Bulwark Takes

Latest Episodes:

Why Did Trump Pick This Loser to Run a Swing State? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller and Joe Perticone give their takes on Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania’s Trump-endorsed Republican nominee for governor and one of the country’s most committed election deniers. From her role in the January 5, 2021 rally in Harrisburg to her refusal to back away from Trump’s election lies, Garrity has built her political career around MAGA loyalty. Plus, Joe shares some memorable stories from covering Andy Biggs and explains why some of the nicest politicians can be among the worst for the country.

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Check out these previous episodes in Tim's "worst Republicans" series.

- Mike Collins: https://youtu.be/dCGutIrGS1M?si=RcHzqPpRipUuncv0
- Andy Biggs: https://youtu.be/MlJGh86jzKs?si=Ubc_jcJyh1HRBjsw
- Zach Lahn: https://youtu.be/0NFPrcBWHSw?si=J7ASh_2v0tY5kC9x

Watch TNL for a discussion of the South Carolina primary: https://youtu.be/bVAzs6YLayo?si=TQqTvBgNULQgmpHU

BREAKING: Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed to "Lake America" Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger went live to cover Trump order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America." They give their takes on the absurdity of it, the cost, and why Trump’s latest map-making stunt is a perfect snapshot of a president who seems increasingly out of ideas and out of touch. Plus, they dig into Trump’s bizarre claims about the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. missile shortages caused by the Iran war, and why the administration is suddenly asking Russia for favors.

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Good Fight Tour tickets: https://www.thebulwark.com/events

Talarico’s Texas Surge Should Terrify Republicans Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller joins Katy Tur on MS NOW for his take on Trump’s growing disconnect with voters on the economy and affordability—and why his billionaire bubble may be making that problem worse. Tim breaks down new polling showing a dramatic swing toward Democrat James Talarico in key Texas districts and explains why the Texas Senate race is increasingly within Democrats’ reach. Plus, Trump plans to use his massive super PAC war chest to promote himself ahead of the midterms and that could backfire on Republicans.

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Watch The Moment with Katy Tur on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports

Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Sending People to Their Deaths Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

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Tim Miller gives his take on the intentional cruelty and escalating human cost of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown—from a five-year-old boy detained by ICE on his way to soccer to the father of a U.S. Navy sailor being detained, with the White House defending the decision. Plus, ICE is planning a facility in Louisiana that could hold women and children, developed by the company that operates the state’s notorious Angola prison. Now, immigrants are being sent back to dangerous areas of Haiti and Guatemala, and even deported to countries they aren’t from. In some cases, people sent back to dangerous areas have been killed. Tim breaks down the growing list of horrifying cases and what they reveal about the administration’s immigration policy.

Command Post: Top General Reportedly Retired Over Investigation Into Kid Rock Flyby Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

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Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Trump’s latest claims that the U.S. has “really dominated” Iran, the Pentagon’s purge of senior military leaders, and reports that a top Army official was pushed out after opening an investigation into the bizarre Kid Rock helicopter flyby. Plus, they discuss reports that the Navy could rename an aircraft carrier planned to honor Doris Miller, the Black sailor and Medal of Honor recipient who became a hero at Pearl Harbor—and name it after Trump instead.

Wall Street Legend Calls Out Scott Bessent (w/ Bob Elliott) Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Stanley Druckenmiller just delivered a brutal public rebuke of his former protégé, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Catherine Rampell is joined by Bob Elliott, co-founder and chief investment officer at Unlimited, for his take on what’s behind Druckenmiller’s criticism and why Bessent’s bond-market strategy may be making things worse. They also discuss Bessent’s failed attempt to push down long-term interest rates, the erosion of confidence in U.S. economic policymakers, and what Druckenmiller’s intervention says about the growing divide on Trump’s economic team.

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What Is Trump’s CIA Director Doing in Moscow? Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow has raised major questions: Is he there to warn Putin, negotiate over Ukraine, or deliver a message about Russia’s escalating covert attacks across Europe? Reporter Michael Weiss and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos break down Ratcliffe’s unexpected visit, the intelligence warnings about possible Russian provocations against NATO, and the growing campaign of sabotage and attacks targeting European infrastructure. Plus, they turn to the U.S.-Canada trade war and the extraordinary strain being placed on one of America’s closest allies.

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Rep. Jared Huffman: Pete Hegseth Is Preparing for a Religious War Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Congressman Jared Huffman joins Joe Perticone for his take on the rise of Christian nationalism and the religious movements reshaping the American right. Huffman, the author of "No Prophets: The Fight to Save Democracy from Christian Nationalism," explains how he believes Christian nationalism has become increasingly powerful and entrenched in American politics, from the events of January 6 to the highest levels of government. They also discuss JD Vance, “just war” theory, the rise of the “Rad Trad” movement, Pete Hegseth’s crusade rhetoric, and the religious factions influencing MAGA.

Read more from Joe: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/presspass

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Morning Shots Live: Trump Is Coming for Lake Ontario Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover Trump's dumbest idea yet: renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." Plus, Andrew and Bill give their takes on the Supreme Court's decision Monday regarding Trump's executive order on mail-in voting and ICE deports the wife of an active-duty Army sergeant.

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Republicans Don’t Want Trump Anywhere Near the Midterms Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Katy Tur hosts Sam Stein, Mona Charen, and others for a wide-ranging discussion of Donald Trump’s role in the 2026 midterms, his focus on sporting events and legacy projects, turnover in the White House, Jared Kushner’s meeting with Hakeem Jeffries, and the growing political backlash to AI and data centers.

Watch The Moment with Katy Tur on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/katy-tur-reports