and in-house musical theater enthusiast. Together, they delve into former President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to host the Kennedy Center Awards and explore the broader implications of his actions and rhetoric.

1. Introduction to the Topic

The episode kicks off with Sam Stein introducing the subject of discussion: Donald Trump’s involvement with the Kennedy Center Awards. Recognizing Sarah Longwell's passion for musical theater, Stein ensures her presence to provide specialized insights.

Sam Stein [00:00]:

"We’re here to talk about Donald Trump, the Kennedy Center, the Kennedy Center Awards, and musical theater."

Sarah Longwell [00:19]:

"My favorites are ones that mix my most favorite two topics, which is politics and musical theater."

2. Trump's Musical Preferences and Hosting Announcement

The hosts compare their musical preferences with Trump's, highlighting the irony in Trump's choice of hosting a prestigious arts event.

Sam Stein [00:45]:

"Trump had a big event this morning where he was going to unveil who was going to get the... Kennedy Center Awards."

Sarah criticizes Trump's performing choices, pointing out the incongruity between his hyper-masculine persona and his interest in musicals.

Sarah Longwell [03:28]:

"Which is mean to gay people. I don't mean to do that, but he's not."

Sam humorously likens Trump's hosting to a scene from Anchorman, emphasizing his reluctance and theatricality.

3. Analysis of Trump's Hosting Role and Behavior

The conversation turns critical as Stein and Longwell dissect Trump's press conference, questioning his motivations and mental acuity.

Sam Stein [04:34]:

"This is how he wants to spend his time. Like, he doesn't want to spend his time doing normal... present president."

Sarah Longwell [05:05]:

"How are they going to have this successful program in Washington, D.C., which is in the middle of a crisis of crime of such epic proportions?"

They highlight Trump's focus on trivial matters, such as park grass, over pressing national issues.

Donald Trump [05:41]:

"We're going to redo the grass with the finest grasses. I know a lot about grass because I own a lot of golf courses..."

Sarah mocks the superficiality of Trump's concerns.

Sarah Longwell [06:24]:

"His brain is soup... he sounds like Biden being like, listen here, bub..."

4. Cognitive Decline and Authoritarian Tendencies

The hosts express concern over Trump’s potential cognitive decline, drawing parallels to authoritarian behavior through his rhetoric and demeanor.

Sarah Longwell [09:41]:

"I have been increasingly thinking about Trump's mental decline and what seems like dementia."

Sam Stein [12:41]:

"Trump sounds exactly like that [referring to rambling], like Biden being like, listen here, bub..."

They argue that Trump’s rambling and obsession with superficial topics are indicative of deeper cognitive issues, posing a threat to democratic norms.

5. Kennedy Center Awards Honorees

Despite their criticisms, Stein and Longwell discuss the selection of honorees revealed by Trump, noting their alignment with "real America."

Honorees Announced:

• Sly Stallone
• Kiss (the rock band)
• George Strait
• Gloria Gaynor
• Michael Crawford (notably for Phantom of the Opera)

Sam Stein [09:09]:

"What do you make of these honorees?"

Sarah Longwell [09:17]:

"These are from real America, Sam, but, you know, they're great. I begrudge Sly Stallone nothing."

They commend the selection, highlighting the cultural significance of the honorees while implicitly criticizing Trump's influence.

6. Trump's Other Policy Focuses and Rhetoric

The discussion shifts to Trump’s broader policy statements during his press conference, including his stance on Russia and the Federal Reserve.

Donald Trump [10:36]:

"They’d rip out the ceiling because they see a crack, let me fix it and paint the ceiling."

Sarah emphasizes the nonsensical nature of his statements, further questioning his capacity to govern effectively.

Sarah Longwell [11:21]:

"His brain is soup. This is, we've got to start talking about this. He is in severe decline."

They argue that Trump’s focus on minor details like grass and building materials distracts from serious governance issues, reflecting an authoritarian misuse of power.

7. Concluding Thoughts on Authoritarianism and Presidential Fitness

In their final remarks, Stein and Longwell draw connections between Trump's behavior and authoritarian tendencies, stressing the importance of leadership grounded in competence and responsibility.

Sarah Longwell [13:39]:

"We are very lucky when it comes to the authoritarian takeover of the United States, that Donald Trump is 79 and almost 80 years old."

Sam Stein [14:34]:

"He likes chasing the shiny stuff."

They conclude by reaffirming their concerns over Trump’s potential impact on the nation's democratic institutions, advocating for vigilant and informed civic engagement.

Sarah Longwell [14:35]:

"Yes. It is what it is."

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s Hosting of the Kennedy Center Awards: The former president’s decision to host the awards is scrutinized as an example of his misplaced priorities and desire for personal branding.

• Cognitive and Leadership Concerns: Stein and Longwell express worries about Trump’s cognitive health and its implications for his ability to lead effectively, drawing parallels to authoritarian behavior.

• Selection of Honorees: The honorees chosen by Trump are seen as reflective of traditional American culture, though the selection process itself is questioned.

• Distracted Governance: Trump’s focus on superficial issues, such as park grass and building aesthetics, is criticized for diverting attention from critical national challenges like crime and international relations.

• Authoritarianism Warning: The hosts caution against the normalization of authoritarian tactics, emphasizing the need for accountability and informed leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Longwell [05:05]:

  "How could we have musical theater in an environment like [Washington D.C.] where the city is in worse shape than Baghdad?"

• Sam Stein [09:57]:

  "Trump sounds exactly like that [referring to rambling], like Biden being like, listen here, bub..."

• Sarah Longwell [11:21]:

  "His brain is soup. This is, we've got to start talking about this."

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a critical examination of Donald Trump’s latest political maneuvers, blending political analysis with cultural commentary. Stein and Longwell provide a nuanced perspective on the implications of Trump's actions for American democracy and cultural institutions.