Bulwark Takes: "Stephanopoulos Kicks JD Vance Off the Air"
Host: Jack Cottrella
Date: October 12, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jack Cottrella dives deep into Senator J.D. Vance's painfully awkward appearance on a Sunday political show with George Stephanopoulos, culminating in Vance being cut off for refusing to answer a direct question about alleged corruption involving Tom Homan. The episode skewers Vance for evasiveness, calls out Trump administration scandals, and lampoons the ongoing trend of GOP figures "debas[ing] themselves" on national TV. Cottrella's biting commentary sets the tone: GOP media performances have become so absurd, they're almost comedic—if not for the serious policy consequences.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. J.D. Vance's Sunday Show Disaster (00:00–04:08)
- Cottrella's Framing: J.D. Vance is usually skilled as a “debate bro,” spinning and dodging, but this time he “really tapped into” the MAGA tradition of televised humiliation.
- Stephanopoulos' Persistent Questioning:
- The Bribe Allegation: Stephanopoulos repeatedly asks if Tom Homan accepted $50,000 in cash as heard on a September 2024 FBI surveillance tape.
- Vance's Evasion: Vance dodges, deflects, challenges the premise, and repeatedly claims there's no "evidence" of a crime, refusing to answer directly.
- Memorable Moment:
- [03:51] Stephanopoulos: "You did not answer the question. Thank you for your time this morning."
- Vance tries one last protest before being booted.
Quote:
“He was so unable to answer one of George Stephanopoulos’s questions that he was literally removed from the show.”
—Jack Cottrella [00:24]
2. Cottrella's Analysis of the Exchange (04:08–05:34)
- Cottrella Applauds Stephanopoulos:
- "I'm gonna clap it up for George Stephanopoulos."
- Vance's Spin Deconstructed:
- Argues Vance isn’t making any consistent argument: "What is Vance even trying to communicate other than I don't want to answer? I don't know." [04:31]
- Theme of Comical Corruption:
- The episode reflects on how governmental corruption has become darkly humorous due to repeated absurd defenses.
3. Vance vs. Trump’s Own Words on Government Shutdowns (05:34–08:52)
- Contradiction Exposed:
- Clip played of Trump (as a private citizen) blaming government shutdowns on the president and emphasizing leadership.
- Kristen Welker challenges Vance on why Trump, now president, doesn't take responsibility per his own logic.
- Vance’s Response:
- Deflects from political to “governing” realities, blames Democrats, and admits, “we are in power."
- Cottrella’s Take:
- Satirizes Vance’s semantics, calls out the disconnect:
- “You should be upset and worried about the poll numbers because they're reflective of how poorly you've governed.” [07:08]
- Notes the administration’s disregard for public frustration over the shutdown, military families struggling, and eroding public goods.
4. Vance’s "Tariff Revenue" Solution & Scandals (08:52–End)
- Empty Promises:
- Vance suggests tariffs will somehow cover government expenses, particularly military salaries.
- Cottrella’s Sarcasm:
- “Tariff revenue. It is the new two weeks away. Tariff revenue. Do you have a problem in your life? Have you thought about tariff revenue?” [09:16]
- Insider Trading Allegations:
- Cottrella pivots to a recent case of a “crypto whale” profiting massively from a predictable market dip after Trump’s new China tariffs—implying White House corruption.
- “Someone was able to buy some puts on crypto and...make $100 million in one day with what was clearly insider information.” [09:45]
- Wider Trump Administration Critiques:
- Points out Project 2025 as an example of GOP’s lack of governing interest.
- Lampoons the physical changes to the White House as emblematic of catering to elites.
Quote:
“How can you be a military family at a food bank watching Donald Trump give 50k bonuses to ICE, all the while JD talks about tariff revenue which is actually coming out of your pocket because it's a tax on working people, and think that this administration has any idea what it’s doing?”
—Jack Cottrella [10:24]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Jack Cottrella [02:01]:
“They just decided that he was going to have to bounce.”
-
George Stephanopoulos [03:47]:
“You did not answer the question. Thank you for your time this morning.”
-
Jack Cottrella [04:08]:
“Honestly, I'm gonna clap it up for George Stephanopoulos. I haven't loved maybe any decision coming from ABC recently, so at least they can get a little check mark on that.”
-
Jack Cottrella [07:08]:
"You should be upset and worried about the poll numbers because they're reflective of how poorly you've governed."
-
Jack Cottrella [09:16]:
“Tariff revenue. It is the new two weeks away. Tariff revenue. Do you have a problem in your life? Have you thought about tariff revenue?”
-
Jack Cottrella [10:24]:
"How can you be a military family at a food bank watching Donald Trump give 50k bonuses to ICE, all the while JD talks about tariff revenue which is actually coming out of your pocket because it's a tax on working people and think that this administration has any idea of what it's doing. You cannot go on the Sunday shows, lie, humiliate yourself...and expect anyone to believe it."
Important Timestamps
- 00:00: Cottrella introduces the theme—GOP self-humiliation on Sunday shows
- 01:04: Stephanopoulos presses Vance on the Tom Homan bribe
- 03:47: Vance is cut off by Stephanopoulos
- 05:34: Government shutdown segment; Trump’s previous words played
- 07:08: Cottrella’s critique of Vance’s dodge regarding poll numbers and governing incompetence
- 08:52: Tariff revenue claim and Cottrella’s satire
- 09:45: Insider trading allegation and administration corruption critique
- 10:24: Cottrella’s closing broadside about families at food banks and Trump bonuses to ICE
Tone & Atmosphere
- Tone: Unapologetically irreverent, wry, and frustrated
- Style: Cottrella blends biting sarcasm with serious policy critique; the commentary is sharp, brisk, and informal, with frequent asides and humor to underscore deeper points about political accountability and corruption.
Summary Takeaway
Jack Cottrella uses J.D. Vance’s disastrous TV appearance as a launching pad to criticize broader trends in Republican political media strategy and governance, highlighting evasive spinning, disregard for public consequences, and the normalization of corruption. The episode serves both as a timely rundown of the latest scandal and as a satirical lamentation for the state of political discourse.