Bulwark Takes Podcast: “Trump Shivs Sen. Bill Cassidy”
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: JVL (joined by Sam Stein and Joe Perdicone)
Theme: Trump’s decision to endorse a primary challenger to Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy—what it means for Cassidy, the nature of GOP primaries, and the ongoing MAGAification of the party.
Episode Overview
The episode dives into Donald Trump’s surprise move to endorse Rep. Julia Letlow as a primary challenger against incumbent Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy—one of the few Republicans who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment. JVL, Sam Stein, and Joe Perdicone explore the political calculations behind Trump's move, the prospects for Cassidy and Letlow, and what this episode signals for the future viability of less MAGA-aligned Republicans within the GOP.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Trump Endorses Julia Letlow Against Bill Cassidy
[01:36-03:14]
- Host JVL sets up the shake-up: Trump is openly backing Rep. Julia Letlow against Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is seeking a third term in Louisiana.
- Notable Context: Cassidy's previous votes, like supporting Trump’s impeachment and his role in the RFK Jr. HHS nomination, alienated him from the MAGA base.
Bill Cassidy’s Political Calculations & Problems
[03:14-05:44]
- Sam Stein argues that Cassidy’s actions reflect “contempt for his own voters”:
- “He made a calculation that they were rubes and that ultimately they only cared about one thing, which was would Donald Trump support him?” (Sam Stein, 03:26)
- Cassidy assumed voters “would be fine with horrific public health outcomes because they value politics more than public health.”
- JVL pushes: “Do you think he's correct that for his voters it would really only matter that he was right with Trump and they really do prefer to have measles?” (JVL, 04:44)
Julia Letlow as a Challenger & Her Profile
[05:44-09:47]
- Joe Perdicone notes Letlow’s personal story (her husband died of COVID) hasn’t translated into public health advocacy: “If you think there's some kind of potential health focused agenda for her, don't bet on it.” (Joe Perdicone, 05:51)
- Letlow has “not carved out a lane as being too risky”; she’s a “very normal rank and filer who just actually gets is in the right place at the right time with the wrong man leading the party.” (Joe Perdicone, 09:11)
- Discussion of Louisiana’s “jungle primary” system—runoff if no candidate gets 50%+1; possibility for multiple contests between Cassidy and Letlow, or others if more enter.
Why Letlow? Trump’s Calculus
[07:28-09:00]
- Letlow as the “safe” choice among LA Republicans: no big-name heavyweights challenging Cassidy, and Trump’s early endorsement could discourage more radical figures from jumping in.
- “Trump endorsing Letlow right off the bat probably staves off someone like Clay Higgins jumping in.” (Joe Perdicone, 08:09)
Strategic Advice & What Might Happen Next
[09:47-10:38]
- Stein jokes that Letlow could use her COVID experience to outflank Cassidy on vaccines, but admits “she’ll never do it, of course, but it would be very funny to watch.” (Sam Stein, 09:47)
- The most likely winning message: “Bill Cassidy is too woke to be in the Senate… Not Trump supportive enough.” (Joe Perdicone, 10:19)
Can Cassidy Pull a ‘Brian Kemp’?
[10:46-12:21]
- JVL wonders if Cassidy could be a “Brian Kemp” (GA Governor who survived a Trumpist primary).
- Joe: “Bill Cassidy lost his chance to be Brian Kemp. If he wanted to be Brian Kemp, he would have switched and ran for governor this cycle…” (Joe Perdicone, 11:17)
- Stein notes that governorships are different—a Brian Kemp-style comeback isn’t likely in a Senate race.
Will Cassidy Drop Out or Fight?
[12:35-13:26]
- JVL: “Do you think the polling will be good enough to convince him to stay and fight it out or. No?” (JVL, 12:36)
- Joe: “I would have thought he'd stick around until I saw Elise Stefanik basically do the same thing where she was just like, I'm screwed. I'm not running anymore… I find it highly unlikely, though there is a lot more time.” (Joe Perdicone, 12:52)
No Satisfying Endings for ‘Normies’
[13:33-15:29]
- “I can't even muster it up. Same spine is all we have left…” (Sam Stein, 13:33)
- Most likely outcomes: humiliating defeat (à la Liz Cheney) or a pre-emptive retirement (à la Stefanik).
Did Cassidy Get Double-Crossed?
[15:10-15:56]
- Reports that Cassidy was told by the Trump White House that they’d stay neutral.
- Joe: “Nothing actually matters or is concrete until Trump says it himself. That's all.” (Joe Perdicone, 15:29)
- Sam: “Letlow probably was playing coy… then Trump operates on a whim… I'm sure he woke up one day, didn't like something Bill Cassidy had said and was like, you know what? Fuck this guy. And that's that.” (Sam Stein, 15:41)
The Party’s Future & Final Thoughts
[15:59-16:43]
- NRC (GOP’s Senate arm) worried Trump could “impulsively do this to Susan Collins.”
- JVL wryly sums up: “America is going to hell on a rocket sled. However, we will also get to see bad things happen to bad people. And that's all we can get from this life. Perfect justice waits for the next life. Right now, we just got to revel in the schadenfreude.” (JVL, 16:08)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He made a calculation that they were rubes and that ultimately they only cared about one thing, which was would Donald Trump support him?”
— Sam Stein, 03:26 - “If you think there's some kind of potential health-focused agenda for her, don't bet on it.”
— Joe Perdicone, 05:51 - “Bill Cassidy lost his chance to be Brian Kemp… He chose not to do it. And that's why he's in the situation.”
— Joe Perdicone, 11:17 - “America is going to hell on a rocket sled. However, we will also get to see bad things happen to bad people. And that's all we can get from this life.”
— JVL, 16:08 - “Nothing actually matters or is concrete until Trump says it himself. That's all.”
— Joe Perdicone, 15:29
Key Timestamps
- [01:36] Opening of main discussion: Trump’s endorsement news.
- [03:14] Stein’s central critique—Cassidy’s contempt for voters.
- [05:44] Analysis of Julia Letlow’s profile and chances.
- [09:47] Discussion of possible campaign strategies.
- [11:17] Could Cassidy be a Kemp-style survivor?
- [12:35] Discussion on whether Cassidy will stay in the race.
- [13:33] Reflections on possible outcomes and the bleakness for moderate Republicans.
- [15:10] Did Cassidy believe he had White House neutrality?
- [16:08] JVL’s resigned summing up—schadenfreude as the last consolation.
Overall Tone & Takeaways
The episode blends humor, cynicism, and deep skepticism about the future of non-Trump-aligned Republicans. The hosts express little sympathy for Cassidy—arguing his attempts to appease both the MAGA base and moderate voters have left him politically homeless. The show underscores Trump’s total dominance over who survives in today’s GOP and predicts more ritual “face-eating” of non-loyalists. For Bulwark regulars and political junkies, it’s a brisk, biting tour of the week’s party drama.