The Bulwark Podcast

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

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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 

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As the Iran war enters its third week, the Trump administration looks like it doesn’t know what it’s doing: It did not bother to consult U.S. allies before the military operation began but it now wants their help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; POTUS keeps talking about his great victory even with Marine Expeditionary Forces en route; and the disruption in the oil markets is likely to last for months. In the face of the neutered Republican leaders in Congress, the Dems must be a hard “No” on additional funding—unless it’s about helping our people to exit safely. Plus, FCC Chair Brendan Carr is threatening broadcasters for reporting the truth about the war, JD is hiding in the hedge, our enemies are less afraid of us, the "Donroe Doctrine" looks like a joke, and a major intra-right fight has broken out online.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes

Monday's "Morning Shots"

Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Bob Kagan

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The Trump administration is preparing to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East along with more warships. But that development was not Hegseth’s highest priority at his Pentagon briefing. His first order of business was attacking the media—even before mentioning the six fallen service members who were killed in a plane crash supporting the war in Iran. And while the administration may have finally narrowed down its reasons for launching the war alongside Israel, it hasn’t discussed the risks of the operation, or why it doesn’t seem to have an issue with Putin helping Iran in the fight. Plus, JD is skeptical about the war but won’t tell Trump to his face, oil prices are soaring while Russia cashes in, and don’t forget that the Department of Homeland Security is still shut down while our country is at war.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes

Tom on 'victory disease' in The Atlantic 

French news channel with a split screen of bombs and Trump dancing

Tim's playlist

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Event

We’re raining hellfire down on Iran and American soldiers have died, but that doesn’t stop Trump from hitting the links, doing a little dancing, or holding a revenge rally. His main preoccupation is his daily PR battle over the war—which currently involves arguing that higher gas prices are a good thing. And his ever dutiful backup chorus in Congress is happy to explain how “freedom isn’t free.” Meanwhile, the immigration system has been so undone that we now have a shortage of seasonal workers. Plus, the absurd shoe-related loyalty test at the White House, a major Trump donor is trying to buy a Senate seat in Oklahoma, at least one white Afrikaner refugee has seen enough and wants to go home, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet member rankings, and some justice for JVL and Bill after Wednesday's pod.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes

JVL’s “Triad” on Iran from Wednesday and Thursday

Bill on the "epic failure" of the Iran war in "Morning Shots"

Adrian and Jared on Markwayne Mullin

Sam's and Catherine's 'Bulwark Take' on higher gas prices

Tim's and Sam's year-end ranking of Cabinet members

"Odd Lots" podcast

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

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