Bulwark Takes: The Senator Who Isn't Afraid To Punch Trump In The Face

Released on June 6, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, The Bulwark hosts an in-depth conversation with Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Senator Murphy unveils his newly launched Political Action Committee (PAC), the American Mobilization Project, and elucidates its mission to combat what he perceives as the imminent threats posed by former President Donald Trump to American democracy. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from their dialogue.

Launching the American Mobilization Project

• [00:00] Host: Introduces Senator Murphy and his new PAC, the American Mobilization Project.

• [00:22] Senator Murphy: Clarifies that unlike typical PACs, which support candidates and political priorities, the American Mobilization Project is dedicated to funding nationwide protests and mobilization efforts. He emphasizes an initial investment of $400,000 targeting three main groups:

  • Healthcare Advocates: Organizations comprising doctors and nurses to highlight the detrimental effects of Medicaid cuts.

  • Youth Organizers: Focused on engaging students and young people in combating Trump's alleged corruption and in voter registration efforts.

• [01:30] Murphy: Stresses the urgency of his initiative, stating, “We right now can’t afford to worry about the 2026 elections, because there might not be an election in 2026 if we don’t stop the destruction of our democracy” ([01:45]).

Focus Areas: Medicaid and Youth Mobilization

• [02:11] Host: Asks why Senator Murphy chose Medicaid cuts and youth groups as focal points.

• [02:21] Murphy: Details the impact of proposed budget bills aimed at cutting Medicaid for 16 million Americans to benefit wealthy families. He argues this constitutes "fundamental corruption" and seeks to galvanize public opposition to such measures ([02:45]).

• [03:10] Murphy: Discusses the lack of youth engagement in protests, attributing it to skepticism about the corruption narrative. He aims to demonstrate why Trump's actions are uniquely destructive, particularly targeting young people through initiatives like education funding cuts ([03:50]).

• [04:00] Murphy: Outlines plans to expand efforts beyond the initial investment, including supporting localized protest groups with smaller funding allocations ([04:25]).

The Efficacy of Protests and Historical Precedents

• [04:30] Host: Questions the effectiveness of protests, citing movements like the Women’s March and ongoing Trump presence.

• [04:44] Murphy: References the 2017 Women’s March as a pivotal moment that successfully thwarted attempts to repeal Obamacare. He attributes this success to nationwide organization and sustained mobilization, which he believes can similarly counteract Trump's threats ([05:10]).

• [05:30] Murphy: Highlights the role of public protests in signaling to the Supreme Court, which he views as a political body influenced by public sentiment. He asserts that continuous mobilization is essential for democratic survival ([05:55]).

Internal Democratic Party Divisions

• [06:14] Host: Brings up the existing rift within the Democratic Party regarding the perception of Trump as an existential threat.

• [06:42] Murphy: Expresses frustration over debates such as the Senate’s regulation of stablecoin—a cryptocurrency allegedly used by Trump for corrupt activities ([07:00]). He criticizes the current bill for exempting Trump from ethics laws, arguing that without closing this loophole, legislative efforts are undermined by the impending threat to democracy ([07:35]).

• [08:00] Murphy: Emphasizes the danger of a potential collapse of democratic institutions by 2026, drawing parallels to Hungary and Turkey's semi-authoritarian tactics where elections exist but are rigged to prevent genuine opposition ([08:39]).

Future Outlook and Strategic Focus

• [10:36] Host: Questions how Senator Murphy addresses skepticism about the severity of his claims.

• [10:53] Murphy: Differentiates the current Trump administration from his first term, asserting that a deliberate and organized plan to dismantle democratic norms is now in motion. He underscores that previous resilience against Trump-related threats is no guarantee against the current, more systematic efforts to entrench power ([11:30]).

• [12:15] Host: Brings up the Qatari jet scandal and asks about effectively communicating White House corruption to a broader audience.

• [12:57] Murphy: Argues that Democrats often underestimate their ability to shape the news cycle. He cites the false narrative about Haitians as an example of right-wing manipulation of media. Murphy advocates for persistent and strategic messaging to keep corruption issues in the public eye, including legislative actions like Senate resolutions against questionable arms sales to Qatar ([13:45]).

Commitment to Non-Partisan Mobilization

• [14:33] Host: Inquires if Senator Murphy has political ambitions tied to his PAC.

• [14:44] Murphy: Clarifies that the American Mobilization Project is strictly focused on protest and mobilization efforts, not on political campaigns. He emphasizes his commitment to prioritizing the defense of democracy over upcoming elections, urging colleagues to redirect their energies toward grassroots activism ([15:10]).

Conclusion

• [16:07] Host: Thanks Senator Murphy for his participation and opens the door for future engagements.

• [16:17] Murphy: Expresses gratitude and reiterates his dedication to the cause.

Key Takeaways

1. American Mobilization Project: Senator Murphy has established a PAC aimed at funding nationwide protests and mobilization to counteract perceived threats to democracy from former President Trump.

2. Focus on Medicaid and Youth: The PAC initially targets healthcare advocacy against Medicaid cuts and seeks to engage youth in political activism to prevent the erosion of democratic institutions.

3. Historical Lessons: Drawing parallels to the Women’s March of 2017, Murphy believes sustained and organized protests can effectively counter legislative and systemic threats to democracy.

4. Democratic Party Divisions: There is an internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding the severity of the threat posed by Trump, with Murphy advocating for a unified and urgent response.

5. Comparisons to Semi-Authoritarian Regimes: Murphy warns of a gradual dismantling of democratic norms similar to actions taken by leaders in Hungary and Turkey, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive measures.

6. Strategic Communication: To combat misinformation and underreporting of corruption, Murphy calls for persistent and strategic messaging to keep these issues at the forefront of public discourse.

7. Non-Partisan Focus: The PAC strictly avoids political campaigning, concentrating solely on activism aimed at preserving democratic integrity.

Notable Quotes

• “We right now can’t afford to worry about the 2026 elections, because there might not be an election in 2026 if we don’t stop the destruction of our democracy.” — Senator Murphy ([01:45])

• “Political science tells you that you need about 3% of the American public to be regularly mobilized in order to stop the destruction of a democracy or to overcome an autocracy.” — Senator Murphy ([01:50])

• “Experience from 2017 tells us that we can stop the worst of their legislative attacks on people, but I think we also have a pretty good case to be made that, you know, significant amounts of mobilization are probably what will help us survive.” — Senator Murphy ([05:10])

• “What happened in Hungary and Turkey is exactly what's happening here.” — Senator Murphy ([09:20])

• “We have to do the same thing with his corruption.” — Senator Murphy ([12:57])

Conclusion

Senator Chris Murphy’s dialogue on this episode of Bulwark Takes underscores his deep concern over the stability of American democracy in the face of what he perceives as orchestrated threats by Donald Trump and his allies. By launching the American Mobilization Project, Murphy seeks to galvanize grassroots activism focused on critical issues like healthcare and youth engagement, drawing on historical successes to inform present strategies. His unwavering stance and strategic outlook aim to foster a united front within the Democratic Party to safeguard democratic institutions against systemic corruption and authoritarianism.