Bulwark Takes – “Is James Fishback the Weirdest GOP Candidate Yet?”
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Sam Stein
Guest: Will Sommer
Episode Overview
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sam Stein and Will Sommer dissect the bizarre and controversial entry of James Fishback into the Florida primary for governor. Fishback, a former hedge fund analyst with a flair for self-promotion and an appetite for online drama, is roiling the Florida GOP landscape. With no real political experience and a penchant for outlandish tactics—some bordering on the comical and unethical—Fishback exemplifies a modern trend of fringe, brash candidates using social media and culture war provocations to grab attention.
Key Discussion Points
Who is James Fishback? (00:41–02:18)
- Fishback’s Background:
- At 30, Fishback is described as an ex-hedge fund analyst, not the "financier" he bills himself as.
- Known for supporting Dogecoin, frequent Fox Business appearances, and an anti-establishment message popular with segments of the online right.
- Zero Political Experience:
- Fishback has no political background and is widely seen as lacking credibility with the electorate.
Quote:
“He’s kind of this, you know, I say in the piece, he’s kind of like a pipsqueaky energy… willing to go absolutely nuclear constantly on Byron Donalds, and I think that is going to present at least an irritant to them.”
— Will Sommer (01:31)
The Basis for Fishback’s Campaign (02:18–04:03)
- Ego & Online Persona:
- Fishback’s run appears rooted in self-belief and a hyperactive online presence rather than real-world support.
- Policy Stances:
- Against H1B visas, wants to abolish property taxes, opposes AI data centers—adopts right-wing talking points, many with a populist or nativist bent.
- Notably hostile to “outsiders” moving to Florida, to the point where he discusses lottery systems for state access.
Quote:
“He’s just jumping on a lot of these sort of hot button issues… he’s really against outsiders moving to Florida.”
— Will Sommer (03:15)
Racism & Extreme Tactics (04:03–05:48)
- Racially Charged Attacks:
- Fishback was called out for referring to his Black opponent, Byron Donalds, as “DEI Donalds” and “a slave to his donors.”
- Resume Inflation & Lawsuit:
- Despite being a low-level research analyst at Greenlight Capital, Fishback claimed to be “Head of Macro.” Internal accounts and lawsuit evidence reveal this was a single-use email title to get into a conference.
- Lawsuit and countersuit unearthed texts revealing ethically murky behavior and attempts at self-promotion.
Quote:
“He was a junior employee… and in David Einhorn’s telling, James sucked at his job and was obsessed with creating an anti-woke alternative to high school debate.”
— Will Sommer (04:54)
The Schemes & Shady Maneuvers (05:48–12:31)
- Faking Clout & Online Popularity:
- Fishback orchestrated efforts to artificially inflate his public profile—buying likes, using sockpuppet accounts, and even directing cronies to send fake praise to media outlets.
- He urges a college student helper (Alex Mungia) to engage in various schemes, like emailing journalists and pretending to be investors or fans.
- Embarrassing Text Messages:
- Fishback himself writes anonymous fan mail to Barry Weiss’s Free Press, gushing about his own unremarkable column and lobbying for follow-ups.
- Co-opts his “crony” and even tries getting the crony’s father involved in fake “reference checks” as part of lawsuit chess.
Quote:
“Perhaps for that reason, Fishback ended up writing the anonymous laudatory email praising his column himself and urged the Free Press to have Fishback write a follow up article.”
— Sam Stein reading from Sommer’s article (10:16)
Quote:
“So then he says, well, I need... an investor to do a reference check on me and have them deny the Head of Macro thing so I can sue for defamation.”
— Will Sommer (07:59)
Memorable Moment:
Will Sommer describes Fishback’s over-the-top reactions: “This is James Fishback, oh my God, I love you. No Diddy. I guess it’s like, no homo now. Or he would say, ‘We will destroy this man.’” (07:45)
The Hapless College Stooge (11:07–12:47)
- Alex Mungia:
- Fishback’s unfortunate accomplice, who’s roped into schemes, buying likes, sockpuppeting, and potentially involving his own father in Fishback’s legal drama.
- The Absurdity of the Ruse:
- The co-hosts laugh at the idea of recruiting dads to pose as hedge fund investors for reference calls.
Quote:
“Hey, dad, I need to tell this Wall Street Journal reporter you’re a hedge fund investor.”
— Will Sommer (12:47)
Fishback’s Chances & Broader Implications (13:01–14:55)
- Slim Odds:
- Betting markets show him at only a 10% chance; DeSantis world wants nothing to do with him.
- Potential for Chaos:
- Hosts warn that while Fishback likely won’t win, his involvement could ugly-up the race, force serious candidates to address him, and reflects a susceptibility to fringe provocateurs in today’s GOP.
- Financial Fallout:
- Fishback’s anti-H1B ETF was delisted after his text messages surfaced; he now reportedly owes Greenlight’s David Einhorn millions.
Quote:
“In the modern Republican political movement… there is a constituency for this type of crazy, provocative, you-know, jump-on-every-trend behavior, and if it gets a 10% chance to win the governorship, I mean, that’s not nothing.”
— Sam Stein (14:33)
Quote:
“The modern Republican Party is just so open to hucksters and, like, I don’t think this guy’s going to win.”
— Will Sommer (14:55)
Final Thoughts & Takeaways (14:55–16:16)
- No Parallel on the Left:
- The hosts struggle to name a left-wing equivalent to Fishback’s particular brand of shenanigans.
- Open Call for Tips:
- They encourage anyone with first-hand or textual evidence of Fishback’s antics to reach out to Will Sommer.
Quote:
“If you’re a college student who’s been, you know, hired by James Fishback to do some crazy [stuff] and you want to, you know, send it to us and let us know what it’s like, we’re open to hearing from you.”
— Sam Stein (15:44)
Notable Quotes – At a Glance
-
On Fishback’s self-inflation:
“I love the idea of just calling yourself Head of Macro. Like… Is that even a job title? Who knows?”
— Sam Stein (06:28) -
On the wider significance:
“That’s the larger takeaway… the modern Republican Party is just so open to hucksters.”
— Will Sommer (14:55) -
On college stooge woes:
“Sir, this man has an anime profile, I just don’t know if it’s worth it.”
— Alex Mungia, via Will Sommer (11:41)
Segment Timestamps
- 00:41–01:31 – Who is James Fishback?
- 01:32–02:50 – Fishback’s Political Persona and Candidacy
- 02:51–04:03 – Platform, Issues, and Constituency
- 04:04–05:48 – Lawsuit, Racism, and Resume Embellishment
- 05:49–10:16 – Lawsuit Drama & The Georgetown Connection
- 10:17–12:47 – Sockpuppets, College Cronies, and Family Schemes
- 13:01–14:55 – Odds, Aftermath, and Implications for GOP
- 15:44–16:16 – Final Thoughts and Call for Tips
Tone & Atmosphere
The episode is fast-paced, incredulous, humorous, and at times genuinely gobsmacked at Fishback’s brazenness. Both hosts poke fun at the absurdity but also underline the disturbing ease with which flamboyant outsiders can now inject themselves into serious races—an indictment of broader party trends.
For those who missed the episode: James Fishback is a microcosm of an attention economy-driven GOP, where self-invention, viral fighting, and bluster can briefly make a nobody into a headline—though probably not a governor.