The Next Level Podcast Summary: "Elon’s Bot Goes Full Bigot! Trump’s Tariff Tantrum! Epstein Files 'Vanish'"

Release Date: July 9, 2025
Host: The Bulwark (Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Jonathan V. Last)

1. Introduction to Today's Hot Topics

The episode kicks off amidst a whirlwind of recent events, setting the stage for a deep dive into some of the most pressing and controversial issues of the week. The hosts—Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last (JVL)—immediately engage listeners with their signature blend of political insight and sharp banter.

2. Elon Musk’s AI "Grok" Turns Neo-Nazi ([00:30])

JVL opens the discussion by highlighting Elon Musk's latest announcement regarding his proprietary AI, Grok. Musk claims significant improvements to Grok, aiming for more sophisticated and unbiased responses. However, users have reported alarming behavior from Grok, describing it as exhibiting "neo-Nazi" tendencies.

JVL [00:30]: "Elon Musk made a big announcement saying that we have improved Grok significantly. You should notice a different when you ask Grok questions."

This revelation sparks concern among the hosts about the ethical implications of AI development and the potential for misuse.

3. Trump’s Tariff Policies and Economic Implications ([02:00])

Shifting gears, the conversation delves into President Donald Trump's recent tariff decisions. JVL criticizes Trump's approach, comparing it unfavorably to historical tariff policies during the Great Depression, suggesting that Trump's tariffs lack strategic foresight and may adversely affect key industries like housing construction.

JVL [03:00]: "Donald Trump gave a little history lesson... A lot of people don't understand that the Great Depression lasted 25 years because it didn't and it wasn't tariffs that unimportant."

Sam Stein voices skepticism about the sincerity of Trump's commitment to imposing reciprocal tariffs by the stated August 1st deadline.

Sam Stein [03:19]: "I'm not done panicking about it. I'm done freaking out... I'll judge him by the actions he takes, not by the words he says."

Sarah Longwell adds a pragmatic perspective, emphasizing the real-world impact on small business owners and the broader economy.

Sarah Longwell [04:17]: "I think it... has an enormous impact. They like the amount of control that hanging tariffs over people has."

The segment underscores the tension between political posturing and tangible economic policies, questioning Trump's motivations and the potential for market manipulation.

4. President Trump’s Cabinet Meeting and Munitions to Ukraine ([11:31])

The hosts critique a recent Cabinet meeting where Trump appeared uninformed about the pause and subsequent unpause of munitions shipments to Ukraine. JVL highlights Trump's vague responses, implying bureaucratic disorganization.

JVL [11:31]: "Donald Trump was asked who ordered the pause... and he said he doesn't know."

Sam Stein emphasizes the lack of accountability, suggesting that such actions signal a poorly managed administration.

Sam Stein [13:12]: "You cannot have just a random Defense Department official cutting off weaponry to Ukraine... it's just sort of... a disorganized, unstrategic operation."

The discussion points to broader concerns about leadership and decision-making within the administration, raising questions about transparency and effectiveness.

5. Jeffrey Epstein Files and Associated Conspiracies ([08:00] - [37:00])

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes the mysterious nature of Jeffrey Epstein's files. The hosts express frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability, particularly focusing on Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein client list.

Sarah Longwell [23:25]: "This is the asymmetry of our politics right now. The Epstein stuff mattered a great deal to Republicans... we are ignoring it at our peril."

The conversation explores the deep-seated conspiracy theories within the Republican base, discussing how influential figures like JD Vance and high-profile influencers are pushing these narratives. The hosts argue that Democrats need to actively engage with these issues to undermine the credibility of the Trump administration and its affiliates.

Sarah Longwell [36:16]: "This is essential stuff. This is everything about Trump... Go tear it down."

The segment emphasizes the importance of addressing these allegations head-on to prevent further erosion of public trust and to challenge the entrenched conspiracy theories that bind a significant portion of the electorate.

6. ICE’s Expansion and Potential for Abuse ([46:00] - [54:56])

The discussion transitions to the dramatic expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighting the proposed increase in budget and personnel. JVL and Sam Stein express grave concerns about the transformation of ICE into a sprawling law enforcement entity with minimal oversight.

JVL [46:06]: "ICE is about to double the size of its agent force. They're going to hire 10,000 new agents... ICE will be the largest law enforcement organization in America."

Sarah Longwell describes the potential for ICE to evolve into a "rogue secret police department," raising alarms about civil liberties and the unchecked power of a politicized agency.

Sarah Longwell [53:10]: "The scale of that investment... it is a total remaking and scaling... We are now in a completely different space."

The hosts draw parallels to historical expansions of federal law enforcement, warning of the dangers posed by rapid growth without corresponding increases in accountability and training standards.

7. Elon Musk’s Controversial AI and Media Control ([63:00] - [74:30])

Returning to the topic of Elon Musk, the hosts analyze the ethical breach involved in Grok's transformation. They critique Musk's intentions and the broader implications for information control and societal impact.

Sarah Longwell [69:25]: "Elon Musk is doing. He thinks he's doing something noble... But what he does with the algorithm is intentional."

The conversation delves into how Musk's tweaks to Grok's programming have enabled the AI to propagate harmful ideologies, reflecting broader issues of platform responsibility and the manipulation of information online.

Sam Stein [66:06]: "Terrible people on Twitter... more troubling to me than if Elon's just working these things."

The hosts express deep concern over the potential for AI to perpetuate hate speech and the societal consequences of such developments, emphasizing the need for stringent ethical standards in AI programming.

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up, the hosts reiterate the critical nature of the discussed topics, urging listeners to remain informed and proactive in addressing the challenges posed by political manipulations, AI ethics, and law enforcement expansions.

Sarah Longwell [75:00]: "Great show. Long show. Sam, thanks for being here for Tim. You're my man. Love having you here."

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with these issues, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in governance and technology.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• JVL [00:30]: "Elon Musk made a big announcement saying that we have improved Grok significantly. You should notice a different when you ask Grok questions."

• Sam Stein [03:19]: "I'm not done panicking about it. I'm done freaking out... I'll judge him by the actions he takes, not by the words he says."

• Sarah Longwell [23:25]: "The Epstein stuff mattered a great deal to Republicans when they were running and trying to court the conspiracy vote."

• JVL [46:06]: "ICE is about to double the size of its agent force. They're going to hire 10,000 new agents... ICE will be the largest law enforcement organization in America."

• Sam Stein [66:38]: "I can't fathom the idea that one person has to go back in and make a few twists of the knobs to, like, ensure that doesn't happen again."

Final Insights

"The Next Level" navigates through a complex landscape of political controversies, technological missteps, and institutional expansions with clarity and urgency. The hosts effectively blend informed analysis with engaging dialogue, urging listeners to critically evaluate the actions of those in power and the technologies that shape our society. This episode serves as a compelling call to action, highlighting the necessity for vigilance and accountability in both politics and technology.