The Bulwark Podcast: Jim Acosta – Trump Can't Take the Heat
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Guests: Jim Acosta, Amanda Litman

Introduction

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller engages in a compelling conversation with Jim Acosta, the former CNN chief White House correspondent turned independent journalist, and Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something. The discussion delves into the ramifications of Donald Trump's recent political maneuvers, the state of the Republican Party, challenges facing the media, and strategies for the Democratic Party to regain momentum.

Segment 1: Assessing Trump's Recent Address

[00:07] Tim Miller:
Tim opens the discussion by addressing his audience's curiosity about effective actions to counter Trump's threats to the Democratic republic. He introduces Jim Acosta and segues into a critique of Trump's recent presidential address, admitting, "I fell asleep before I even made it to the Ukraine section" (00:35).

[01:09] Jim Acosta:
Jim concurs with Tim's sentiment, labeling the speech as "a bullshit of palooza" and lamenting the degradation of presidential traditions under Trump. He remarks, "This is what we expect from Trump now... It's complete bedlam at this point" (02:17).

Key Points:

• Lack of Substance: Trump's address was criticized for being excessively long and lacking focus on critical issues like the economy.
• Distracting Content: Emphasis was placed more on divisive topics such as trans youth sports rather than pressing economic concerns.
• Incompetence of the Trump Administration: Jim highlights the administration's inefficiency, particularly referencing the mismanagement of the Doge project and misleading information dissemination.

Notable Quote:
"He's just never going to be the president for all of us, and that's just a damn shame" (07:02) – Jim Acosta

Segment 2: The Republican Party and Media Manipulation

[03:44] Tim Miller:
Tim brings up Trump's mention of Elon Musk and the Doge project, discussing the potential legal vulnerabilities due to misleading organizational claims.

[04:44] Jim Acosta:
Jim emphasizes the inherent incompetence within the Trump team, suggesting their strategies ultimately backfire. He states, "The bullshit flows down from him. It starts at the top" (04:44).

Key Points:

• Republican Party's Direction: The applause for projects like Doge and the focus on trivial matters signal a departure from serious governance.
• Media Manipulation: Trump's administration is portrayed as attempting to undermine credible news outlets while prioritizing networks sympathetic to their agenda.
• Supreme Court Decisions: The discussion touches on a narrow 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding USAID payments, highlighting the judiciary's partisan split and its implications for future administrations.

Notable Quote:
"Donald Trump takes us off to fairyland. It was like a Cash Patel bedtime story" (07:02) – Jim Acosta

Segment 3: Media Challenges and Press Pool Restrictions

[23:19] Jim Acosta:
Jim discusses the recent changes to the White House press pool, where traditionally neutral organizations like the AP have been excluded, favoring more partisan outlets. He explains, "White House Correspondents association deciding who's in the press pool... It's absolutely ridiculous" (25:25).

[25:27] Tim Miller:
Tim critiques the decision to replace AP with outlets like Axios or Newsmax for favorable coverage.

Key Points:

• Neutrality Undermined: The press pool's exclusionary practices threaten the impartiality of media coverage.
• Slippery Slope Concerns: Allowing the White House to dictate media access sets a dangerous precedent, potentially leading other officials to follow suit.
• Impact on Free Press: These actions erode the foundational principle of a free and independent press, essential for a functioning democracy.

Notable Quote:
"Donald Trump is trying to become a dictator in this country... He's his own worst enemy" (14:44) – Jim Acosta

Segment 4: Personal Anecdotes and Trump’s Departure

[17:18] Jim Acosta:
Jim shares his firsthand experience during Trump's departure from the White House, describing the surreal and troubling moments where Trump appeared unwilling to relinquish power gracefully. He recalls, "I'm with him on January 20, 2021... Don and Eric were crying. It was just a whole scene" (18:24).

[19:47] Tim Miller:
Tim reflects on the lack of presidential composure, noting Trump's unmasculine display of emotion, "It's not very masculine, the tears over losing an election. It's like the child" (19:58).

Key Points:

• Dictatorial Tendencies: Trump's inability to handle defeat without spectacle raises concerns about his potential future ambitions.
• Media’s Role: Acosta underscores the critical role of the press in holding Trump accountable and the challenges posed by his antagonistic approach.
• Psychological Impact: The emotional instability exhibited by Trump during transitions highlights deeper issues within his leadership style.

Notable Quote:
"We got so lucky that he just actually left" (18:06) – Jim Acosta

Segment 5: Supreme Court and Foreign Policy Implications

[14:44] Tim Miller:
Tim discusses a Supreme Court decision urging USAID and the State Department to back pay contractors, analyzing its narrow 5-4 outcome and its symbolic representation of the judiciary's polarization.

[29:08] Jim Acosta:
Jim connects this ruling to Trump's broader authoritarian tendencies, warning about the potential undermining of democratic institutions. He states, "Donald Trump is just always partial to Vladimir Putin at every turn" (29:08).

Key Points:

• Judicial Partisanship: The Supreme Court's split decision reflects deep-seated political divides affecting critical governance issues.
• Foreign Policy Concerns: Trump's wavering support for Ukraine and Russia endangers international alliances and geopolitical stability.
• Intelligence Sharing Suspension: The pause in intelligence support for Ukraine poses immediate risks to ongoing conflicts and democratic support systems.

Notable Quote:
"It's a slippery slope... Do we have a free press anymore?" (27:36) – Jim Acosta

Segment 6: Media Treatment Comparisons

[31:46] Tim Miller:
Tim contrasts Acosta's past interactions with President Obama to his current challenges with Trump, highlighting the asymmetrical treatment within the media landscape.

[33:07] Jim Acosta:
Jim reflects on his aggressive questioning style during Obama's administration, which was more acceptable, and laments the current environment where such tactics are met with hostility.

Key Points:

• Evolving Media Standards: The transition from Obama to Trump has altered expectations and acceptance of hard-hitting journalism.
• Reporter Integrity: Acosta defends the necessity of tough questions, emphasizing their role in democratic accountability.
• Cultural Shifts: The current polarized climate discourages the kind of fearless reporting that was once revered, weakening the press's watchdog function.

Notable Quote:
"We're not on Earth One anymore" (28:10) – Jim Acosta

Segment 7: Transition to Amanda Litman and Democratic Strategies

[38:48] Tim Miller:
After Jim Acosta's departure, Tim introduces Amanda Litman to discuss the Democratic Party's strategies in response to Trump's actions and upcoming elections.

[40:32] Amanda Litman:
Amanda critiques the Democratic responses to Trump's speech, noting their lack of organization and spectacle. She advocates for more significant and coordinated efforts to counteract Trump's influence.

Key Points:

• Need for Organizational Unity: Effective Democratic responses require better planning and impactful actions to surpass Trump's theatrics.
• Empowering Grassroots: Amanda emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements and fielding candidates in unexpected districts to create wave elections.
• Run for Something’s Role: The organization focuses on recruiting and supporting diverse candidates to run for various public offices, expanding Democratic influence across all levels of government.

Notable Quote:
"We have to be ready to output it... gives people an alternative will allow someone else to show up and actually take power" (49:46) – Amanda Litman

Segment 8: Encouraging Democratic Participation

[50:56] Tim Miller:
Tim discusses the surge in interest for running for office, noting a significant increase in visits to RunForSomething.net and highlighting strategic moves to contest entrenched incumbents.

[54:16] Amanda Litman:
Amanda outlines the vast number of elected positions available beyond Congress, encouraging participation in local and state offices to build a robust Democratic presence.

Key Points:

• Expanding Opportunities: With over half a million elected positions nationwide, there is ample opportunity for Democrats to make inroads at all government levels.
• Grassroots Recruitment: Amanda stresses the importance of identifying local issues and recruiting candidates who can passionately address them.
• Building Momentum for 2026: By laying the groundwork now, the Democratic Party can capitalize on potential wave elections and regain lost ground.

Notable Quote:
"Pro democracy, pro education, pro working families... that's the approach we can get behind" (52:03) – Amanda Litman

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Tim and Amanda emphasizing the urgency for Democrats to mobilize and prepare for upcoming elections. They advocate for grassroots engagement, strategic candidate recruitment, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles to counteract the destabilizing actions of Donald Trump and restore the integrity of American governance.

Final Thoughts:

• Collective Action: Both guests highlight the necessity of unified efforts within the Democratic Party to effectively challenge Trump's influence.
• Empowerment Through Participation: Encouraging listeners to run for office and engage in the political process is seen as pivotal for democratic resilience.
• Hope for the Future: Despite the current challenges, there is optimism that persistent and organized Democratic actions can lead to meaningful change.

Closing Quote:
"There are enough of us who care about this, care about the truth, care about holding elected leaders accountable. I generally think we're going to be okay in the long run" (38:42) – Jim Acosta

Notable Excerpts with Timestamps

• On Trump's Speech Impact:
  "I’m just gonna be honest. I fell asleep." – Tim Miller ([00:35])

• On Republican Incompetence:
  "The bullshit flows down from him. It starts at the top." – Jim Acosta ([04:44])

• On Press Pool Manipulation:
  "They have gone even further... They'll screw with the AP, we'll screw with this little guy over here." – Jim Acosta ([25:25])

• On Democratic Strategy:
  "We need to be ready to output it... gives people an alternative will allow someone else to show up and actually take power." – Amanda Litman ([49:46])

• On the Need for Tough Journalism:
  "We need reporters who are willing to ask these kinds of hard questions." – Jim Acosta ([35:31])

Final Remarks

The Bulwark Podcast delivers a thought-provoking episode that dissects the fraught political landscape shaped by Donald Trump's actions. Through insightful dialogue with Jim Acosta and Amanda Litman, the podcast underscores the critical role of disciplined media, strategic political engagement, and grassroots activism in safeguarding and revitalizing democratic institutions.

For more in-depth analysis and strategies to engage in the political process, listen to the full episode of The Bulwark Podcast and explore additional resources on RunForSomething.net.

This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened.