Major MAGA Revolt Over Trump’s “War Crime” Plan - Bulwark Takes

Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: Major MAGA Revolt Over Trump’s “War Crime” Plan
Date: April 6, 2026
Host(s): Sam Stein and Will Sommer

Overview

This episode centers on a surprising and turbulent revolt within MAGA ranks following Donald Trump’s public threats against Iranian infrastructure, including explicit references to actions widely considered war crimes. The discussion dives deep into right-wing influencers’ reactions, the fragmentation of the MAGA coalition, and shifts in activist and media influence around Trump. Alongside these weighty issues, the hosts also detour into the world of conservative film production mishaps and the latest oddities in right-wing pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steve Bannon: Continued Symbol or Spent Force?

[01:36–04:48]
- The Supreme Court sided in Bannon’s case regarding his congressional subpoena—mostly a symbolic win, given he already served four months.
- Bannon’s role is “more of a gadfly” this cycle—always quotable, heavily present in the media, but lacking real influence in Trump’s current orbit.
- Noted as highly accessible, inflating perceptions of his power in media coverage.
- Quote (Sam Stein, 03:21):
  "This win from the court is pretty symbolic. I suppose he can't get those four months back."
- Stray reflection on the odd overlap between far-right figures’ obsession with World of Warcraft.

2. The Iran Crisis and Trump’s “War Crime” Post

[04:51–16:55]
- Trump posted a belligerent Easter morning message threatening to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges, signed off as President.
- The hosts frame the message as "madness" and openly describe the proposals as war crimes.
- What’s remarkable: Notable figures on the far right are breaking ranks, with surprising public denunciations.
  - Marjorie Taylor Greene denounced Trump’s Christian bona fides and called out the inhumanity of the proposed bombings.
    - Quote (Marjorie Taylor Greene, read by Sam, 07:03):
      “Our president is not a Christian and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians...”
  - Ann Coulter went beyond policy, explicitly accusing Trump of committing war crimes:
    - Quote (Ann Coulter, read by Sam, 08:22):
      “I really wish legal experts hadn’t screamed bloody murder about every little thing Trump did so they could speak with authority now that he’s actually committing war crimes.”
  - Candace Owens veered into anti-Semitic territory, labeling the Trump administration "satanic Zionists," and warning of unhinged leadership and the threat of nuclear annihilation.
- The hosts distinguish this backlash from prior criticism, noting the extremity and rarity of MAGA influencers going so far as to denounce Trump’s morality and sanity.

3. Right-Wing Media Response and the Limits of MAGA Dissent

[16:55–18:15]
- Most of right-wing media wavers between lukewarm support and muted discomfort, except “war boosters” like Mark Levin.
- More striking: Some on the right rationalize Trump’s war threats as preferable to culture-war issues (e.g., Eric Erickson’s infamous post).
  - Quote (Sam Stein paraphrasing Erickson, 17:12):
    “Threatening a war crime on Easter is preferable to encouraging people to recognize transgender Americans on Easter.”

4. Conservative Film & Culture Corners

[18:45–28:33]
- Will Sommer recaps the chaos on the set of a new Daily Wire film starring Jonathan Majors, who recently fell out a window during a dangerous shoot—amid asbestos, black mold, and safety violations.
  - Quote (Sam Stein, 24:13):
    “Did they say medic? Medic? ... Oh, Jesus Christ.”
- The hosts riff on the world of conservative cinema—the failed Pendragon (King Arthur) project, “Lady Ballers,” “Terror on the Prairie,” and bizarre tales of movie set mishaps.
- Will shares a personal anecdote about being thrown off the “Roe v. Wade” movie set in Washington for reporting.

5. Republican Grievance Nostalgia & Pop Culture Buffoonery

[30:22–33:48]
- Kevin Sorbo’s viral tweet mourns “peaceful” 1975 New York—prompting a reality check on violent urban crime in that era.
  - Quote (Sam Stein, 31:26):
    “New York city in the 70s was horrific. It was crime infested. It was like Summer Sam. It was awful. It was on fire. Kevin Sorbo has no clue what he's talking about.”
- The episode closes on Laura Ingram’s “gritty” TikTok dance, with the hosts both mocking and showing reluctant respect for her willingness to be silly online.

6. Inside the Disinformation Rabbit Hole

[34:13–35:58]
- Will teases, then recaps, the firing of a Blaze reporter who accused a Capitol Police officer of planting Jan. 6 pipe bombs—a story now at the center of enormous legal drama.
- Raises questions about right-wing disinformation and its real-world consequences (potentially affecting court cases and creating headaches for prosecutors).

Memorable Quotes

On Trump’s Iran message:

“Openly declaring his intent to commit war crimes… There are people who have enough independence from Trump… who are willing to say this is madness.”
– Sam Stein (05:07)
On Ann Coulter’s anti-Trump turn:

“It’s another thing to say the president is committing war crimes, which is a criticism of his actual actions, not a policy criticism. So I think this is actually a step up.”
– Sam Stein (09:14)
On Candace Owens:

“We all realize that satanic Zionists occupy the White House… Trump is deeply unwell, surrounded by religious fanatics who have convinced him that he is Messiah. We are in uncharted territory.”
– Candace Owens (read by Sam, 12:28)
On MAGA right’s evolving boundaries:

“They’re really putting him outside the bounds of… what’s acceptable. They’re saying, you know, he’s not a Christian, he’s satanic, he’s this mad king.”
– Will Sommer (12:50)

Notable Timestamps

01:36–04:48: Steve Bannon, the Supreme Court win, and his real influence
04:51–07:03: Trump’s Iran post and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rebuke
08:22–09:35: Ann Coulter’s war crime allegations
12:28–14:29: Candace Owens calls Trump’s circle “satanic Zionists”
16:55–18:15: Eric Erickson prefers “war crimes” to “Trans recognition day”
18:45–24:45: The disaster on Daily Wire’s Jonathan Majors film set
30:22–31:56: Kevin Sorbo’s nostalgia for ‘70s NYC, fact-checked
32:49–33:16: Laura Ingram’s “gritty” TikTok moment
34:13–35:58: Blaze reporter fired amid Jan. 6 pipe bomb disinformation scandal

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

Staying true to The Bulwark’s trademark blend of bemused skepticism and wry, sometimes exasperated, humor, the episode bounces between serious alarm, industry gossip, and outright farce. The hosts manage to meld heavy-breaking political news—with real implications for global security and American democracy—with the sideshow circus that envelops right-wing celebrity culture. The core takeaway: the MAGA movement’s coalition is showing unprecedented signs of public fracture, even among its most notorious personalities, suggesting Trump’s latest provocations may be more destabilizing than ever before.

For listeners: Expect a fast-moving, sharp, and at times absurd deconstruction of MAGA media and right-wing infighting, with enough comic relief (conservative movie disasters, Sorbo tweets, Laura Ingram TikToks) to balance the existential dread over war, lies, and reality-challenged nostalgia.