Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary Title: Fox Host Decides To Take Back WHAT WORD?! Release Date: July 18, 2025 Hosts: Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell delve into a controversial moment from Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, who recently made headlines by attempting to reclaim the term "Nazi" in his comedic segments. The discussion examines the implications of such actions, the differences between reclaiming slurs, and the broader societal impacts.

1. Introduction to Greg Gutfeld's Controversy

Tim Miller opens the conversation by referencing a segment where Greg Gutfeld takes an unconventional approach to addressing accusations of being a Nazi.

Tim Miller (00:00): "Anytime a Fox News host decides they want to start calling themselves a Nazi and self-identifies as a Nazi, we feel like that's important thing for us to peruse."

Sarah Longwell chimes in with a humorous take, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Sarah Longwell (00:18): "I can't believe you didn't start this show with 'what up, my Nazi?'"

The duo expresses skepticism about the effectiveness and appropriateness of Gutfeld's attempt to reclaim the term.

2. Breakdown of Greg Gutfeld's Attempt to Reclaim "Nazi"

The hosts dissect Gutfeld's segment, critiquing his methodology and the potential repercussions.

Greg Gutfeld (00:35): "This is why the criticism doesn't matter to us when you call us Nazis... 'What up, my Nazi?'"

Tim Miller points out the awkwardness and forced humor in Gutfeld's approach.

Tim Miller (01:20): "It was kind of like an awkward silence there for a while, and then she does that, and then a little forced laughter."

Sarah Longwell emphasizes the difference between reclaiming words like "queer" and "Nazi," arguing that the latter lacks the same contextual flexibility.

Sarah Longwell (01:58): "Greg, but here's the thing. The n-word and words like queer were used as invective... Nazis were a very specific thing... So what does he reclaim?"

3. The Challenges of Reclaiming Hate-Fueled Terms

The conversation shifts to the complexities involved in reclaiming terms that carry significant historical and emotional weight.

Tim Miller contrasts "Nazi" with other reclaimed slurs, highlighting that "Nazi" wasn't initially a slur but a self-designation.

Tim Miller (02:24): "The Nazis called themselves Nazis. It was a badge of honor, actually... It wasn't a slur."

Sarah Longwell discusses the unintended admissions made when individuals attempt to reclaim such loaded terms, suggesting that it inadvertently affirms the negative connotations.

Sarah Longwell (04:24): "Unless the point he's trying to make is they were Nazis... we should point out to Greg Gutfeld that he is making a logical mistake."

4. Societal Implications and the Rise of Anti-Semitism

The hosts contextualize Gutfeld's actions within a broader societal framework, addressing the rise of anti-Semitism and the amplification of hate speech on social media platforms.

Sarah Longwell connects the discussion to the resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric, particularly on platforms like Twitter under Elon Musk's leadership.

Sarah Longwell (07:54): "Anti-Semitism is on the rise... he let all the Nazis back on Twitter."

Tim Miller reflects on the parallels between past and present societal attitudes towards racist jokes, noting a shift towards normalization.

Tim Miller (07:31): "It's been like, we're not sort of call ourselves Nazis, but they become self-fulfilling."

5. The Intersection of Comedy and Political Extremism

The episode explores how comedic attempts to normalize extremist language can have unintended consequences, potentially emboldening hate groups.

Sarah Longwell critiques the effectiveness of Gutfeld's humor, emphasizing that such jokes do not land as intended and may instead trivialize serious issues.

Sarah Longwell (11:24): "It's just a joke. It's just a gag... it's not funny."

Tim Miller warns against the slippery slope of normalizing Nazi terminology through humor, citing the potential for these jokes to evolve into more entrenched extremist beliefs.

Tim Miller (11:50): "If you're going to make Nazi jokes, they better be really funny. And you didn't nail it on this one."

6. Conclusion: The Responsibility of Public Figures in Language Use

Wrapping up the discussion, Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell underscore the responsibility that public figures hold in steering public discourse, especially concerning sensitive and charged terminology.

Sarah Longwell (11:28): "It didn't work. Your joke's bad."

Tim Miller (11:51): "If you're going to make Nazi jokes, they better be really funny."

The hosts conclude by reiterating the importance of thoughtful language use and the potential dangers of attempting to reclaim terms that carry historical atrocities.

Key Takeaways

• Reclaiming Loaded Terms: While some groups successfully reclaim slurs, attempting to reclaim "Nazi" is fraught with complexities due to its specific historical context and the potential to inadvertently legitimize extremist ideologies.

• Impact of Humor: Comedic attempts to normalize sensitive terms can backfire, trivializing serious issues and potentially empowering hate groups.

• Rise of Anti-Semitism: The episode highlights a concerning increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric, exacerbated by platforms that allow for the proliferation of such content.

• Responsibility of Media Figures: Public figures like Greg Gutfeld bear significant responsibility in shaping public discourse, and their use of language can have far-reaching societal implications.

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a critical examination of the intersection between comedy, language reclamation, and the perpetuation of extremist ideologies, urging listeners to consider the weight of words and the influence of media personalities.