The Bulwark Podcast

No one was really asking about Melania’s ties to Epstein. But after her surprise White House statement to the press on Thursday, the questions are flowing—particularly because a former Brazilian model who moved in both Trump and Epstein circles is posting threats against the First Lady on social media. Tim and Jane break it all down. Plus, Melania does not speak or read English very well, Trump is furious about Tucker & co.’s opposition to the Iran war, Vance’s motives for converting to Catholicism are disgusting and unchristian, and why would Iran permit Saudi-paid Jared to participate in the Islamabad peace talks? Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod. show notes JVL and Catherine LIVE on the not-so-great economic news Tim's deep dive on Oscar Romero was in this episode Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekendTim's playlist

Putin puppet Viktor Orbán—whose nepotistic and corrupt government in Hungary has become the model for the far-right in America and Europe—is facing his first serious election challenge in 16 years. It turns out that voters get mad when a president steals from the public and tanks the economy. Vance tried to bolster Orbán with Kremlin-esque fake propaganda, but the energy may be with the grassroots campaign of Peter Magyar. Plus, Vance's arrogance and ignorance about Ukraine, Trump is still coming up short on his Iran war goals, the administration made some weird threats against Pope Leo, and Kari Lake is still a loser. Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller. show notes Anne's piece on Hungary, "The First Post-Reality Political Campaign"Thursday's "Morning Shots"Giselle Donnelly's Bulwark piece on how Trump's war is impacting global navigationAnne's book, "Twilight of Democracy" Anne's "Autocracy, Inc." in paperback Anne's book recommendation, "Furious Minds: The Making of the Maga New Right"Letters from Leo on Substack

Putin puppet Viktor Orbán—whose nepotistic and corrupt government in Hungary has become the model for the far-right in America and Europe—is facing his first serious election challenge in 16 years. It turns out that voters get mad when a president steals from the public and tanks the economy. Vance tried to bolster Orbán with Kremlin-esque fake propaganda, but the energy may be with the grassroots campaign of Peter Magyar. Plus, Vance's arrogance and ignorance about Ukraine, Trump is still coming up short on his Iran war goals, the administration made some weird threats against Pope Leo, and Kari Lake is still a loser. Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller. show notes Anne's piece on Hungary, "The First Post-Reality Political Campaign"Thursday's "Morning Shots"Giselle Donnelly's Bulwark piece on how Trump's war is impacting global navigationAnne's book, "Twilight of Democracy" Anne's "Autocracy, Inc." in paperback Anne's book recommendation, "Furious Minds: The Making of the Maga New Right"Letters from Leo on Substack

Trump showed that he is completely unequipped to be a war leader. He threatened crimes against humanity, and not only let a foe prove it could take our punches, but also inflict economic pain on the global economy as well. Indeed, with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran looks to have emerged from the war with a stronger hand. We also don't know how much Trump's financial ties to Gulf countries are influencing his wild and erratic handling of the war. And if this military operation was just about Israel's national security, then that should have been explained to the American people from the start. Plus, the threat an Orbán loss would pose to MAGA, the key redistricting election in Virginia, and how Dems would prioritize oversight if they win back the House. David French and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam join Tim Miller. show notes TNL live last night after Trump foldedWednesday's "Morning Shots" Tim's debate over the war with Rep. Josh GottheimerTix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21

AI poses real existential threats. The global economy is dependent on it, it's being deployed in war zones and used for domestic surveillance, and it's increasingly integrated into our medical and financial sectors. But the guy sitting atop the world's biggest AI company, Sam Altman, is regarded by some colleagues as a liar, driven by a quest for power, and someone with sociopathic tendencies. When Biden was in the White House, Altman was worried about the limited regulation of AI; under Trump, he's loving that the shackles have come off. Plus, Tim on how the Dems need to get the politics of the Iran war right: Welcome converts into the fold, and prioritize American interests. Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz join Tim Miller to discuss their New Yorker piece on OpenAI’s Sam Altman. show notes SubstackYouTubeRonan's and Andrew's story in The New YorkerTim's interview with Karen Hao on the unchecked rise of Altman 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

In threatening to bomb Iran to smithereens, Trump seems to be motivated by a combination of frustration, vengeance, and wanting to look like a tough guy. But he also has a God complex. Destroying the country's bridges and its entire energy infrastructure has nothing to do with nukes—and everything to do with war crimes. Plus, the soldiers and airmen who carried out the daring rescue mission over the weekend hail from the "woke and weak" era of the U.S. military, Trump should be impeached, his family has ties with military contracts involved in the war effort, and there are rumors of at least one SCOTUS retirement this year. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes: Monday's "Morning Shots"Lauren on the Democrats feeling electoral hopium The UK's Andrew Neil on the power of the Strait of Hormuz v the Bomb

The pro-Iran war hawks keep crowing about how U.S. military prowess is supposedly striking fear in Beijing and Moscow. But what’s really happening is that Trump is doing exactly what China and Russia hoped he’d do. Beijing has wanted the U.S. out of the Western Pacific and Putin, of course, wants NATO wrecked. Our major allies are scrambling to form new economic and military relationships, and America is likely to be very lonely in the world with only a few stooges to count as friends. This is what ending our role as a global superpower would look like. Plus, the U.S. is unable to win the war at a cost that is acceptable to Americans, Trump is taking a cue from Putin by bombing civilian infrastructure, and blaming NATO for not being willing to fight for the Strait of Hormuz is absurd when the world’s most powerful navy doesn't seem to want to do it either. Bob Kagan joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod. show notes Bob's recent piece in The AtlanticTim's bimbofied livestream"Foreign Policy" piece on South Korea that Bob referencedFollow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekendTim's playlist

Trump fired Pam Bondi, maybe the most destructive AG in the history of the United States, because she wasn't able to magically and lawlessly jail his political enemies. On Wednesday night, he told Americans that gas prices would naturally go down when he was finished with his war—much like the way he told the country in March 2020 that COVID would just go away. In reality, China may end up in control of the Strait of Hormuz and with freight passage paid with the Chinese Yuan. America and the world are paying for the incompetent (and petrified) advisers Trump has surrounded himself with. Plus, POTUS threatened war crimes on national television, the Iranian diaspora bet on the wrong horse, and who will be the next Barbie to get the ax? Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller. show notes: Susan's column on Trump's Wednesday addressSusan on Trump breaking up with NATO

The war-induced global oil shock is already pushing consumers and businesses to new pain points because of higher fuel prices. Airlines are cutting back routes and ticket prices have started to spike. Expect road trips to be canceled, lifestyles to change, and more people to work from home. Trump is trying to deflect blame onto Iran and NATO, but the world will focus its rage on him and his war of choice. Plus, stagflation may be in the offing, tariffs made people poorer, both Kristi and her husband have unnatural ideas about what the body can do, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is taking on one of the most corrupt inside-traders in Congress. Paige Cognetti and Josh Barro join Tim Miller. show notes YouTubeSubstackTim's livestream Thursday at 8 ETJosh's SubstackCognetti's campaign website Josh's "Serious Trouble" pod "Central Air" podcast Scranton's "The Office" 5K on May 2

Trump has served up so many rationales for why he had to do this war, but helping Iran project even more power in the region was surely not one of the reasons. And yet, here we are. Iran is in control of a good chunk of the global energy supply, and other countries are going to have to beg to get through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the moment for Democrats to show what a real opposition is —especially when warmonger Lindsey Graham runs off to play at Disney World. Plus, Trump's coalition is mid-crackup, Hegseth's self-pity and insecurity is pathetic, and of course, Tim and Jon react to the news of Kristi Noem's bimbofied husband. Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller. show notes Jon's "Lovett or Leave It" pod The book Tim and Jon discussed, "People of the Lie"

Thousands of soldiers and Marines have arrived in the Middle East to potentially engage in combat on Iranian soil. Trump has done nothing to make the case for an invasion of Iran, even though he’s got plenty of time to wax rhapsodic about the patios and Corinthian columns on his ballroom project. The Republican congress may have abdicated its Constitutional obligations, but that doesn’t mean Democrats can’t raise hell: Cut your vacation short, demand a vote on the deployment of troops, and go on Fox and denounce Republicans for allowing one man to call the shots on this war—and also make a mess of our economy. Plus, the united opposition in the "No Kings" protests, the wisdom of Lincoln, and life lessons for poor Duke fans. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Monday's "Morning Shots"Lincoln's letter about the Mexican-American war"Bulwark Takes" pod for breaking and developing newsTim's interview with Al GoreProPublica on the nursing home owner with a Trump pardponThe Atlantic on how the AI boom wasn't built for this kind of crisisTim's closing song today BloodFlow7.com/THEBULWARKhttps://www.american-giant.com BULWARK

In addition to the global energy shock brought on by Trump's war, mortgage rates are surging, and labor costs and prices are rising. And Republicans don't seem to have a plan except to spend more, blame trans kids, and feed Trump's megalomania by allowing him to put his ugly signature on our currency. Plus, JD thinks Americans are stupid, the gap between Bibi's and Trump's objectives vis-à-vis Iran continues to widen, and where is Marco Rubio? Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes "The Weeknight" on MS Now JVL's and Catherine's live show Friday on the state of the economyFind your local "No Kings" protest Tim's playlist

For nearly 50 years, since the Ayatollah seized power in Iran and took Americans hostage, the U.S. has known that the regime could single-handedly shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Trump was reportedly warned of this threat, but the failed casino owner blew it off. And now Iran unilaterally controls 20% of the world’s oil supply and an even higher percentage of the fertilizer inventory. But the former vice president tells Tim that Trump’s judgment has been even worse on climate change. On the 20th anniversary of “An Inconvenient Truth,” Gore discusses how the rest of the global economy has ‘miraculously’ responded to the climate threat. He also gives high marks to Mamdani, explains Trump’s use of fear, shares details about his relationship with Clinton—and how his actions after the 2000 election inspired Mike Pence on Jan. 6. Former Vice President Al Gore joins Tim Miller. show notes Gore’s climate change training in Nashville in MayMore on Gore’s “Climate Reality Project”Tim’s ‘Bulwark Take’ with Ezra Levin on Saturday’s “No Kings” protests Arey.comhttps://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARKSmalls.com/thebulwark

Trump's shamelessness has been his political superpower, but the regime in Tehran is seeing a desperate and panicked man doing the opposite of what he's said about Iran for the past decade. But his supporters are not likely to see the dangerous moment we are in unless or until they feel real economic pain personally. Plus, Markwayne Mullin is another shorty tough guy, the Dems don't understand our reality show politics, and how an alternate universe might look if Kamala were president and we weren't in a war. Phil Gordon and Angie "Pumps" Sullivan join Tim Miller. show notes: The "I've Had It" podcast"IHIP News" podcastPhil's book, "Losing the Long Game: The False Promise of Regime Change in the Middle East"Markwayne's booster boxNakedWines.com/THEBULWARK

A war of choice may evolve into a war of necessity because the brains at the White House apparently did not anticipate that Iran—in response to the bombing campaign—would shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which the global economy depends on being open. It's also not a good look for the U.S. to be got by a power like Iran because China is watching. Plus, how the war is impacting the supply chain, the markets may be underpricing oil because traders keep banking on Trump to do his usual TACO, and Israel acting like an illiberal Middle Eastern regime is creating a disconnect with American Jews. The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg and Bloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal join Tim Miller. show notes Where to catch Tim's Tuesday livestream at 8:30pm ET Jeffrey on Signalgate and Hegseth one year later The Atlantic's McKay Coppins on America's sports betting boom Joe's "Odd Lots" podcast https://zbiotics.com/THEBULWARKjoindeleteme.com/BULWARK

The man in charge is bluffing, blustering, and trying to manipulate the markets by claiming that the administration is in negotiations with Iran and was holding off on further military strikes. Israel's reaction was to drop more bombs on Iran, and the regime itself used Trump's own lines against him in its response. In any event, Iran has shown it can close the Strait of Hormuz, which is much more of a power move than the degradation of Tehran's missile capacity. With the war hitting Americans financially in their daily lives—and Trump now refusing a deal to fund TSA—the Dems have to hammer home that it's POTUS who has delivered higher gas prices and long lines at the airport. Plus, JD is in a job bind, the head of FEMA has a teleporting issue, and Trump showed utter depravity over the passing of Bob Mueller. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Monday's "Morning Shots""Bulwark on Sunday" with Bill and CatherineTim's and Bill's 'Bulwark Take' on Trump's reaction to Mueller's deathYeats' poem, "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Nothing"The real "Baghdad Bob"

The U.S. is at war with the leading state sponsor of terror, and Donald Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin—a man with no counter-terrorism experience—to help defend the homeland. At the same time, Hegseth is a meathead, and the shoe designer at the top of the FBI is preoccupied with visiting all the places on his bucket list. This is the moment for Democrats to argue that Trump has made the country very vulnerable. Plus, the administration apparently did not consider worst case scenarios vis-à-vis Iran, the Iraq War planners look like pros in comparison, Denmark was seriously preparing for an American invasion of Greenland, and is Israel's conduct contributing to the growing antisemitism problem? David Frum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes David's podcast David encouraging Dems to get to the right of Trump on the war Tim's playlist

For Talarico, it doesn't really matter whether Cornyn or Paxton wins their runoff battle. Either way, the Texas Democratic Senate candidate says he is running against the billionaire mega-donors and their corrupt system. To flip the Senate seat, he says he is speaking to the hearts of voters, avoiding media echo chambers, and campaigning on being both pro-immigrant and pro-border security. Plus, Trump's broken promises, Cornyn may be more corrupt than Paxton, Apostle Paul's thoughts on God's sausage, and a Shermanesque denial of the vegan accusations. James Talarico joins Tim Miller before a live Bulwark audience.

POTUS is pretending the laws of supply and demand don't apply when it comes to the price of oil. And his long list of conflicting statements on the Strait of Hormuz is not providing any clarity on whether it will reopen to Western vessels anytime soon. But while Rep. Khanna successfully helped create the Epstein coalition, he says most of his Republican colleagues on the Hill are sticking with Trump's war narrative—though with a little less chest thumping. Plus, progressive Squad candidates came up short in Illinois, Joe Kent reportedly gave his resignation letter to Vance before Trump, conflating critiques of Israel with antisemitism is likely going to backfire politically, and why are three million Epstein files still being protected? Rep. Ro Khanna joins Tim Miller. show notes TheBulwark.com/Events

A former MAGA influencer who saw the underbelly of the immense power and wealth around this administration says never-Trumpers should show compassion for people who are now feeling betrayed by him—and who are starting to have second thoughts about the cult they joined. Ashley, who is the mother of one of Elon's kids, also tells Tim that an increasing number of MAGA women are waking up to the fact that they've been used as pawns in the movement. Plus, Ric Grenell's desperate effort to land a job with Trump, the role of AIPAC in Tuesday's Illinois Democratic primary, and a pending congressional resolution on the West Bank. Cam Kasky and Ashley St. Clair join Tim Miller. show notes FYPod on looksmaxxing in February 2025 FYPod's interview with Kat Abughazaleh TheBulwark.com/Events https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKGet 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod