Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: Trump’s Pick Admits He Has a ‘Nazi Streak’
Host: Tim Miller
Date: October 21, 2025

Overview

In this urgent solo episode, Tim Miller unpacks the damning revelations about Paul In Gracia, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of the Special Counsel. Recent leaked text messages, reported by Politico, expose In Gracia’s self-professed “Nazi streak” and a string of racist, bigoted remarks. Miller contextualizes these revelations within broader trends of extremism and incompetence among younger Republican operatives, highlighting the alarming normalization of such behavior in Trump’s sphere.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who is Paul In Gracia and Why His Nomination Matters

• In Gracia: Previously known as a far-right internet troll, nominated by Trump for a critical government oversight position.
• The Office of the Special Counsel: Historically significant, notably in the Clinton administration (Ken Starr). Controls sensitive investigations into government conduct.
  • Quote: “To put this guy in charge… is a mockery of the Office of Special Counsel. And it’s a signal that you want to weaponize that office to go after your opponents.” (Tim Miller, 01:05)

2. Leaked Texts Exposing Racism and Extremism

• The Politico report: Two anonymous participants in a group chat shared texts due to concerns over In Gracia’s fitness for office.
• Notable Texts:
  • Admits to having a “Nazi streak.”
  • Argues MLK Jr. Day “should be tossed in the seventh circle of hell,” likening MLK to George Floyd (i.e. dismissing and degrading civil rights figures).
  • Calls to “eviscerate” holidays like Kwanzaa, MLK Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth—using an old Italian slur for Black people.
  • Makes overtly racist remarks about Asians and Indians: “Never trust a Chinaman or an Indian.”
• Even MAGA peers in the chat react with alarm:
  • Quote: “Jesus Christ.” (Unnamed chat participant, in response to In Gracia’s MLK remarks, 05:50)
  • Some participants say he is “too crazy” to serve, even by the standards of the Trump administration.

3. Support and Promotion of White Nationalists

• In Gracia has previously promoted Nick Fuentes, leader of the “Groipers” (alt-right youth movement), seeing him as “an up-and-coming person to watch inside MAGA.”

4. Pattern of Misconduct and Harassment

• In Gracia was previously under White House investigation (noted as rare):
  • He canceled a female staffer’s hotel room at a work retreat, coercing her to stay with him. Pattern of abusive power.
  • Quote: “This White House investigates nobody. So it’s pretty telling.” (Tim Miller, 13:55)

5. Political Response and Implications

• Senator Rick Scott (FL) says he’ll oppose the nomination—a rare Republican break.
  • Quote: “Rick Scott, I should say senator from Florida, has already said that he is not going to support In Gracia’s nomination. So a rare show of any kind of backbone from the Rick Scott exoskeleton.” (Tim Miller, 15:30)
• Other GOP swing votes (Collins, Murkowski, Tillis) yet to be heard from.
• Cites previous confirmations of extreme nominees (e.g., Cash Patel) as caution.

6. Bigger Picture: Self-Selection of “Clownish” MAGA Loyalists

• Donald Trump intentionally nominates extreme, loyal, and sometimes incompetent operatives—traits seen as benefits, not flaws.
  • “The more ostentatiously racist and crazy and conspiratorial you are, the better, obviously if you’re also ostentatiously pro-Trump.” (Tim Miller, 19:45)
• A generational shift: Younger MAGA Republicans and operatives dominate extreme culture-war politics and privilege loyalty over merit.
  • Quote: “If you’re a crazy racist buffoon...this is the opportunity of a lifetime to have a job you would never have any other time.” (Tim Miller, 30:15)
• Decent operatives are leaving the movement—cites “Miles,” whose story Bulwark published, as an example.

7. Broader Trend: Declining Standards and Internal Rot

• The normalization of bigotry and performative ignorance signals a deep rot in the GOP’s younger ranks.
• Those with principles increasingly marginalized or self-exiled.
• Miller likens this to a “clown car of a government, that idiocracy.” (08:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 01:05 | "To put this guy in charge... is a mockery of the Office of Special Counsel." | Tim Miller | | 05:50 | "Jesus Christ." (on MLK remarks) | Anonymous chat participant | | 08:03 | "You on this chain are too crazy to work in that government, that clown car of a government, that idiocracy." | Tim Miller | | 13:55 | "This White House investigates nobody. So it's pretty telling." | Tim Miller | | 15:30 | "A rare show of any kind of backbone from the Rick Scott exoskeleton." | Tim Miller | | 19:45 | "The more ostentatiously racist and crazy and conspiratorial you are, the better, obviously if you’re also ostentatiously pro-Trump." | Tim Miller | | 30:15 | "If you're a crazy racist buffoon... this is the opportunity of a lifetime to have a job you would never have any other time." | Tim Miller |

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00-02:00 – Introduction; background on Paul In Gracia and the position
• 02:00-07:00 – Leaked text details and group chat reactions
• 07:00-10:00 – Past scandals and pattern of bigoted behavior
• 10:00-16:00 – Political fallout: Rick Scott’s opposition, possible Senate outcome
• 16:00-21:00 – MAGA’s strategy of prioritizing loyalty and dysfunction
• 21:00-31:00 – Reflection on generational rot, exodus of principled operatives, and implications for the GOP

Tone and Takeaway

Miller’s tone is incredulous and exasperated, mixing biting satire (“clown car of a government,” “Rick Scott exoskeleton”) with deep concern for the dereliction of norms and basic decency. The episode is a clarion warning about what is becoming normalized within powerful corners of American politics—a situation that demands vigilance and accountability.

For more context:

• Original Politico report on In Gracia’s texts
• Bulwark’s feature on “Miles” and why decent Republican staffers are resigning
• Lawfare’s report on the hyper-partisan, amateurish new federal prosecutors

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a concise yet comprehensive grasp of this Bulwark Takes episode and the disturbing trends it highlights.