Bulwark Takes – Tim Miller: We’re Being Governed by 12-Year-Olds

Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Tim Miller

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller delivers a pointed and satirical critique of the current White House’s communications and governing style, likening their behavior to that of “12-year-olds.” He focuses on recent social media trolling from the administration, controversial website updates, and disturbing propaganda coming from DHS. Miller connects these incidents to a broader trend of juvenile, unserious governance, warning of the consequences and expressing dismay that more Americans aren’t outraged.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The "Everyone Is 12 Now" Theory

• Miller introduces a viral social media idea:
  “Working on a new unified theory of American reality. I'm calling everyone is 12 now. And I'm not sure if everyone is 12 now, but our White House surely is.”
  — Tim Miller [00:19]
• Miller expresses skepticism and concern for this mentality, noting some people seem to enjoy the president's childish approach more than mature leadership.

Presidential Troll Tactics and AI Videos

• Critique of White House and Trump’s trolling:
  • Recaps a video where Trump posts an AI defamation clip targeting young Democratic influencer Harry Sisson, who was peacefully protesting.
  • Miller attacks the use of AI for petty trolling rather than respecting free speech:

    “Instead of honoring the First Amendment ... he does AI defecations on people who are just peacefully protesting.”
    — Tim Miller [00:53]

• Cautions that while humor and humanness in office are welcome, he wants leaders who can “take and make a joke,” but not descend into childishness.

WhiteHouse.gov Timeline: From Historical Fact to Juvenile Mockery

• Walkthrough and critique of the official White House timeline:
  • Notes that, up until 1973, the timeline is mostly factual, referencing historic expansions and renovations.
  • Criticizes sudden shift to trolling:
    • Clinton entry fixates on Lewinsky scandal.
    • Obama entry falsely implies sinister Muslim Brotherhood ties using a misleading photo, suggesting racist undertones.
    • Hunter Biden “cocaine” meme & inclusion of “trans day of visibility” as a troll on right-wing talking points.
    • Trump’s own additions are braggadocious, “overcompensating” with things like the installation of “big polls.”

      “They just talk about how [Clinton] got a blowjob from Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office, which did actually happen, which is kind of different than some of these other things.”
      — Tim Miller [07:09]

• Milling points out the irony that students and international researchers might come to the official site for info, only to be met with “trolley pictures of Hunter Biden” and “racist shit,” calling it an embarrassment.

The DHS, White Nationalism, and Propaganda Memes

• Outrage over DHS “white nationalism” memes:
  • Decries “videos of 1950s America with white families” and “blood and soil nonsense.”
  • Discusses disturbing “snuff film”–style ICE propaganda showing violence toward migrants and protestors:

    “I just don't know what else to call the DHS videos and memes that they put out besides white nationalism.”
    — Tim Miller [16:10]

• Highlights recent video using MGMT's “Little Dark Age,” noting the song was originally written as a warning about Trump.
  • Details how the video was pulled after MGMT complained:

    "[The song] was called ‘Little Dark Age’. ... You don't have to read between the lines ... they were talking about how we were entering a little dark age with Trump taking over the presidency."
    — Tim Miller [18:01]

• Miller finds it psychotic and emblematic of an unserious culture that these images are used as official messaging:

  “It's what fucking psychotic 12 year olds would do. And they think it's funny.”
  — Tim Miller [19:10]

Call for Maturity in Governance

• Expresses hope that Americans will demand leadership with the maturity befitting a constitutional minimum age:

  “Maybe we should have a 27 year old. 35. 35 was the age constitutionally, so maybe we should aim for people who ... have the maturity of a 35 year old as well in the White House in the future.”
  — Tim Miller [22:41]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The president is 12 and everyone in the White House that works for him pretty much also is acting like they are 12.”
  — Tim Miller [00:05]

• “I like a sense of humor. ... There's nothing wrong with joshing around ... but I don't want a 12 year old running the country.”
  — Tim Miller [03:25]

• “[The White House timeline] is just so childish. ... Aren't these the people that didn't want kids to have to read about gay penguins?”
  — Tim Miller [13:55]

• “If they want to do propaganda ... get Kid Rock to do it or one of the three musicians that actually likes you.”
  — Tim Miller [21:20]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 — Miller frames the “everyone is 12 now” critique.
• 00:45 — Discussion of AI videos trolling young Democratic influencers.
• 05:20 — Walkthrough of the White House timeline, step by step.
• 10:45 — Examples of trolling and race-baiting in official government materials.
• 16:10 — DHS "white nationalism" propaganda critique.
• 18:01 — MGMT’s ‘Little Dark Age’ co-opted and rejected.
• 20:45 — Propaganda as evidence of “psychotic 12 year olds” in charge.
• 22:41 — Final appeal for mature leadership.

Tone & Language

Miller’s delivery is energetic, sardonic, and exasperated. He uses humor and profane language to express outrage, but grounds his critiques in genuine concern for diminishing seriousness, decency, and maturity in government. The episode maintains an irreverent, “calling it as I see it” style that matches The Bulwark’s editorial voice.

Summary Takeaway

Tim Miller rails against the normalization of immaturity in America’s highest office, emphasizing the dangers of a government enthralled by trolling, propaganda, and juvenile antics. He calls on listeners to reject this trend and seek out leadership with the wisdom and seriousness the country deserves.