The Bulwark Podcast

What if it had been a Harris-Cuban ticket in 2024? Well, it turns out the billionaire entrepreneur had been seriously considered for the VP slot—and we can all dream of a potentially different outcome in the election. Meanwhile, the current guy in the Oval Office is failing spectacularly at the number one job of a president: to reduce the stress of the American people, and to communicate trust and hope. Plus, the Dems need to market their policies better, why much of the business community capitulates to Trump, a debate over AI, is Thiel trying to undermine the dollar, meme coins are the scum of the earth, Bluesky needs to let people fight—and the joy of shooting hoops with the kids. Mark Cuban joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Mark's website The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company Tim's playlist

Because half the country so desperately wanted Trump back, we may now be on the verge of attacking Iran because the fake peacenik president wants some credit for Israel's military accomplishments against Tehran. Meanwhile, decent, hard-working people are being swept up by his anti-American deportation policy, consumers—and home buyers— are continuing to pay for his boondoggle tariffs project, and even Republicans are getting nervous about his big, ugly bill. Plus, how attacking Iran looks from the Israeli perspective, post-Oct. 7. Amb. Dan Shapiro and Mark McKinnon join Tim Miller.

Iran is in a vulnerable spot for a variety of reasons, and Israel sees this as a stars-aligning moment to decapitate the Iranian state. But if the U.S. helps out, we'll face the same questions we did with Iraq and Afghanistan: Who will run the place? As Tucker had to embarrassingly school Ted Cruz, Iran is a giant country. And it could descend into civil war or chaos—and America could be drawn into the 'catastrophic success' of regime change. Plus, MAGA fissures over foreign policy, Tulsi can't be trusted on Iran, and Dems really need to seize this black helicopter moment of masked agents snatching and arresting people, including elected officials Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller. show notes Tim and Ben at an event two years ago on Ben's book Ben's book, "After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made" Tulsi's creepy nuclear war video

NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joins Tim and Cam for a special edition of the daily pod to discuss making the city more affordable, building more housing, and ending food deserts—as well as antisemitism and Islamophobia. Plus, the murky picture on Iran with a lunatic in the White House, and New York magazine's Kerry Howley on the paranoia and chaos at the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth. Kerry Howley and State Rep. Zohran Mamdani join today's Bulwark Podcast. show notes FYPod on YouTubeFYPod on AppleKerry's story on Hegseth

In contrast to the saddest military junta parade in history, millions of patriotic people took to the streets on Saturday to defend American values and principles against Trump. But the deflated birthday boy now wants to ramp up the militarization of our largest cities on a completely partisan basis to achieve his mass deportation. Meanwhile, folks on the right are showing a vicious irresponsibility about the assassination in Minnesota—Mike Lee in particular should have his head examined since he's showing a complete disregard for the truth. Plus, Terry Moran discusses his firing from ABC, his truth-telling about Stephen Miller, and how Trump is mean, but not that tough. Terry Moran and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller. show notes Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' with Seth MoultonThe Michael Scherer piece on Trump's response to Tucker's criticism that Tim referencedhere’s the Substack interview with Moranselectquote.com/bulwark

On Saturday, Trump would like nothing more than images from Los Angeles of tear gas and balaclava-clad anarchists throwing bottles at Marines to complement video of himself in the stands at his military parade, saluting the troops amid a field of flags. That's part of the reason why he chose LA to federalize the Guard—home to numerous adversaries who willingly take his bait. And while tanks are going to roll through DC, wrecking its streets for the big birthday boy, Israel is going after Iran like it went after Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem handled the Padilla incident like a little fascist, and it only just occurred to Trump how the deportations will affect farms and hotels. Plus, a "Les Miz" correction, a 'Godfather' goof, and fighting words over The Beach Boys v. Lou Reed. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Why Trump deployed troops to LA Tom's late night piece on Israel's attack on Iran Tom's "Silence of the Generals" piece The baptism scene in The Godfather Tim's playlist

Trump is outright fabricating a justification for sending Guard troops into Los Angeles, and his directive is not limited only to LA. So, if someone acts violent during a 'No Kings' protest on Saturday somewhere in America, would he deploy the National Guard there too? The potential chilling effect on our First Amendment rights to protest is enormous. Plus, masks are liberating ICE agents to act with impunity, Kash is a thin-skinned beta cuck, and the new self-appointed chair of the Kennedy Center was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers on the opening night performance of "Les Miz." Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller. show notes Boos and cheers for Trump at the opening night performance of Les Misérables If you suddenly need to listen to "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Andrew's pod, "Main Justice" FairHarborClothing.com/BULWARK

Trump keeps wrapping himself in the American flag while while behaving in a very anti-American way—like threatening to shut down protests at his $45 million birthday parade or giving a highly partisan speech in front of soldiers in violation of military policy. And as the haphazardly deployed Marines join federalized Guard troops in LA, Trump seems hellbent on escalating his feud with Gavin Newsom—and the giant blue state that rejects him. Plus, Putin looks to gain an advantage in Ukraine while America is distracted, and Tulsi may have disclosed state secrets to the entire world. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Tim Miller. show notes Sam and Tim on Tulsi's creepy nuclear war video Part One of the 'Behind the Bastards' Pod on Robert E. Lee The Tom Nichols piece that Gen. Hertling referenced

Where is Obama? Where is George W. Bush? A Marine battalion and the National Guard have been deployed in response to a spark Trump set off by sweeping up people who aren't doing anything illegal besides being present here. And the administration may ramp up the tension if it uses the military for domestic law enforcement purposes. At least Gavin is finally angry. Plus, MAGA is built around conspiracists and conspiracy theories, so RFK Jr can do what he wants with vaccines because he's only making doctors and public health experts mad—constituents Trump couldn't care less about. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview with Adrian Focus Group Pod on the Dem primary for governor in NJ For an extra 25% off your order and a special gift, head to Pacagen.com/THEBULWARK

Trump and Stephen Miller wanted a backlash against the immigration raids, because even they know that humans will respond when the federal government is snatching people off the street. But the tenor of modern protests is not going to be like the Civil Rights Movement, because activists back then were trained to suppress their natural inclination to defend themselves. Plus, the key role of culture in politics, Dems have to show that the state does good things, and it's the 10th anniversary of Ta-Nehisi's landmark book, “Between the World and Me.” And in a special bonus segment from our live show last Friday, Tim interviews Andry's lawyer and explains why he's been so moved by the case to free Andry from CECOT. Ta-Nehisi Coates and attorney Lindsay Toczylowski join Tim Miller. show notes "Between the World and Me," out in paperback next week Ta-Nehisi's interview with Obama in Oct. 2016 Last Friday's full "Free Andry" live show * Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at selectquote.com/bulwark

Elon went nuclear, accusing Trump of being a pedo, taking credit for his election victory, and calling for his impeachment. Trump in return may try to destroy Musk's businesses, or worse. While the public feud is entertaining—Thursday was one of the best days for Twitter and Steve Bannon—their meltdown is also frightening. It shows that we are at the mercy of two emotionally unstable men who can blackmail each other. Of course, Republicans and Fox desperately want the clash to end, because for starters, it could complicate the passage of a tax and spending bill that only Stephen Miller can love. Plus, JD is still a wimp, and Howard Lutnick is still a fool. Sam Stein joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Action for Andry:Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm FridayTim's playlist

Trump's and Musk's very public breakup may be amusing, but don't lose sight of the fact that DOGE was a failure—despite what the manosphere says. Elon's ego trip found no fraud and cut only a minor amount of spending. But those cuts are meaningfully hurting the global poor as well as scientific research at home. And now, Republicans are trying the same kind of DOGE sleight of hand on their spending bill, largely under the radar. Meanwhile, Megan McCain is getting in on the snake-oil gravy train, and the Epstein conspiracists may have it backwards. Plus, a deep dive into how Dems can win red states, fight the culture wars, and show how they're looking out for the little guy. Matt Yglesias joins Tim Miller. show notes Action for Andry:Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm Friday, followed by Free Andry live show Matt on the failure of DOGE Lauren on the Dems weighing a high-risk plan to win the Senate Matt's piece from April on the Dem plan to win the Senate Matt's Daddy blog piece

The lovelorn TACO trader has been hanging by the phone at 2am hoping China's Xi will call him to make a tariff deal. But that call is not coming without America paying a very high price— because world leaders know that Trump is a feckless, desperate negotiator. Meanwhile, Republicans are blowing off Elon's take-down of the reconciliation bill and prepping to turn themselves into roadkill in the midterms. Plus, Scranton Joe went missing in the White House, and the Dems need to stop listening to the very smart and very sophisticated (202) babies who think sharing the right pronoun is more important than kids actually knowing what a pronoun is. Rahm Emanuel joins Tim Miller. show notes Action for Andry: Protest at SCOTUS at 5pm Friday, followed by Free Andry live show

Jamie Dimon is spooked about the bond market, business uncertainty about tariffs is dragging the economy, and it seems like no politician will get serious about our nation's debt until it's too late. Meanwhile, Republicans don't even like their own spending bill since they only lie about it—it's just in service of making Trump happy. Plus, Stephen Miller reportedly wants ICE to step up raids at businesses, the immigrant brain drain is bad for America, and the antisemitism coming from the left and right is pretty scary for Jews.

Mike Johnson and Russ Vought outright lied on camera about the proposed Medicaid cuts and the impact they would have on millions of Americans. Marco Rubio lied about the children who are dying because of USAID cuts. And Joni Ernst is reimagining Christianity to be about Jesus teaching his followers not to care about the sick and the poor because they're going to die anyway. And through it all, Peter Thiel is doing everything in his power not to die—or even age. But one saving grace is that Ukraine kicked some Russian ass this weekend. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

The Trump administration is trying to exert ideological control over every knowledge-producing institution in the country. And the assault on colleges is not only about having fewer highly-educated voters, but also depriving Americans of trusted sources of information—much in the way Trump in 2020 wanted to stop counting Covid cases so it looked like he had the pandemic under control. Meanwhile, we're getting too much information about Elon's bladder control problems on his way out the door. Plus, The Bulwark's Lauren Egan and Tennessee's Justin Jones on courage, conscience, fighting a party drunk with power, and the future of the South. The Atlantic's Adam Serwer joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod, with a side serving from our live Nashville show. show notes Adam's latest piece in The Atlantic, "The New Dark Age"Lawfare's Anna Bower on her search for the administrator of DOGEAdam's book, "The Cruelty Is the Point"The NYT on Elon's intense drug useTim's playlist

Adam Kinzinger joined Tim on stage in the Windy City Wednesday night to dis Chicken Trump, who's made bitcoin bros, private prisons, his family and friends—and himself—the main winners in his 'TACO' trade economy. Meanwhile, Obama's nuclear deal with Iran may be getting resurrected, and Trump finally seems to realize that Putin is a warmonger. Plus, Dems should put Qatar and El Salvador on notice that there will be a cost for their free gifts in the future, and we are the guys and girls on the white horse who will save this country. show notes Trump being asked about 'TACO' trade

Our VP used to think his path to power was through the ruling class at Yale Law School. But after 2016, he saw that his route was through Trump, so he swapped one set of elites for another. And now as a lord among the MAGA ruling class, he's embracing his true cruel, lying self—and railing against the globalists who nitpick about this silly due process thing. Meanwhile, even Elon doesn't like the bankruptcy-threatening reconciliation bill, even if it's larded with kickbacks just for him. Plus, America: stay and fight. And the biggest theft in the history of the presidency is happening every day right before our eyes. New Mexico congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and The Atlantic's George Packer join Tim Miller. show notes George's profile of the VP, "The Talented Mr. Vance"Rep. Stansbury being featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!George's piece, "Be A Patriot"George on Ross DouthatPlus, tickets for our live show “Free Andry” on June 6 in DC

Democrats need vastly more imagination to confront the enormous challenges the country faces politically, economically, and on climate. The party can't just focus on stopping what is happening in Washington. Meanwhile, Trump can't stop insulting the intelligence of the American people, every part of the political spectrum has something to hate about the reconciliation bill, and libertarians need to speak up about a president disappearing people to a foreign black site. Plus, cracking the manosphere, what Biden could've done differently on Covid, and the era of politicians sticking to their talking points is over. Pete Buttigieg joins join Tim Miller. show notes YouTube audioRemaining tickets for the live Bulwark show in Nashville on ThursdayPlus, tickets for our live show “Free Andry” on June 6 in DC

Despite our missteps in some of our more recent wars, we were fighting to bring freedom, democracy, and self-governance to others. Now, Trump's mercantilist agenda is showing us what it looks like to not have an American-led world order. And even after Russia's largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began, he still won't threaten Putin—only Zelensky. Meanwhile, just looking at the math alone, the reconciliation bill is alarming. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a Memorial Day pod. show notes Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' interview, "A Marine's Case Against MAGA"Will Selber on Trump's betrayal of our Afghan allies