Bulwark Takes: Episode Summary
Title: Super Bowl MVP SNUBS Trump
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and guest Pablo Torre delve into the recent Super Bowl festivities, focusing on the absence of former President Donald Trump and the snubbing of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as the Super Bowl MVP. The discussion weaves through the intersection of sports and politics, exploring the implications of athletes' relationships with political figures and the broader impact on American culture.
1. Jalen Hurts and the MVP Snub
Key Discussion Points:
- Jalen Hurts' Absence: The hosts discuss the notable absence of Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP contender, from the White House event.
- Team Representation: Beyond Hurts, several other key players, particularly offensive starters and black athletes, did not attend the ceremony, signaling a collective stance against being politicized by the Trump administration.
Notable Quotes:
- Pablo Torre [00:46]: “It's pretty remarkable that they, in large quantities, the starters, the guys who actually won the super bowl, we're like, yeah, we're not going to be used as a prop by, by this administration.”
2. Donald Trump’s Involvement and Saquon Barkley
Key Discussion Points:
- Saquon Barkley’s Relationship with Trump: The conversation highlights Saquon Barkley's early participation by golfing with Trump, contrasting sharply with his teammates' refusal to attend the White House event.
- Trump’s Favoritism: Trump’s repeated praises for Barkley and the implications of such favoritism within the sports community.
Notable Quotes:
- Tim Miller [02:12]: “Trump kept mentioning Saquon. Saquon, Saquon. And then he ends up being part of an MVP chant for Saquon who notably did not win the MVP, I think is pretty, pretty telling.”
3. The Role of Sports Figures in Politics
Key Discussion Points:
- Transactional Relationships: The hosts debate whether athletes like Saquon Barkley engage with political figures out of genuine support or transactional benefits.
- Impact on Athletes' Image: How associations with political figures like Trump can affect athletes' public perception and legacy.
Notable Quotes:
- Pablo Torre [02:38]: “Maybe he just thought that there was a transaction to be had here, and maybe that's exactly what it was and not anything ideological or political.”
4. Critique of Political Commentary on Sports
Key Discussion Points:
- Lack of Sports Knowledge Among Politicians: The hosts criticize figures like Trump, Vance, Ramaswamy, and Musk for their superficial engagement with sports, highlighting their lack of genuine understanding.
- Missteps in Political Engagements: Examples include Trump’s misstatements and misattributions regarding sports figures and events.
Notable Quotes:
- Pablo Torre [05:40]: “These guys don't know sports.”
- Tim Miller [07:06]: “Mel Kuyper should have gotten the shout out since he was spending hours and hours on TV telling people to draft shoe.”
5. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Owner and Shifting Allegiances
Key Discussion Points:
- Jeffrey Lurie’s Participation: The conversation shifts to the Eagles' owner, Jeffrey Lurie, who decided to attend the White House event after previously declining Trump’s invitations in 2018.
- Changing Political Climate: Discussion on how the political environment has evolved since 2018, influencing business leaders' decisions to engage with Trump.
Notable Quotes:
- Tim Miller [08:01]: “Jeffrey Lurie is feeling better about things now. Like, what's better now than 2018? Like, a lot of worse stuff has happened since that.”
6. Broader Implications for Business and Politics
Key Discussion Points:
- Corporate Leadership's Stance: Examination of how Fortune 500 CEOs largely avoid criticizing Trump, suggesting a culture of transactional relationships over principled stands.
- Economic and Political Turmoil: References to events like the insurrection, economic downturns, and legal challenges faced by Trump, and how they affect business leaders’ decisions.
Notable Quotes:
- Pablo Torre [11:30]: “Playing any sort of game with this guy is in fact a reflection of a lack of principle at this point.”
- Tim Miller [12:21]: “JD Vance is still going after him in antitrust. All these rich guys have lost huge amounts in their net worth.”
7. The “Tush Push” Endorsement
Key Discussion Points:
- Trump’s Endorsement of the Tush Push: The hosts briefly discuss Trump’s endorsement of a controversial football play, questioning his understanding and its symbolic implications.
- Symbolism of Sports Strategies: Analyzing how Trump’s involvement in sports tactics reflects broader themes of manipulation and control.
Notable Quotes:
- Pablo Torre [14:47]: “I would like Donald Trump to just explain in less than five sentences what the Tush push even is.”
- Tim Miller [15:09]: “If you're a star, they let you do it with the tush push or with the genital grab. Either way.”
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with reflections on the intertwined nature of sports and politics, emphasizing the challenges athletes face when navigating political landscapes. Tim and Pablo express skepticism about the sincerity of political engagements with sports figures, advocating for principled stands over transactional interactions.
Final Remarks:
- Tim Miller [16:12]: “He’s welcome to do what he wants.”
Listeners are encouraged to watch the highlighted video of Jalen Hurts’ response at the pre-Super Bowl press conference and to subscribe to Bulwark Takes for ongoing discussions blending news, politics, and sports.
Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript excerpts and aims to encapsulate the key themes and discussions from the episode efficiently for those who have not listened to it.