Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – “Dubya's ‘Criticism’ of Trump Isn’t Subtle—It’s Useless”

Date: February 16, 2026
Host: JVL with Tim Miller

Episode Overview

This episode dissects former President George W. Bush’s recent essay about George Washington, which many media outlets have interpreted as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. JVL and Tim Miller break down whether Bush’s purported “subtle” critique has any meaning or value at a time when, in their view, democracy faces an existential threat from Trump’s disregard for democratic norms. The hosts rail against the historical revisionism and passive rhetoric of establishment figures and institutions, question the current use of “nonpartisan” in civic discourse, and call out the broader weakness of those unwilling to take a stand against authoritarianism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Reaction to Bush’s Essay

• JVL opens with frustration at the celebratory response to George W. Bush’s essay, noting that multiple outlets have thrilled at “subtle shade” thrown at Trump.
• Tim Miller finds this reading overblown and says you simply cannot contrast anyone’s virtues without implicitly rebuking Trump—because Trump famously rejects such qualities.
  • Quote:

    “You cannot praise the virtues of anyone without subtly contrasting within a virtueless president.” (Tim Miller, 04:27)

• Both agree: The essay could easily be given to an 8th grade civics class; if you didn’t know about the media coverage, you’d never read it as a potshot at Trump.

2. Reading and Dissecting Bush’s Actual Words

• JVL reads out the passages that media claimed were “against Trump” (04:41–05:19).
• Tim emphasizes that everything said about Washington has been said long before Trump’s rise. The virtues listed (integrity, service-above-self) aren’t barbs, they’re non-controversial historical facts.
  • Quote:

    “It was a nice essay about George Washington that could read to a class without mentioning Donald Trump at all… it was not an attack on Trump anyway.” (Tim, 06:20)

3. The Problem with the “Institution over Individual” Bromide

• The last paragraph of Bush’s essay (08:27–08:56) takes the most fire from both hosts.
• Tim Miller calls it an outright lie:
  • Quote:

    “The office is more important than the occupant—turns out, no, actually! …With Donald Trump, the occupant is more important because he has used all of the traditional norms around the office, and he’s absconded from all of them.” (Tim, 09:08)

• JVL adds that Trump has shown the institution’s weaknesses; Bush’s faith in “ballast” is misplaced.
  • Quote:

    “What Trump has done is expose its weaknesses... Not like—and again, it’s just the opposite has happened. And here George W. Bush is to throw us some bromides, which is essentially... apologizing for Trump and covering for him.” (JVL, 11:18)

4. The “In Pursuit” Project – Making History Relevant by Ignoring the Present?

• Discussion moves to the context of Bush’s essay, which appears in “In Pursuit”—a new civic education initiative focusing on presidential history.
• Miller calls out the project’s explicit moratorium on discussing anything from the past 10 years, including Trump’s and Biden’s terms.
  • Quote:

    “How do you make history relevant without speaking to the specifics of the present?” (Tim, 14:44)

• JVL reads a New York Times segment about the importance of bipartisanship and non-partisanship, and both hosts mock the idea that “nonpartisan” now means needing a MAGA supporter involved.
  • Quote:

    “To be non-partisan now, you have to actually have somebody that is an avowed supporter of Donald Trump.” (Tim, 19:02)

5. The Broader Problem: Weakness in the Face of Authoritarianism

• JVL and Tim criticize centrist and establishment figures for failing to “take their own side in a fight”; they see this as complicity.
• They tie passive civic projects, such as “In Pursuit”, and Bush’s rhetoric, into a broader pattern of elite refusal to confront—or even name—the dangers to democracy.
  • Quote:

    “How do you expect to defeat the fascist attempt if you won’t even say no, we’re against the fascists and we are right and they are wrong and they must be confronted and defeated?” (JVL, 18:46)

6. George W. Bush’s Legacy: Complicity by Silence

• JVL is especially critical of Bush’s failure to confront Trump explicitly over the years, calling this silence “unforgivable” and worse than even the controversial decisions of his presidency.
  • Quote:

    “He could have spoken up at any point in time. He probably could have stopped Donald Trump from being elected the first time. … To the extent that they have been just—W himself—totally complicit ... It is unforgivable.” (JVL, 22:25)

• Tim is “more disappointed than mad,” recognizing Bush’s probable intention to “let history speak for itself,” but sees it as a bad judgment call—not as courageous restraint.
  • Quote:

    “I do think it’s a bad judgment call. And I think that he genuinely has… convinced himself that the honorable thing to do after his presidency was... not speak... I disagree with that assessment.” (Tim, 26:23)

• JVL concludes that Bush’s post-presidency makes any “rehabilitation” or redemption impossible, since his passivity in the Trump era displays the same questionable judgment as his presidency—perhaps worse.

7. Closing Sentiment: Weakness and Complacency

• The show closes with a sense of bitter resignation and worry:
  • Quote:

    “Donald Trump was right. This society is too decadent and weak and it was begging to be taken over by a strong man. God help us.” (JVL, 27:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim Miller (on Bush’s essay):

  “To me, this read, I read it and it read like a very nice essay about George Washington’s traits that you could like give to maybe an 8th grade class as an assignment…” (06:13)

• JVL (on the constitution’s vulnerabilities):

  “…what Trump has done is expose its weaknesses. Yes, right. It has exposed all of the places where there are chinks in the armor and where it can be attacked and perverted and potentially defeated and overthrown.” (11:18)

• Tim Miller (on non-partisan standards):

  “To be non-partisan now, you have to actually have somebody that is an avowed supporter of Donald Trump… That’s just true…” (19:02)

• JVL (on Bush’s failure):

  “…he could have moved 70,000 votes. I do. And to the extent that they have been just W himself, totally complicit… It is unforgivable.” (22:25)

• JVL (on societal decadence):

  “Donald Trump was right. This society is too decadent and weak and it was begging to be taken over by a strong man.” (27:42)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:30 – Opening & President’s Day sarcasm
• 04:41 – Reading Bush’s essay
• 08:27 – Dissecting the “office is more important than the occupant” argument
• 13:55 – Introduction of “In Pursuit” and its approach
• 14:44 – Critique of avoiding present-day context in history teaching
• 19:01 – The new definition of ‘nonpartisan’
• 22:25 – Bush’s silence and missed opportunity
• 27:42 – Final statement on societal weakness and complacency

Tone & Style

• Highly critical, sometimes caustic; alternately earnest and exasperated
• Casual language but deeply informed and passionate
• Unapologetically partisan against Trump and those seen as “soft” critics

This conversation is a must-hear for those following intra-GOP debates, the struggle over historical memory, and the ongoing anxiety about the resilience of American democracy. The Bulwark hosts ask: What good are subtleties in the face of existential threat? And what happens when the guardians of democracy simply won’t say what needs to be said—or act when it matters most?