Bulwark Takes Podcast Summary
Episode: EXCLUSIVE: MyPillow Guy Won’t Stop Texting Me!
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Hosts: Charlie Sykes and Will Sommer

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Charlie Sykes and Will Sommer delve into the tumultuous intersection of right-wing media, conspiracy theories, and ongoing legal battles. The primary focus revolves around Mike Lindell, the controversial founder of MyPillow, and the broader implications of his actions within the right-wing media ecosystem. Additionally, the hosts explore the emerging narrative surrounding "J13," a term referring to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Mike Lindell’s Defamation Lawsuit

Overview of the Case

The episode opens with a discussion about Mike Lindell facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Eric Coomer, a former Dominion employee. Lindell had previously accused Coomer of rigging the 2020 election, aligning his claims with broader conspiracy theories similar to those propagated by Dominion and Smartmatic.

Key Points and Quotes:

• Charlie Sykes [00:16]:
  "Mike Lindell is being sued by a guy Mike Lindell has accused of rigging the 2020 election. What is the deal here? What, what is this Dominion esque lawsuit about, Will?"

• Will Sommer [00:31]:
  "Mike Lindell, people know from the big mustache, the former crack addiction, the Pillows, he is in on trial in Denver this week and next week for his allegations that a former Dominion employee, this guy named Eric Cooper, was involved in stealing the election."

Analysis of the Legal Battle

Will Sommer provides a comprehensive breakdown of the lawsuit, likening it to other high-profile defamation cases involving Dominion and Smartmatic. He highlights the precarious position Lindell is in, especially when compared to other entities that have settled for substantial amounts—citing Fox News's $700 million settlement with Dominion—as Lindell seems steadfast in his belief that the election was stolen.

• Charlie Sykes [03:06]:
  "It's hard to sue a news outlet and win like that. That's hard to do. As, as we know, as journalists, there are lots of safe harbors and protections for journalism. First Amendment is very robust. To actually lose a lawsuit or to feel the need to settle for that amount of money suggests things have gone very badly for you."

Lindell’s Commitment to His Claims

Sykes points out that Lindell hasn't shown signs of backing down, contrasting him with other media outlets that have settled. This determination is encapsulated in Lindell's conduct during the trial, where he remains actively involved.

• Will Sommer [01:21]:
  "Mike Lindell is insisting the election was stolen. He gave a press conference right before the trial started and said basically, yeah, I think Satan is stealing the election."

Lindell’s Direct Communication

A notable aspect discussed is Lindell's direct engagement through texting, providing real-time updates from the courtroom.

• Will Sommer [01:50]:
  "I text him and say, you know, Mike, I see Rolling Stone reported that you're gonna be testifying yourself, which is obviously very unusual. You know, are you still planning on doing that? And he said, yeah, I'm in court right now, still planning on it."

• Charlie Sykes [05:35]:
  "That's wild. Anyway, make sure to keep us updated on the case. Make sure to forward the text messages along to the slack. We would love to read what Mike Lindell."

Implications for Eric Coomer and Similar Cases

The lawsuit against Lindell isn’t just an isolated incident; it highlights the real-world consequences faced by individuals like Eric Coomer who become entangled in unfounded conspiracy theories.

• Will Sommer [04:48]:
  "This is such a sort of a shaggy dog story, says such an obvious fake. Fake. It's sort of a hoax. And nevertheless, Mike Lindell now finds himself in court over it."

• Charlie Sykes [05:11]:
  "This is like, it's not just Dominion suing. Suing Fox News because Dominion's business model was hurt because of the lies of Fox News. We're talking about a real guy who undoubtedly suffered harassment and that sort of thing because it was singled out by Mike Lindell and his band of lunatics."

Emerging Narrative: J13

Introduction to J13

Shifting gears, the hosts tackle the lesser-known term "J13," which refers to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13th. This event is being positioned by Trump allies as a significant, albeit underreported, counterpart to the January 6th Capitol riot.

Key Points and Quotes:

• Charlie Sykes [06:49]:
  "How have I not heard about J13? Well, how have I not heard about J13?"

• Will Sommer [06:49]:
  "J13 is definitely a funny one. I mean, so the right. I think has felt very frustrated that the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, did it."

Comparison with J6

Sykes and Sommer compare J13 to the more widely recognized J6, discussing the attempts by Trump allies to escalate its significance within the conspiracy narrative.

• Charlie Sykes [07:49]:
  "It is interesting because it is very specifically an attempt to tie it to a larger plot or make it feel like a bigger event than it was, which is weird because it was a pretty big event."

• Will Sommer [08:23]:
  "Given my history as a Secret Service agent and my personal friendship with the president gives me one logical, sensible reason we would not have. If you can think of one, there isn't."

Dan Bongino’s Role and Reactions

The discussion highlights former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s involvement, where he dismisses the idea of a larger conspiracy surrounding J13, much to the frustration of his Republican peers.

• Dan Bongino [08:36]:
  "I'm not going to tell people what they want to hear. I'm going to tell you the truth. And whether, whether you like it or not is up to you."

• Charlie Sykes [09:51]:
  "It's interesting how Dan Bongino keeps kind of finding himself in the middle of these situations where he is getting yelled at by his former friends for like not finding the conspiracies that everybody thinks are supposed to be there."

Challenges in Branding J13

The hosts critique the term "J13" for its lack of catchy branding compared to other significant events like "J6."

• Charlie Sykes [10:59]:
  "It's bad branding like J13. It doesn't, it doesn't really, it doesn't roll off."

• Will Sommer [11:42]:
  "It's too many characters, I think it takes up too much space, too many sounds."

Potential Alternatives and Final Thoughts

In a humorous exchange, Sykes and Sommer brainstorm alternative names for J13 but acknowledge the difficulty in finding a term as succinct as "J6."

• Charlie Sykes [11:31]:
  "We could brainstorm ideas here of, you know, what do we want this be called? The Trump, Trump. Ear Gate. Ear gate. I don't know what the."

• Will Sommer [12:10]:
  "Yeah, too many syllables, you know, J6, it's J6, J13 as three. Assassination, you know, Trump assassin. That's just too many."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the persistent efforts within the right-wing media to propagate and sustain unfounded conspiracy theories, using Mike Lindell’s legal battles and the J13 narrative as prime examples. Sykes and Sommer emphasize the real-world implications of these actions, from legal repercussions to personal harassment, underscoring the volatile dynamics within the current media landscape.

• Will Sommer [12:32]:
  "Absolutely."

Notable Takeaways

• Legal Repercussions: Mike Lindell’s defamation lawsuit highlights the tangible consequences of spreading conspiracy theories, contrasting with other media outlets that have settled similar cases.

• Conspiracy Theory Dynamics: The episode illustrates how conspiracy theories can rapidly evolve and the challenges in dismantling them, especially when amplified by influential figures.

• Media Branding: The discussion on J13 underscores the importance of effective branding in maintaining the longevity and impact of narratives within media and public discourse.

• Personal Accountability: Through the case of Eric Coomer, the podcast sheds light on the personal toll of being entangled in high-profile conspiracy claims, emphasizing the human cost behind these stories.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Bulwark Takes episode, providing a clear understanding of the intricate issues surrounding Mike Lindell’s lawsuit and the emerging J13 narrative for those who haven’t listened to the episode.