Trump’s War on Republican “Traitors”

Summary

Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Episode: Trump’s War on Republican “Traitors”
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Will Saletan (The Bulwark)

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Overview

In this episode, Will Saletan delves into Donald Trump’s relentless campaign against Republicans, government officials, and appointees whom he deems "traitors" for failing to show unwavering loyalty. Saletan dissects recent events—including a Supreme Court ruling against Trump, attacks on various Republican senators, and ongoing feuds with former allies—to highlight how Trump demands personal allegiance above Constitutional duty, independent judgment, or party principle.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court Rebuke and Trump's Outrage

• Context: The Supreme Court ruled against Trump regarding tariffs, asserting that only Congress has the authority over them ([02:00]).
• Trump's Reaction: Trump was particularly incensed that two justices he appointed (Justices Fortunate and Barrett) voted against him.
  • Quote:

    “I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country. They're just being fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats...very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.”
    – Donald Trump (03:23)

• Analysis: Saletan notes Trump equates loyalty to himself with patriotism, viewing disagreement as betrayal of America.

  • “That's how Trump thinks about America. If you vote against what he wants, you're voting against America because he is America.”
    – Will Saletan (03:45)

2. Attacks on Appointees Who Assert Independence

• Case of Justice Barrett: Trump, who once celebrated her family, now says her family should be “embarrassed” because of her vote ([04:27]).
  • Memorable Moment: Saletan recalls Trump’s nomination ceremony for Barrett in contrast with his current condemnation.
• Jerome Powell, Fed Chairman: Once honored by Trump’s appointment, now attacked for refusing to lower interest rates on Trump’s command.
  • Quote:

    “We have a very incompetent Fed chairman who likes high interest rates for political reasons.”
    – Donald Trump (05:33)

  • Trump’s Complaint: Staffers pretend to be compliant, “then once they actually get the job where they're supposed to be independent...they get all standoffish and uppity.”
    – Will Saletan paraphrasing Trump (06:25)
  • Quote:

    “It's amazing how people change once they have the job. But it's too bad.”
    – Donald Trump (06:45)

3. Purge of ‘Disloyal’ Republican Senators and Representatives

• Thom Tillis (NC): Criticized Trump’s targeting of the Fed. Trump’s response: “That's why Tom's not gonna be a senator any longer, I guess.” ([07:34])
• Mitt Romney (UT) & Rand Paul (KY): Trump complains they vote against him, despite his previous support for their campaigns.

  • “I got him elected twice...Then he votes against all the time. It's just crazy. I don't get it.”
    – Donald Trump on Rand Paul (08:35)

• Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Todd Young: Labeled disasters for voting against Trump on Venezuela authority ([09:37]).
• Liz Cheney & Adam Kinzinger: Insulted as “losers” and “traitors” for their roles in the January 6th investigation ([10:00]).

4. Turning on Once-Loyal House Members and Governors

• Marjorie Taylor Greene: Fell from grace for demanding release of Epstein files; now derided as “Marjorie Trader Green.”
  • Quote:

    "We have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie Trader Green's place.”
    – Donald Trump (10:40)

• Thomas Massie: Criticized for consistently voting no and pushing for Epstein file release.

  • “He's a very bad person. He's a very bad Republican. Bad American.”
    – Donald Trump (11:06)

  • Saletan notes: To Trump, a Republican who opposes him is automatically a traitor.
• Governor Kevin Stitt (OK): Attacked for insisting Democratic governors be included in meetings; Trump boasts Stitt would have lost without his endorsement—despite overwhelming Republican numbers in Oklahoma ([12:30–13:40]).

5. Extending the 'Traitor' Label to State Legislatures and Pollsters

• Rod Bray (Indiana Senate President): Denounced after refusing to gerrymander as Trump demanded; Trump vows to “take him out” politically and endorses loyalist challengers ([14:00–14:25]).
• Republican Pollsters: Trump accuses GOP pollsters of rigging polls against him, even when they're part of his own party.
  • Quote:

    “I think I'm very popular.”
    – Donald Trump (15:33)

  • Saletan: “He says the Republican polls. The Republican polls are rigged against him. In fact... he says it should be a criminal offense. And he specifically includes polls from Fox News.” ([15:35])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On loyalty:

  “If you vote against what he wants, you're voting against America because he is America.”
  – Will Saletan (03:45)

• On justice’s independence:

  “An embarrassment to their families. Wow.”
  – Will Saletan (04:27)

• On appointment and disappointment:

  “It's amazing how people change once they have the job. But it's too bad.”
  – Donald Trump (06:45)

• On purging Republicans:

  “That's why Tom's not gonna be a senator any longer, I guess.”
  – Donald Trump on Thom Tillis (07:34)

• On defining Republicans by Trump loyalty:

  “You can't be a real Republican if you vote against Trump. You're just a traitor.”
  – Will Saletan (10:00)

• On perpetual betrayal:

  “So many of them have let him down. And all he asked, all he asked was that they set aside their hang ups about fairness and justice and independence and respecting the Constitution. All he asked was that they... just do as he says.”
  – Will Saletan, Closing Thoughts (16:30)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:00 – Introduction to the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump on tariffs.
• 03:23 – Trump’s condemnation of his own justices.
• 04:27 – Trump: Barrett and Fortunate are “an embarrassment to their families.”
• 05:33 – Trump on Powell: “Incompetent Fed chairman.”
• 06:45 – Trump laments appointees changing once in power.
• 07:34 – Trump on Tillis: No longer a senator.
• 08:35 – Complaints about Rand Paul’s “disloyalty.”
• 09:37 – Lists “disloyal” GOP senators.
• 10:40 – "Marjorie Trader Green" comment.
• 11:06 – Trump denounces Thomas Massie.
• 12:30–13:40 – Attack on Governor Stitt and state-level conflicts.
• 14:00–14:25 – Rod Bray and Indiana state legislature saga.
• 15:35 – Trump accuses Republican pollsters of rigging.

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Summary & Tone

Saletan’s delivery is wry, incredulous, and sharply critical. He uses Trump’s own words—often caustic, personal, and hyperbolic—to make the case that the former president is systematically branding anyone who upholds independence or the rule of law as a “traitor.” The episode paints a picture of a party leader demanding personal fealty above any party, constitutional, or democratic commitment, turning against allies at the slightest perceived betrayal.

Throughout, Saletan’s tone matches The Bulwark’s signature style: sharply analytic, darkly humorous, and deeply concerned about the erosion of independent judgment among America’s governing class.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Interviewer]

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[T-Mobile Representative]

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[Narrator/Interviewer]

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[T-Mobile Representative]

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[Narrator/Interviewer]

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[Will Saletan]

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[T-Mobile Advertisement Voiceover]

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[Will Saletan]

Hey there, it's Will Salatan from the Bulwark. You know, Friday was a really rough day for Donald Trump because some people really close to him let him down. Of course I'm talking about the Supreme Court which ruled against him on tariffs. And what's sad is this is just the latest and a long, long line of people who have betrayed our President. So today, I hope you'll join me as we try to understand why so many people have turned their backs on this good, kind hearted man. So let's start with the court. On Friday, six justices struck down the tariffs. They ruled that under the Constitution, Congress, not the president, Congress has authority over tariffs. And Trump got really mad about this because, I mean, how are we supposed to win trade wars against all these other countries when they have dictators who can do whatever they want and our president has to go to Congress or the people for permission? Right. But what really pissed off Trump is two of the justices. Two of them who voted against him are people he appointed. And here's what he said about them after the ruling.

[Donald Trump]

I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country. They're just being fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats, and not that they should have anything at all to do with it. They're very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.

[Will Saletan]

Whoa. Unpatriotic and disloyal to the Constitution. See, that's how Trump thinks about America. If you vote against what he wants, you're voting against America because he is America.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Right.

[Will Saletan]

And then after Trump said that, a reporter asked him about those two justices who voted against him.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Justices Fortunate and Barrett. Are you surprised in particular by their decision today? And do you regret nominating them?

[Donald Trump]

I don't want to say whether or not I regret. I think their decision was terrible. Yeah. I think it's an embarrassment to their families. You want to know the truth?

[Will Saletan]

The two of them, an embarrassment to their families. Wow. I mean, just for context, here's how Trump introduced Justice Barrett's family when he nominated her to the court five years ago.

[Donald Trump]

Come on up, family. Come on up, family. Congratulations, Amy.

[Will Saletan]

Nice family, Right? But now, because she didn't vote with him on tariffs, he says that family should be embarrassed because that's the kind of guy he is. And those two justices, they're not the first people who failed to show Trump the gratitude that he obviously deserves. For example, here's another person Trump appointed in his first term.

[Donald Trump]

Accordingly, it is my pleasure and my honor to announce my nomination of Jerome Powell to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve.

[Will Saletan]

But now that same guy, Powell, is letting down the president. Here's what Trump said about him on Friday.

[Donald Trump]

We have a very incompetent Fed chairman who likes high interest rates for political reasons.

[Will Saletan]

He likes them political reasons. Trump says Powell is refusing to do what Trump wants on interest rates for political reasons. And here is a social media post where Trump explains the reason he says Powell is against Trump. In fact, when Trump spoke a month ago at the World Economic Forum, he. He complained that people like Powell have a nasty, nasty habit of pretending. They pretend that they'll do whatever Trump wants, and then once they actually get the job where they're supposed to be independent, like the Fed or the Supreme Court, they get all standoffish and uppity.

[Donald Trump]

Problem is, they change once they get the job. They do. You know, they're saying everything I want to hear, and then they get the job. They're locked in for six years, they get the job, and all of a sudden, let's raise rates a little bit. I call absurd. We'd rather not talk about this. It's amazing how people change once they have the job. But it's too bad.

[Will Saletan]

Can you believe that? Trump, who gave Powell his job, calls him up and says, hey, I appointed you. I want you to lower the interest rates. And Powell tells him it's, oh, it's inappropriate. What a jerk. I mean, Powell, I mean, obviously he's the jerk. But get this. There are people in Trump's party, Republicans, who defend Powell. One of them is Thom Tillis. He's a senator from North Carolina, and he has the gall to complain just because Trump launched an investigation. Okay, well, a phony investigation, but still an investigation to get rid of Powell. Here's what Trump said about that last month. Senator Thom Tillis says that the subpoena,

[Donald Trump]

the grand jury subpoena to the Federal

[Will Saletan]

Reserve chairman was a little excessive.

[Donald Trump]

What do you think about that? Well, that's why Tom's not gonna be a senator any longer, I guess.

[Will Saletan]

Ouch. See, Tillis is getting in the way of what Trump wants. And so Trump, in response, says, well, then get the hell out of Congress. In fact, here's Trump two weeks ago bragging that he's getting rid of this uppity senator.

[Donald Trump]

Look, I've been fighting Tillis for a long time, so much so that he ended up quitting.

[Will Saletan]

But Tillis is just one of several Republican senators who have pissed off Trump. Here's Trump last month speaking in Michigan, which happens to be where Mitt Romney, the former Republican senator, was born.

[Donald Trump]

We got some real losers. Mostly. Great. But I wouldn't use the name Romney because I'm in his sort of territory. But so I would never Use that name, but. All right, I'll use it.

[Will Saletan]

And Trump also complained about Rand Paul. He's a current Republican senator from Kentucky.

[Donald Trump]

They don't have a Mitt Romney that votes against everything. They don't have a Rand Paul that votes against everything. I got him elected twice. He was stone cold loser. I went to Kentucky, where I won by a lot. I did a rally for him. Then I did another rally. He won. Then I went the second time. He won. Then he votes against all the time. It's just crazy. I don't get it.

[Will Saletan]

See, there it is again. Trump was so nice to all of these people. Justice Barrett, Jerome Powell, Senator Paul, and then these losers and morons, they still vote against him. And Trump says, I don't get it. Because to get it, you would have to believe that people in government are supposed to exercise independent judgment. And then in that same speech, Trump listed several other ungrateful Republican senators who voted against giving him unfettered authority to do whatever he wants in Venezuela.

[Donald Trump]

And you have Lisa Murkowski and you have Susan Collins disasters, and you had a gentleman from Indiana that I don't believe at Todd Young. He voted against.

[Will Saletan]

And it's not just the Senate. In the House, there are other ungrateful Republicans who betrayed Trump. Okay, the obvious ones are Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. They served on the committee that investigated January 6th. Here's what Trump said about them in an interview last month with the New York Times. Here's the transcript. They're losers, he said. They aren't even Republicans. Because, of course, you can't be a real Republican if you vote against Trump. You're just a traitor. And speaking of traitors, how about Marjorie Taylor Greene? Remember, she used to be Trump's biggest fan, but now, now that she got all offended just because Trump won't release all the Epstein files. Trump calls her Marjorie Trader Green. Here's what he said last week.

[Donald Trump]

Tell us about your trip to Rome, Georgia, on Thursday, your trip to Marjorie Taylor Green's old district. Well, we have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie Trader Green's place.

[Will Saletan]

There he goes again. Traitor.

[T-Mobile Representative]

She.

[Will Saletan]

She's already left Congress and he is still kicking her. Okay, here's another House Republican who's also pushing to release the Epstein files. And Trump is going after him, too.

[Donald Trump]

We have a couple of Republicans. Massie, Thomas Massie. He always votes no. He's like something wrong with the guy. If you have any clinical psychiatrists in there, maybe go check out his mind. But he always votes no. He's a very bad person. He's a very bad Republican. Bad American. When you always vote no, just vote no.

[Will Saletan]

See, Massie is a bad American because he cares more about releasing the files than he does about protecting Trump. In fact, Trump said it right here in this post on Truth Social. Massie has been totally disloyal to the president. So Republicans, according to Trump, need to vote Massey out of Congress altogether. And it's not just Congress. Trump also has a problem with Republican governors. Here's one Kevin Stitt. You can see him right here on the left. He's the governor of Oklahoma, and he's the chairman of the National Governor's Association. And right next to him on the right is Wes Moore, the Democratic governor of Maryland. So two weeks ago, Stitt did a very, very bad thing. He. He found out that Trump was refusing to invite Wes Moore and another Democratic governor to a meeting of governors at the White House. And Stitt said that was wrong because according to Stitt, all governors should be invited. So Stitt withdrew the National Governors association from endorsing the visit to the White House. And here's how Trump responded. He called Stitt a rino, which means a Republican in name only. In other words, you can't be a real Republican unless you do whatever Trump wants. And Trump says, he says he saved Stitt from losing his last election to a Democrat in Oklahoma, which is amazing because Oklahoma just released its voter registration data. And you can see right here in this table that there are literally, literally twice as many Republican voters as Democratic voters in Oklahoma. So you can see how Stitt, the Republican incumbent, was definitely, definitely going to lose that race if Trump hadn't endorsed him. But then what does this Rhino governor do? He stabs Trump in the back by insisting that the National Governors association has to include Democrats. And the treachery just goes on and on. Here's another Judas, Rod Bray, the Republican president of the Indiana State Senate. Three months ago, Bray and a bunch of his Republican colleagues rejected Trump's demand that they gerrymander the state.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

After months of pressure from the White House, it appears Indiana will not redraw its Congressional district. Senate President President Rod Bray announced this afternoon they simply do not have the votes to support it.

[Will Saletan]

So how did Trump handle that? Well, here's what he posted a month ago on Truth Social. He said Bray betrayed the president and the Republican Party, and he promised to take him out. And then Trump posted separate messages endorsing Trump loyalists to take out each of the Republican state senators in Indiana who stiffed him on the redistricting. And I know that may seem harsh, but you can see why Trump is angry. Think of all the people who have betrayed him. Judges, senators, House members, governors, state legislators, even Republican pollsters. Check out this audio from Trump's interview last month with the New York Times. It starts with a question from one of the reporters.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

I would like to ask you about. Republican pollsters lately are warning that you and the party is losing ground with young voters, particularly young men who are concerned with job prospects.

[Donald Trump]

Well, I might be. Could I have the TikTok thing?

[Narrator/Interviewer]

But what would you say to those young.

[Donald Trump]

Well, I'd say they're rigged polls. Look, the polls are rigged just like the rugged.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

But these are Republican people, pollsters who are warning your party that you are not doing enough focus on American jobs.

[Donald Trump]

I can't tell you. I think I'm very popular.

[Will Saletan]

Rigged. He says the Republican polls. The Republican polls are rigged against him. In fact, two weeks after that interview, he posted this message on Truth Social. He talks about fraudulent polling. He says it should be a criminal offense. And he specifically includes polls from Fox News. Look, this is clearly the greatest betrayal in the history of the world. House Republicans, Senate Republicans, governors, state legislators, Supreme Court justices, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, people appointed by Trump. So many of them have let him down. And all he asked, all he asked was that they set aside their, their hang ups about fairness and justice and independence and respecting the Constitution. All he asked was that they set aside all of that garbage and just do as he says. And the only way, the only way you could possibly justify what all these people have done is to believe somehow that all of them are right and that the bad guy actually is Trump. See you next time.

[Ohio Economic Development Representative]

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[Donald Trump]

Your move.

[Ohio Economic Development Representative]

Learn [e-mail] deciding where to grow or move. Your business can be full of unexpected delays. Or you could just go to Ohio. With billions invested in shovel ready sites, a dedicated team whose only job is to tackle red tape and 0% corporate income tax. Ohio makes it easy for your business to scale faster. In fact, Ohio ranked number two in the US for lowest cost of doing business multiple years in a row.

[Donald Trump]

Your move.

[Ohio Economic Development Representative]

Learn [e-mail]

[Narrator/Interviewer]

we're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Narrator/Interviewer]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[Will Saletan]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Advertisement Voiceover]

Best mobile network based on analysis by Oogle of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.