The Bulwark Podcast: S2 Ep1012 – "Sam Stein: Elon Is Toxic"

Release Date: April 2, 2025

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller engages in a spirited conversation with Sam Stein, managing editor of The Bulwark. The duo delves into the intricacies of recent political events, focusing primarily on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Elon Musk's controversial involvement in politics, and the broader implications for American democracy. The discussion is rich with analysis, notable quotes, and insightful perspectives that provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape.

1. Wisconsin Supreme Court Race and Elon Musk’s Influence

Key Discussion Points:

• Elon Musk’s Investment: Musk invested approximately $20 million in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, aiming to influence the outcome and, by extension, the control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Impact on Western Civilization: Musk posits that the Supreme Court race is pivotal in steering the course of Western civilization by determining which party controls the House.
• Backlash Against Musk: Both hosts concur that Musk's involvement backfired, depicting him as a toxic influence due to his high-profile intervention and the subsequent negative reactions it elicited.

Notable Quotes:

• Elon Musk (00:59): "They think it's... not that important. But actually... I think it will [affect the destiny of humanity]."
• Sam Stein (04:18): "If anything, he's toxic."
• Tim Miller (04:34): "I think Elon was a net negative on this."

Insights:

• Election Integrity Concerns: Musk’s substantial financial contribution raised alarms about the potential for wealthy individuals to influence judicial races, leading to fears about the broader implications for electoral integrity.
• Coalition Shifts: The hosts observe that traditional coalition dynamics have shifted, with Democrats now performing better in midterms and special elections, reversing historical trends.

2. Florida Special Elections and Democratic Coalitions

Key Discussion Points:

• Democratic Performances: Democrats saw mixed results in Florida's special elections, with some candidates like Gay Valemont losing by significant margins, while others showed promising signs.
• Voter ID Laws: Recent voter ID legislation in Wisconsin, despite expectations, seemingly benefits Democrats by aligning with their more educated and engaged voter base.
• Engaged Voter Turnout: High levels of political engagement among Democrats contribute to their success in these elections, suggesting a robust foundation for future contests.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Miller (08:02): "In local elections, up through congressional elections, I don't know."
• Sam Stein (07:22): "Democrat coalition is way more heavily tilted now... on educated and engaged voters who are much more likely to have ID."

Insights:

• Structural Advantages: The current voter ID laws, while traditionally seen as Republican-favored, now inadvertently favor Democrats due to demographic shifts in voter education and engagement.
• Strategic Implications for Democrats: The hosts suggest that Democrats should capitalize on their strengthened coalitions by contesting even heavily Republican districts to build a competitive bench for future races.

3. Cory Booker’s Filibuster and Legislative Challenges

Key Discussion Points:

• Record-Long Filibuster: Cory Booker set a record for the longest filibuster, highlighting his commitment to key legislative issues despite the personal toll.
• Emotional Appeal: Booker's speeches aim to channel public frustration and despair into constructive action, addressing issues like health care, Social Security, and VA benefits.
• Effectiveness of Filibusters: While the filibuster did not halt legislative progress, it served as a symbolic gesture to inspire and mobilize Democratic voters.

Notable Quotes:

• Cory Booker (16:53): "This is an American moral moment... we can fight this."
• Tim Miller (21:18): "He was at least being responsive to that demand."

Insights:

• Symbolic Leadership: Booker's actions underscore the importance of visible leadership in times of political turmoil, even if immediate legislative outcomes are limited.
• Public Sentiment Alignment: The filibuster resonated with individuals feeling marginalized or disheartened by current political developments, reinforcing the Democratic message.

4. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cuts Under RFK Jr.

Key Discussion Points:

• Massive Job Cuts: RFK Jr. orchestrated a significant reduction of approximately 10,000 positions within the HHS, impacting agencies like the FDA, NIH, and CDC.
• Consequences of Cuts: Experts warn that these cuts will severely hamper patient care, infectious disease management, and biomedical research, leading to increased public suffering and mortality.
• Distrust in Science: RFK Jr.'s administration exhibits distrust towards scientific agencies, exacerbating public health challenges and impeding effective responses to health crises.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Stein (28:52): "Today was a big. Probably about as devastating a day for our healthcare bureaucracies as anyone can remember."
• Wendy Armstrong Marie (28:56): "It's astounding. It will affect patients... and people will die."

Insights:

• Long-Term Impact: The reduction in HHS staffing undermines critical health infrastructure, potentially setting back decades of research and public health advancements.
• Political Motivations: The cuts may reflect RFK Jr.'s broader agenda to reconfigure how health is managed in the U.S., possibly aligning with his skeptical stance on established health bureaucracies.

5. Internal Battles and Legislative Stagnation in the House of Representatives

Key Discussion Points:

• Proxy Voting Controversy: Anna Paulina Luna successfully pushed against Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on proxy voting for new mothers, leading to Johnson stepping down.
• Legislative Inaction: The House has shown minimal progress on key legislative fronts, including passing a reconciliation bill to extend Trump's tax cuts and other cuts initiated by Doge.
• Constitutional Rhetoric vs. Executive Overreach: Johnson's preoccupation with constitutional principles appears hypocritical given the perceived ceding of legislative power to the executive branch.

Notable Quotes:

• Mr. Johnson (Glenn Ivey, [45:55]): "I've done this before. You have not."
• Sam Stein (44:14): "They've handed everything over to Trump."

Insights:

• Factional Struggles: The episode highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party, with internal conflicts hindering cohesive legislative action.
• Executive Dominance: There is a concerning trend of the executive branch overshadowing legislative responsibilities, potentially eroding democratic checks and balances.

6. Newsmax Stock Surge and Media Correlations

Key Discussion Points:

• Stock Market Anomalies: Newsmax’s stock experienced a significant surge contrary to broader market trends, raising suspicions of manipulation.
• Potential Manipulation Theories: The hosts discuss possibilities ranging from meme stock activities driven by online communities to potential backroom deals benefiting insiders like Chris Ruddy.
• Impact on Media Landscape: The unexpected increase in Newsmax’s stock value reflects broader challenges within conservative media, including declining viewership and financial stability.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Stein (38:37): "It's a comms problem. It's like this is... If it fails, it's Trump."
• Tim Miller (39:05): "It's a declining industry. It's cable news."

Insights:

• Market Manipulation Concerns: The unusual stock performance of Newsmax underscores vulnerabilities within the media sector to potential financial manipulation, impacting media independence and credibility.
• Broader Implications: If media companies are susceptible to such financial anomalies, it could have far-reaching effects on information dissemination and political discourse.

7. Shout-Out and Positive Note

Key Discussion Points:

• Acknowledgment of Success: The episode concludes on an optimistic note with Susan Crawford celebrating her victory over Elon Musk in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, symbolizing a win for democratic values.
• Personal Joys and Community Engagement: Tim Miller shares personal joys, such as his child’s health and upcoming events like Coachella, emphasizing the importance of maintaining positivity amid political turmoil.

Notable Quotes:

• Susan Crawford (51:23): "I never could have imagined that I'd be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won."
• Tim Miller (52:02): "Western civilization is saved thanks to Susan Crawford."

Insights:

• Celebrating Democratic Wins: Highlighting Crawford's success serves as a morale booster, demonstrating that sustained democratic efforts can yield tangible victories against influential opponents.
• Personal Resilience: Sharing personal moments underscores the human aspect of political discourse, reminding listeners of the broader impacts of political events on individual lives.

Conclusion

In this episode, Tim Miller and Sam Stein provide a comprehensive analysis of recent political events, emphasizing the significant influence of prominent figures like Elon Musk in judicial races and the adverse effects of policy decisions under RFK Jr.'s leadership of the HHS. They explore the shifting dynamics within Democratic coalitions, the internal conflicts plaguing the House of Representatives, and unsettling anomalies within the media sector. Despite the gravity of these discussions, the episode concludes with a celebration of democratic victories and personal reflections, offering a balanced perspective on the state of American politics.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the topics discussed, reflecting on the implications for future elections, policy-making, and the preservation of democratic institutions.