Bulwark Takes: Trump’s Unhinged And Lie Soaked Congress Address Was Insane For Even Him

Episode Overview In this episode of Bulwark Takes, released on March 5, 2025, The Bulwark team delves into former President Donald Trump’s controversial address to Congress. Titled "Trump’s Unhinged And Lie Soaked Congress Address Was Insane For Even Him," the discussion dissects the speech’s length, content, and its implications for American politics. Hosts Sam, Lauren, and Sarah are joined by guest Joe, who provides firsthand insights from the event.

Trump’s Congressional Address: An Overview

Trump’s speech, dubbed the longest State of the Union in history, spanned over an hour and forty minutes. Unlike traditional addresses that aim to unify, this speech was “brutally dishonest” and “highly partisan”, filled with “complete fabrications” and “ego-driven” rhetoric (Sam, [01:53]).

Key Characteristics:

• Dishonesty and Fabrications: Sam emphasizes the "complete fabrications" in Trump's speech, noting, “[...] It was filled with dishonesty. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t effective.”
• Partisanship Over Unity: The speech deviated from the norm by starting with Trump “mocking Democrats” rather than seeking unity (Sam, [01:53]).
• Showmanship and Ego: Trump's performance was marked by “ego” and “showmanship”, making him the “singular force” in the room (Sam, [01:53]).

Hosts’ Reactions and Insights

Sam’s Perspective

Sam criticizes the speech’s lengthy and deceitful nature, acknowledging its effectiveness despite its flaws. He points out that Trump’s “showmanship” worked well for him and his base, even as it diverged from traditional presidential addresses (Sam, [01:53]).

Lauren’s Critique

Lauren highlights specific grievances, such as:

• Guest Selection: “Did I hate JD Vance's smug face throughout it? I sure did.” ([02:45])
• Focus on Cultural Issues Over Economy: She notes Trump spent excessive time on “trans women’s sports” rather than more pressing economic concerns ([02:45]).
• Egoism and Showmanship: Lauren acknowledges Trump’s ability to create “happy moments” but finds his egoistic approach “repellent” ([02:45], [08:08]).

Sarah’s Analysis

Sarah underscores the shifting Overton window, suggesting that the speech represents a significant shift in political discourse. She observes the struggle Democrats face in responding effectively without appearing “performative” or “cringey” ([07:47], [08:25]).

Joe’s Firsthand Account

Atmosphere in the Room: Joe describes the environment as akin to a “big tent revival”, with frequent applause and support for Trump, contrasting sharply with the Democratic side, where he observed “depression” and disengagement ([04:37] - [05:19]).

Notable Moments:

• Democratic Withdrawal: Bernie Sanders walked out, and others seemed disengaged or demoralized, highlighting the partisan divide ([05:30] - [05:54]).
• Elon Musk’s Behavior: Joe recounts Elon Musk’s erratic actions during the speech, including clapping impulsively and appearing “out of place” ([06:09] - [06:48]).

Democratic Response by Alyssa Slotkin

Alyssa Slotkin delivered the Democratic response, focusing on three core beliefs:

1. Middle Class Empowerment: Advocating for lowering costs of groceries, housing, and healthcare, and bringing manufacturing back to America.
2. Strong National Security: Emphasizing the importance of allies and responsible leadership, contrasting Trump’s approach to foreign policy.
3. Preservation of Democracy: Stressing the need to uphold democratic values against Trump’s divisive rhetoric.

Notable Quotes:

• Defense of Middle Class: “Michigan literally invented the middle class... We need a tax system that's fair for people who don't happen to make a billion dollars” (Alyssa Slotkin, [07:07] - [09:54]).
• Critique of Trump’s Foreign Policy: “President Trump loves to say peace through strength. [...] After the spectacle that just took place... Reagan must be rolling in his grave” (Alyssa Slotkin, [08:25] - [09:54]).

Analysis of the Responses

Effectiveness of Slotkin’s Speech

The hosts commend Slotkin for her “effective communication” and “concrete suggestions”, contrasting her approach with Trump's strategic “fabrications”:

• Concrete Action Steps: “[...] she was giving them concrete suggestions” (Sam, [22:19]).
• Balanced Critique: Slotkin’s response was seen as a “solid” and “principled” counterpart to Trump’s divisive address (Sarah, [21:32]; Lauren, [23:02]).

Potential Weak Spots in Trump’s Address

The hosts identify potential vulnerabilities in Trump’s speech:

• Comments on Farmers and Tariffs: Acknowledged by Sam as a possible “weak spot” due to the negative reception from affected communities ([26:48]).
• Social Security Remarks: Particularly Trump's claims about Social Security being a “Ponzi scheme”, which were heavily criticized and debunked ([08:25] - [10:18]; [26:48]).

Notable Insight: “Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends... President Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends. [...] It wasn’t until later that he started to get into immigration” (Lauren, [10:18]).

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

Dual Attack Strategy: Lauren suggests that Democrats could simultaneously target Trump and Elon Musk, viewing Musk as a “heat shield” for Trump ([28:08] - [28:35]).

Democratic Challenges:

• Engaging Voters: Sarah and Lauren discuss the difficulty Democrats face in energizing their base without appearing “performative” ([07:47], [08:25]).
• Economic Messaging: Emphasis on the economy as a pressing concern, with Democrats needing to address “hard-hitting economic issues” effectively ([09:20] - [10:18]).

Final Thoughts and Reality Check

The hosts reflect on the lasting impact of such speeches, expressing skepticism:

• Short-Term Significance: Belief that these addresses “don’t matter that much” in the long run, despite their immediate media attention ([34:10] - [34:35]).
• Effectiveness of Trump’s Performance: Recognition of Trump’s “showmanship” and ability to “get away with” dishonesty, despite underlying vulnerabilities ([35:44] - [36:13]).

Conclusion: The episode concludes with the hosts acknowledging the challenges ahead for Democrats in countering Trump’s divisive rhetoric and emphasizing the importance of strategic, principled responses to maintain and bolster democratic values.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sam on Speech Length and Dishonesty: “[...] It was brutally, a brutally dishonest speech. It was filled with complete fabrications [...]” ([01:53]).
• Lauren on Guest Selection and Partisanship: “Did I hate JD Vance's smug face throughout it? I sure did.” ([02:45]).
• Joe on Room Atmosphere: “[...] it felt like one of those big tent revivals that they do in the south [...] praise.” ([05:14]).
• Alyssa Slotkin on Democracy and Economy: “Michigan literally invented the middle class [...] his plans actually help Americans get ahead? Not even close.” ([09:54]).

Bulwark Takes offers a comprehensive analysis of Trump’s contentious congressional address, highlighting the deep partisan divides and the strategic responses necessary for Democrats to effectively counteract Trump’s influence. Through detailed discussions and firsthand accounts, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current political landscape and the challenges that lie ahead.