Detailed Summary of "The Bulwark Podcast" Episode: Bill Kristol: Trump Loves Fraud

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Bulwark Podcast
• Host/Author: The Bulwark
• Episode: Bill Kristol: Trump Loves Fraud
• Release Date: January 27, 2025

Participants:

• Tim Miller: Host of The Bulwark Podcast
• Bill Kristol: Political commentator and guest speaker

Introduction and Early Discussions

[00:00] Tim Miller opens the episode by welcoming listeners to the podcast on the occasion of Holocaust Remembrance Day. He introduces Bill Kristol, noting the recent reinstatement of Trump as President and the heightened political tensions surrounding it.

[00:31] Tim Miller brings up a notable event where Elon Musk, referred to here as the "Shadow President," attended a conference of Germany's far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Musk criticized what he termed the "cult of guilt" surrounding Germany's Nazi past, suggesting a need to move beyond historical shame.

[01:01] Bill Kristol responds by condemning Musk's actions, particularly his endorsement of the AfD, labeling it as "indefensible." Kristol emphasizes the importance of remembering and taking responsibility for historical atrocities to prevent their recurrence. He draws parallels to America's own grappling with its past, including slavery and civil rights issues.

Holocaust Remembrance and Modern Implications

The discussion shifts to the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies in Auschwitz, highlighting the exclusion of Russian representatives due to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Kristol praises the attendance of international leaders like King Charles III, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau, noting the importance of their presence in honoring the victims and acknowledging current geopolitical realities.

[04:13] Tim Miller parallels this with domestic issues, mentioning the military's decision to rename Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty to remove references to Confederate generals. He criticizes this move as part of a broader trend of revisiting and altering historical narratives to suit contemporary political agendas.

[05:14] Kristol underscores the gravity of Musk's actions and the broader implications for how societies remember and learn from their histories. He expresses concern over attempts to minimize or reframe historical atrocities for political gain.

Critique of J.D. Vance's Comments on Catholic Bishops

[07:27] The podcast briefly touches upon comments made by J.D. Vance regarding the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and their stance on President Trump's executive orders related to immigration enforcement in churches and schools.

[07:47] Tim Miller criticizes Vance for what he perceives as anti-Catholic bias, mocking Vance's sudden conversion to Catholicism and his negative portrayal of the bishops' humanitarian efforts. He questions the sincerity of Vance's stance, suggesting ulterior motives in his critique.

[09:32] Kristol publicly distances himself from the Catholic critique, humorously stating, "I leave the Catholics to you and you leave the Jews to me," highlighting his focus on defending Jewish communities, given his background.

Gullibility Among Republican Senators

The conversation delves into what Kristol terms "gullible Republicans," exemplified by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Susan Collins. They criticize these senators for their perceived inability to recognize or challenge President Trump's controversial policies and actions.

[14:47] Tim Miller shares a clip of Thom Tillis expressing indignation over hypothetical pardon scenarios for violent protesters, ironically coinciding with Trump's actual pardoning actions shortly thereafter.

[16:43] Kristol lambastes Tillis for his "eight levels of dishonesty" in responding to questions about pardoning January 6th rioters. He also criticizes Senator Susan Collins for supporting the firing of Inspectors General, arguing that such moves undermine governmental oversight and accountability.

Immigration Policies and Executive Orders

[22:09] Tim Miller discusses President Trump's executive orders targeting transgender service members and reinstating service members previously expelled for not complying with vaccine mandates. He labels these actions as "straight bigotry" and critiques the simultaneous removal and reinstatement policies as discriminatory and politically motivated.

[27:24] Kristol agrees vehemently, calling the policies "terrible" and highlighting the inherent discrimination in targeting individuals based on their gender identity. He emphasizes that such actions do not align with principles of fairness or meritocracy within the military.

Trump’s Foreign Policy and Relations with Allies

The podcast moves to an analysis of Trump's foreign policy maneuvers, particularly his strained relationships with traditional allies like Colombia. Kristol criticizes Trump's approach as "gratuity" and driven by vanity, leading to unnecessary trade tensions and potential economic repercussions.

[35:21] Kristol further elaborates on the impact of Trump's policies on international relations, mentioning the Greenland deal from Trump's first term as an example of his disruptive foreign policy tactics.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict and Trump’s Stance

In discussing the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Kristol expresses skepticism about any backdoor deals between Trump and Vladimir Putin. He references Sergei Karaganov's warnings about escalating conflicts, emphasizing the potential for severe consequences if the situation intensifies.

[42:31] Tim Miller and Kristol debate the likelihood of Trump's moderation in foreign policy, with Kristol maintaining that Trump's actions so far indicate a continuation of hardline stances without signs of moderation.

Closing Remarks and Light-Hearted Moments

As the episode draws to a close, Tim Miller laments the focus on culture wars and partisan disputes over substantive policy issues. He briefly touches upon the disappointing nature of current political discourse but offers a positive note by highlighting Timothée Chalamet's performance of Bob Dylan's covers on Saturday Night Live as a source of solace.

The episode concludes with lighter banter about football and personal anecdotes, transitioning into a brief musical interlude performed by Timothée Chalamet, before ending with production credits.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bill Kristol [01:35]: "Musk actually focused would be the success the anti-Nazi party at the very least."

• Tim Miller [06:55]: "They're not naming military Bases in Germany after Nazi generals. Is that not happening over there? We're bringing it back."

• Bill Kristol [09:37]: "I leave the Catholics to you and you leave the Jews to me. We have a good ecumenical division of labor on this."

• Tim Miller [15:37]: "An absurd and unfair hypothetical. Never would Donald Trump pardon somebody that attacked a cop."

• Bill Kristol [16:43]: "Pam Bondi wasn't answering hypotheticals. I was wrong, Senator Tillis, about what President Trump would do."

• Bill Kristol [22:09]: "They are just kicking out people for who they are. Right. You're not, like, denying it's a little more plausibly legitimate, though."

• Tim Miller [35:21]: "Pedro sends back the deportation flight because it was a military plane with people in shackles."

• Bill Kristol [37:34]: "Sometimes promotin' defendin' these violent January 6th criminals. So I can't vote for you."

Conclusion

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, Tim Miller and Bill Kristol engage in a robust discussion critiquing recent political developments, particularly focusing on President Trump's policies and the perceived complicity or gullibility of certain Republican figures. They emphasize the dangers of undermining historical accountability, the erosion of governmental oversight, and the potential ramifications of Trump's foreign and domestic policies. The conversation balances serious political analysis with moments of levity, culminating in a reflection on cultural distractions amidst pressing national issues.

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