Podcast Summary: "The Worst Senator You Know Just Made a Great Point"

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Host(s): Tim Miller (with Lisa), Max Rose (guest), clip from Senator Ted Cruz
Date: September 20, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on a rare bipartisan thread: the defense of free speech in the face of government overreach, with particular focus on Republican Senator Ted Cruz’s unexpectedly principled remarks against the FCC threatening to censor Jimmy Kimmel. Tim Miller breaks down why Cruz’s comments are significant, explores the limits of conservative support for free speech, and considers how these issues resonate with different segments of the American public in a moment of heightened political tension.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Ted Cruz’s Statement on FCC Censorship ([06:29]–[07:12])

• Context: The FCC, with support from certain Republican figures, has threatened to take action against ABC and Jimmy Kimmel for criticism directed at Donald Trump.

• Cruz’s Take: Surprisingly, Cruz pushes back, insisting that government should not wield the power to dictate permissible speech, even when it's tempting to silence critics.

  “I think it is unbelievably dangerous for government to put itself in the position of saying, we're going to decide what speech we like and what we don't. …It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel. But when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it.”
  — Sen. Ted Cruz [06:29]

• Key Point: Cruz explicitly draws a line between denouncing speech as deplorable and leveraging government power to silence it.

• Notable: He does not directly mention Donald Trump, despite Trump being the driver of many of those threats.

Tim Miller’s Analysis ([01:01]–[03:57], [07:17]–[09:21])

• Consistency over Principle:
  Miller is careful not to overstate Cruz’s virtue:

  “I can't put the word ‘principled’ next to Ted Cruz, but at least consistent. …It’s noteworthy.”
  — Tim Miller [01:01]

• Silver Lining Among Trump Supporters:
  Many Trump voters—especially those who aren’t core MAGA loyalists—are uncomfortable with the idea of government censorship, even if they may have supported Trump for other reasons:

  “A lot of those folks, they look at this and wince. Not for them, it's not for them.”
  — Tim Miller [01:42]

• Standing Up to Authoritarianism:
  Miller argues that the only correct posture is to resist government threats:

  “I think that if right now, I think that the right posture towards this administration's aspiring authoritarianism is to stand up to it, say no. Okay, do it. Let's see. Try me.”
  — Tim Miller [05:18]

• Conservative Free Speech Defense—Selective or Sincere?:
  Miller acknowledges that for some conservatives, the free speech argument might have been opportunistic, but some do genuinely care, as seen with Cruz and those who pushed back against Pam Bondi's similar calls for censorship:

  “There's some conservatives for whom their use of arguing for free speech was maybe more of a political power play in retrospect. …But there are some conservatives who genuinely care about Free Speech, and they've gone after Pam Bondi, and now we've seen Ted Cruz rightly go after Brendan Carr.”
  — Tim Miller [07:32]

Cultural Resonance and Public Reaction ([08:41]–[09:21])

• Broader Appeal:
  Miller says the free speech issue is resonating beyond political junkies, including in comedy, podcast spaces, and even among parents at the bus stop:

  “It's kind of an American thing that is bipartisan, the belief that in this country we can say what we want, we can make fun of our leaders. This isn't China. It's part of American pride that a lot of people feel.”
  — Tim Miller [09:02] “There are definitely parents at the bus stop who I ordinarily do not see talking politics who were like, whoa, we're at a different moment now.”
  — Lisa [09:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cruz’s Consistency:
  “He didn't mention Donald Trump. None of these guys ever mention Donald Trump.” — Tim Miller [07:17]
• Acknowledging a Half-Measure:
  “We'll give him one clap for that, and I'm happy that he's out there saying it.” — Tim Miller [07:24]
• Tongue-in-Cheek Award:
  “You're giving the Nancy Pelosi State of the Union clap for that one.” — Lisa [08:26]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:01] Tim Miller introduces the topic and sets up Cruz’s response.
• [03:57] Lisa transitions to segment with Tim, referencing Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and broader media criticism.
• [06:29] Ted Cruz’s full statement denouncing government censorship (audio clip).
• [07:17] Miller’s detailed reaction to Cruz’s comments.
• [08:41] Discussion about how this issue is resonating beyond hyper-political circles.

Tone & Style

• Direct and Analytical: Miller is careful not to over-praise Cruz, analyzing motives and potential impact.
• Wry & Self-Aware: The hosts joke about who gets credit for standing up, referencing pop culture (the Nancy Pelosi clap).
• Civic-Minded: Emphasis on the foundational importance of free speech as a bipartisan American value.

Takeaway

This episode shines a light on the rare occasion when politicians one might least expect stake out a stance worth applauding, however modestly. It’s a reminder that free speech remains a unifying, if sometimes selectively applied, principle—one whose defense transcends party lines and resonates with everyday Americans wary of authoritarian overreach.