Bulwark Takes

Latest Episodes:

Trump’s Old and Shrinking Republican Party | Morning Shots LIVE May 19, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to discuss the terms of Trump’s $1.776 billion slush fund for his fans, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defending the outrageous fund to Congress, Trump’s slipping poll numbers. Plus, amid a war in Iran and surging gas prices, Trump has his eyes on one thing: the ballroom.

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A Congressman Called His Penis a Pine Cone. We Have Questions. May 19, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer are finally doing it live—and before they hit the stage in San Diego, they’re warming up with the week’s most unhinged news from MAGA World. Trump is amplifying bizarre (flattering?) information about Thomas Massie’s sex life. Hunter Biden is going on Candace Owens. And a January 6th grifter made a miraculous recovery the moment reparations money appeared.

The Trio is live in San Diego on Wednesday, May 20th—grab your tickets at https://thebulwark.com/events.

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Seriously, Share This With Your Fox-Watching MAGA Friends May 19, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller takes on Trump's last-minute decision to stand down from a planned military strike on Iran, and why the real story isn't the diplomacy, it's who's doing the asking. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE told Trump to hold off, and he said yes.

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Yes, Trump’s Disgraceful IRS Settlement is REAL May 18, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Egger and Joe Perticone give their takes on Trump’s shocking new $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement fund, a scheme that could funnel taxpayer money to January 6 defendants and other Trump allies. They explain how the administration rushed the deal to avoid judicial scrutiny, why Congress likely won’t stop it, and how Republicans could end up politically trapped ahead of a tough midterm season defending payouts to convicted rioters.

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Trump Stumbles in Bible Reading + Possible IRS Settlement NEWS! | MAGA Mondays LIVE May 18, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Will Sommer went live to cover Trump withdrawing his $10B lawsuit against the IRS, the $1.7B slush fund for MAGA allies, Trump’s bizarre Bible reading, Laura Loomer’s fight with Thomas Massie that includes accusations of swinging and cocaine, and groyper drama involving a witch that you need to hear to believe.

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What Would Jesus Do? Apparently, Build a Billion Dollar Ballroom May 18, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller and Cameron Kasky join together in New Orleans for a weekend potpourri: the most expensive congressional primary in history (and why a Parkland survivor is rooting for the libertarian gun guy), Eric Metaxas declaring God's divine will is being spent on Trump's ballroom, and why Trump's Iran threats stopped meaning anything weeks ago. Plus: oil at $107, the parliamentarian strikes back, and Tim gets caught on Geese Reddit.

Trump’s Revenge Tour Takes Down Another Republican Senator May 17, 2026

Show notes

Bill Cassidy tried to survive Trump’s wrath after voting for his impeachment. It didn’t work. Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell take on Cassidy’s crushing third place finish, Lindsey Graham’s comments about “Trump’s party,” and what it means for Republicans who cross Trump.

The Real Reason Kamala Harris Lost (w/ Rob Flaherty) May 17, 2026

Show notes

Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager of Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, joins Bill Kristol for Bulwark on Sunday to discuss his massive article on the missing DNC autopsy, what really sunk the campaign, and the future of elections.

Trump Blew Up the Economy—and Bragged About It! May 16, 2026

Show notes

Will Saletan takes on Donald Trump’s own words on the Iran war, gas prices, inflation, and the economy — and methodically shows how Trump keeps contradicting himself on camera. From $300 oil to “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” this is a devastating walkthrough of Trump’s economic and political logic.

Trump Goes to China, Gets Nothing, Comes Back to Iran Crisis May 16, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller talked to Nicolle Wallace on MS Now to give his take on Trump’s embarrassing summit in China, where Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping and left with no results for ending the war in Iran. Plus, Tim gave his take on the proposed $1.7 billion fund tied to Trump allies and January 6-related figures, raising fresh concerns about corruption, political favoritism, and taxpayer money being directed toward controversial recipients.

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Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

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