Bulwark Takes: Trump Blames Zelenskyy for Starting War After Palm Sunday Massacre – Episode Summary

Release Date: April 14, 2025

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, members of The Bulwark team, including Tim Miller and an Unnamed Analyst, delve into the controversial statements made by former President Donald Trump during a recent Oval Office press conference. The discussion centers around Trump's unfounded claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the war in Ukraine, following a devastating missile attack on Palm Sunday that resulted in significant civilian casualties.

1. Episode Introduction

The episode opens with brief promotional segments for Chumba Casino, which are promptly skipped by the hosts to dive into the core content. Tim Miller introduces the topic, setting the stage for an extensive analysis of Trump's latest rhetoric concerning the Ukraine conflict.

2. Contextual Background

Tim Miller provides essential context about the Palm Sunday Massacre, describing it as potentially the worst civilian casualty event in the Ukraine war, with 34 dead and hundreds wounded due to a missile attack. This tragic event serves as the backdrop for Trump's contentious statements.

Notable Quote:

• [01:15] Tim Miller: "There was potentially the worst civilian casualty event in Ukraine of the entire war on Palm Sunday over about 34 dead, hundreds wounded, seriously wounded, missile attack."

3. Trump's Oval Office Press Conference

The discussion shifts to the press conference where Trump interacted with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. The Unnamed Analyst criticizes the assembly as a "ludicrous dystopian Oval Office press conference," highlighting Trump's refusal to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Venezuelan national wrongfully detained in an El Salvador concentration camp.

Notable Quote:

• [00:30] Unnamed Analyst: "Miller from the Bulwark here. To wall coverage of just that ludicrous dystopian Oval Office press conference between Donald Trump and El Salvador President Bukele."

4. Trump's Blame on Zelenskyy

The crux of the episode focuses on Trump's baseless assertion that President Zelenskyy is responsible for initiating the war in Ukraine. Tim Miller and the Unnamed Analyst vehemently oppose this claim, labeling it as "gaslighting" and a blatant falsehood.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:26] Unnamed Analyst: "What start a war? What is he talking about? What are you talking about?"
• [02:54] Tim Miller: "Zelensky didn't start a war. Trump is doing this."
• [03:38] Unnamed Analyst: "We have a big lie."

5. Analyzing Trump's Motivations and Character

The hosts explore the psychological underpinnings of Trump's statements, suggesting that his attacks on Zelenskyy stem from personal insecurities and jealousy. They argue that Trump's need to demean Zelenskyy is a tactic to elevate his own flawed image.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:41] Unnamed Analyst: "Trump knows that Zelensky has shown actual courage."
• [05:00] Tim Miller: "And Trump's jealous. He's a coward. He has no personal character or courage."
• [05:25] Tim Miller: "He must bring him down to his level, and make him out to be the bad guy."

6. Implications for U.S. Policy and International Relations

The episode underscores the potential dangers of Trump's rhetoric on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding support for Ukraine. Tim Miller emphasizes that weakening support for Ukraine based on Trump's unfounded claims would be a "horrible decision," irrespective of any policy arguments that might be presented.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:56] Tim Miller: "If, as a country, we want to decide that we don't want to support Ukraine any longer, I think that would be a horrible decision."
• [04:19] Tim Miller: "There's one bad guy, Putin."

7. Conclusion and Ongoing Monitoring

As the episode wraps up, the hosts commit to continuous monitoring of developments related to Bukele, El Salvador, and the broader Ukraine conflict. They stress the importance of staying informed and vigilant against misinformation that could destabilize international support systems.

Notable Quotes:

• [06:04] Unnamed Analyst: "We have something more deeply psychological here."
• [06:49] Tim Miller: "I'm pretty annoyed and dispirited that this male psychodrama... is going to lead to more death in Ukraine and in a more unstable world."

8. Final Thoughts

Bulwark Takes effectively dissects Trump's misleading narrative blaming Zelenskyy for the Ukraine war, highlighting the dangerous implications of such rhetoric on international alliances and humanitarian efforts. The episode serves as a critical examination of misinformation in political discourse and its real-world consequences.

For those interested in understanding the intricate dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and the impact of political rhetoric on global conflicts, this episode of Bulwark Takes offers a comprehensive and incisive analysis.