Detailed Summary of The Bulwark Podcast: Season 2, Episode 1059 – "Sam Stein: The Divorce"

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Hosts: Tim Miller and Sam Stein
Description: In this episode, Tim Miller and Sam Stein delve into the tumultuous feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, exploring its political ramifications and broader implications for American democracy. Amidst the political discourse, Tim shares a personal update about his ongoing divorce, adding a personal touch to the episode.

1. Personal Update: Tim Miller's Divorce

[00:30] Tim Miller:
Tim begins the episode by sharing a personal and candid update about his messy divorce, setting a somber tone. He remarks, "I finish taping and then the messiest divorce in history happens," highlighting the emotional turmoil he's experiencing.

[00:51] Sam Stein:
Sam empathizes with Tim's situation, acknowledging the impact it has on their podcast dynamics.

2. The Feud Between President Trump and Elon Musk

Overview:
The core of the episode centers around the escalating conflict between former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk. Tim and Sam provide a minute-by-minute breakdown of the feud, analyzing tweets, social media exchanges, and public statements that have intensified tensions between the two figures.

Key Moments in the Feud:

• Initial Sparks:
  [02:08] Tim Miller:
  Tim references a clip by Erin Andrews discussing activity at the White House, segueing into the main feud topic. "But first, there is fresh scrutiny surrounding Joe Biden and a hardworking autopen."

• Elon Musk's Tweets:
  [03:22] Sam Stein:
  Commenting on Musk's criticism of Trump's balanced budget statements, Sam notes, "Harsh."

  [03:26] Tim Miller:
  Tim further elaborates on Musk's tweet questioning the creation of a new political party: "Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?"

• Escalation of Hostilities:
  [04:24] Sam Stein:
  Sam describes the office atmosphere as Elon Musk's comments take a more aggressive tone.

  [06:12] Sam Stein:
  As the tensions escalate, Sam recounts Musk's allegation against Trump related to the NC files investigating Jeffrey Epstein, stating, "This feels like a Jared Moskowitz."

• Twitter Exchanges:
  [07:05] Sam Stein:
  In response to Trump's insults, Sam humorously imitates Trump's derogatory remarks towards Elon.

  [07:19] Tim Miller:
  Tim discusses Musk's retaliatory actions, including the decommissioning of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft: "SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately."

3. Political Implications of the Feud

Impact on the Republican Party:

• J.D. Vance's Position:
  [32:14] Tim Miller:
  Tim discusses Vice President J.D. Vance's role, noting his struggle to balance allegiance to Trump while navigating the growing feud with Musk. "Tim's analysis suggests that Vance must stay with Trump to maintain his political standing."

• Potential Alliances and Divisions:
  [17:46] Sam Stein:
  Sam highlights the challenges J.D. Vance faces as he represents overlapping interests between tech oligarchs and MAGA supporters, stating, "He's right in the middle of the Venn diagram."

• Steve Bannon's Involvement:
  [35:16] Sam Stein:
  The discussion shifts to Steve Bannon's alliance with J.D. Vance, emphasizing Bannon's disdain for Musk and his support for aggressive actions against him.

Legislative Impact:

• Deficit and Medicaid Bill:
  [22:39] Sam Stein:
  Sam introduces the topic of the controversial bill aimed at deficit reduction, which includes cuts to Medicaid and taxes for the wealthy. He posits that Musk's vocal opposition could influence Republican lawmakers hesitant about the bill's implications.

• Public Opinion and Voter Influence:
  [24:20] Sam Stein:
  The hosts speculate on how Musk's actions and statements might sway Republican voters and lawmakers, potentially leading to a divided party stance on the bill.

4. Broader Implications for American Democracy

Societal Concerns:

• Emotional Stability of Leaders:
  [15:33] Sam Stein:
  Sam expresses concern over the emotional instability of powerful leaders like Trump and Musk, stating, "It's incredibly concerning that these two men... are so emotionally unstable."

• Potential for Blackmail and Distracted Governance:
  [15:33] Tim Miller:
  Tim fears that the feud could lead to a situation where both leaders have leverage over each other, distracting them from effective governance.

Economic and Geopolitical Stability:

• Monetary Policy and Federal Reserve Relations:
  [48:59] Tim Miller:
  The discussion touches on Trump's recent criticisms of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, with thoughts on potential economic fallout if Trump undermines Powell's policies.

• Global Hotspots and External Threats:
  [51:34] Sam Stein:
  Sam highlights existing global tensions and economic vulnerabilities, emphasizing the risk of further instability due to domestic political feuds.

5. Final Thoughts and Conclusions

[60:06] Tim Miller:
Tim concludes the episode by urging listeners to find moments of joy amidst the chaos, despite the ongoing political turmoil and personal challenges.

[60:45] Sam Stein:
Sam echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of laughter and maintaining perspective in the face of a "really dark" societal landscape.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tim Miller on the Divorce:
  [00:30] "The messiest divorce in history happens."

• Sam Stein on the Feud's Severity:
  [15:33] "It's incredibly concerning that these two men... are so emotionally unstable."

• Tim Miller on Vance’s Political Tightrope:
  [32:31] "He's earned the trust of the movement."

• Sam Stein on Political Alliances:
  [17:46] "He's right in the middle of the Venn diagram."

• Tim Miller on Economic Consequences:
  [49:54] "I think that the whole... interest rates are gonna be high."

• Sam Stein on Leadership Stability:
  [51:34] "The risk of further instability due to domestic political feuds."

• Tim Miller on Maintaining Joy:
  [60:45] "Enjoy it."

• Sam Stein on Finding Balance:
  [60:45] "It's important to laugh... we laugh at it. And... it's fine."

Conclusion

In this episode, Tim Miller and Sam Stein navigate through a complex web of political drama, personal strife, and societal concerns. The centerpiece is the escalating feud between President Trump and Elon Musk, a conflict with far-reaching implications for American politics and global stability. Amidst their incisive political analysis, Tim's personal disclosure about his divorce adds depth to the conversation, illustrating the balancing act between public discourse and private challenges. The episode serves as a comprehensive examination of the current political landscape, highlighting the vulnerabilities and potential shifts within the Republican Party and the broader implications for the nation's governance and societal well-being.