Bulwark Takes Episode Summary
Episode: Stephen Miller Calls Sam Stein ‘Repugnant’!
Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Tim Miller & Sam Stein
Overview
This lively episode of Bulwark Takes tackles a recent spate of incendiary tweets from Stephen Miller (the former Trump advisor, now referred to satirically as “the Deputy Deputy President”). The conversation centers around Miller's accusations against Bulwark’s own Sam Stein and other public figures, calling them "repugnant" and "vile." Tim Miller and Sam Stein dissect Miller’s online rhetoric, debate the underlying strategy, and reflect on personal interactions with the hard-right provocateur. The episode balances sharp analysis with the hosts’ trademark banter and gallows humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Stephen Miller’s Rhetoric & Behavior
- Escalating Online Outbursts:
- Miller’s tweets have grown “more breathless in [their] hyperbolic and totally crazy” tone lately, particularly around domestic terrorism and opposition to Trump administration policies (01:08).
- Rhetorical Style:
- Miller’s posts are described as “very long screeds” rather than simple tweets (01:11).
- Tim Miller jokes about finding the German word for “diatribe” ("Estris. Estrish. I'm probably saying that right." 01:52).
2. Content of Miller’s Tweets
- Allegations of Domestic Terrorism:
- Miller paints protests against ICE and Trump policies as “an organized terrorist attack on the federal government and its officers,” declaring military deployment “an absolute necessity” (02:06–02:50).
- Sam and Tim highlight the exaggeration, noting the lack of evidence for Miller’s claims: “It's like a block, not even downtown” (02:58).
- Blaming the Left and Democratic Institutions:
- Miller accuses left-wing activists, judges, and attorneys of being part of a broad, organized, and funded movement of domestic terrorism (03:05–03:16).
- Tim points out the narrative’s purpose: “They're trying to say that this is a broad effort… there just isn’t evidence of that” (03:36).
3. Miller’s Attacks on Individuals
- Personal Insults:
- Miller calls Sam Stein “repugnant” and Dan Goldman “vile” in direct replies (04:30–05:57).
- Tim and Sam debate the nuances of being called "repugnant" versus "vile" (“I think repugnant is better than vile” 06:24).
- Anti-Semitism Dog Whistle?
- Tim jokingly asks if there’s an anti-Semitic undertone to Miller’s attacks on Stein and Goldman, both Jewish. Sam points out Miller is Jewish himself but "in a different vein" (06:26–06:39).
4. Comparison to Trump’s Rhetoric
- Contrasting Styles:
- Trump’s insults are described as “mad grandpa” style—simple, crude—but less menacing than Miller’s high-flown, “fashy” rhetoric (07:37–08:17).
- Sam admires Trump’s punchier insults for being “a little bit better” at landing their mark (08:17).
5. Broad Claims with Little Evidence
- Miller’s Wild Assertions:
- Miller accuses figures like Stephen King of “pretending that an organized criminal conspiracy… is anything but domestic terrorism” without credible evidence (08:52–09:14).
- Call for Real Consequences:
- Tim & Sam sarcastically suggest that if such a criminal conspiracy existed, government action would be warranted, but no such proof is presented: “Get on it. Make some arrests.… What are you doing?” (09:58).
6. Personal Reflections on Miller
- Early Encounters:
- Both hosts recall Miller’s intense networking and hardline immigration stance even before the Trump era. Sam details being contacted by Miller during political campaigns—“very proactive about networking and pushing his agenda” (10:20–11:26).
- Unshakeable Convictions:
- Miller has “deeply, deeply held beliefs that are immovable," making substantive debate with him futile (11:26–12:12).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Miller’s Twitter Behavior
- Sam Stein:
“I felt like it was a good jumping off point to talk about what I think in any other circumstance would be qualified as totally unhinged online behavior.” (00:39) - Tim Miller:
“They're not really tweets anymore, even. They're... very long screeds.” (01:08–01:13) - Sam Stein (reading Miller):
“This is an organized terrorist attack on the federal government and its officers. And the deployment of troops is an absolute necessity to defend our personnel, our laws, our government, public order and the Republic itself.” (02:06)
On Rhetorical Extremism
- Tim Miller:
“They're trying to say that this is a broad effort… there just isn't evidence of that.” (03:36) - Tim Miller:
“It’s not like the, like Trump. When Trump fires off these screens, I mean, he sounds like he's a little demented... this is just like this. Oh, I've got out my quill. Just like calm down. Okay, Calm down. Fucking fashy.” (07:37–08:17)
On Personal Attacks
- Stephen Miller (quoted by Sam):
“You are repugnant.… Planned and coordinated armed attacks on ICE officers by violent extremists designed to nullify the results of the 2024 election.” (04:30–04:33) - Stephen Miller (quoted):
“You are vile. Deeply warped and vile.” (05:57)
On Engaging with Miller
- Sam Stein:
“If you want to engage him on the substance… it’s a fool’s errand. Like, he’s just going to… use that rhetoric and throw a bunch of at you, and it's not really an actual conversation.” (11:26) - Tim Miller (about Miller’s political network):
“He has deeply, deeply held beliefs that are immovable.… Psychosis. Yeah, he's implemented psychosis.” (12:12)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:39 — Sam lays out why Miller’s behavior is noteworthy
- 01:08–01:13 — Hosts discuss Miller’s shift from tweets to screeds
- 02:06 — Reading of Miller’s legal insurrection tweet
- 03:16–03:36 — Analysis of the domestic terrorism narrative
- 04:30 — “You are repugnant”: Miller’s attack on Sam
- 05:57 — “You are vile”: Miller’s attack on Dan Goldman
- 07:37–08:17 — Comparing Miller’s style to Trump’s
- 09:58–10:16 — Hosts on the lack of evidence for Miller’s claims
- 10:20–11:26 — Personal, pre-Trump-era encounters with Stephen Miller
- 11:26–12:12 — Why substantive debate with Miller is pointless
- 12:34 — Tim reassures Sam: “I don't think you’re repugnant... mostly, you're really great.”
Tone & Style Notes
The episode is irreverent, deeply skeptical of Miller’s motives, and peppered with humor and camaraderie. Quotes are often voiced with mock-gravity or exaggerated disdain, reflecting the absurdity the hosts see in Miller’s rhetoric. At times, the conversation interlaces dead-serious critique with inside jokes and self-deprecation.
Conclusion
“Stephen Miller Calls Sam Stein ‘Repugnant’!” offers a sharp, humor-laced analysis of escalating rhetoric in Trump-era politics, focusing specifically on Miller’s vilification tactics. The hosts use Miller’s tweets as a case study in hyperbolic political messaging and the dangers of manufactured narratives of domestic terror—while keeping the tone accessible and entertaining. For listeners seeking to understand both Stephen Miller’s methods and how seasoned political commentators react, this episode is both insightful and highly engaging.