Bulwark Takes – “Trump Promotes Guy Who Was Too Racist for GOP Senators”
Host: Tim Miller (Bulwark team)
Date: November 14, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Tim Miller offers a biting recap and update on the story of Paul Ingrazia—a Trump-supporting provocateur with an egregious history of racist messages—recently promoted by President Trump to a key government role after even Senate Republicans previously rejected his nomination on grounds of extreme racism. Through sarcastic and blunt commentary, Miller illustrates how this personnel decision reflects both the degraded standards of this White House and the ongoing struggles to maintain governmental decency.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Who is Paul Ingrazia? [00:15]
- Introduction as a “douce canoe” and “pro-Trump Twitter troll”
- Noted for his aggressive, “men’s power” stances and vocal support for notorious figures like Andrew Tate (referenced as a “sex trafficker who got popular in right wing circles for a while”).
- Example of rhetoric: “he has become an enemy in the eyes of the Matrix, the deep state of the Satan elite that attempt to systematically program and oppress all men from womb to tomb.” [00:45]
2. Senate Rejection Due to Extreme Racism [01:25]
- Ingrazia secured a role at DHS under Kristi Noem, later nominated for a higher job requiring Senate confirmation.
- Senate Republicans expressed concern post-Politico exposé which revealed even more disturbing personal messages than his public tweets.
- Excerpts from his texts:
- Claimed a “Nazi streak.”
- Called for eliminating holidays celebrating Black Americans: MLK Day, Kwanzaa, Black History Month, Juneteenth (“every single one of them needs to be eviscerated” [03:10]).
- Expressed hatred against other groups: “You should never trust a Chinaman or an Indian,” which Miller calls out as particularly galling, given the VP’s family background.
- Used the anti-Italian slur (the “Italian N-word”) and made offensive remarks about holidays (“no Muli holidays” [03:35]).
3. Peer Outrage—Even Within MAGA Circles [04:00]
- These texts were so extreme that, as Miller notes, “even people on the chain are saying, like, Jesus Christ, Paul... this is even too far for us.”
- Notable quote:
“We need competent white men in positions of leadership. The founding fathers were wrong that all men are created equal. We need to reject that part of our heritage.” [04:20]
4. The Original ‘Victory’—Senate Refusal [05:15]
- Ingrazia’s nomination was pulled; was not required to appear for his confirmation.
- Miller reflects: “That is the system working as it should, and it’s the tiniest win... a guy who explicitly says... people are not created equal... should not have a Senate confirmable position in a government, in a pluralistic society, in a free country like America.”
5. Trump's Promotion of Ingrazia [06:15]
- Despite Senate pushback, President Trump calls Ingrazia into the Oval Office and offers him a promotion to Deputy Counsel, General Services Administration (GSA).
- Miller’s incredulity:
“A person that works for the government in a position of responsibility was revealed to be a vile, disgusting racist... And he gets called into the president’s office... not to be reprimanded or fired, but to get a raise. I want to reward you.” [07:10]
- Highlights the President’s direct rebuke of the Senate’s judgment, framing himself as “the buck stops with me” while rewarding “a noxious racist.”
6. Unqualified for the Post [08:05]
- Miller points out Ingrazia’s lack of experience: “He also has no resume. He graduated from Cornell Law like two minutes ago. And he’s like a child. He’s a man child.”
- Questions the rationale for the appointment: “It’s not as if... he’s also a deep expert in AI or something... He offers nothing. He’s a moron and a buffoon.”
7. Why This Matters: GSA Role & Implications [08:45]
- GSA manages federal property, procurement, IT—key logistical and administrative functions.
- Miller expresses alarm: “The idea that somebody who is explicitly pro discrimination should be, like, reviewing contracts and like reviewing choices that are made about government buildings is absolutely insane.”
8. Bigger Picture—Presidential Priorities [09:15]
- Miller contrasts the administration’s focus on promoting racists with Americans’ real needs: affordability, healthcare, avoiding government shutdowns.
- Sarcastic rundown of White House activities: “Putting up bullion art and Cheesecake Factory drawings on the White House... meeting with little racists to let them know that they get a promotion.”
9. Closing Thoughts—Why This Story Matters [10:10]
- The Bulwark’s commitment to following through on stories—making sure the audience “know the reality of what is happening in our government.”
- Miller confirms the importance of transparency:
“If there’s not a happy ending, we want to make sure you know the reality of what is happening in our government. That’s my service to you.” [10:45]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Ingrazia’s texts:
“So racist that even people on the chain are saying, like, Jesus Christ, Paul. Like, bro, this is even too far for us.” [04:00]
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On Senate rejecting Ingrazia:
“It’s the tiniest win, you know, that a guy who explicitly says... people are not created equal... should not have a Senate confirmable position.” [05:20]
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On Trump’s promotion of Ingrazia:
“He gets called into the president's office... and the President of the United States looks at him and says, you... I am going to give you a raise. I want to reward you. These other cucks, these wimps over in the Senate that wouldn't confirm you, that's not me.” [07:45]
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On qualifications:
“He graduated from Cornell Law like two minutes ago. And he's like a child. He's a man child.” [08:10]
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On the broader significance:
“Somebody like Paul Ingrazia, who's an ex valid racist and who wants to discriminate against people, can't represent our government in a position that is granted by the public. Right? It's a ‘we the people’ government here in this country.” [06:00]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:15: Introduction to Paul Ingrazia and his social media history
- 01:25: Details of Senate confirmation process and bombshell texts
- 03:10: Discussion of anti-Black and anti-minority remarks
- 04:00: Other MAGA supporters recoiling at Ingrazia’s extremism
- 05:15: Senate blocks nomination—“one tiny win”
- 06:15: Trump promotes Ingrazia despite rejection
- 07:10: Miller’s incredulity—quote on Trump’s motivations
- 08:05: Assessment of Ingrazia’s lack of qualifications
- 08:45: Description of GSA responsibilities and implications
- 09:15: Broader criticism of presidential priorities
- 10:10: The Bulwark’s mission to deliver the unvarnished facts
Tone & Language
Miller employs a sarcastic, incredulous, and straightforward style, using blunt descriptors (“douche canoe,” “man child,” “avowed white nationalist,” etc.) and sardonic humor as he skewers both Paul Ingrazia’s record and the administration’s priorities.
In sum:
Tim Miller’s update on Paul Ingrazia’s promotion serves as an incisive critique of decaying political norms and the perverse incentives now at play within the Trump administration: racism and incompetence not only failing to disqualify public servants, but being actively rewarded from the very top.