Bulwark Takes: "This Trump Pick Couldn't Stop Talking about Boobs and Hooters"

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Sam Stein, Joe Perdicone, Will Sommer

Episode Overview

This episode dissects the bizarre saga of Nick Adams—a flamboyant online personality known for his MAGA-fueled, Hooters-obsessed, and overtly macho persona—who was initially nominated by the Trump administration as ambassador to Malaysia, only to have his nomination quietly withdrawn. Instead, Adams was given a newly invented State Department post: "Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism, and Values." Sam Stein, Joe Perdicone, and Will Sommer unpack Adams’ rise, persona, and what his appointment says about the current state of political spectacle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Who is Nick Adams? [02:09]

• Online Persona:
  Joe describes Adams’ rise during the Trump era as an "online figure" who brazenly tweeted about loving rare steaks, Hooters, golf, and American exceptionalism—all with tongue-in-cheek sexual innuendo.

  • Example: “Nothing beats a foursome with the boys… obviously, to golf, but, like, you know, winking at something else.” — Joe Perdicone [02:09]

• Controversial Nominee:
  The nomination to Malaysia alarmed many due to Adams’ repeated posts denigrating “radical Islam” and his lack of diplomatic credentials. Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, was especially irked by his past rhetoric.

  • Joe admits he had “never looked forward to something more” than Adams’ potential Senate hearing, comparing it to “diamond and Silk testifying in front of Congress” [02:09].

MAGA Figure or MAGA Buffoon? [03:46–04:22]

• Peripheral Player:
  Will Sommer notes Adams is not "really like an integrated right wing media figure" like Laura Loomer, Tucker Carlson, or Megyn Kelly.
  • Instead, Adams is “almost like a political, like a Johnny Bravo character, like this kind of real, like, kind of macho guy,” but “not as malevolent as a lot of right wing figures, particularly in the manosphere.” [04:22]

Adams’ Infamous Tweets [05:27–06:26]

• Obsession with Boobs and Hooters:
  The hosts read some of Adams' most outlandish tweets:

  • “Appreciate a nice pair of boobs, and I’m not going to apologize for it.”
  • “Getting a boob reduction is like slapping God in the face.”
  • “I go to Hooters. I eat rare steaks. I lift extremely heavy weights. I read the Bible every night. I am pursued by copious amounts of women. I am wildly successful. I have the physique of a Greek God. I have an IQ over 180.”

• Sheer Volume:
  Joe reveals Adams tweeted about Hooters "more than 500 times." He briefly toned it down post-nomination but ramped up the “macho stuff” as his chances faded. [06:26]

The Non-Confirmation & the "Promotion" [07:05–07:34]

• Why He Was Pulled:
  The Senate, even on the Republican side, signaled the nomination was “a mess” given Adams’ “gross” posts and lack of qualifications.

  • Losing a nomination “does not happen. That is not normal.” — Joe Perdicone [06:26]

• “Promotion” to Special Envoy:
  Adams publicly claimed his withdrawal as a “promotion,” now holding a somewhat inconsequential State Department position, devoid of ambassadorial power or influence. [07:05–07:34]

Adams’ Inflated Resume [09:29–12:41]

• State Department Bio:
  The team reads—and laughs over—Adams’ official online biography, which touts him as an “author, thought leader and educator” and lists honorary awards (many are titles he applied for online, like Kentucky Colonel).

• State Honors:
  “He received the Sagamore of the Wabash, I don’t even know what the hell that is.” — Sam Stein [12:18]
  “If you can just pick up a colonel one, I might as well, I guess.” — Will Sommer [12:41]

The Nick Adams Story: Performance or Sincerity? [14:23–16:52]

• The Viral Video:
  Nick Adams released a 16-minute self-produced video, "The Nick Adams Story," on Twitter.

  • Sam: “He basically concedes that this whole alpha male profile is a shtick.” [14:23]

• Sample Narration:
  “Nick was a unique breed. A top student who chose to sit in the back with his friends rather than his intellectual equals…Nick would be targeted by the media, political enemies, and even betrayed by those in his own party…He would end up being marginalized, blackballed, restricted, and virtually unemployable." — Voiceover [15:36]

• Hosts’ Reactions:
  “Not too much of a snob to... He befriended the dummies as well.” — Will Sommer [16:34]
  The panel muses that Adams is entirely “in on the joke.” Joe observes Adams “has like a real sense of humor,” more self-aware than many on the right. [16:37]

Will Adams Do His Job? [17:13–18:26]

• Expectations for the Role:
  Speculation arises over whether Adams will ever "hold a single event" or just throw parties—potentially at Hooters, in line with his persona.

  • “We’ll golf with the boys.” — Will Sommer [18:26]

• Funding Mystery:
  Sam wonders where Adams’ income comes from (“this is a 16 minute video…Someone had to pay for it”), theorizing he might self-fund his publicity stunts and parties. [17:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Appreciate a nice pair of boobs, and I’m not going to apologize for it.” — Sam Stein, reading Adams tweet [05:27]
• “Getting a boob reduction is like slapping God in the face.” — Sam Stein, reading Adams tweet [05:27]
• “He’s tweeted about Hooters more than 500 times.” — Joe Perdicone [06:26]
• “Almost like a political, like a Johnny Bravo character, like this kind of real, like, kind of macho guy.” — Will Sommer [04:22]
• “Losing his nomination, too, is like, that doesn’t happen. That is not normal.” — Joe Perdicone [06:26]
• “Mr. Adams is an accomplished author, freelance political analyst, and independent political commentator working in the United States. He authors a thrice weekly policy analysis newsletter.” — Sam Stein, reading State Department bio [09:37]
• “The best part is: a unique breed, a top student who chose to sit in the back with his friends and not as intellectual equals. Unbelievable.” — Sam Stein on Adams’ video [16:23]
• “I’m definitely foreseeing a few Hooters World cup parties with dignitaries in the future.” — Sam Stein [18:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction of Nick Adams & Background: [00:58–02:09]
• Origins of the MAGA Persona: [02:09–03:34]
• Discussion on MAGA Status & Influence: [03:46–04:22]
• Breakdown of Adams’ Tweets & Persona: [05:27–06:26]
• Why the Nomination Collapsed: [07:05–07:34]
• Inflated Resume and State Honors: [09:29–12:41]
• Reaction to Nick Adams Video: [14:23–16:52]
• Speculation on Adams’ Future as “Envoy”: [17:13–18:26]

Tone & Takeaway

With characteristic Bulwark snark, the team skewers both the absurdity and the studied self-parody of Nick Adams’ public career. The episode is a portrait of the spectacle-driven nature of modern Trumpworld appointments, blending real influence with a sheen of farce, and leaves listeners with a sense of bemused incredulity—and a hint that Nick Adams knows exactly what he’s doing.

For fans of political theater, social media spectacle, and incisive commentary, this episode provides both laughter and a clear-eyed look at the blurring of performance and governance in American politics.