Podcast
The Bulwark Podcast
Hosted by The Bulwark · EN
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.
467episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bill Kristol and Margaret Donovan: Hegseth Should Be Impeached
3d ago00:48:41Summary readyAt the very least, Hegseth's refusal to acknowledge that it was our Tomahawk missile that killed 120 schoolchildren on the very first day of the war makes him unfit to serve as secretary of defense. Army JAG veteran Margaret Donovan says civilian casualties are a tragic reality in war and the public has the right to know what went wrong. The U.S. military prides itself on its excellence and precision, and that is what separates our fighting forces from those of our enemies. But Hegseth is also dragging this vital institution down because of the munition depletions, the lack of dignity being shown to fallen soldiers, his hare-brained schemes and war crimes in the Caribbean, and his undermining of military discipline by brushing off recent dangerous flyovers in civilian areas.Margaret Donovan joins guest host Bill Kristol.
SummaryJonathan V. Last and Robert Kagan: Marco and Miller Go Full Fascist
4d ago00:53:49Summary readyAt a little-noticed conference on political violence a couple of weeks ago, Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller employed the dehumanizing rhetoric of the Soviets and Nazi mastermind Joseph Goebbels to attack the left. And while they might want us to think they were just talking about the DSA, it sure seems that they meant Democrats generally—including those who might be legitimately protesting Trump's efforts to try to steal an election. Plus: Iran is not acting like it fears the United States, Lindsey Graham probably did more harm than good, and the Fauci drama is the latest example of the MAGA double standard about telling the truth. Bob Kagan joins guest host JVL.show notes: JVL's 'Triad' on Trump's best option on Iran Bob's articles at The Atlantic Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod
SummaryWill Sommer and Asawin Suebsaeng: The Groypers Have Taken over Trumpland
5d ago00:56:20Summary readyStephen Miller has a free hand to pump out his racist policies; Trump regularly says blatantly offensive things that are way past a dog whistle; and one-time insurgents at the Heritage Foundation and other MAGA institutions are muscling out people who aren't comfortable with openly embracing bigotry. The groypers are running today's Republican Party. At the same time, Trump's Iran war has opened divisions within the administration, and the leaks are coming fast and furiously. Plus: the gullible people who think their bribes will keep them safe from Trump, Rod Dreher's falling out with JD Vance, the ties between the Tates and the White House should be a bigger scandal, Mitch McConnell may be doing the most Mitch McConnell thing of all, and how Cincinnatians fought back against DHS to protect a local chaplain.Zeteo’s Asawin Suebsaeng joins guest host Will Sommer. Show notes: Swin's recent reporting on Trump's failed Iran war Will's recent “False Flag” on MAGA rallying around Andrew Tate The NYT on the crackup at the Heritage Foundation New York mag on Justin Sun blowing the whistle on Trump Swin on the chaplain in Cincinnati Rod Dreher with a platter of oysters in Paris NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad
SummaryBill Kristol and John Heilemann: Taking a Wrecking Ball to the Military
6d ago00:54:10Summary readyNot only has our lousy commander-in-chief allowed the country's missile inventory to be dramatically depleted, Hegseth's politicized hiring and firing of officers has come home to roost and is doing real damage to the military as an institution. Meanwhile, Zelensky says he'll show Trump proof that Russia is helping Iran in the war, and Laura Loomer has done an about-face and now says she's on Ukraine’s side. Plus, the wet, hot DSA summer hits its peak in the Michigan Senate race, Bibi is going to try to save his hide, and Republicans in swing districts have been given the all-clear to distance themselves from Trump.Bill Kristol joins guest host John Heilemann.Show notes: The NYT on the diminished stockpile of Patriot antimissile interceptors John's "Impolitic" podcast Jon Cohn on Whitmer's endorsement of Haley Stevens Lauren on the troubles at the DNC Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Epstein survivor, Dani Bensky Andrew on Trump bombing at the White House Correspondents Dinner Get 10% Off your entire order & take advantage of Ridge’s Annual Sweepstakes by going to https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
SummaryNo One Has Seen McConnell in Weeks—and His Office Just Recycled an Old Statement
1w ago00:19:58Summary readySince we don't have an episode of The Bulwark Podcast for you today, we're sharing something a little different—a preview of The Secret Podcast. This is a show that JVL and Sarah do every week, which is available only for paid members of The Bulwark. If it seems like something you'd enjoy, why not join us? You can sign up on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.Come ride with us!
SummarySarah Longwell and Alex Seitz-Wald: The Maine Thing
1w ago00:53:06Summary readyIn 2026, everyone who follows politics has an opinion about Maine politics. Here’s the thing: a lot of people in Maine think they’re wrong. So, Sarah talked to a former national political reporter who moved his family to Maine to help stand up a local paper. Former NBC News reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, now deputy editor of the Midcoast Villager, joins to discuss his transition to local journalism, the unique culture of Maine politics, and how Graham Platner’s exit from the U.S. Senate race landed with Maine voters. They also size up the new Democratic candidate, Troy Jackson, and discuss why Susan Collins has had such staying power, and how–or whether–her luck might finally run out in 2026.Show notes: The front page on the most recent issue of the Midcoast Villager Sarah’s ‘Focus Group’ pod NYT profile of the Midcoast Villager Tim’s playlist
SummaryDavid Frum and JVL: Iran Is Going to Make Trump Eat It
2w ago00:49:52Summary readyTrump keeps promising more bombs and bigger explosions in Iran, but the regime knows he’s just trying to disguise his retreat. And the Iranians are not going to back down until the whole world can see that they beat Trump. Meanwhile, in the middle of a war that is ostensibly about stopping Iran from getting a nuke, POTUS just cut a deal with the Saudis for their own nuclear program. Plus: The failure of Republican senators to stand up to Trump may be out of fear of his voters, and are the American people or our political system more to blame for what ails the country?David Frum joins guest host Jonathan V. Last.Show notes: JVL's Triad on Trump being at war with himself JVL's Triad, "Very Low-IQ Trump Too Stoopid to Win War" David's pod episode with Jeffrey Goldberg The latest episode of "The David Frum Show" Nixon certifying JFK's election victory
SummaryJoe Scarborough and Sam Stein: MAGA Doesn't Get America
2w ago01:16:31Summary readyRonald Reagan said it best: One of the greatest sources of America's greatness are the people drawn to the country from every corner of the globe, who become American and keep the country young, vital, and modern. But Trump and Stephen Miller are sticking to their absolutist deportation plan without regard to history or its political cost. Meanwhile, we are learning in real time that our trillion-dollar weapons systems are (sometimes) no match for Iran's drones—and that the regime can't resist the opportunity to humiliate another U.S. president. Plus, Laura Ingraham spoke truth, Bibi has turned Americans against Israel, Testosterone Pete is making the Pentagon look weak, and the joy of MAGA tears over The Odyssey.Joe Scarborough joins guest host Sam Stein.Show notes: "Morning Joe" on MS NOW Rahm Emanauel's speech on the U.S.-Israel relationship Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/THEBULWARK for 50% off your first order today Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod
SummarySarah Longwell and Bill Kristol: We're Governed by Broken Men
2w ago00:52:05Summary readyTrump tried to steal the limelight and the valor of Spain at the World Cup, even as more troops died overseas; Stephen Miller regularly encourages ICE to be violent while Pete Hegseth pushes soldiers to be macho bullies. The leaders in this country are men with no center and no core. Now with the arrest of the Tate brothers in Miami, Trump gets a chance to extend his record of standing by sex pests and assaulters. Plus: Iran and the U.S. are dangerously escalating the war, ICE is going even more rogue, Maine Dems have a replacement for Platner, and generic ballot polling suggests voters aren't necessarily gravitating to Democrats—and the noisy DSA may have a lot to do with that.Bill Kristol joins special guest host Sarah Longwell.Show notes: Monday's "Morning Shots" Sam and Mark Hertling on the Iran strikes on an air base in Jordan Umberto Eco's "Ur-Fascism" piece Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
SummaryNicolle Wallace: The Sore Loser Is Trying to Ruin Our Elections
2w ago01:00:37Summary readyThe one presidential election Trump lost was when he was in power and in charge of election integrity. Still, Trump is asking his supporters to believe the most preposterous lie yet: The elections run by Democrats in '16 and '24 were legitimate, but the election he oversaw wasn't. And he seems determined to take matters to the breaking point ahead of the midterms. Plus: Never forget that Jack Smith charged Trump with fraud for knowingly lying about his loss to Biden, the real TDS is continuing to claim the 2020 election was stolen, Lindsey Graham damaged our democracy, and why has Merrick Garland stayed silent through all the purges at the DOJ and FBI?MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace joins Tim Miller for the weekend podShow notes: Nicolle's show, "Deadline: White House" Nicolle's pod, "The Best People" Tim's playlist Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod
Summary