The Bulwark Podcast

Episode: Will Sommer: Conspiracy Theorists Are Behind the Wheel in the Republican Party

Airdate: December 16, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Will Sommer (False Flag newsletter, The Bulwark)

Episode Overview

This episode features Tim Miller in conversation with Will Sommer, reporter and author of The False Flag newsletter, to dissect the explosive influence of conspiracy theories and influencers on the Republican Party. They deep-dive into the drama swirling around key figures such as Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, J.D. Vance, and others, highlighting how MAGA infighting, right-wing influencer feuds, and antisemitic currents are shaping contemporary GOP politics. With analysis, humor, and behind-the-scenes insights, the episode pulls back the curtain on how fringe ideas have muscled their way to the center of right-wing power structures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Will Sommer’s Beat: Reporting on the MAGA Swamps

• [02:08–04:15] Tim and Will discuss Will’s unique journalistic approach to tracking the wildest aspects of right-wing influencer culture, from healing TV “therapy” to text messages from Mike Lindell.
  • Quote: “There are so many absolute lunatics in this field and they love betraying each other and talking to reporters. So it’s a lot of fun.” – Will Sommer [04:05]
• Will explains he maintains a sense of joy and detachment, finding the wildness more entertaining than enraging, secure in the knowledge that “karma does catch up to them.”

The Evolution and Power of Right-Wing Influencers

• [05:47–06:59] Will reflects on the growth of MAGA and right-wing social media influence since 2015, emphasizing how figures previously considered fringe (like Laura Loomer) now wield real power and shape the party’s direction.
  • Quote: "If you had said to me a decade ago … Laura Loomer … will be getting people fired from the presidential administration ... I would have said no, that lady, she's nuts. And she still is, but now she has all this influence ..." – Will Sommer [06:12]

The Horseshoe Theory & Far-Right/Far-Left Convergence

• [07:27–09:07] Discussion on how far-right and far-left actors sometimes align, particularly regarding Israel and U.S. Middle East policy, and how MAGA “America First” influencers are disappointed that Trump’s policies haven’t shifted from “the same old” establishment positions.

The Susie Wiles Interview Fallout

• [09:47–14:54] Tim and Will analyze the bombshell Vanity Fair interviews with Trump campaign chief Susie Wiles, who aired grievances about Trump-world power players and conspiracy factions now influencing the administration.
  • Quote: “She basically acknowledges there’s this new part of the coalition, the kind of conspiracy theorists ... And it’s like they care a lot about Epstein in Gaza. And like, we gotta figure out how to message to them.” – Tim Miller [13:25]
• Will and Tim highlight how the handling of Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison transfer stokes further conspiracy chatter, reflecting distrust within the MAGA base.

Main Event: Candace Owens v. Turning Point USA

The Real Housewives of MAGA Feud

• [17:38–26:08] Breakdown of the conspiracy-laden feud between Candace Owens and Turning Point USA/Erica Kirk following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Candace’s insinuations have shifted grassroots blame toward Turning Point, creating significant reputational risks for the organization.
  • Quote: “She said one ground rule, no assassinations, which I’m sure they were happy to agree with ...” – Will Sommer [18:14]
  • Candace’s theories blame foreign influence, trapdoors, and even the French Foreign Legion, blending antisemitism, anti-Israel sentiment, and reality-TV melodrama.
  • Tim and Will agree that Israel is the major wedge issue dividing these camps; Candace represents the new antisemitic, conspiratorial “America First” wing, while others cluster around more traditional Judeo-Christian, pro-Israel positions.

Candace Owens’ Influence

• [24:37–26:08] Will asserts that despite being dismissed by “normie” Republicans, Candace holds massive sway among younger, less-news-article-consuming, more digitally-native right-wingers:
  • Quote: "She’s very influential … regular people know who Candace Owens is ... she’s huge on TikTok among other things." – Will Sommer [25:31]

Turning Point’s AmericaFest: Snapshot of Republican Power

• [28:38–42:07] Tim reads out the stacked right-wing influencer/insurgent-dominated speaker lineup from TPUSA’s AmericaFest, noting the absence of traditional Republicans and the dominance of populist-nationalist voices like Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, JD Vance, and Don Jr.
  • Quote: “Who’s not on this list? ... Mike Johnson, John Thune, Nikki Haley ... Those types of people.” – Tim Miller [40:58]

J.D. Vance and the Party’s New Zeitgeist

• [31:10–37:25] JD Vance is depicted as the key establishment figure attempting to straddle alarmingly conspiratorial, nationalist factions while staying in MAGA good graces. Twitter/X engagement with white nationalist influencer Sarah Stock shows how deep into the “MAGA nationalist” fever swamps even the Vice President is willing to wade.
  • Quote: “The faction that JD seems the most concerned about shoring up is the most conspiratorial, like MAGA nationalist element of the party.” – Tim Miller [35:04]

Techno-Authoritarian Cracks

• [44:33–47:47] Will predicts a potential future fault line: the backlash against JD Vance’s ties to tech oligarchs (Peter Thiel, Sacks, Andreesen) from both populist-nationalists and anti-big tech factions within MAGA.
  • Quote: “There’s a growing anger over AI data centers … H1B visas … the anti-Indian hatred … these tech companies are really just importing all these workers.” – Will Sommer [46:21]

The Political and Media Landscape Shift

Collapse of Old-School GOP Values

• [48:23–49:03] There is near-zero grassroots appetite for traditional GOP “three-legged-stool” ideas (tax cuts, family values, strong military). The energy is with trolls, drama, conspiracy theorists, and “crunchy” anti-tech contrarians.
  • Quote: “So much … is so divorced from policy … besides maybe some big ones like immigration restriction. … That’s why someone like Candace Owens has been able to be so successful, because she’s so entertaining.” – Will Sommer [48:23]

Peak Conspiracy Theory Absurdity

• [49:19–50:04] Will’s “favorite” Candace conspiracy theory: her claim she’s being hunted by multinational assassins but attends events like Tucker’s nicotine pouch party.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Will on karma in the fever swamps:
  “Often there is sort of a recompense waiting.” [05:26]
• On Turning Point’s new power brokers:
  “Now she [Laura Loomer] has all this influence … it’s sort of the same old, at least in terms of foreign policy.” – Will Sommer [06:59]
• On Candace Owens’ skill set:
  “She’s super skilled at continuing to get attention from people outside the traditional political news ... That’s how Donald Trump got power.” – Tim Miller [25:31]
• On Candace’s psychodrama vibe:
  “There does feel like a very reality TV-ification of this, like getting caught up in the drama ...” – Tim Miller [25:31]
• On the new split in the right:
  “It’s about Israel … Candace Owens … is extremely antisemitic.” – Will Sommer [22:25]
• On JD Vance and the MAGA swarm:
  “He has to court this group … he potentially could lose control of ...” – Will Sommer [36:37]
• On AmericaFest as a moment of truth:
  “Amfest is where the energy is … it was a huge deal even before Charlie Kirk’s assassination whether Tucker would be invited to speak because he’s become increasingly anti-Israel.” – Will Sommer [40:58]
• On the coming fight over Techno-MAGA:
  “The tech oligarchs have been so successful at aligning themselves with the Trump administration that … it’s become a problem for JD Vance.” – Will Sommer [47:47]

Deeper in the Fever Swamps: Media & Characters

“TEMU Oprah” and the Katie Miller Podcast

• [53:02–58:49] Dissection of the surreal and slightly nepotistic world of Katie Miller (Stephen Miller’s wife) and her little-watched, yet big-guest podcast.
  • Quote: “Must be nice to have the in-house North Korean podcast at the White House...” – Tim Miller [59:22]

Sketchy Newcomers: James Fishback in Florida

• [59:45–62:58] Will unpacks a Florida governor candidate running on anti-woke, anti-immigrant, and alleged Fuentes-style white nationalist talking points, with possible support from DeSantis-world operatives.

For the Real Heads: Gary the Numbers Guy

• [63:40–65:28] Will spotlights “Gary the numbers guy,” a fringe right-wing numerologist whose advice is prized in the manosphere influencer scene.

Important Timestamps

• Will Sommer background & origin of stories: [02:08–04:15]
• Current state of right-wing influencer influence: [05:47–06:59]
• Laura Loomer’s rising power: [06:12]
• Horseshoe theory and Candace Owens: [07:27–09:07]
• Susie Wiles, Epstein, and conspiracy theory power base: [09:47–14:54]
• Candace Owens/Turning Point USA feud explained: [17:38–26:08]
• Candace Owens’ audience and power: [24:37–26:08]
• AmericaFest speaker lineup and GOP future: [28:38–42:07]
• JD Vance straddling the conspiracy/establishment line: [31:10–37:25]
• Tech-authoritarian tension inside MAGA: [44:33–47:47]
• Collapse of traditional Republican values: [48:23]
• Candace’s top conspiracy moments: [49:19]
• Katie Miller podcast & right-wing media cannibalization: [53:02–59:22]
• James Fishback’s Florida campaign: [59:45–62:58]
• Obscure influencer: Gary the Numbers Guy: [63:40–65:28]

Final Words

This episode is a whirlwind tour through the influencer-driven, conspiratorial, and personality-obsessed world of the current right-wing ecosystem. Will Sommer’s reporting demonstrates how the Republican Party’s “drivers” are no longer operatives or officeholders, but a roiling mix of conspiracy theorists, grifters, and drama influencers—many of whose antics, obsessions, and feuds shape the actual policy and direction of the party.

For listeners new to the podcast, this episode provides a vivid, sometimes darkly comic roadmap to understanding the new reality of conservative power—and a glimpse into the circus beneath the surface of right-wing politics.

For more like this, check out Will Sommer’s ‘False Flag’ newsletter and subscribe for continued coverage of the right’s surreal soap opera.