Bulwark Takes Episode Summary: "JD Vance Fumbles—Literally!"

Release Date: April 15, 2025

Introduction to the Emergency Pod [01:29]

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Pablo Torre convene for an impromptu discussion following a particularly noteworthy incident involving JD Vance. The episode kicks off with Tim Miller setting the stage for an urgent conversation:

Tim Miller [01:29]: "Hey guys, it's Tim Miller from the Bulwark. And you know, look, I'm still at the hotel here, so we're doing an emergency pod because when something this veepish happens in the world of sports and politics and they intersect, I have to get Pablo Torre, my man from Pablo Torre finds out on to talk about it. What's going on, man?"

Pablo Torre responds humorously, highlighting the spontaneity of their discussion:

Pablo Torre [01:46]: "I had a choice. Do I start investigating this on Pablo Torre finds out immediately or do I text Tim Miller emergency pod in all caps. And I think you now know which one we've chosen."

JD Vance's Trophy Mishap [01:55 - 05:37]

The core of the episode revolves around JD Vance’s recent blunder during a trophy presentation at an Ohio State football event. Tim and Pablo dissect the incident, where Vance, an Ohio State alumnus and author, inadvertently fumbles the trophy, leading to its disintegration on live television.

Tim Miller [01:55]: "If you've missed it, here's JD Vance, pretend football fan from Ohio, with the Ohio State team raising the trophy they won the College Football playoff this year. Let's watch. I mean that is bad."

Pablo Torre takes a closer look at the video, suggesting multiple viewings to catch the finer details:

Pablo Torre [02:22]: "Pablo, what you got to do, okay, is take the video we're making and then you're going to rewind it many times because we're going to, we're going to point out some people that you should have an eye on. Okay?"

Analyzing Key Figures: Donald Trump and Ryan Day [02:31 - 06:53]

During their analysis, Tim and Pablo explore the reactions of other prominent figures present at the event, notably former President Donald Trump and Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day.

Pablo critiques Trump’s demeanor during the event:

Pablo Torre [02:53]: "It's like what it looks like to be very politely nodding, as you sort of know better. I think you know better, and yet you're still politely nodding."

He further draws a parallel between Ryan Day’s presentation style and Rudy Giuliani’s infamous hair moments:

Pablo Torre [03:22]: "He is the most Giuliani of all of the coaches in, in sports."

Pablo Torre [03:33]: "Absolutely. The Giuliani. He is the most Giuliani of all of the coaches in, in sports."

Tim Miller adds a humorous observation about JD Vance’s handling of the trophy compared to Trump’s penchant for trophies:

Tim Miller [05:37]: "It's particularly perfect for Trump. I like how you focused in on Trump's face because, you know, Trump loves trophies. Trump cherishes trophies. Trump has a lot of fake trophies that he's given himself from his golf tournaments."

Intersection of Sports and Politics [06:03 - 08:00]

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of JD Vance’s mishap, particularly how it reflects the uneasy blend of sports and political personas.

Pablo highlights the presence of Vivek Ramaswamy and the lack of genuine sports credibility among some political figures:

Pablo Torre [04:12]: "Vivek Ramaswamy was also there that day, of course, like, trying to glom on to Ryan Day. And so you had these people who all cosplay as, like the bros, but have none of the credibility when held to the light of an actual sports fan."

Tim connects this incident to past moments where sports and political figures have clashed or interacted awkwardly:

Tim Miller [06:53]: "Yeah, he's a dork. JD's a dork. You know, I will. The other moment worth reflecting on for me is maybe the only good moment of the first Trump term, which was when LSU went to receive their trophy."

He references a previous event involving LSU’s trophy presentation, drawing parallels to JD Vance’s current situation:

Tim Miller [06:53]: "If you haven't seen it, we're about to show it right now of the woman doing the get the gat inside the White House. I mean, LSU just defiling the White House with. With. With Louisiana just fucking down home party atmosphere."

Humorous Insights and Memes [08:00 - 09:00]

As the discussion progresses, Tim and Pablo delve into the humorous potential of JD Vance’s blunder, speculating on its viral nature and meme-worthiness.

Pablo Torre [08:00]: "Just know that you have a high likelihood of being in a meme that you regret. That's all I'm saying. You're going to be in the background of something where you're like, you were that guy in the documentary. Now, maybe that's not a moral pressure I want to put on you, but just know that you have the high likelihood, if you choose to go to this house of horrors, that you're going to be that guy in the documentary and your kid's going to be like, you went to that. And you're going to have to say, yes, yes, I did."

Tim echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the inevitability of public ridicule:

Tim Miller [08:36]: "You're going to get memed. But also, you might be able to get laughed. Might be able to laugh at J.D. vance. So, you know, you win some, you lose some."

They both agree on the absurdity and memorability of the moment, with Tim sharing his personal reaction:

Tim Miller [08:36]: "I was at lunch, you know, heading to the airport, heading home, and I was like, you know, I should check my phone. And there's JD just fully humiliating himself. I'm glad that we could kind of memorialize it together."

Final Thoughts and Future Prospects [09:00 - End of Content]

As the episode winds down, Tim looks forward to future discussions, referencing JD Vance’s chances for redemption:

Pablo Torre [09:00]: "The next time he picks up a trophy, I'm gonna give you a call."

Tim Miller [09:04]: "Okay? See you, Pablo. Go check out his show. Pablo Torre finds out. We'll be back. Peace. Subscribe to the feed."

Key Takeaways:

1. JD Vance’s Public Blunder: The episode centers on JD Vance’s clumsy mishandling of a trophy during an Ohio State football event, symbolizing a larger critique of his public persona.

2. Interplay Between Sports and Politics: Tim and Pablo explore how political figures like Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy intermingle with the sports world, often leading to awkward or inauthentic interactions.

3. Humor and Memes: The hosts emphasize the viral potential of such public gaffes, highlighting how they become fodder for memes and public ridicule.

4. Character Analysis: A significant portion of the discussion focuses on analyzing the personalities and public images of figures like Donald Trump and Ryan Day, drawing parallels to historical events and public perceptions.

5. Future Implications: The conversation hints at ongoing and future interactions between sports and political figures, suggesting that JD Vance’s mishap is part of a larger narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Miller [05:37]: "Trump cherishes trophies. Trump has a lot of fake trophies that he's given himself from his golf tournaments."

• Pablo Torre [04:12]: "Vivek Ramaswamy was also there that day, of course, like, trying to glom on to Ryan Day."

• Pablo Torre [08:00]: "You're going to have to say, yes, yes, I did."

Conclusion

In "JD Vance Fumbles—Literally!", Bulwark Takes offers a sharp and humorous examination of a moment where sports and politics collide, resulting in public embarrassment for JD Vance. Through incisive analysis and witty banter, Tim Miller and Pablo Torre dissect the implications of such incidents, providing listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful commentary on the evolving relationship between political figures and the sports arena.