The Bulwark Podcast

Of course, SCOTUS struck down Trump’s stupid tariffs. Nearly every legal expert in America said they were unconstitutional, but we have had to live with them for more than a year. Now, he’s threatening war on Iran apparently because it’s not fair that Obama got a Nobel and he didn’t. Meanwhile, as we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Putin still holds out hope he can seize all of the country. Plus, Marco is working on getting Cuba to be the next domino to fall, Trump’s Board of Peace is pushing a complete fantasy in Gaza, the battle against ICE in Minnesota is not over, and Gold Medal-winner Alysa Liu—a California lib, and a child of an immigrant—represents the shining city on a hill. She is America. Michael Weiss joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Michael's SubstackAlysa Liu's gold-winning performanceThe Gettysburg AddressTim's playlistwww.functionhealth.com/THEBULWARKhttps://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK

The junior senator from Minnesota joined Tim on Wednesday for the first show of a two-night Bulwark run at the historic Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis—the city that caught ICE off-guard with its "radical empathy" and kick-ass organizing skills. It was the "secret sauce" of Minnesotans that looks to have federal agents winding down their operation there. Plus, Democrats need to continue to hold the line on DHS funding, the incompetent clown atop the DoD and other loser Republicans, the Senate is fundamentally broken, and the beauty of retiring to make way for a new generation of leaders. Sen. Tina Smith joins Tim Miller. show notes Tickets are now on sale for our LIVE shows in Dallas on March 18 and in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

Most Democratic politicians are scared to criticize each other. They also fear dinging former presidents, or the various groups that make up the party’s broad coalition. And too many Dem candidates are afraid to color outside the lines, even if voters want them to be less establishment and more like regular people. Can the party get it together before the midterms? Plus, Trump’s threat of war against Iran, and his reported intent to kill Netflix’s bid to takeover Warner Discovery—potentially giving him power over CBS, CNN, Fox, and TikTok. The Atlantic’s Mark Leibovich joins Tim Miller. show notes Mark's Atlantic piece, "The Democrats Aren’t Built for This" Jonathan Alter on Trump's attempt to scuttle a Netflix-Warner deal 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 tonight's show in Minneapolis. TheBulwark.com/Events.

From FCC Chair Brendan Carr—who keeps trying to silence the political opinions of late night TV comedians, to DHS pressuring social media companies to expose anti-ICE accounts, and to the willingness of serial killer RFK, Jr and his MAHA cohort to stack up dead children so they can keep their antivax con going—it’s clear the shamelessness of MAGA knows no bounds. But even if the coalition that delivered Trump’s victory in ‘24 has been shattered, the Dems have to skip the seven-point policy plans and focus on the economy and Trump’s corruption. And Dem candidates need to do their own tweeting. Plus, the potential legal peril for Kristi and Corey, Virginia went big and bold against Republicans on redistricting, and an homage to Jesse Jackson. Rick Wilson joins Tim Miller. show notes Will Sommer on Bannon's legal trouble with his memecoin Jonathan on the FDA's anti-vaccine agenda Rick on how the pro-democracy coalition is winning Colbert's banned interview with James Talarico Abby Phillip's book on Jesse Jackson, "A Dream Deferred" TheBulwark.com/Events Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.

The white Anglo-Saxon supremacy in Trumpland is so over the top that even child-of-Cuban-immigrants Marco Rubio claims America’s common cultural heritage is European. But then with a schizophrenic touch, our secretary of state went on to endorse the reelection of Viktor Orban, who has decidedly turned Hungary away from Western democratic values. In response, some high-profile Democrats weighed in, including AOC from Munich. Plus, we are constantly reminded to not trust anything DHS says, the Dems should not agree to give one more penny to ICE, and Marco: The music of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones would not have existed without African American culture. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for the holiday pod. show notes Monday's "Morning Shots"TheBulwark.com/Events.NOBLTravel.com

In addition to protesting and voting, we have another option hiding in plain sight against this administration: our economic power. Scott says resistance should also include unsubscribing—from one or more streaming platforms, from LLMs, or from ride hailing platforms. Stick it to the CEOs who are enabling Trump and take a piece of hide out of Big Tech, especially Tim Cook’s Apple. There should be an economic downside to supporting ICE. After all, the day Alex Pretti was murdered, Cook was at the White House for a “Melania” screening. Plus, the weak job growth numbers under Trump, the shabby state of our healthcare system, the dangers v. the benefits of AI, the unregulated predictions markets are a breeding ground for bad actors, and young men need to get off their screens, and focus on being healthy, smart, and kind. Scott Galloway joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Scott's "Resist and Unsubscribe""Notes on Being a Man," Scott's latest bookThe Prof G podcasts"Raging Moderates" pod with Scott and Jessica Tarlov"Pivot" podcast with Scott and Kara SwisherTim's playlistTheBulwark.com/Events.

ICE failed in its operation in Minnesota because the people would not bend to their terror campaign. Minneapolis residents also maintained incredible discipline in their resistance and totally let Trump down by keeping a check on any potential riotous behavior. Meanwhile, the El Paso airport closure shows the administration’s continuing communication problems, and Bondi’s performance before the House Oversight Committee was so over-the-top bad, it’s even getting panned on the right. Plus, Bongino is a con artist and a loser, the Dems have an increasing number of pickup opportunities in red states, Nick Fuentes of all people is providing a little clarity on the state of Republicans, and exactly how many pardoned J6 insurrectionists have gone on to commit child sex abuse? We’re losing count. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller. show notes Country First's campaign to push back on politicization of the National GuardKinzinger on his event with Democrats in Anderson, IndianaTheBulwark.com/Events.https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARKjoindeleteme.com/BULWARK

Trump may keep telling Ukrainians their country is about to collapse, and Putin may keep bombing their power plants—leaving them miserably cold during one of the harshest winters in years— but Ukrainians are not giving up, and they’re not backing down. On the streets of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa, Ben found defiance, the will to fight and survive, and a still lingering sentimental attachment to America. But during his recent visit, he also felt embarrassed to be American because of our own resident bully who constantly manufactures faux problems for us to fight about—like the 2020 Fulton County vote count, yet again. Plus, the disorganization and staff shortages in the US Attorneys offices and a tribute from a former Postie to the great news organization Jeff Bezos is vandalizing.

Not only did Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick go to the Epstein island, a sultan from the UAE, who sent a “torture video” to Epstein, also attended Trump’s first inaugural. That would be the same country where the royal family secretly bought half of the Trump family’s crypto venture—right before he was inaugurated a second time. For some reason, Sultan bin Sulayem was one of six powerful and wealthy men whose names were redacted in the Epstein files by the DOJ. Thank you, congressmen Khanna and Massie. Also, Lauren Boebert saw something in the unredacted files that led her to call for Ghislaine Maxwell to be moved back to a higher security prison. Plus, the administration wants to be feared but also loved, the benefits of being on Bluesky, and a eulogy for The Washington Post’s sports section. Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller. show notes Jane's podcast, "What A Day"Barron's on how there's only one enforcement lawyer left in the Chicago CFTCCrooked Media on SubstackTheBulwark.com/Events.trustandwill.com/BULWARK

Trump of course hated Bad Bunny's halftime performance, but even he wasn't running the Turning Point alternative at Mar-a-Lago. And a couple of Olympic skiers expressing disapproval of ICE or calling for love and respect for immigrants and their fellow Americans sent MAGA into hyperdrive—with calls for the athletes to be denaturalized and deported. Meanwhile, Kash Patel stopped an investigation into the killing of Renee Good because it could make Trump look bad, and this is the week for Dems to stay on offense over the DHS funding bill. Plus, Jon Ossoff hit the right notes in a key speech in Georgia, the National Review is reporting on Trump's corruption, Lutnick did George Costanza-grade lying over his business ties to Epstein, and no, Tim is not running for Senate. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Monday's "Morning Shots"Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Ron BrownsteinTim's 'Bulwark Take' on the National Review's reporting on Trump's corruptionTim and Andrew on how Dems may be winning the DHS funding fightTheBulwark.com/Events.3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

Trump casually posted a racist video and the White House essentially told Americans to calm down. Convicted felons are being treated better than rounded-up immigrants in detention centers. And the evangelicals' favorite president doesn't seem to understand the meaning of the word, prayer. Still, Republicans on The Hill are seeing the broad unpopularity of ICE's behavior in Minnesota and may be starting to distance themselves from the policies they funded. Plus, a simple measure beyond masks that could really rein in ICE, the extensive structural damage at the DOJ, trads keep rationalizing cruelty, and why is SCOTUS taking so long on the tariffs case? Also, Tim puts David in the squirm chair with a Kid Rock v. Bad Bunny lyrics quiz. David French joins Tim Miller for the Super Bowl weekend pod. show notes: David on ending immunity for federal agentsChris Geidner on government lawyer Julie LeDavid's tweet about "tradlife"Tim, Sam, and Will Sommer on Elijah SchaeferJVL on the Beatitudes in "The Triad"David's recent piece on liberalismThe NYT on Katie BrittTim's playlist

The massive layoffs at Jeff Bezos's Washington Post involve more than just the financial situation at the paper. The Amazon founder's real priority is keeping Donald Trump happy so the money keeps flowing from his lucrative government contracts. And the man worth $260 billion will do what it takes, even if that means hollowing out a great news organization and potentially turning it into a MAGA-friendly outlet. Maybe having the economy so dependent on government contracts—with an erratic, megalomaniac at the top of the food chain—is not such a good idea. The former executive editor at The Post says Bezos should turn the paper into a nonprofit. Plus, the origin story of "Democracy Dies in Darkness," and the profiteering and corruption in the administration is not getting the press attention it deserves. Marty Baron joins Tim Miller. show notes Marty's book, "Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post"TheBulwark.com/Eventswww.functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK

Donald Trump is going to do everything he can to hold onto his near monopoly on power after the midterms. Beyond his scheme to invoke the Insurrection Act through a riot he’s trying to will into being in Minneapolis, he could also declare foreign election interference—or claim there was skullduggery afoot in Los Angeles or Georgia precincts. Anything to stall or stop the new Congress from being seated. Who’s going to stop him? Meanwhile, America will get the short end of the stick under his stupid new National Security Strategy. Plus, Dem elites since 2016 have failed to appreciate the economic despair among so many Americans, and some spiritual guidance for getting back to the moral and political pillars of the Declaration of Independence. Marianne Williamson and Bob Kagan join Tim Miller. show notes Bob's recent piece in The Atlantic Marianne's Substack Due to popular demand, we've added a second show in Minneapolis on Wednesday, February 18. Tickets are now on sale at TheBulwark.com/Events.

From dads standing guard at school doors, to Costco moms delivering food to people afraid to leave home, and to the ICE spotters patrolling the streets— everyday Minnesotans have been standing up to the Trump administration’s terror campaign with a vibrant sense of community that Stephen Miller apparently did not even consider a possibility. And while most of the rank-and-file activists are not particularly ideological, leftwing protestors are now creating tensions as they try to play a more visible role with dumpster fires and barricades. Plus, Tim makes an urgent plea to the Democratic candidates in the Texas Senate race to skip the racial politics and focus instead on what voters care about. Minneapolis activist and social media firebrand Will Stancil joins Tim Miller. show notes https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events The Atlantic on the neo-Nazi cartoon where Will is the main character Smalls.com/THEBULWARK

JD originally made a name for himself as an economic populist but now spends all his time lying and ignoring the woes of the white working class. Stephen Miller is far more interested in authoritarianism than the American worker. And the biggest MAGA warrior of all, Steve Bannon, was downright smitten with Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is busy trying to hide the identities of other co-conspirators in the Epstein documents. Plus, the CBP has no business being deployed on the streets of American cities, Tulsi wants foreign election interference, the good news in a Texas special election result, Trump is flailing at another business—the Kennedy Center—and Bad Bunny previews his message for the Super Bowl halftime show. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Monday's "Morning Shots"Bannon's "interview" with Epstein Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at Babbel.com/BULWARK

In the wake of the massive winter storm, the power is still out in some places, trees are down, and the death toll continues to rise. And where is FEMA? Don’t pester Trump about it because he is very busy going after political opponents like Don Lemon, re-litigating once again his 2020 loss in Georgia, and keeping up his terror campaign in Minnesota in hopes of invoking the Insurrection Act. Plus, he’s got a side hustle orchestrating the payment of $10 billion in taxpayer money to him and his family. Meanwhile, there’s a pretty stinky smell of corruption around the new Fed chair pick, Lindsey Graham wants in on the grift, and where are all the bros who just had to vote for Trump because of Biden’s supposed reign of cancel culture? Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Michael's show, "The Weeknight"Tim and Andrew on the FBI raid at the Georgia elections officeFollow "Bulwark Takes" for our weekend coverageTickets for our Bulwark LIVE show in MinneapolisTim's playlist

Trump has decidedly built a white supremacist army within the government. And this was always the risk when the Department of Homeland Security was created after 9-11. Influential people warned at the time that our norms would not protect us against someone who was determined to violate them using DHS. At the same time, white people are putting themselves on the line in a way that is reminiscent of the abolitionists. Plus, some often overlooked elements of the Civil Rights Movement, Jared Kushner’s offensive and absurd vision for a “New Gaza,” and the destruction of a jewel of journalism that was CBS. show notes Ta-Nehisi's most recent piece in Vanity FairThe CBS interview with Ta-Nehisi referenced in the showTickets for the live show in Minnesota go on sale Friday

The mass deportation operation was supposed to be about the manly men pulling out all the stops in defense of Western civilization, which they claim is being brought down by brown and black immigrants. But it is the multi-racial, multi-faith people of Minneapolis who are fighting—at the risk of their own lives—for the cause of community, neighborhoodism, and social cohesion. And that is not the same social cohesion of JD Vance, who thinks white people need to live next door to other white people. Meanwhile, MAGA’s dreams that Trump had flipped Hispanic voters sure doesn’t seem to be the case in the Rio Grande Valley, where people are feeling disrespected by ICE and not free to be themselves. Plus, the current state of Second Amendment politics, and some much-needed ridicule of Stephen Miller. The Atlantic's Adam Serwer and Texas-15 congressional candidate Bobby Pulido join Tim Miller. show notes Adam's piece in The AtlanticAdam’s book, “The Cruelty Is the Point” Bobby's campaign web site Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

The deployment of dangerous, untrained, and violent federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis met its match in a massive, organized, nonviolent resistance that truly showed what democracy looks like. And though the ostensible immigration enforcement operation is not over, the administration thought the tough guys would easily prevail. But Gov. Walz says the real strength was with the ordinary and decent Minnesotans who stood their ground to continue protesting and documenting the agents’ behavior. Plus, was it the neocons or the white nationalists that most shaped Tucker’s views? And how much does JD owe his career to Tucker? The New Yorker's Jason Zengerle and Gov. Tim Walz join Tim Miller. show notes: Jason's new book, "Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind"Tim's 'Take' with reporter Ben Terris about Trump's health claimsNakedWines.com/THEBULWARK

The Trump administration’s version of the Stasi murdered Alex Pretti in cold blood because he was exercising his First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and his Second Amendment right to carry a licensed firearm. But in MAGA land, those rights only apply to the people on their side, not all Americans. The few Republicans who are starting to feel queasy about menacing agents running around our cities should also recognize that they are complicit in the killings of Pretti and Renee Good because they funded them. As for the Dems, they should be considering maximalist demands—like ending the occupation of the Twin Cities—since the serial liars in the administration are acting like they’re above the law. Plus, Tim Cook and the other CEOs who helped fund the golden ballroom or showed up to the “Melania” screening Saturday night are also complicit. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news and weekend coverageMonday's "Morning Shots"Tovala.com/BULWARK