Bulwark Takes: Tim Miller on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Exit and Its Implications for Trump

Episode: Tim Miller: MTG’s Exit Is a Bigger Problem Than Trump Thinks
Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Host/Speakers: Tim Miller, Nicole, (reference to Bill Kristol and David Frum)
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the recent resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) from Congress and explores why Tim Miller believes her departure signals a deeper weakness for Donald Trump than it may first appear. The conversation covers the month’s mounting defeats (“Ls”) for Trump across elections, policy messaging, legal battles, and now defections within his core MAGA base. The speakers analyze what sets MTG’s break from Trump apart from past Republican exits, why her rhetoric strikes at Trump’s foundation, and how her reasons for leaving could presage greater Republican turmoil.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The “Month of Ls” for Donald Trump (01:25–05:30)

• Tim Miller recounts a series of political losses for Trump:

  • Severe defeats in the Virginia and New Jersey elections, with margins worse than expected.
  • The government shutdown standoff, which Miller asserts was a “big L” for Trump due to Republican confusion on messaging, notably around healthcare.

    “Democrats raised the Stallings to this issue. It is having an effect on voters. Voters are upset about the increasing health care premiums… Donald Trump has no message.” — Tim Miller [02:35]

  • Legal setbacks, including the failed attempt to use Pam Bondi and Lindsey Halligan for politically motivated prosecutions, which were thrown out by the judge.
  • The broader pattern: “It is L after L after L after L after L. This has been the month of Ls for Donald Trump.” — Tim Miller [01:55]

• Implication: These defeats are not necessarily fatal or irreversible, but they reveal Trump’s vulnerabilities and the challenges confronting his influence over the Republican Party.

2. The Significance of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Departure (05:30–08:03)

• Greene’s criticism is unique: Unlike previous Republicans who left after falling out with Trump, MTG frames her departure as a betrayal of the MAGA base itself.

  “She is basically saying that I wanted to do work on behalf of the MAGA base… but Congress was never in session and the elites within the party have succumbed to the influence game of Washington, to the deep state, to the tech elites...” — Tim Miller [05:54]

• A critical new front: If even a small percentage within Trump’s core base sides with Greene, his foundational support is threatened.

  “If even 5% or 10% agree with her, that is crippling to Donald Trump's power. That is the first time that he would actually lose the people that powered his rise.” — Tim Miller [07:22]

3. Potential Ripple Effects in the GOP (08:03–09:33)

• Reporting suggests other GOP resignations may follow: Many Republicans privately agree with MTG’s assessment that the party is adrift, reduced to “ornamentation to Donald Trump’s authoritarian takeover.”
• Dwindling morale:

  “A number of Republicans were calling them after Marjorie Taylor Greene’s letter came out… the core of her argument is correct. We are doing nothing. We are not serving people. We are about to be in the minority. And I’m annoyed too.” — Tim Miller [08:34]

• A resignation cascade could threaten GOP’s House majority before 2026 midterms, or at least intensify dysfunction and defeatism.

4. Integrity, Motivations, and Populism (09:33–12:13)

• Nicole references David Frum’s critique: MTG’s resignation was timed for personal gain (her pension), and she personally profited from Congressional stock trading.

  “She seems to have been clear eyed about her own direct personal interests… She gained her own millions without appreciating that her allies were scheming for billions.” — David Frum (via Nicole) [09:45]

• Miller’s nuanced response: Even if Greene was self-serving, it matters that a “true believer” in MAGA saw enough betrayal and inertia to leave.

  “She could be somewhat corrupt at a small scale compared to the Trumpian corruption… she was for Trump back in the primary when everybody else was against. If somebody like that can go to Washington… look around and say, we’re not actually doing anything… That’s important.” — Tim Miller [11:00]

5. The Message and Its Electoral Future (12:13–14:08)

• MTG’s parting message focuses on economic populism: Cost of living, energy, healthcare premiums, and anti-corporate rhetoric—core issues for the working class MAGA base.
• Miller highlights the message’s potency even if the messenger is flawed:

  “The elements that I think are useful to learn from if you’re a Democrat or tell us where she would be trying to differentiate herself within the Republican coalition is saying, look, I’m trying to focus on bread and butter issues, economic populist issues, about things that are costing too much for regular people while rich people are doing well.” — Tim Miller [13:13]

• The future of “real MAGA populism” is uncertain: MTG retains extreme cultural views but seeks to frame herself as a champion for the everyday Republican. Miller questions whether she’ll succeed—or who might—but sees potential for this message to disrupt both parties.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s bad month:

  “It is L after L after L after L after L. This has been the month of Ls for Donald Trump.” — Tim Miller [01:55]

• On the unique nature of Greene’s departure:

  “She didn’t use him by name. But like in the statement that’s very clear what she’s talking about and that is powerful and that is very different from the other people that have separated from Donald Trump in the past because she’s coming at him from the place of his core base of support and his core strength.” — Tim Miller [06:44]

• On the Republican mood:

  “If it’s going to be another one-year slog to their own defeat, well then maybe others will follow her to the exits. That was what Punchbowl is reporting.” — Tim Miller [09:13]

• On Greene as a true believer:

  “If somebody like that can go to Washington, be on the inside of the MAGA movement, look around and say, we’re not actually doing anything... that’s important… Even if she is opportunistic, you know, that is important. If she’s also corrupt, it’s still like a very meaningful departure.” — Tim Miller [11:11]

• On the future of MAGA populism:

  “I don’t know that Marjorie Taylor Greene is going to be the vessel for that message, but I think that that’s a powerful message that could work in either party.” — Tim Miller [13:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:25 – The “Month of Ls” rundown for Trump begins
• 05:30 – Analysis opens on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation
• 08:03 – “Are we burying the lead?”: On anticipated Democratic gains and Republican defeatism
• 09:33 – David Frum’s critique of Greene and discussion about her motives
• 12:13 – The establishment of core populist issues and their political importance

Tone & Final Thoughts

The tone remains analytical and lightly sardonic, blending concern about Republican drift with fascination at the MAGA movement’s internal fractures. Miller is clear-eyed about Greene’s problematic history but sees her departure as a canary-in-the-coal-mine moment for Trump’s base—potentially the beginning of a significant, damaging split within the GOP coalition if others follow suit.

This summary flows through the main points raised by the speakers, contextualizing MTG’s departure as far more consequential than surface-level headlines suggest, especially given the current malaise and resignation within the GOP ranks.