Summary of "Trump Keeps Posting CRAZY Stuff About The Iran-Israel War" – Bulwark Takes

Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: The Bulwark
Participants: Sam Stein (Managing Editor at The Bulwark), Andrew Egger (Author of Morning Shots)

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sam Stein engages in a critical discussion with Andrew Egger about former President Donald Trump's recent and erratic use of social media to comment on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The conversation delves into the implications of Trump's public statements, their impact on international relations, and the broader effects on domestic public opinion.

Trump's Erratic Social Media Behavior

Sam Stein opens the discussion by highlighting the unprecedented nature of Trump's actions during a highly volatile situation. He notes that Trump's live-tweeting during potential military actions marks a significant departure from traditional presidential communication.

Sam Stein [02:01]: "It's our first known instance where the commander in chief is sort of live tweeting what was going on in his head with respect to potentially bombing a foreign country and getting the US involved in a Middle East war."

Notable Tweets Analyzed

Several of Trump's tweets are scrutinized for their content and tone:

1. Control of Airspace Over Iran

   Sam Stein [02:30]: "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment and plenty of it. But it doesn't compare to American made, conceived and manufactured stuff."

2. Comments on Iran's Supreme Leader

   Sam Stein [02:54]: "We know exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader is hiding. He is an easy target but is safe there. We are not going to take him out. (Kill!)"

3. Call for Unconditional Surrender

   Sam Stein [03:14]: "Unconditional surrender."

Analysis of Trump's Foreign Policy Approach

Andrew Egger provides insight into Trump's fluctuating foreign policy stance, oscillating between aggressive military rhetoric and a coalition of more pacifist allies within his administration.

Andrew Egger [06:09]: "Trump kind of varies back and forth between those two things because that's not really how he thinks about these things, right? He just likes winning and he likes power."

Contrasting with Other Leaders

Egger contrasts Trump's approach with other global leaders, emphasizing the unpredictability and potential dangers of such erratic behavior.

Andrew Egger [07:30]: "It's exactly the opposite of what's happening in Russia and Ukraine... Trump is loving being on the side of Israel right now."

Impact on Public Opinion and Domestic Discourse

The conversation shifts to how Trump's social media antics influence domestic public opinion and the discourse among his supporters and critics.

Sam Stein [10:33]: "They are so attuned or they seem so attuned and interested and invested in shaping domestic public opinion about this stuff."

Social Media as a Battlefield

Egger discusses the role of platforms like Truth Social in amplifying support bases and managing criticism, sometimes at the expense of addressing critical issues effectively.

Andrew Egger [11:21]: "They are constantly triangulating their message to the people in their base who are mad about this or that or the other thing on Twitter."

The Role of Allies in Amplifying Messages

The hosts examine how Trump's allies, such as Pete Hegseth and JD Vance, use media appearances and social media posts to defend Trump's actions and policies, further entrenching his base.

Sam Stein [12:56]: "You're like, you know, I gotta post this. I gotta go on Waters World... it's just who he is."

Andrew Egger [12:57]: "Posters are gonna post."

Consequences of Erratic Leadership

Both Stein and Egger express concern over the potential real-world consequences of such unpredictable leadership, especially in situations with high stakes like international conflicts where lives are at risk.

Sam Stein [09:39]: "What are you supposed to do? Ah, I bet he's just bluffing. He tweets and the chaos is..."

Andrew Egger [12:36]: "As we inch toward, like, potential global war, it's just so insane how far up. Up their own asses they are on this stuff with the online discourse."

Conclusion

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger conclude that Trump's unconventional and tumultuous communication style during international crises not only exacerbates tensions but also undermines coherent policy-making and public trust. They call for more responsible and strategic communication from leaders to navigate complex global issues effectively.

Sam Stein [13:17]: "It's our public service to the population and we'll be in touch on all these other things."

Listeners are encouraged to follow The Bulwark's Truth Social account for ongoing updates and analyses.

This summary aims to provide an in-depth overview of the key discussions and insights from the episode, ensuring that those who haven't listened can grasp the critical points and the nuanced conversation between Sam Stein and Andrew Egger.