Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Trump Appoints 'Alpha Male' Twitter Troll U.S. Ambassador?!"

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host: Sonny Bunch
Guest: Will Sommer

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, culture editor Sonny Bunch invites Will Sommer, an expert on misinformation and foreign influence, to discuss what has been hailed as one of the most unconventional ambassadorial appointments in recent memory. The topic centers around Nick Adams, a self-proclaimed "alpha male" and prolific Twitter personality, recently appointed by former President Donald Trump as the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.

Nick Adams: A Twitter Persona Turned Diplomat

Sonny Bunch opens the discussion by expressing his astonishment at the appointment:

"There's a lot of options to choose from here, but I think probably the craziest ambassadorial pick that I can remember, certainly in recent memory." [00:56]

Will Sommer describes Adams as:

"Twitter power user, Trump slavish devotee, and self-proclaimed alpha male." [00:56]

Nick Adams himself introduces his role with a blend of humor and bravado:

"Duty has called me to serve my country overseas. Not in the uniform of combat, but armed with the pen of diplomacy." [01:05]

Adams' Public Persona and Twitter Activity

Sonny remarks on Adams' online behavior, questioning whether his exaggerated "alpha male" antics are genuine or performative:

"I always thought he was doing a bit like kind of a… Like a big, like, burly man. He's an Australian guy… So he talks in a big Australian accent. He's a burly guy." [02:30]

Will Sommer adds that Adams' portrayal aligns closely with certain pop culture archetypes, likening him to a "child's idea of an alpha" and comparing him to figures like Andrew Tate, albeit less malevolent:

"Nick Adams doesn’t seem quite as evil, but he does, I mean, he speaks very unpleasantly about women, I would say in a bit more of a jokey tone." [03:40]

Background and Credentials

When questioned about Adams' qualifications for the ambassadorial role, Sonny expresses skepticism:

"What is the diplomatic background that he's…?" [02:55]

Will Sommer elaborates on Adams' seemingly tenuous credentials:

"Trump, in the first administration, appointed him to the board of the Wilson center, which is like a foreign affairs operation. And so I guess he has, like, some claim to foreign policy credibility there." [03:03]

He further details Adams' political history in Australia, highlighting an incident that underscores his Trump's-esque approach to leadership:

"He said, we've got to kill every pigeon in town… He poured out all the bird feed around the press conference before it started. So then the pigeons were everywhere… his pursuit of sort of MAGA stardom in the United States appears to have cost him whatever political career he had in Australia." [03:40]

Implications of the Appointment

Sonny uses humor to underscore the absurdity of the appointment, suggesting it’s a reflection of contemporary political dynamics:

"Let that be a lesson to everyone out there. Never give up on your dreams. Always keep posting and eventually, eventually it'll pay off." [05:43]

He further questions the strategic value of appointing Adams to a country like Malaysia:

"Malaysia is not obviously the most important strategic alliance with the United States… What should we expect from the… diplomatic realm with Malaysia going forward here?" [05:43]

Will Sommer speculates on the potential reception in Malaysia, comparing Adams to a fictional character:

"It's like if we sent Johnny Bravo overseas as a diplomatic mission." [07:10]

Reception and Public Reaction

The hosts discuss the broader societal implications of such appointments, touching upon the blurring lines between online personas and real-world roles:

Sonny reflects on the erosion of the distinction between online and offline identities:

"We used to say the Internet is not real life. We used to say the Internet is not the real world. And that is just not the case anymore." [04:17]

Will Sommer emphasizes the shift in how digital behavior can influence significant political appointments:

"This is a guy who has posted his way into being an ambassador." [04:17]

He also notes the divisive nature of Adams' content, which resonates with certain MAGA supporters while alienating others:

"He resonates with a certain audience. It seems like a lot of MAGA guys appear to take him as sort of a mascot or kind of this cartoon character." [09:35]

Cultural Reflections and Final Thoughts

In a lighthearted exchange, Sonny muses about the surreal nature of the appointment, introducing the concept of "kayfabe" from professional wrestling to illustrate the blend of reality and performance in Adams' role:

"Kayfabe is a pretty good way of understanding… who is being serious and who isn't…" [08:41]

Will Sommer shares his bewilderment and strategic reflections, recognizing the complex interplay between online personas and traditional diplomatic roles:

"It's a lot to take in. Do you mind if I saved a couple things I wanted to discuss here, please?" [09:35]

Sonny concludes by emphasizing the importance of staying informed about such developments and their implications on the socio-political landscape:

"You can't understand what's happening in Washington, D.C. if you're not keeping track of the online. Right. Because while once again, the Internet has crept up on real life in a way that should make all of us very sad." [10:19]

Key Takeaways

• Unconventional Appointment: Nick Adams, a Twitter personality with an "alpha male" persona, has been appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, raising questions about his qualifications and suitability for the role.

• Online Persona Influence: Adams' rise to a diplomatic position underscores the increasing impact of online behavior and social media personas on real-world political appointments.

• Public and Diplomatic Implications: The appointment may affect U.S.-Malaysia relations, potentially presenting challenges in diplomatic effectiveness and international perceptions.

• Cultural Reflection: The episode highlights the blurred lines between internet culture and traditional governance, reflecting broader societal shifts in how leadership and credibility are perceived.

Resources Mentioned:

• Will Sommer's Newsletter: False Flag – Explore in-depth analyses on misinformation and political developments. Subscribe at thebulwark.com.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions from the "Bulwark Takes" episode on Nick Adams' ambassadorial appointment, providing insights into the intersection of social media influence and diplomatic roles.