Bulwark Takes

Will Saletan lays out the case against Donald Trump that Jack Smith never got to present at trial. Drawing from Smith’s testimony before Congress, Will looks at the evidence that Trump was repeatedly told the truth about the 2020 election by his own advisers, Republican officials, and Justice Department officials and chose to ignore it. From Georgia and Pennsylvania to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Will walks through what prosecutors would have shown a jury about Trump’s election lies, his efforts to pressure officials, and his refusal to stop the violence after it began.

Bill Kristol is joined by Andrew Egger, reporting fresh from Ohio after an extraordinary day on the ground: the funeral of 20-year-old Haitian immigrant Pierre Damas Bel in Springfield, followed by Donald Trump’s rally nearby.

A bombshell New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrats running surprisingly strong across traditionally red states, including Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas. Catherine Rampell and Bill Kristol explain what the numbers actually tell us, why Trump’s erosion with his own voters matters, and whether this is what a real electoral wave looks like.

Donald Trump posted Tom Cotton’s private phone number because the Arkansas senator is blocking his push for permanent daylight saving time. Will Saletan and Joe Perticone take on the strange fight, the golf-industry interests behind it, and why Trump is picking on one of his own loyal allies with Republicans already staring down a brutal midterm environment.

Ben Parker puts Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell through an AMA on how a Democratic House should investigate the Trump administration, what focus groups reveal about James Talarico’s path in Texas, and how a future Democratic president should balance accountability with reform. Longwell also discusses universal health care, the post-Trump GOP field, why The Bulwark hired a former Trump aide, and criticism of her advice to Democrats in 2024. Buy Sarah's book! https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-eat-an-elephant-one-voter-at-a-time-sarah-longwell/6a0996cb43d2ef5b ...or on Amazon: https://www.amaz

Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the leaked script for the Daily Wire’s upcoming fictional movie Pawn Shop, a pro-ICE thriller set amid an imagined Antifa siege of a Minneapolis pawn shop. They discuss the film’s fictionalized version of the Renee Good shooting, its portrayal of ICE agents, Antifa and MS-13, the “rooftop Korean” storyline, and the movie’s many conservative-media tropes. Will also explains how the production has caused protests in Livingston, Montana, where the movie is being filmed. Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/daily-wire-quietly-shooting-pro-ice-movie

Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s bizarre new interview with Time Magazine, from his claims about having the “highest” IQ to his ever-changing story about how long the war in Iran was supposed to last. They also discuss Trump’s claim that annihilating Iran would create peace, his latest attempt to rewrite his four-to-six-week timeline, his complaints about “negative” questions, and his fixation on the White House renovations and other personal projects.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joins Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker to share her takes on what she learned from her recent trips to Hungary and Poland and what those lessons could mean for America after the Trump era. Slotkin explains how countries can recover from authoritarianism, why she believes the U.S. needs to “Trump-proof” its government, and why Democrats need a new generation of leaders with big and bold ideas. She also discusses the growing grassroots pressure around government surveillance, the need for congressional oversight of war powers, and the threat she sees to the

Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and national security reporter Michael Weiss take on the attempted hijacking of a flight bound for Tel Aviv, a suspected plot targeting an air base in Britain, and the troubling signs that Iran may be taking its fight abroad. They also ask whether America is prepared for a renewed terror threat as experienced counterterrorism personnel and resources are pulled toward other priorities.

Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s bizarre State of the Force address, from his “no fatties, no weirdos” vision for the military to his fixation on testosterone, wokeness and American universities. They also dig into Hegseth’s new Project Meridian, which will bring together Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to study the future of warfare, as well as his proposal to have governors compete for new troop deployments. Sam and Ben discuss Hegseth’s attacks on the press, his history of purging military leaders and advisory boards, and the growing signs that he may h

Ken Paxton is caught on tape blaming Donald Trump for hurting his Senate campaign, telling a small group of donors that Trump’s Texas convention actually hurt his numbers. The New York Times first reported on the leaked recording, which came from a small Paxton fundraiser where an attendee recorded the conversation. JVL and Andrew Egger break down Paxton’s donor problems, his reliance on Trump’s financial support, and what the recording reveals about his struggling campaign. They also discuss Paxton’s political baggage, the Texas Senate race against James Talarico, and Angela Paxton’s unusual

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s reported plan to cut 20% of the military’s general and flag officers, and what that could mean for military leadership, congressional oversight, and civilian-military relations. They also discuss Hegseth’s push to remake Department of Defense schools, including curriculum changes and book bans, as well as growing concerns about the Pentagon’s handling of military casualty reporting. Plus, U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue’s odd comments that Trump reportedly offered to sell U.S. weapons to China and the end of

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt’s disastrous attempt to catch former special counsel Jack Smith in a perjury trap during a Senate Judiciary hearing. Schmitt thought he had a smoking gun showing Smith was in Atlanta for a Hawks game on the same day as a controversy involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. But there was one problem: Smith wasn’t at the Hawks game. The text messages Schmitt’s team found were apparently referring to the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team, who were playing in Maryland that same day. Sen. Amy Klobuchar qui

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on Jack Smith’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Smith defended his decision to prosecute Donald Trump and said he would make the same decision regardless of whether Trump were a Republican or Democrat. They also discuss Republicans’ focus on the former special counsel, Chuck Grassley’s accusations against Smith, and Bill’s argument that the hearing amounts to a “perjury trap.” Then, Andrew makes the case for Democrats to keep impeachment on the table if they retake power in 2026, arguing that Trump’s use of government resour

Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos are back to give their takes on the latest allegations of corruption and counterintelligence concerns surrounding the Trump administration, including Alina Habba’s star-studded wedding and the appearance of FBI Director Kash Patel alongside a former informant who was suspected of being a double agent. They also look at U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and her relationship with a Greek lobbyist, allegations that she pressured Greek officials over energy contracts, and claims that she threatened to help bring down the Greek government. Plus, Mich

Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the latest drama on the online right, from a bizarre AI video posted by Trump aide Dan Scavino to the growing influence of QAnon conspiracy theories inside Trump world. Will explains why QAnon followers believe Scavino was sending them a coded signal and what the reaction reveals about the movement. Plus, the pro-data-center party bringing a strange mix of MAGA, tech, and online-right figures together in Washington, Mark Halperin’s warnings about Republican prospects, and the growing fight over anti-Indian rhetoric on the right. Sam and Will also discuss di

Trump says he’s banning news organizations over negative coverage. Then his own officials go on TV and insist that’s not what’s happening. Will Saletan meticulously breaks down Todd Blanche’s defense of Trump’s press crackdown, Mike Waltz getting confronted with the president’s own words, and the shifting story about the war with Iran.

Trump’s White House is racking up losses, picking fights with the press, and increasingly operating without anyone willing to tell the president no. Bill Kristol talks with former Trump White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews about what’s happening behind the scenes, why Republicans are suddenly putting some distance between themselves and Trump, and why she fears things could get even more reckless after the midterms.

Catherine Rampell and Will Sommer take on Trump’s escalating war on the White House press, the amateur-hour MAGA media operation stepping in to replace the traditional White House pool, and Byron Donalds’ awkward attempt to put a little distance between himself and Trump. Plus, Kimberly Guilfoyle’s misadventures as ambassador to Greece involve a mysterious lobbyist, questionable energy dealings, a middle-of-the-night trip to Albania, a shattered vodka venture, and one extraordinary warning to a U.S. ally. Byron Donalds removes Trump references from his campaign website:  https://www.washington

Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss examine the growing Russian threat in Europe, separating the real danger of Russian sabotage and state terrorism from the media panic over a potential Russian invasion of NATO territory. They discuss the intelligence briefing that sparked concerns across Europe, how the assessment has since been revised downward, and why Russia’s escalating sabotage campaign could still lead to a dangerous mass-casualty event. They also examine how Europe can respond to Russian aggression, the role of NATO and Article 5, and why Russia may be testing how willing the West i

Jon Ossoff is running so far ahead in Georgia that his strength is starting to shape the races around him. Tim Miller and Lauren Egan look at the striking gap between Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms, whether Ossoff can drag the Democratic ticket across the finish line, and why the governor’s race could wind up determining whether he has a real shot at the presidency in 2028. Need specialized help without adding another full-time hire? Find skilled freelance professionals for software development, marketing, design, business operations, and more on Upwork. Sign up and post your job for free at

Tim Miller gives his take on the Republican candidates who are suddenly calling for an end to the Iran war after repeatedly supporting it. John James, Mike Rogers, Tom Tiffany and Ashley Hinson are all trying to distance themselves from the war, but Tim asks the obvious question: What is their actual plan to end it? They don't have one. Plus, Tim also looks at Roger Marshall’s attempt to distance himself from the Trump administration’s ICE policies. Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://www.BollAndBranch.com/bulwarktakes with code bul

Sam Stein, Brendan Hartnett and Will Sommer discuss the chaos surrounding the White House press corps after CNN, Politico and MS NOW were banned from the White House, then allowed back on the premises but haven't gotten reassurances that CNN would be allowed back into the TV pool. They also take on the right-wing media’s attempt to create its own version of the White House press pool, including technical failures, a lack of basic pool protocol and footage that appeared to show Trump’s motorcade too closely. Plus, they examine the launch of “Trump TV,” a White House livestream featuring hours o

Andrew Egger is joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to give his take on Maryland’s new AI regulations, the rapid growth of data centers, and the need for guardrails around increasingly powerful AI models. Moore explains why he believes AI is moving faster than government safeguards, criticizes the White House’s approach, and raises concerns about Trump’s personal financial stake in the AI boom. They also discuss AI safety, potential benefits in government and healthcare, and whether the U.S. should cooperate with China on regulating increasingly powerful AI systems. Upgrade your sleep with Boll

Tim Miller steps outside the bubble for a conversation with Brandon Weichert, a former Trump supporter and American Greatness writer who has become deeply disillusioned with the administration. They take on Trump’s Iran war, his growing foreign-policy mess, the GOP’s increasingly dangerous midterm map, and what could happen if Democrats take back Congress. Watch more on Mario Nawfal’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/marionawfal Looking for a different way to unwind? Soul’s Mood Gummies pair precise dosing and clean ingredients with formulas designed for different moods, whether you

JVL and Lawfare's Benjamin Wittes take on the strange legal fight over Trump’s ballroom and proposed triumphal arch, including why standing may be the biggest obstacle to stopping them and what John Roberts’ dissent could be signaling to future challengers. They also dig into a bigger question: whether Congress, the courts, and the power of the purse can actually constrain a president determined to push ahead anyway. Looking for a different way to unwind? Soul’s Mood Gummies pair precise dosing and clean ingredients with formulas designed for different moods, whether you want to feel uplifted,

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down President Trump’s extraordinary comments at the United Nations about Venezuela, including his claim that “to the victor belong the spoils.” Hertling explains why that language raises serious questions under international law and walks through the laws and treaties that prohibit pillage and establish a nation’s sovereignty over its natural resources. They also discuss the growing power of the Houthis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s complicated relationship with the United States, and what Riyadh could do if it can no longer rely on American suppo

Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, joins Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss for his take on the major national security risks surrounding the Trump administration. Himes explains the counterintelligence concerns surrounding the reported Russian financing of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding and why the access to Trump’s inner circle at the event could have created an unusually soft target for Russian intelligence. They also discuss the intelligence community’s warnings about war with Iran, and the possibility of another Middle East conflict. Plus, Russia’s war in U

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to react to Trump’s address to the United Nations, breaking down his claims about Iran, Russia and Ukraine, Venezuela, Greenland, the economy and America’s role in the world. Trump made wild comments about Russia’s war against Ukraine, including a grotesque false equivalence between Ukrainian children abducted into Russia and his claim that Russian children were also abducted into Ukraine. They also examine Trump’s claims about Iran, including his repeated insistence that he had no choice but to launch the war, his promises that a deal is still just arou

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/ bulwarktakes #sponsored Tim Miller and David Pakman take on Trump’s plummeting poll numbers, the White House putting Pakman on its official “Media Offenders” list, and the creators who Pakman says are now afraid to interview him because they fear becoming targets themselves. They also discuss how algorithms reward outrage and misinformation, the coming flood of synthetic political content, and Pakman’s new book, Pay Attention, about what the attention economy is doing to our politics and our brains. D

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored The White House is trying to defend Donald Trump’s decision to ban major news organizations from covering the White House and the policy is already producing some pretty absurd results. JVL and Will Sommer discuss Trump’s crackdown on the press, including a Newsmax broadcast where viewers couldn’t hear the president because the press pool wasn’t there to provide audio. They also examine the upcoming court fight over White House press access, the administration’s new White House

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ :  https://zocdoc.com/ bulwarktakes #sponsored Will Sommer and Sonny Bunch take on Trump’s escalating war on the press, the TV networks pushing back on his White House ban, and the growing signs that even some longtime allies are getting sick of the chaos. Plus: Trump’s plan to put snipers in his giant D.C. arch, the bizarre MAGA fight over Indian Americans, Turning Point’s James Fishback problem, and the very questionable Lauren Boebert allegations.

Sam Stein and Will Saletan take a look at Donald Trump’s latest architectural fever dream: a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington Cemetery that Trump says will double as a “top grade Military Complex,” complete with drones and snipers. They dig into the bizarre location, the questionable military rationale and Trump’s claim that the project came at the “strong request” of the military. As Sam and Will point out, this is an enormous armed monument sitting near Reagan National Airport, the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery. What could possibly go wrong? Then they turn to Trump’s escalating crack

Sam Stein and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on the flurry of international headlines over the weekend. The Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh, while Ukraine has launched a major wave of drone and missile strikes on Moscow and Russian energy infrastructure. They also discuss the Trump administration’s response to the Saudi crisis, the U.S. role in Ukraine, Russia’s escalating attacks and sabotage efforts across Europe, and the prospect of a brutal winter for Ukraine.

Tim Miller is back with another installment in his continuing series on the Republican candidates running in key races across the country. This time it’s Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked Senate candidate in North Carolina, whose record includes appointing a convicted child sex offender to a state GOP committee, hard-line abortion politics, financial interests tied to policies he supports, and questions about his role in Hurricane Helene recovery. Plus, Tim digs into the ugly story behind an anti-Roy Cooper ad featuring a grieving father who says he was misled about how his story would be us

Bill Kristol talks with Robert Kagan about how Trump’s Iran war is accelerating America’s retreat from the world, leaving allies to fend for themselves while China and Russia gain room to maneuver. They also discuss Trump’s unfinished ambitions in Greenland, Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, and Kagan’s warning that the breakdown of the postwar order could move much faster than Washington is prepared for.

Donald Trump has banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, and this time, he followed through. Will Saletan and Will Sommer discuss Trump’s escalating attack on the press, his claim that the outlets can return if they start covering him more favorably, and what the crackdown could mean for journalists across Washington. They also discuss the First Amendment implications of viewpoint-based press access, Trump’s broader use of legal and regulatory pressure against media organizations, the FCC’s actions under Brendan Carr, and the White House’s decision to elevate openly partisan righ

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the latest developments in the Iran war, including reports that AI-generated intelligence nearly led the U.S. military to board a Chinese vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss the dangers of relying on false intelligence, the importance of human oversight, and what can happen when bad information makes its way into military decision-making. They also examine reports that the Pentagon may be undercounting U.S. military deaths in the Middle East, as well as the growing cost of the Iran war. Plus, sensitive F-35 parts that were suppos

Bill Kristol talks with Nathaniel Zelinsky, the lead counsel challenging Trump’s efforts at the Kennedy Center, about the president’s demolition threats, the judge putting new limits on what the administration can do, and what happens if Trump simply refuses to obey a court order. Zelinsky explains why this fight over one building could become a much bigger test of the rule of law.

Join George Conway, Andrew Egger and Catherine Rampell as they cover the protests at the Kennedy Center.

A note for podcast listeners: Receipts with Catherine Rampell now has its own podcast feed! This is the final episode that will appear in the Bulwark Takes feed, so search for “Receipts with Catherine Rampell” and follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you don’t miss the next episode. Catherine and JVL take on Canada’s accelerating break with the United States, Trump’s self-inflicted inflation problem, and the dangerous game unfolding between the White House and the Federal Reserve. Plus, DOGE somehow managed to spend $9.5 billion paying

Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes to The Daily Wire’s bizarre new movie, Run Hide Fight: Infidels. They dig into the film’s deeply anti-Muslim premise, its portrayal of liberals, LGBTQ students and campus progressives, and the strange political fantasy at the center of the story. Will explains the chaotic plot and bizarre characters to Jonathan Majors’ surprisingly limited role, despite the over-sized marketing. Plus, they discuss the Daily Wire’s response to Will’s review and the wildest moments from the film. Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-e

Trump is threatening the future of the Kennedy Center if he doesn’t get the recognition he wants. Andrew Egger and George Conway give their takes on Trump’s push to put his name on the institution, his talk of demolishing the building, and the surreal image of Trump looking at a mock-up of the Kennedy Center in ruins. They also discuss the growing clash between the Trump administration and the courts, the administration’s conflicting claims about the Kennedy Center’s closure, and why the courts alone may not be enough to check presidential power. Plus, Conway explains why Congress ultimately h

Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on a bizarre collection of stories from MAGA and the Republican Party, including Milo Yiannopoulos’ messy divorce, a GOP nominee’s ties to the Unite the Right rally, Victor Marx’s latest campaign controversies and a Republican candidate who fell for a fake Kai Trump account. Plus, the trio breaks down Kash Patel’s contentious hearing and his eyebrow-raising FBI spending, before meeting a Republican congressional candidate with a 20-song Trump rap album. Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to

Gas prices are surging and this time, the outlook is getting even uglier. Tim Miller is joined by Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, to break down why oil prices are climbing, why diesel prices are hitting record levels, and why Americans could be facing $7 and $8 diesel this winter. De Haan explains how the escalating conflict in the Middle East, attacks on Russian refineries, tight diesel inventories, and refinery disruptions are squeezing the global fuel market. Forty-two states are already seeing record diesel prices, while the national gas average is creeping back to

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the rapidly expanding Iran war, from attacks on U.S. military installations and disruptions to oil supplies to the growing conflict with the Houthis and the strain on American forces across the Middle East. They discuss the potential economic consequences, including the estimated $38 billion already spent on the war and the billions more it could cost each month. Plus, they examine Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, what the move could mean inside the Pentagon, and the military’s rel

Sam Stein is joined by Chris Whipple, who wrote for Vanity Fair about the remarkable political transformation of J.D. Vance, from a young Trump critic at Yale Law School to Trump’s vice president and a potential MAGA successor. They dig into Vance’s behind-the-scenes efforts in 2016 to help Hillary Clinton defeat Trump and examine what drove his dramatic reversal. Was Vance always destined for MAGA, or did something change along the way? Plus, Chris shares what Susie Wiles told him about Vance’s evolution and why she viewed his transformation differently from other Republican politicians. Read

Trump is raging at the Supreme Court after his own appointees helped block his administration’s mail-ballot rules, and George Conway joins Sam Stein to discuss the ruling, Trump’s extraordinary attack on the justices he picked, and what could come next as the midterms approach. Then things take a sharp turn as they watch Kash Patel try to explain one of the strangest—and grossest—FBI controversies you’re ever likely to hear discussed in a Senate hearing. Check your brain and health the way I do. Function provides 160+ lab tests for $1/day and member pricing on advanced imaging. Join at https:/

Republicans spent their midterm convention warning that communists are coming for America. Will Saletan runs their own definition of “communism” against Donald Trump’s promises of $5,000 checks, government stakes in private companies, admiration for China, and even his jokes about being “the greatest communist in history”—and finds the GOP’s argument collapsing under its own weight. Check your brain and health the way I do. Function provides 160+ lab tests for $1/day and member pricing on advanced imaging. Join at https://functionhealth.com/BULWARKTAKES and use code BULWARKTAKES25 for a $25 cr

Bill Kristol and guest host Ben Parker break down the latest New York Times/Siena polling showing Democrats with a significant advantage on the generic congressional ballot heading into the midterms. They discuss why Democrats are now leading Republicans on the economy, cost of living, immigration, and foreign wars. They also examine the growing political problem Republicans face on artificial intelligence, with voters overwhelmingly opposed to new AI data centers in their communities. Bill explains why Democrats could use Trump’s aggressive stance on AI to put Republicans on the defensive. Pl