The Bulwark Podcast – Michael Steele: A Petty, Punk-Ass President

Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Michael Steele

Overview

In this spirited episode, Tim Miller is joined by Michael Steele—former RNC Chair and Lt. Governor of Maryland—for a wide-ranging, candid discussion on the chaotic state of American politics under Donald Trump’s current administration. They dissect the latest authoritarian maneuvers: the shocking arrest of journalist Don Lemon, government overreach in Minnesota, election interference in Georgia, Republican grift, and a political culture that has left core governing responsibilities by the wayside. Steele brings his signature outspoken commentary, frequently oscillating between outrage and gallows humor. The episode is a cathartic rant for listeners exasperated by the past week's unsettling headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A New Low for Press Freedom: Don Lemon's Arrest

Timestamps: 04:51–16:44

• Incident summary: Don Lemon, now an independent journalist on YouTube, was arrested while covering a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prosecutors and even local judges objected, but Attorney General Pam Bondi admitted the indictment was brought “at my direction.”
• Tim Miller: Expresses outrage that Lemon is being prosecuted for “the crime of journalism.” He draws parallels to right-wing claims that the Biden administration was stifling free speech, pointing out the hypocrisy given Trump’s direct weaponization of DOJ against a journalist.
  • “Here we have today, like, legal punishment. The Department of Justice, directed by Donald Trump, the President and the Attorney General have arrested somebody for exercising his First Amendment right as a journalist…” (11:38)
• Michael Steele: Argues this is an explicit attempt by Trump’s administration to “instill fear in the American press corps,” calling Bondi “the worst kind of hack” who “services Donald Trump. And you can take that however you want.” (07:20)
  • Notable quote: “Making an example of Don Lemon is what this game is. Instilling fear in the American press corps is what this is…” (07:20)
  • Warns that “they coming for you next”—a chilling message to Americans complacent about press rights.
• Both highlight the larger danger: once the First Amendment is assaulted, no one is safe from authoritarian abuse.

2. Federal Overreach & State Rights: The Minnesota Case

Timestamps: 17:08–23:54

• Tim revisits the federal killing of Alex Preddy in Minneapolis. Local officials, including the governor and mayor, reportedly still do not know which federal agents are responsible, as the feds have withheld crucial information.
  • “It is crazy that the feds can go into a state, they can kill a citizen of Minneapolis, and then they can hide from the local officials, like who perpetrated it.” (19:33)
• Michael Steele: Skewers the Republican silence, noting that state sovereignty is being obliterated by a Republican president—contradicting decades of GOP rhetoric.
  • “All the things that they said was happening then, that never happened, is happening now under a Republican president. And you’re silent…” (20:45)
  • Calls for transparency: “I want the names, I want the faces. The American people are owed that.” (22:19)

3. Cruelty & Corruption: The President’s Response to Violence

Timestamps: 23:54–26:22

• Trump publicly disparages Alex Preddy posthumously with a callous social post: “Agitator and possibly insurrectionist Alex Preddy's stock has gone way down.” (23:54)
  • Tim Miller: “How fucking deranged do you have to be to post that about a guy that got murdered? His stock is down. He’s dead. Your goons killed him.”
• Michael Steele:
  • “With no insult intended to 10 year olds… That is the most childish thinking in the world.” (24:38)
  • Predicts this is an escalation toward invoking the Insurrection Act and “the suspension of the 2026 elections.” (25:37)

4. Election Interference & Weaponizing the Intelligence Community

Timestamps: 26:22–29:56

• Focus shifts to Georgia: Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, is personally overseeing the seizure of ballots at a state election center—having previously disbanded the group responsible for defending against foreign election interference.
  • Steele: “She's cosplaying. She’s a tool. She’s doing exactly what Donald Trump wants her to do.” (27:10)
  • Voices suspicion over the legality of the search warrants, hinting at a coverup.

5. Republican Grift: Bribes & Billion Dollar Lawsuits

Timestamps: 30:57–37:22

• Lindsey Graham is blocking government funding bills, demanding cash payouts for senators whose phones were examined during January 6th investigations.
  • Miller: “Graham now is saying he will shut down the government unless he can get a cash payout. That’s Lindsey Graham's stated position during the negotiations as we tape this right now.” (31:39)
  • Steele: “This very petty, insignificant little man who is the imp at Donald Trump’s heels…” (33:04)
• Donald Trump is suing the IRS for $10 billion over leaked tax records, potentially aiming for a government-negotiated payout to himself and his family.
  • Both hosts mock the grift and question how anyone tolerates such blatant self-dealing.

6. Fiscal Recklessness and Failed Governance

Timestamps: 35:58–38:59

• National Guard deployments to American cities have cost half a billion with no discernible benefit—Miller points out it's “other people's money” at work.
  • Steele: “He had no regards for his own money. Who loses money running a casino? Donald Trump.” (38:52)

7. The “Adult in the Room” Myth & Cronyism in Key Appointments

Timestamps: 38:59–42:33

• Discussion of the new Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, whose father-in-law has close, murky ties to Trump and various international scandals.
  • Steele dismisses any expectation of independence: “He’s in the job because he’s already agreed to do what Trump wants him to do. He’s not an independent actor.” (41:15)

8. Republican Accountability & What Comes Next

Timestamps: 42:33–46:43

• Both detail how current and former Republicans try to distance themselves from Trump’s excesses—but can’t escape their complicity.
  • Steele: “Every Republican in office right now is accountable for every piece of shit that’s happened since January of this year. Every last one of you. It happened in your name, it happened on your watch.” (41:39 and 44:29)

9. Neglecting Governance: Real People, Real Consequences

Timestamps: 46:43–49:16

• Tim and Michael highlight that while the administration focuses on stunts and retribution, actual crises (like extreme weather and failing infrastructure) go unaddressed.
  • Steele: “FEMA isn't FEMA-ing… Donald Trump has distracted the government in such a way that it is doing everything but what it’s supposed to do.” (48:26)

10. Looking to the Future: Wes Moore and Democratic Leadership

Timestamps: 50:06–53:13

• Miller asks for Steele’s thoughts on Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore as a 2028 presidential contender. Steele likes him but is realistic about the obstacles: “I don’t see a whole lot of love for people… We had a black woman, they said no, the black man who made it, they said he was from Africa and a Muslim, and a lot of people bought that shit.” (51:25)
• Light-hearted banter ensues about candidates’ physical appearance and the country’s priorities.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Michael Steele, on Trump’s White House:
  “You got a punk, punk ass, punk, petty president.” (49:16)
• Steele, on Don Lemon’s arrest:
  “Making an example of Don Lemon is what this game is. Instilling fear in the American press corps is what this is…” (07:20)
• Miller, on Republican “free speech warriors”:
  “Are any of them going to stand up for Don Lemon today? I’m not holding my breath... They arrested him for his speech. This is state tyranny.” (11:10–12:10)
• Steele, to conservative billionaires:
  “Don’t come in and act all of a sudden like, ‘oh, geez, I watched Joe Biden weaponize the Department of Justice, and it just made me realize… bitch, please.’” (15:17)
• Miller, summary of Republican grift:
  “Graham’s just trying to shut down the government to get a few milli for himself. Trump wants 10, Billy.” (32:57)
• Steele, total accountability:
  “Every Republican in office right now is accountable for every piece of shit that’s happened since January of this year.” (41:39)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Don Lemon’s arrest, context & implications: 04:51–16:44
• Minnesota, federal overreach, and Preddy killing: 17:08–23:54
• Trump's callousness about Preddy’s death: 23:54–26:22
• Tulsi Gabbard’s election interference in Georgia: 26:22–29:56
• Lindsey Graham & GOP grifting: 30:57–37:39
• Kevin Warsh’s appointment & Fed independence: 38:59–42:33
• Republican complicity and what comes next: 42:33–46:43
• FEMA & real-world neglect: 46:43–49:16
• Wes Moore, identity politics, and 2028: 50:06–53:13

Tone & Style

The episode brims with gallows humor, exasperation, and urgency. Steele’s language is colorful and direct— dropping barbs and profanity with abandon—while Miller blends outrage with incredulity and sarcasm. Both treat the audience as politically engaged and aware, forgoing both-side-ism for a call to accountability and defense of liberal democratic norms.

In sum:
This episode is a full-throated, pointed critique of the authoritarian turn Trumpism has taken: criminalizing journalism, subverting the rule of law, grifting on taxpayer money, and neglecting basic governance—all while eroding the foundation of American democracy. Miller and Steele leave listeners with a powerful blend of outrage and dark wit—reminding all that vigilance and action are more necessary than ever.