Bulwark Takes: MAGA Push Lies As Minnesota Shooter Revealed To Be Trump Supporter Release Date: June 15, 2025

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller delves deep into the disturbing events surrounding the assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of another Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota. Miller dissects the aftermath of these tragedies, focusing on the suspect, Vance Bolter, and the ensuing spread of misinformation propagated by influential figures within the MAGA movement.

Breaking Down the Tragedy

The episode opens with Tim Miller providing an update on the ongoing investigation into the assassination of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of another Democratic lawmaker. The suspect, Vance Bolter, aged 57, has been identified through compelling evidence, including doorbell videos showing him impersonating a police officer and approaching victims at their homes.

Tim Miller [02:15]: "He dressed as a cop and impersonated a cop taking out these assassinations."

Miller emphasizes Bolter’s targeted attacks on Democratic figures, including high-profile individuals such as Governor Tim Walz and Ilhan Omar. He outlines Bolter's motives, linking them to political disagreements over healthcare proposals for undocumented immigrants—a contentious issue in Minnesota politics.

The Spread of Disinformation

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Miller's analysis of the rampant disinformation spread by MAGA Republicans and other right-wing influencers. He highlights how these figures are blaming Democrats for the violent acts committed by Bolter, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Tim Miller [05:45]: "It's horrific and preposterous and speaks to a very dark heart that we are seeing this from the right."

Miller details specific instances of misinformation:

• Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, labeled the far left as "murderously violent" in response to reports about recent shootings, including Hortman’s assassination.

  Tim Miller [07:30]: "That's what Elon Musk is putting out there."

• Charlie Kirk suggests that smearing former President Trump as a fascist contributes to political radicalization, a notion Miller vehemently disputes.

  Tim Miller [09:05]: "I don't even know how you get your head there, but the Charlie Kirk thing is downright mild compared to what we're seeing in other corners of the Internet."

• Mike Cernovich, a prominent MAGA influencer, insinuates that Governor Tim Walz might have orchestrated the assassination to target political rivals over healthcare votes.

  Tim Miller [11:20]: "It's like how do you even live in a society where this stuff is being promulgated?"

Miller also points out the involvement of other notable figures, such as James Woods and Dinesh D'Souza, who continue to push baseless theories attributing the violence to Democratic policies and activists.

The Impact of Coordinated Lies

Addressing the coordinated nature of these disinformation campaigns, Miller underscores the pervasive and harmful narrative being advanced to shift blame onto Democrats regardless of factual evidence.

Tim Miller [12:50]: "The far right has this vast disinformation system that is trying to blame every bad thing that happens on Democrats."

He references Senator Mike Lee’s disturbing tweets, where Lee labels Marxism as a "deadly mental illness" in response to right-wing accounts discussing the assassination, further illustrating the depth of misinformation.

Tim Miller [13:40]: "It's just, it's fucking insane that a US Senator could put out something that crazy."

Personal Reflections and Cultural Implications

Miller reflects on the broader cultural and political implications of these events. He expresses concern over the lack of empathy and the instinctual desire to attribute blame to the opposing political faction whenever tragedy strikes.

Tim Miller [14:30]: "It's like an inhuman instinct. And I think it's a sign of our broken politics that like that you see that being so widespread."

He shares his personal discomfort with the scenario, emphasizing that such behaviors and narratives only further damage societal cohesion and fail to honor the victims' memories.

Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

In his closing remarks, Miller urges listeners to resist the spread of disinformation and to foster empathy and understanding across political divides. He calls for collective responsibility in combating the deep-seated rot within MAGA media and emphasizes the importance of focusing on healing rather than politicizing tragedies.

Tim Miller [15:10]: "We have an obligation to fight against and to be to have more empathy and just feelings for our fellow Americans, regardless of their political beliefs in times of trauma and crisis and horror like this."

Miller concludes by reaffirming The Bulwark’s commitment to monitoring the situation and providing honest, insightful analysis as events continue to unfold.

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