Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary – "Is Maxwell Making a Deal with Trump?"

Release Date: July 25, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Ben Parker engages in a critical discussion with his colleagues Andrew Egger, author of the Morning Shots newsletter, and Will Sommer, author of the False Flag newsletter. The central focus revolves around recent statements and actions by former President Donald Trump concerning Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The conversation delves into the implications of Trump potentially pardoning Maxwell and how this maneuver fits into the broader strategies of the MAGA movement and right-wing media.

Trump’s Comments on Ghislaine Maxwell

The episode opens with Ben Parker referencing a recent incident where Donald Trump, while boarding Marine One, addressed questions about pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell.

• Ben Parker [00:00]: Introduces the context of Trump’s remarks regarding Maxwell.

• Donald Trump Clip [00:31]:

  "Would you consider a pardon or a commutation for Elaine Maxwell? It's something I haven't thought about it, really. It's something I have not thought about."

Ben highlights Trump’s ambiguous stance on Maxwell’s pardon, noting the involvement of Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer and current Deputy Attorney General, who recently met with Maxwell in prison.

Implications for the MAGA Movement

Will Sommer analyzes the shifting perspectives within the MAGA faction regarding Maxwell, a figure universally condemned for her role in Epstein’s criminal activities.

• Will Sommer [01:36]:

  "I was detecting these tremors for a few days, that basically the groundwork is being laid to rehabilitate Ghislaine in MAGA's eyes."

Sommer points out the paradox of MAGA supporters initially using terms like "groomer" as derogatory labels and now potentially venerating someone with a genuine history of grooming minors. This shift signals a troubling alignment with disreputable figures, undermining the movement’s credibility.

Media Strategy and Diversion Tactics

Andrew Egger discusses the Trump administration's attempts to divert media attention from the Maxwell controversy by resurrecting past narratives, such as speculations about Barack Obama’s role in the Russia investigation.

• Andrew Egger [03:20]:

  "With all these bizarre, totally psycho moves because he just he's just an appetitive guy, right? He just, he doesn’t want to talk about this story."

Egger draws parallels between the current Maxwell situation and the Mueller investigation, suggesting that Trump's strategy involves creating diversions to mitigate the impact of damaging revelations.

Legal Considerations of a Potential Pardon

Ben Parker raises concerns about the legal ramifications of pardoning Maxwell, emphasizing that a presidential pardon would only apply to federal charges, leaving Maxwell vulnerable to state-level prosecutions.

• Ben Parker [08:03]:

  "If Ghislaine Maxwell is pardoned, she would still be subject to state charges in any state in which she committed these crimes."

This segment underscores the complexity of the legal landscape surrounding a potential pardon and its limitations.

Conspiracy Theories and Media Dynamics

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of Trump's maneuvers, with references to right-wing media's role in propagating conspiracy theories.

• Will Sommer [10:14]:

  "It sort of seems like, and I'm including here, people like Cash Patel and Dan Bongino, they are now apparently in on the conspiracy."

Sommer critiques the right-wing media's complicity in fostering and perpetuating unfounded conspiracy theories, highlighting the paradox of former conspiracy proponents now appearing to endorse them.

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

Andrew Egger reflects on the dissonance within the MAGA base, which venerates Trump as a liberator against elite conspiracies, yet faces the unsettling possibility of Trump endorsing a figure like Maxwell.

• Andrew Egger [08:42]:

  "Donald Trump, who in the opinion of his base, is like the chosen one... he is actively not ruling out, pardoning the one like the top living associate of Jeffrey Epstein."

Egger expresses skepticism about the base’s ability to reconcile this potential betrayal of foundational myths but remains uncertain about the outcome.

Ben Parker concludes the episode by briefly addressing a tangential issue involving a forged letter attributed to Trump, satirizing the current climate of misinformation.

Notable Quotes

• Will Sommer [01:36]:

  "This is someone who... someone who was very untrustworthy, who has a history of lying."

• Ben Parker [06:33]:

  "He keeps on saying his own strategy out loud, which is, I want you to pay attention to something else."

• Andrew Egger [03:20]:

  "There is so much smoke about this story all of a sudden."

Conclusion

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a thorough examination of Donald Trump’s potential pardon of Ghislaine Maxwell, exploring its ramifications for his political base, legal intricacies, and the tactics of right-wing media. Through insightful analysis and robust discussion, Ben Parker and his colleagues shed light on a complex and evolving narrative that has significant implications for American politics and societal perceptions of accountability and justice.

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