Bulwark Takes: "Dr. Oz Speech Goes Off the Rails" (w/ Keith Edwards)
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Keith Edwards
Episode Overview
This lively Bulwark Takes episode sees Tim Miller joined by Keith Edwards, a political commentator and YouTube personality, for a rapid-fire conversation about some of the wildest news stories of the day. They unpack Donald Trump’s eyebrow-raising entry into the nuclear fusion business with a $6 billion company merger, reflect humorously (and critically) on Dr. Oz’s bizarre recent speech about gender-affirming surgeries, discuss the changing dynamics between the media and political power, and riff on current streaming trends—with plenty of characteristic Bulwark irreverence and wit.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Trump Media's Nuclear Fusion Merger
[01:55–06:57]
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The Story: Donald Trump’s social media company (Truth Social) has reportedly merged with TAE Technologies, a nuclear fusion startup, in a deal valued at over $6 billion.
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Keith reads from the New York Times: Trump's media ventures (cryptocurrency, streaming, and now, nuclear fusion) demonstrate a 'fourth act' that is bizarre even by today's standards.
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Skepticism and Satire: Both hosts express disbelief about the merger, suggesting it’s more grift and spectacle than serious business, and draw parallels to outlandish corporate mergers from sitcoms like 30 Rock.
"Trump Media has merged with TAE Technologies... It was an all stock merger. The company's valued at more than $6 billion. $6 billion."
– Tim Miller (02:08)"The grift will reverberate for generations... they're going to generational wealth and it's being stolen."
– Tim Miller (04:39) -
Ethics, Regulation & Investors: The merger of a presidential business interest with a highly regulated industry raises serious concerns. The fact that companies like Chevron and Google (Alphabet) are now Trump’s business partners accents the surreal “banana republic” quality of the situation.
"Chevron... and Alphabet, which is Google, are now investors in the president of the United States energy business."
– Tim Miller (05:26) -
Governance Parallels: Multiple analogies are drawn to Russian oligarchic systems.
"This is literally Russia. I mean, it’s Russia. This is how Russia works."
– Guest/Co-host (06:10)
2. Media, Corporate Cowardice, and the Trump Network Speech
[09:31–13:14]
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Dr. Oz’s Speech: The conversation pivots swiftly to how all major networks aired a lengthy Trump speech, which was essentially a campaign rally, unprecedented in recent years for its lack of substance and overt political content.
"The Trump speech last night—the yell, like the 20 minute yell... All the networks aired it and it did feel weird in the moment."
– Tim Miller (09:31) -
Contrast with Past Presidents: Networks previously denied Obama and Biden similar airtime for non-official addresses, highlighting a double standard now operating in Trump’s favor.
"The fact that they said no to Obama and then they're saying yes to this... It was basically a campaign speech on network news. But for free."
– Guest/Co-host (11:00) -
Critique of Corporate & Media Obedience: The hosts blast the media’s—and America’s—“oligarchs” for rolling over for Trump, suggesting old norms of corporate and democratic safeguards are collapsing.
"These corporations are so cowardly. Like, it was just unbelievable how cowardly they've been."
– Keith Edwards (11:48)"I just guess I thought that the billion millionaires, the oligarchs and the companies would actually be defending our values... But not anymore."
– Guest/Co-host (11:54) -
Speculation on the Future: The entitled patterns of corporate America raise concerns for future elections and democratic processes.
"I just don't see how he gives up power. That's just kind of how I feel today."
– Guest/Co-host (13:58)
3. The "Dr. Oz Speech Goes Off the Rails" Moment
[14:16–16:16]
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Dr. Oz’s Speech Clip (14:27): The hosts play and roast a snippet where Dr. Oz describes the high cost of gender-affirming surgeries—specifically, phalloplasty.
"Shockingly, a phalloplasty, the creation of a penis, costs on average in America...$150,000 per child."
– Dr. Oz (14:29) -
Hosts’ Reaction: Tim and Keith deride Oz’s focus on “penisflation” and mock the manufactured outrage:
"We've got inflation in penis plasties. $150 grand for a penis these days. The going rate."
– Tim Miller (14:57)"Penisflation, I guess, is the thing that we should be worried about. The affordability crisis has come to your crotch."
– Guest/Co-host (15:06) -
Satirical Digression: The duo riff comically about the economics and art of genital surgery—evoking the Lorena Bobbitt case for reference comedy.
4. Streaming Culture and Representation
[16:30–18:51]
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Streaming Trends: There’s a playful debate about the new wave of sports-themed, LGBTQ+-inclusive streaming shows (like the hockey series on Max/Netflix).
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Wry Takes on 'Wokeness': The hosts joke about cultural backlash and shifting trends in representation, expressing general support for diversity and "hot people" on TV.
"Three handsome, muscly white guys. They play hockey. And it's like the three best hockey players in the world are all gay."
– Tim Miller (16:42)"Let people enjoy things. If you don't like hot white guys making out in the locker room, that's... I don't identify with that. But I accept you..."
– Guest/Co-host (18:15)
Most Notable Quotes & Moments
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On Trump’s Nuclear Fusion Grift:
"It's like the grift will reverberate for generations."
– Tim Miller (04:39) -
Media’s Deference to Trump:
"And now the networks are just like, whatever you want, Daddy."
– Keith Edwards (10:04) -
On "Penisflation":
"Penisflation, I guess, is the thing that we should be worried about. The affordability crisis has come to your crotch."
– Guest/Co-host (15:06) -
On Network Choices:
"The fact that they said no to Obama and then they're saying yes to this... It was basically a campaign speech on network news. But for free."
– Guest/Co-host (11:00) -
On Letting People Enjoy Things:
"Let people enjoy things. If you don't like hot white guys making out in the locker room, that's... I don't identify with that. But I accept you..."
– Guest/Co-host (18:15)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Trump’s Nuclear Fusion Merger: [01:55–06:57]
- Oligarch Comparisons & MIT Angle: [06:04–06:58]
- Networks Airing Trump’s Yelling Speech: [09:31–13:14]
- Dr. Oz’s "Penis Inflation" Speech: [14:16–16:16]
- Streaming, Representation & Pop Culture: [16:30–18:51]
Tone & Style
The conversation is fast-paced, deeply irreverent, and loaded with political and pop culture references. Tim and Keith move quickly from sharp political critique to snarky asides, balancing insight with pure amusement at the absurdities of the day.
Summary for First-Time Listeners
If you missed the episode, you’ll find a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation that jumps from jaw-dropping news (Trump’s latest business venture and media complicity) to head-shaking cultural satire (the Dr. Oz “penis inflation” speech), rounded off with some lighter riffs on streaming trends and representation in media. The tone is sharp, skeptical, comedic, and openly critical of both political and corporate America’s cowardice and opportunism.