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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
The Bulwark is home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell and more. We are the largest pro-democracy bundle on Substack for news and analysis on politics and culture—supported by a community built on good faith.
www.thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com
- 393 episodes
- Avg 13 min
- English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
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August 21 · 17 minEx-CIA Officer: Natalie Harp Is an Intelligence Nightmare (w/ Michael Weiss & Marc Polymeropoulos)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos discuss Trump’s “economic D-Day” against Iran, the risks of secondary sanctions and a prolonged blockade, and why Tehran may retaliate rather than simply give in. They also examine the bizarre influence and security concerns surrounding Natalie Harp and the dysfunction inside the White House. Plus, Michael and Marc discuss Ukraine’s evolving role as a military technology powerhouse, America’s intelligence support for Kyiv, and Russia’s growing threat to Europe.
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August 20 · 20 minTrump Just Ordered the Government to Delete the Receipts (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Andrew Weissmann joins Sarah Longwell to discuss the Trump administration’s move to erase corporate ownership records, the latest developments in the Fauci investigation, how a bizarre election controversy in Alaska led to a DOJ investigation, and what Democrats still need to learn about persuasion in the Trump era. Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21 at 10am in the East. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. How to Eat An Elephant is coming! Sarah’s debut book is out September 8 and she is hitting the road in September with stops in New York City, Boston, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and Kenyon College. She’ll be in DC with Kara Swisher September 3. All the event details and links to secure tickets are here. Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Full ad-supported episodes of The Focus Group are available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Hit that like 🤍 button and share this episode with a friend. Ad-free editions like this one are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members on the site, the Bulwark App, via your member-only RSS feeds, and the Substack mobile and TV Apps. Upgrade now to listen without ads and to join the community in the comments.
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August 20 · 14 minDavid Wallace-Wells: The Politics of AI Are Shifting in Real Time
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Mark the summer of 2026 as the moment when an unlikely supermajority of Americans came together on one issue: their opposition to data centers. This new, big, messy coalition spans the political spectrum and is rooted in a fear that the sociopaths of Silicon Valley will determine the future of our lives, our communities, and our economic prospects. And (most) politicians have noticed which way the wind is blowing. Plus: Carbon emissions are getting better but the planet is still getting warmer, the coming El Niño may be the strongest ever, and ICE arrests are dramatically up because Stephen Miller is siccing agents on immigrants who are following the rules. The New York Times' David Wallace-Wells joins Tim Miller. show notes: * David's recent newsletter on keeping the world safe from AI * David on Trump's deportation machine ramping up * Derek Thompson's recent "Plain English" pod on AI that Tim referenced Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
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August 20 · 16 minThe Man Who Taught Donald Trump How to Be a Demagogue (w/ Chris Cillizza)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Chris Cillizza and JVL use Hulk Hogan and the strange world of professional wrestling to explain Donald Trump’s political dominance, why conventional political skills don’t seem to matter anymore, and why Trumpism may survive long after Trump himself is gone. Check out Chris Cillizza on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chriscillizza...and subscribe to his Substack, "So What": https://chriscillizza.substack.com/
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August 19 · 4 minMike Johnson Is Humiliating Himself Trying to Defend Trump’s War
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Will Saletan tracks House Republicans—Mike Johnson, Gabe Evans, Jason Smith—flailing to defend Trump's Iran war and rising gas prices, catching them in contradictions, dubious legal justifications, and outright lies about the economy ahead of the midterms.
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August 19 · 5 minTim Unboxes a Republican Candidate’s “Medical Device”
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Zach Lahn is the Republican candidate for governor of Iowa with a very unusual résumé and some very unconventional positions. Tim Miller and Brendan Hartnett dig into Lahn’s ties to Kansas and the Koch network, his investment in FirmTech and its award-winning “sex tech” device that Lahn insists is not a sex toy, and questions about whether he’s really an Iowan. They also examine Lahn’s opposition to mRNA vaccines, support for a total abortion ban, MAHA politics, his defense of Trump’s tariffs, and the other positions putting him on the far edge of the Republican field.Read Brendan's article: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/zach-lahn-please-stop-calling-the-award-winning-sex-toy-a-sex-toy-firmtech-iowa-governor-campaignWatch Tim’s take on Mike Collins: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/republicans-found-a-way-to-blow-georgia
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August 19 · 9 minMAGA Scumbag Cory Mills Just Learned What Trump’s Loyalty Is Worth
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Andrew Egger and Lauren Egan break down Florida’s Democratic primaries—and what Angie Nixon’s surprise Senate win means for Democrats in a state they’ve struggled to compete in. They discuss Nixon’s uphill battle against Republican Ashley Moody, David Jolly’s path for governor, and the awkward dynamic of having a self-described democratic socialist and a centrist Democrat at the top of the ticket. Plus, Cory Mills loses his primary despite Donald Trump’s endorsement. Read Lauren’s newsletter, The Opposition: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-opposition The Good Fight Tour: https://www.thebulwark.com/events
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August 19 · 9 minJulia Curlee and Errin Haines: Cowards Are Running This Country
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com When Trump came back into power, his administration leaned heavily on former CIA analyst Julia Curlee to help safeguard our national security. The first CIA officer to transition openly, Curlee had worked at the highest levels in the White House for years. But once her gender identity became public through a witch hunt, she was hounded out. Curlee talks with Tim about the chaos of Trump’s slash-and-burn firings, the administration’s demonizing of trans people, and how Mike Pence treated her with dignity and respect when she was his personal briefer. Plus: The 19th’s Errin Haines joins to discuss the Florida primaries, the Dems’ prospects in the South, the real backlash against the Callais decision, and AOC’s Woke 1 comments. And Tim asks The Bulwark community to help Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis. Julia Curlee and Errin Haines join Tim Miller. show notes: * Katie Britt’s office: 202-224-5744 Britt’s chief of staff: Sean_Ross@britt.senate.gov and her subcommittee clerk Dave Roth at 202-224-4319 * Britt’s Twitter: @SenKatieBritt * Where Tim shared the letter and drawing that were sent to Britt * Curlee's Atlantic piece, "The Wrong Kind of American" * Mona's podcast, where Curlee will also be a guest later this week * Errin's newsletter, "The Amendment" * Tim's 'Take' on the detained Venezuelan family Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
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August 19 · 20 minBREAKING: Trump Wants To Meet Kim Jong Un
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump’s newest push to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Trump contradicting Jared Kushner on Iran. Plus they walk through what a typical Deputies Committee would look like in the NSC. The Good Fight Tour: https://www.thebulwark.com/events
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August 18 · 19 minMelania May Be Behind MAGA’s Natalie Harp Freakout
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Tim, JVL, and Andrew Egger discuss:-(Yet another) story of a former Trump voter seeing a loved one run into the immigration policies he voted for.-The faux outrage from MAGA-world at Sen. Jon Ossoff pointing out that Donald Trump and Natalie Harp travel together a lot.-Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House, and who might come next.-The Florida primary, and how Florida could become competitive in the fall.-Pete Hegseth traveling to Iowa. Is HE running?Plus:-Andrew breaks down the latest weird trend on right wing twitter: Postpartum Depression truthers.-Tim welcomes Nancy Mace to the YouTube content game. Bulwark LIVE: The Good Fight Tour is heading to the Southeast in October. Join Sarah, Tim, JVL and more for a night of politics among friends Oct 16-20. Presale links by location: * Get tickets for Columbia, South Carolina stop on October 16 * Get tickets for Charlotte, North Carolina stop on October 18 * Get tickets for Atlanta, Georgia stop on October 20 To snag your seats today—upgrade now and then head to TheBulwark.com/Events to access the presale. Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September! Her Chicago stop with Axe is on sale now. Watch, listen, and leave a comment. This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.
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August 18 · 13 minTom Nichols: Impotence at the White House
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Trump is flailing so badly on Iran. He dispatched Jared Kushner to negotiate with the regime but then denies that any talks are happening at all. He also threatened to bomb one ally and hammered another for not helping him fight his war. And somehow, in all of this, Kushner—a private businessman and a consultant for the Saudis—is meeting with Hamas officials and Netanyahu while also looking out for his own financial interests. Plus: a primer on why we keep troops in South Korea, Hegseth may be mulling a presidential run, and Gen Alpha may save us all. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes: * "The Next Level" podcast—out later on Tuesday * Tim on another family being held at the Dilley detention facility * The Gen Alpha TikTok video Tim mentioned Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
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August 18 · 3 minTim and Will Infiltrate the Seedy Side of MAGA’s DC
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Tim Miller is back in DC and it's somehow crazier than he left it. With National Guard troops patrolling Dupont Circle, Tim recruits Will Sommer for a scavenger hunt through Trump's Washington: a $500K-to-join MAGA club co-founded by Don Jr., the bar where Rand Paul's son got into it with Rep. Mike Lawler, the strip mall club where Bessent allegedly threatened to punch out Bill Pulte, and a visit to Mitch McConnell's house, where nobody's quite sure who's home.Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag
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August 18 · 20 minMorning Shots Live: Trumpworld Erupts When Reporter Asks About Natalie Harp
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Andrew Egger and Ben Parker went live to cover the Republican election deniers in 2020 now running for office, the company that put out a bogus poll on purpose, Trump’s latest threats against an American ally, and the White House response to a question about Natalie Harp. Read Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots The Good Fight Tour: h…
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August 18 · 11 minA 7-Year-Old Trapped in Hell Is Begging Senator Katie Britt for Help
Tim Miller shares the story of a Venezuelan family — a pregnant mother, father, and their 7-year-old daughter — who have spent weeks detained at the Dilley detention facility in Texas, despite doing everything the Trump administration has asked of immigrants seeking to leave the country. The family followed every legal step: they applied for asylum, never missed an ICE check-in, and when they decided to return to Venezuela, they went through the official self-deportation process. Instead of being sent home, they were arrested and detained.For more on the Texas Immigration Law Council: https://txilc.org/Call Sen. Katie Britt: 202-224-5744 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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August 17 · 11 minTrump Explodes at CNN Reporter During Wild Press Conference
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com JVL and Andrew Egger give their takes on Donald Trump’s latest chaotic press conference, from his bizarre claims about talking with Kim Jong Un to his demand that South Korea pay up for U.S. protection. They also look at Trump’s latest comments on the Iran war, the state of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and his increasingly strange defense of his White House ballroom. Plus: Trump lashes out at a CNN reporter, calls the press “fake news,” and insists his ballroom will be bulletproof and missile-proof.Read more from JVL: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriadRead more from Andrew: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots
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August 17 · 12 minAndrew Egger: Trump’s Travels with Natalie
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Thanks to a shrewdly-timed Jon Ossoff campaign event, a lot more people are suddenly learning about young and blonde Trump confidante Natalie Harp AKA ‘the human printer’—and one of only three aides who accompanied POTUS on his catering truck-secret flight escape. Meanwhile, Trump is lending a hand to white-collar criminals and expanding his extortion and bribery options with his crypto firm. Plus: the flat-out lies about Fauci and miscarriages, Andrew loves the Great Lakes, the tariffs have done so much damage that even Sherrod Brown is against them, and Tim has some choice words about the primary challenge against Jared Moskowitz in Florida. Andrew Egger joins Tim Miller. show notes: * Catherine's piece on Trump trying to destroy the shell company registry * Tim on crazy, stupid Republicans running in the miderms. First up: Mike Collins * Andrew's critique of Politico's piece on Trump's tariffs in "Morning Shots" * Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale starting August 18. Watch your inbox for details. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.
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August 17 · 5 minDebunking MAGA’s Outrageous Puppy-Killer Smear Against Abdul El-Sayed
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Jonathan Cohn gives his take on the viral “puppy killer” attack against Abdul El-Sayed—and explains how a misleading story about Detroit’s animal control department became a powerful piece of political misinformation. The reality is far different from the headline. El-Sayed inherited an animal control system plagued by neglect and abuse, and the department improved significantly after he took over. Jonathan breaks down how the Daily Mail, right-wing influencers, Republican candidates and Fox News helped spread the story and why this episode is a warning about how easily misinformation can overwhelm the truth.Read more from Jonathan: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/debunking-maga-puppy-killer-smear-against-abdul-el-sayed
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August 17 · 13 minBREAKING: Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman, Praises North Korea | Command Post
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump threatening to bomb Oman, an ally, as a deal to end the war in Iran remains elusive. Plus, Trump praised North Korea over the weekend and cancelled our military drills with South Korea. Read more from Mark: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/canceling-military-exercises-hurts-us-south-korea…
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August 16 · 29 minFrank Kendall and the Weapons of Tomorrow
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Eric and Eliot discuss the week’s jackassery, including the administration’s stripping former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall of his security clearance for innocuous comments about Trump’s new Qatari-donated Air Force One. They then discuss the irresponsibility of Trump’s using that aircraft to travel to a NATO summit being held adjacent to a war zone. They also cover the new diplomatic alignment among Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, the changes in leadership in Iran, and the rival missile campaigns of Russia and Ukraine in their ongoing war. Frank Kendall then joins the show to discuss his new book, Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether We Like It or Not, and his determination not to be silenced or intimidated by the Trump administration. Reminder: Shield of the Republic will be going independent soon! Subscribe at shieldoftherepublic.com and follow @ShieldPod on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether We Like It or Not: https://a.co/d/0g3rRF6s Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.