Bulwark Takes: In-Depth Summary of "Trump’s Epstein Letter Is Breaking His Base"

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Sam Stein and Will Sommer)
Episode Title: Trump’s Epstein Letter Is Breaking His Base

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sam Stein, the managing editor at The Bulwark, engages in a compelling discussion with Will Sommer, author of the newsletter False Flag. The conversation centers around a significant Wall Street Journal article that alleges former President Donald Trump penned a letter to Jeffrey Epstein, a notorious figure embroiled in numerous conspiracies and criminal activities. This revelation has sent ripples through Trump's supporter base, challenging established narratives and igniting intense debate.

The Wall Street Journal Article: Unveiling the Letter

The episode kicks off with Sam Stein referencing a groundbreaking Wall Street Journal piece that details Trump's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. Stein recounts the moment he learned about the article:

"I was driving my kid home from a swim meet when the Journal piece broke. And I called you immediately because I needed to, like, just take your temperature about what was going on with the article."
— Sam Stein [00:00:40]

Will Sommer describes the contents of the letter as "shocking" and points out alarming elements, such as a drawing of a nude woman accompanying the letter. He emphasizes the troubling nature of the correspondence:

"The idea that Trump is writing kind of like a... coded letter to a notorious pedophile about, like, maybe we have secrets together... it doesn't look good."
— Will Sommer [00:01:08]

Reactions from Trump's Base: Disbelief and Rationalization

The discussion delves into the immediate reactions from Trump's supporters, particularly those deeply entrenched in Epstein-related conspiracies. A poignant moment is highlighted when Sam Stein plays a clip from a distressed caller named Travis from South Dakota, who expresses feelings of betrayal and anger:

"I feel really betrayed, and I feel really, really angry. We have a president who tells us to move on from Epstein because it doesn't matter... This is not what I voted for."
— Caller Travis [04:26]

Will Sommer interprets these reactions as a mix of rationalization and defensive maneuvers. He suggests that while some are trying to dismiss the letter as part of a broader "deep state" agenda, others might begin to internally grapple with the implications:

"There is kind of like a rallying, a circling of the wagons... Maybe he's kind of pre-salted the ground to say... there are a lot of fake documents out there."
— Will Sommer [02:41]

Media Responses: The Role of Fox News and Other Outlets

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the media's role in shaping the narrative surrounding the Epstein letter. Will Sommer speculates on how Fox News, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, might handle the story. He notes that Laura Ingraham was preparing to discuss the Epstein report but was interrupted, indicating potential censorship or strategic silence:

"So they can't, Fox presumably can't do the thing every other conservative media outlet is going to do, which is, you know, slime News Corp."
— Will Sommer [09:44]

Sam Stein adds that this silence might inadvertently harm Trump's narrative, as the lack of discussion around Epstein could make it harder for Trump to control the broader cultural conversation:

"There's some sort of risk that it breaks through into a wider cultural moment that is harder for him to control."
— Sam Stein [06:36]

Potential Future Developments: Legal Battles and Conspiracy Evolutions

Looking ahead, Sam Stein and Will Sommer speculate on possible outcomes stemming from the Wall Street Journal's revelations. The conversation touches upon the likelihood of grand jury transcripts being released and the ensuing legal battles, particularly referencing Ghislaine Maxwell's trial status:

"She's appealing. And so this... is my prediction."
— Will Sommer [13:18]

Will Sommer forecasts a "MAGA Pardon Ghislaine" movement, suggesting that Trump's base might push for Maxwell's pardon to uncover more incriminating information:

"There's going to be a growth of a Maga Pardon Ghislaine movement... they're going to say, Ghislaine is going to exonerate Trump."
— Will Sommer [14:15]

Sam Stein echoes concerns about the potential for Trump supporters to adopt increasingly convoluted conspiracies to protect their allegiance:

"Are the MAGA types... willingly going to be duped... or are they creating new conspiracies to overwhelm their current conspiracy?"
— Sam Stein [08:27]

Conclusion: The Erosion of Trust and the Future of Trump's Base

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the fragile state of trust within Trump's supporter base. The Epstein letter serves as a catalyst for potential cracks within the movement, forcing supporters to reconcile conflicting narratives. Will Sommer emphasizes the difficulty in predicting whether the base will accept the troubling evidence or double down on existing conspiracies:

"This idea that... Trump just saying move on and then saying suddenly like, oh my gosh, like you can't trust these files that are about to come out... he looks really guilty."
— Will Sommer [08:54]

Sam Stein underscores the immense pressure on the movement to unify, drawing parallels to historical political scandals and the tendency of supporters to rally behind their leader despite mounting evidence:

"There's an incredible amount of pressure to have sort of like a partisan rallying around the flag moment here."
— Sam Stein [09:44]

The episode concludes with a cautious outlook on the future, acknowledging that the unfolding events may redefine the landscape of Trump's political influence and the loyalty of his base.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "The idea that Trump is writing kind of like a... coded letter to a notorious pedophile... it doesn't look good."
  — Will Sommer [00:01:08]

• "I feel really betrayed, and I feel really, really angry... This is not what I voted for."
  — Caller Travis [04:26]

• "There is kind of like a rallying, a circling of the wagons... there are a lot of fake documents out there."
  — Will Sommer [02:41]

• "She looks really guilty... we know in our guts it's not good news."
  — Will Sommer [05:43]

• "There's going to be a growth of a Maga Pardon Ghislaine movement."
  — Will Sommer [14:15]

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a thorough examination of the fallout from the Wall Street Journal's revelations about Trump's letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Through insightful dialogue and critical analysis, Sam Stein and Will Sommer shed light on the complex dynamics at play within Trump's base, the media's role in shaping perceptions, and the potential long-term implications for the political landscape.