Bulwark Takes

The Bulwark

The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.

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500 episodes
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Episodes500

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February 21 · 20 min
Trump Has Total Tantrum After Supreme Court Loss Copy
Tim Miller and Sonny Bunch give their takes on Trump’s bizarre temper tantrum after the Supreme Court ruled against his emergency tariffs. In weird mood lighting, Trump bashed the Supreme Court justices, announced new tariffs, and kept repeating stories about how much men want to kiss him.
February 20 · 49 min
BREAKING: Supreme Court BLOCKS Trump's Tariffs
Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger take on the breaking news that the SCOTUS has blocked Trump's tariffs.
February 20 · 51 min
"The Alabama Solution" May Change How You See Prisons (w/ Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman)
Sonny Bunch speaks with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman to discuss their Oscar-nominated documentary, The Alabama Solution. Currently streaming on HBO, their documentary combines interviews, investigative journalism, and footage from within the prisons themselves obtained via contraband cellphones to reveal the horrible and dangerous living conditions of those serving time in the Alabama correctional system. It’s a documentary primed to shock the conscience, and I hope everyone out there watches it—even, perhaps especially, if you do not consider yourself a prison reform advocate. Go to https://TheAlabamaSolution.com to learn more about the deaths inside Alabama’s prisons.
February 19 · 27 min
Former General: Hegseth’s Loyalty Tests Are Paralyzing Military Promotions | Command Post
In this edition of Command Post,” Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the alarming report that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is blocking military promotions because one colonel worked for General Mark Milley, a former Trump adviser turned foe. Plus, the team breaks down the "toxic leadership" behind Kristi Noem’s Coast Guard scandal and why the Trump administration’s approach to NATO at the Munich Security Conference missed the point. Europe isn't a burden, it’s America’s secret weapon. Read more from retired Lt. Gen. Hertling: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/americas-generals-shouldnt-face-political-loyalty-tests-hegseth-promotion-list-butler-milley-army https://www.thebulwark.com/p/europe-is-americas-secret-weapon-giving-it-up-munich-security-conference-rubio-colby-nato-eu-germany
February 19 · 15 min
FDA Reverses Decision About Moderna Flu Vaccine
Andrew Egger and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on the stunning back-and-forth at the FDA over Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, why the agency initially refused to even review the application, and what the sudden reversal says about political pressure inside the Trump administration’s health agencies.
February 18 · 11 min
Steve Bannon Sued Over FJB Coin Scheme
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the latest lawsuit against Steve Bannon. The suit alleges investors behind a pro-Trump meme coin that Bannon promoted saw $2.7 million in transaction fees meant for charity go missing. They break down how the “FJB Coin,” launched to capitalize on the “Let’s Go Brandon” movement, promised that a portion of every transaction would go to conservative-friendly charities, but now investors claim the money can’t be accounted for. Plus, they explore Bannon’s ongoing ties to Jeffrey Epstein and what it all means for his standing in Trumpworld. Read more from Will's reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/steve-bannon-lawsuit-memecoin-fjb
February 18 · 16 min
Anderson Cooper Walks Away from CBS and 60 Minutes
Tim Miller and JVL give their takes on the escalating drama at CBS. The Colbert-Talarico interview controversy is less about FCC fears and more about high-stakes merger politics tied to CBS’ fight to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. They break down Bari Weiss’ role at CBS News, the internal fight over contributor Peter Attia following disgusting emails he sent to Jeffrey Epstein, and why Weiss drove Anderson Cooper to not renew his deal at 60 Minutes.
February 17 · 13 min
The 82-Year-Old Democrat Trolling Ted Cruz Into Oblivion
Will Sommer and Lauren Egan give their takes on the unlikely rise of Louise Lucas, the 82-year-old Virginia lawmaker whose unapologetic, meme-heavy social media presence has Democrats buzzing. As Virginia Democrats push an aggressive redistricting plan, Lucas has become a lightning rod for her online trolling of Republicans, including high-profile sparring with Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, figures like Gavin Newsom and Brian Schatz are experimenting with punchy online voices of their own. Is this the future of Democratic politics and does going viral translate into votes? Read more from Lauren’s reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-82-year-great-grandmother-louise-lucas-became-masterclass-democratic-shitposter Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19. Plus, we have a handful of seats still available for our second show in Minneapolis on February 18: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
February 17 · 47 min
Colbert Calls Out FCC and His Own Network Over Talarico Censorship
In a special edition of Bulwark Takes, “Morning Shots” authors Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give a “Morning Chaser,” reacting to the news of CBS blocking Stephen Colbert’s interview with Democrat Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico, the passing of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, the implications of Sec. Rubio’s speech in Munich, and the latest on ICE and Minneapolis.
February 17 · 16 min
The Line That Should Terrify Europe
Will Saletan takes on Marco Rubio’s warning to Europe about Chinese “extortion”—and the uncomfortable reality that Donald Trump is using America’s economic and military leverage the same way. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
February 16 · 27 min
Dubya's "Criticism" of Trump Isn't Subtle—It's Useless
George W. Bush publishes an essay praising George Washington—and the media falls all over themselves calling it a jab at Trump. JVL and Tim Miller aren’t quite buying it. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
February 16 · 14 min
BREAKING: After Our Story, ICE Freed a Mom With Possible Cancer
ICE released 31-year-old Mariela Sobrero just hours after The Bulwark published a report on her detention. Sobrero, who may have breast cancer, had been held for over a month at the Dilley facility in Texas with her three children. Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo discuss what happened, why media and congressional scrutiny appears to have forced action, and what this case reveals about families and children still inside ICE detention. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/BULWARKTAKES.
February 15 · 36 min
Making Sense of MAGA’s Freak Show: Carrie Prejean, Candace Owens, Clavicular
Will Sommer joins Bill Kristol to explain the ever-changing cast of characters that populate the MAGA movement.
February 15 · 29 min
Sarah Matthews Has One Very Specific Dating Dealbreaker
On Valentine’s Day, Sarah Longwell joins Rachel Janfaza and Sarah Matthews to talk about the political dating divide shaping Gen Z. Why are so many women refusing to date Trump supporters? Are conservative men facing a numbers problem? And how did the Dobbs decision, social media, and financial anxiety turn romance into a culture war?
February 14 · 30 min
Tim Found a Very Special Video From Corey Lewandowski
Tim, JVL, and Will Sommer discuss the drama inside Turning Point USA, the trad husband hypocrisy circus surrounding Elijah Schaffer, and the jaw-dropping Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski—luxury jets, fake badges, blankie tantrums and all.
February 13 · 16 min
Ric Grenell Screamed at Trump’s Gatekeeper. Whoopsie...
Tim Miller joined Nicolle Wallace to talk about the DOJ’s failed attempt to indict six Democrats—and the stunning cowardice of Mike Johnson, who suggested his own colleagues may have committed crimes. As grand juries reject Trump’s lawfare, Democrats like Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, and Jason Crow appear to be hardening their stance and meeting the moment. Plus Tim talks about the Daily Mail's brutal takedown of Rick Grenell: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15443145/richard-grenell-exile-susie-wiles-feud-kennedy-center.html Watch Deadline: White House on MSNOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house
February 12 · 13 min
Sen. Kelly: Trump Wants Me in Jail for Telling the Truth
Sen. Mark Kelly joins Sam Stein to explain just how close the country came to a constitutional crisis. He discusses the grand jury’s rejection, the chilling effect on retired service members, and why he believes this fight is far from over—including what Mike Johnson and Republican leaders are (and aren’t) doing about it.
February 12 · 34 min
Trump Wants JAGs as Immigration Judges. That’s a Disaster. | Command Post
When the White House starts moving military lawyers into immigration courts, you want people who’ve actually been there to explain what that means. Ben Parker, Retired General Mark Hertling and former JAG officer, combat advisor, and federal prosecutor Margaret Donovan break down what happens when you pull legal advisers out of war rooms and drop them into political fights, and why that could have real consequences for military readiness and the rule of law. JAGs Shouldn’t Be Civilian Prosecutors
February 12 · 30 min
Pam Bondi LOSES IT In Congressional Hearing
Tim and JVL go through various moments from Pam Bondi's hearing in the Congressional Oversight Committee, in which she evades, lies, and covers for Donald Trump.
February 11 · 22 min
A Jury Said No. Mike Johnson Said “Probably.”
The DOJ tried to criminally indict six lawmakers for reminding service members to obey the Constitution, and a grand jury refused to go along. But even after the charges failed, Speaker Mike Johnson suggested they “probably” should have been indicted. JVL and Andrew Egger discuss what the failed prosecution says about Trump’s Justice Department, the resilience of juries, and the growing willingness of Republican leadership to flirt with red lines that once seemed unthinkable.

Bulwark Takes

Trump Has Total Tantrum After Supreme Court Loss Copy

BREAKING: Supreme Court BLOCKS Trump's Tariffs

"The Alabama Solution" May Change How You See Prisons (w/ Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman)

Former General: Hegseth’s Loyalty Tests Are Paralyzing Military Promotions | Command Post

FDA Reverses Decision About Moderna Flu Vaccine

Steve Bannon Sued Over FJB Coin Scheme

Anderson Cooper Walks Away from CBS and 60 Minutes

The 82-Year-Old Democrat Trolling Ted Cruz Into Oblivion

Colbert Calls Out FCC and His Own Network Over Talarico Censorship

The Line That Should Terrify Europe

Dubya's "Criticism" of Trump Isn't Subtle—It's Useless

BREAKING: After Our Story, ICE Freed a Mom With Possible Cancer

Making Sense of MAGA’s Freak Show: Carrie Prejean, Candace Owens, Clavicular

Sarah Matthews Has One Very Specific Dating Dealbreaker

Tim Found a Very Special Video From Corey Lewandowski

Ric Grenell Screamed at Trump’s Gatekeeper. Whoopsie...

Sen. Kelly: Trump Wants Me in Jail for Telling the Truth

Trump Wants JAGs as Immigration Judges. That’s a Disaster. | Command Post

Pam Bondi LOSES IT In Congressional Hearing

A Jury Said No. Mike Johnson Said “Probably.”