Bulwark Takes

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Mitch McConnell Releases Another “Proof of Life” Photograph Jul 28, 2026

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Mitch McConnell says he's "still working hard" to get back to the Senate, but the only proof of life we've gotten is two photos and a statement from his physician. JVL and Andrew Egger break down why the timeline doesn't add up, why a five-minute call with a reporter could end all the speculation, and why the new photo is sending conspiracy theorists into overdrive.

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MAGA Mondays: Trump Goes on a Bizarre, Manic Posting Spree Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover Laura Loomer's recent trip to Ukraine, the giant conspiracy theory on Joe Rogan, Kash Patel using the FBI to hype himself up, Liz Truss partnering up with Matt Schlapp, and Trump posting gross and disgusting slop all weekend long.

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Epstein Survivor Asks: Will Any GOP Senators Do the Right Thing? (w/ Dani Bensky) Jul 27, 2026

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Bill Kristol welcomes Epstein survivor Dani Bensky to discuss her private meeting with Todd Blanche, her communications with Senators Tillis and Cornyn, and whether any GOP Senators will do the right thing.

The More Waltz Tries to Explain Trump’s War, The Worse It Gets Jul 26, 2026

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Will Saletan is joined by Ben Parker to break down Mike Waltz’s Sunday show appearances defending Trump’s Iran strategy. As Waltz struggles to explain the administration’s goals, timeline, and endgame, they examine the contradictions, the unanswered questions about U.S. munitions and diplomacy, and what it all says about whether the White House has a coherent plan for the war.

Bitter, Miserable Trump Whines Through Interminable WHCD Speech Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

Trump took the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and delivered one of the most uncomfortable speeches of his political career. Sam Stein and Will Saletan break down the jokes that bombed, the attacks on Kaitlan Collins and other targets that crossed the line from comedy into cruelty, the surreal Wall Street Journal/Epstein moment, and what happened when Trump faced an audience that simply stopped laughing.

Destiny Introduces JVL to the Wild World of Streaming Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

JVL joins Destiny for his first-ever political stream to talk about how MAGA media manufactures reality, why mainstream outlets keep playing by obsolete rules, and how Democrats kill their own messages before voters ever hear them.

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Pentagon Hides Number of Troops Killed In Iran War | Command Post Jul 24, 2026

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Join Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker as they cover the Pentagon lowering the count of US service members killed in the Iran War.

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Oil Hits $100/Barrel as Iran War Escalates (w/ Paul Krugman) | Receipts Live Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Join JVL and special guest Paul Krugman (filling in for Catherine) as they cover the week's biggest stories from the world of economics and finance.

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For more on Catherine's original reporting, check out her latest Receipts newsletter on how the Trump administration is conspiring to exclude millions of immigrants from the 2030 census: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/inside-trumps-stealth-trick-to-rig-census-and-congress

The Trump Administration Is on a Legal Losing Streak Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on why the DOJ abruptly withdrew its subpoenas against three New York Times reporters and their family members over reporting on security flaws in Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One. But the losses in court don't stop there, the administration also quietly dropped its demand for a list of Jewish faculty and students at UPenn, and a Trump-appointed judge just blocked the White House from obtaining Kentucky’s voter rolls. Plus, in a scene straight out of Pyongyang: Trump finishes a speech, and the applause just… doesn’t stop. A full uncomfortable minute of a room too scared to be the first one to sit down.

We Asked GOP Lawmakers About Their Own Nominee. They Ran Away! Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the double standard at the heart of the GOP right now: Democrats forced Graham Platner off the ballot over disturbing allegations, while Republicans stand by candidates and members with far more documented records. Texas gun-YouTuber Brandon Herrera made disgusting comments about women and children. Arizona's Mark Lamb is facing sexual misconduct allegations. Sitting Congressmen Cory Mills and Max Miller continue to face domestic abuse allegations. So what does Mike Johnson say when he's asked directly about it? He dodges.

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