Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary Episode Title: Manosphere Bros Turn on Trump. Mocked Over Epstein Lies
Release Date: July 14, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Description:

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Andrew Schultz delve into the evolving dynamics within the manosphere, particularly focusing on the shifting support towards former President Donald Trump. The discussion highlights the disappointment among certain segments of the manosphere, exemplified by personalities like Andrew Schultz from the Flagrant podcast, as they grapple with Trump's recent actions and controversies surrounding Epstein.

Manosphere’s Initial Support for Trump

Tim Miller opens the conversation by emphasizing the significance of the manosphere's support for Trump, noting that it extends beyond the traditional "red hatted cult" followers. He states:

"Trump's political success is built not just on the red hatted cult people."
— Tim Miller [00:34]

Andrew Schultz adds that approximately 30% of the voting population, particularly younger, cross-racial men with anti-establishment and libertarian leanings, were instrumental in Trump's rise. These individuals viewed Trump as a disruptor challenging the status quo:

"He saw Trump as kind of this challenge to the status quo."
— Andrew Schultz [00:58]

Areas of Disappointment

Despite the initial support, Schultz and Miller express growing disillusionment with Trump's policies that contradict the promises made during his campaign.

Foreign Policy and Military Engagement

One of the primary areas of contention is Trump's approach to foreign policy. Initially, Trump successfully branded himself as someone eager to withdraw from prolonged military engagements, appealing to millennials disillusioned by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, recent actions, such as the decision to send weapons to Ukraine, have undermined this stance:

"There'll be people that'll DM me and be like, you see what your boy's doing? I voted for none of this."
— Shane Gillis [02:35]

Andrew Schultz acknowledges his support for aiding Ukraine but underscores that Trump has deviated from his original promises:

"I'm not one of these people that is like hoping that Trump stops the wars or whatever."
— Andrew Schultz [04:04]

Spending and Economic Policies

Miller and Schultz discuss Trump's handling of fiscal policies, particularly his track record on spending. They highlight that Trump has not fulfilled his promises to cut government spending, which was a key appeal to many in the manosphere:

"Trump was never going to cut spending. Does he even actually really care about spending?"
— Tim Miller [03:19-03:25]

Immigration

Another critical issue is immigration. While initially advocating for stricter immigration controls, Trump's recent flip-flops on the topic have caused frustration among his supporters:

"Trump is ... flip-flopped on that, which I kind of like."
— Shane Gillis [02:58]

Both hosts note that the handling of immigration remains a significant concern for the manosphere, with Trump's current policies not aligning with their expectations.

The Epstein Controversy and Mockery

A pivotal moment in the episode revolves around the manosphere's reaction to Donald Trump's alleged connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Schultz shares clips from the Flagrant podcast where hosts mock Trump regarding Epstein-related allegations.

Mocking Trump’s Innocence Claims

Shane Gillis, a guest on the Flagrant podcast, vehemently defends Trump against Epstein accusations, portraying him as innocent:

"Free Ghislaine. She has been wrongly imprisoned."
— Shane Gillis [05:43]

However, Tim Miller counters this by asserting:

"No, he's a pedophile."
— Tim Miller [06:03]

This exchange underscores the deepening rift within the manosphere, where support for Trump is being re-evaluated in light of serious allegations.

Mockery Leading to Disillusionment

The hosts highlight that the mocking tone towards Trump regarding Epstein indicates a broader disillusionment:

"These guys are mocking Trump ... that's something that's hard to come back from."
— Tim Miller [06:15-06:23]

Andrew Schultz echoes this sentiment, expressing frustration and the beginning of a potential departure from unwavering support:

"Like, this is Schultz and his bros, like, mocking Trump. Like, fuck you. You think I'm an idiot?"
— Andrew Schultz [06:35-06:40]

Internal Fractures and Future Outlook

The episode explores the implications of this growing skepticism within the manosphere. Schultz suggests that such mockery and criticism could lead to a fragmentation of support, with independent thinkers distancing themselves from the base's more extreme elements.

"Like, you're trying to make me seem dumb, right? ... That's not us, independent thinkers."
— Andrew Schultz [06:39-07:03]

Tim Miller anticipates that as Trump continues to alienate segments of his initial support base, particularly those disillusioned by his foreign and domestic policies, the stability of his coalition may weaken:

"He's alienating them. He's alienating them and they're mocking him."
— Tim Miller [10:49]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with an emphasis on monitoring these internal shifts within the manosphere. Tim Miller and Andrew Schultz commit to continuing their engagement with these evolving dynamics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fractures within Trump's support base.

"We are going to keep watching that. I'm going to keep trying to engage with folks in this world."
— Tim Miller [10:53]

Key Takeaways

• Initial Support: The manosphere's support for Trump was rooted in his anti-establishment rhetoric and promises to challenge the status quo.
• Areas of Disappointment: Key issues such as foreign policy, spending, and immigration have led to growing dissatisfaction among supporters.
• Epstein Controversy: Allegations and debates surrounding Trump's connections with Epstein have intensified criticism and mockery within the manosphere.
• Internal Fractures: Mockery and disillusionment signal potential fragmentation of Trump's support base, with independent thinkers distancing themselves.
• Future Implications: The stability of Trump's coalition is in question as he continues to alienate segments of his initial supporters.

Notable Quotes:

• "Trump's political success is built not just on the red hatted cult people."
  — Tim Miller [00:34]

• "I want him to shrink spending, reduce the... But he's increasing it. It's like everything that he said he's going to do except sending immigrants back."
  — Shane Gillis [02:25]

• "There's so many photos of them chilling... Are you in on it? To me, you get. You're getting to a bad place."
  — Tim Miller [09:08]

• "You're the fucking idiot if you think you can pull this one over on us."
  — Andrew Schultz [06:49]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the Bulwark Takes episode, detailing the nuanced discussions between Tim Miller and Andrew Schultz about the shifting allegiances within the manosphere and the implications for Donald Trump's political influence.