Bulwark Takes: Trump Gets Qatari Jet, While We Pay More!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: The Bulwark

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by The Bulwark team including Tim Miller and Katie Halper, the discussion navigates through several pressing issues dominating the current news cycle. The primary topics include the controversial acquisition of a Qatari jet by President Trump, the potential revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees, and the administration's tariff policies impacting the American working class. The conversation is enriched with historical context, expert analysis, and spirited debate among the hosts and guests.

1. The Qatari Jet Controversy

Tim Miller initiates the discussion by referencing a recent report about the Chinese government's discontent with the Bush administration over allegations of bugging their Air Force One. This serves as a segue to the main topic: Donald Trump receiving a Qatari jet, allegedly equipped with sophisticated listening devices.

• John explains:
  "That's Jiang Zemin's plane. They call that their Chinese Air Force One. The Chinese government is, we're told here, has not officially protested that yet, but that is expected. There are reports from their aviation ministry and foreign officials that a total of 27 bugs or sophisticated listening devices were found aboard that aircraft."
  (Timestamp: 01:39)

The comparison draws parallels between past and present surveillance tactics, highlighting the reciprocal nature of international espionage.

2. Trump's Relationship with Qatar

Kevin Barron, Bill Kristol, and Tim Miller delve into the implications of Trump accepting a jet from Qatar. Miller references an article from the National Review by Jeffrey Blehar Blair, criticizing the move as a clear attempt at an international bribe.

• Tim Miller cites National Review:
  "A transparent attempt at an international bribe, a personal Gift to the president to curry future favor... the terrible optics and moral hazards of a president accepting his own personal Air Force One from a nation of shady oil billionaires are beyond obvious."
  (Timestamp: 02:36)

Donald Trump's past statements about Qatar are examined to provide context for his administration's current stance.

• Trump (2017):
  "The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level... We have to stop the funding of terrorism. They have to end that funding."
  (Timestamp: 03:47)

Katie Halper reflects on the shift in Trump's policies towards Qatar, suggesting personal motives over geopolitical strategy.

• Katie Halper:
  "I think it's about Trump. The person more than about geopolitics is not a sign of geopolitical strength... He looked at it and he liked the vibe of it and he thinks it's fancier than his plane."
  (Timestamp: 05:28)

The hosts debate whether Trump's acceptance of the jet signifies a strategic geopolitical alliance or a personal preference for luxury, questioning the underlying motivations and implications for international relations.

3. Temporary Protected Status for Afghan Refugees

The conversation shifts to the administration's potential revocation of TPS for approximately 9,000 Afghans residing in the U.S., a move justified by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem based on purported improvements in Afghanistan.

Tim Miller raises concerns referencing Human Rights Watch reports highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

• Katie Halper:
  "They want people to self-deport. They don't want people coming to this country. It's part of the ethos of Stephen Miller and the MAGA nationalists in the Trump administration."
  (Timestamp: 07:27)

Katie Halper emphasizes the ethical implications, noting the peril these refugees face if forced to return.

• Katie Halper:
  "The idea that we're gonna send these folks back to Afghanistan, it makes no sense... it's about religious and racial bias."
  (Timestamp: 09:11)

The hosts critique the administration's decision as politically motivated, aiming to intimidate and reduce immigration, while neglecting the genuine risks faced by Afghan refugees, including both Christians and those who aided the U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.

4. Tariffs and Their Impact on the Working Class

Tim Miller introduces the discussion on tariff policies, questioning their efficacy and political strategy.

Katie Halper criticizes the tariffs as regressive taxes disproportionately affecting working families rather than bolstering manufacturing jobs.

• Katie Halper:
  "This is a tax increase... it's the largest tax increase... it's regressive and it's going to hit working people harder."
  (Timestamp: 12:04)

The debate centers on whether tariffs genuinely revive domestic manufacturing or merely serve as a fiscal burden on the average American worker. Miller proposes alternative strategies, such as subsidizing manufacturing to incentivize companies to relocate domestically.

• Tim Miller:
  "Why not subsidize some of it? Why not incentivize individual companies...?"
  (Timestamp: 13:35)

Katie Halper responds by highlighting the lack of similar initiatives under the Trump administration, suggesting a disconnect between policy rhetoric and practical support for manufacturing revitalization.

• Katie Halper:
  "Trump administration refuses to do anything that Joe Biden was trying to do. They need to do the opposite."
  (Timestamp: 14:12)

Using the example of a bamboo toilet paper company, the hosts illustrate the challenges small businesses face in repatriating manufacturing due to high costs and logistical hurdles, questioning the administration's commitment to truly supporting the working class.

Conclusion

The episode of Bulwark Takes incisively critiques current administration policies through the lenses of international relations, refugee protection, and economic strategies. By juxtaposing historical events with present actions, the hosts underscore perceived inconsistencies and ideological rigidity. The discussions emphasize the human and economic costs of these policies, advocating for more thoughtful and supportive approaches to both foreign alliances and domestic economic challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• John (01:39): "There are reports... a total of 27 bugs... one of them in the bathroom... connected to satellites. Very sophisticated."

• Jeffrey Blehar Blair via National Review (02:36): "A transparent attempt at an international bribe... accepting his own personal Air Force One from a nation of shady oil billionaires are beyond obvious."

• Donald Trump (03:47): "They have to end that funding. And it's extremist ideology in terms of funding."

• Katie Halper (07:27): "The ethos of Stephen Miller and the MAGA nationalists... it's horrible."

• Katie Halper (09:11): "It's about religious and racial bias."

• Katie Halper (12:04): "It's the largest tax increase... regressive and it's going to hit working people harder."

• Katie Halper (14:12): "They need to do the opposite [of Biden's initiatives]."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.