Bulwark Takes

Latest Episodes:

Republicans Are Running A Fake Democratic Campaign In Texas (w/ Johnny Garcia) May 16, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller is joined by Johnny Garcia, a Democrat running in Texas’s 35th Congressional District, where a closely watched runoff on May 26 could help decide control of a key House seat. Garcia, a deputy sheriff and former hostage negotiator, outlines his background in law enforcement and his pitch to working-class voters who are struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty. They also talk about the unusual dynamics of the race: Republicans are reportedly spending significant money to boost Garcia’s runoff opponent, a fringe candidate accused of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, in an apparent effort to shape a more favorable general election matchup after mid-cycle redistricting in Texas.

Refresh your everyday with luxury you’ll actually use. Head to https://Quince.com/BULWARKTAKES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

Trump Planning Taxpayer-Funded, $1.7 Billion Slush Fund for Political Allies | Receipts Live May 15, 2026

Show notes

Catherine Rampell and JVL went LIVE to give their takes on Trump's reported plans for a secretive $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded slush fund that could quietly reward Jan. 6 defendants and Trump political allies behind closed doors.

Refresh your everyday with luxury you’ll actually use. Head to https://Quince.com/BULWARKTAKES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

Read Catherine Rampell's newsletter, 'Receipts' — https://www.thebulwark.com/s/receipts

Read JVL's newsletter, 'The Triad' — https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad

"Make-a-Wish" Kash Patel Turned the FBI Into a Bachelor Party May 15, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller takes on reports that Kash Patel is snorkeling at Pearl Harbor, rigging the most wanted list, and jetting his girlfriend around Europe on your dime. Meanwhile Trump just created a $1.7 billion slush fund for his criminal allies—no Congress required.

Republicans Just Handed Black Voter Organizers Their Best Message Ever (w/ Joshua Doss) May 15, 2026

Show notes

Joshua Doss joins Sam Stein to discuss why Black voters are abandoning the Democratic Party, how Republican redistricting may have accidentally handed organizers their most powerful message in years, and why the voters Democrats need most are the ones they've ignored the longest.

Tim Can’t Stop Laughing at Rand Paul’s Son’s Twitter Name May 14, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL are doing a bonus not-quite-TNL to take on Trump’s staggering $10 billion lawsuit scheme against the federal government, the MAGA civil war over Thomas Massie, and the surreal Capitol Hill bar confrontation involving Rand Paul’s son, antisemitic insults, and Kentucky Republican chaos. Plus, JD Vance launches an “anti-fraud” task force while Trump’s allies chase billions and pardon money.

Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.

And on May 21 at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from , The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage.

Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

Rand Paul’s Son Berates GOP Congressman in Drunken Anti-Semitic Outburst May 14, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the report from NOTUS that Senator Rand Paul’s son confronted Congressman Mike Lawler in a drunken late-night exchange that reportedly included anti-Semitic remarks, a rant about Thomas Massie’s Kentucky primary, and even complaints about the SALT cap. The two unpack the growing MAGA civil war surrounding Massie, the influence of figures like Tucker Carlson, and why Trumpworld appears determined to crush one of the few Republicans willing to openly defy Trump. They also dive into the bizarre allegations now hanging over Massie’s re-election campaign, including “cow money,” workplace complaints, and a last-minute political hit that could shake up the race.

JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to TheBulwark.com/Events. More

Kash Patel Gets Grilled on His Drinking Habits in Senate Hearing May 13, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the explosive Senate hearing where Senator Chris Van Hollen pressed FBI Director Kash Patel over his reported heavy drinking, leak hunts, and polygraph tests inside the FBI. What started as a bizarre exchange about an alcohol “AUDIT test” quickly spiraled into accusations, evasions, and some very awkward denials. The two unpack Patel’s combative performance, the administration’s growing paranoia over leaks, and why Donald Trump may see Patel as too useful to lose, no matter how chaotic things get.

Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.

Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

Trump Pardoned Him. He Pulled a Gun on Someone at Church. May 13, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller gives his take on the troubling pattern involving several January 6 defendants who were pardoned by Donald Trump and have since been re-arrested or charged with new crimes in the last year. Recent cases include allegations ranging from assault and harassment to child sexual exploitation charges, as well as violent threats against elected officials, including Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.

Just announced: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego on May 20.

Grab your seats today at: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

Rep. Adam Smith: We Need An Investigation Into The U.S. Strike on The Iranian Girl’s School May 12, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein is joined by Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, for his take on Trump’s war in Iran, the $29 billion estimate of the cost of the war, the $1.2 trillion cost to make a “Golden Dome” style defense, and Congressman Smith’s plan to investigate the U.S. strike on an Iranian girl’s school that killed over 100 people.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.

BREAKING: Trump's FDA Commissioner RESIGNS May 12, 2026

Show notes

Jonathan Cohn and Andrew Egger are going live to cover the breaking news that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes to find and instantly book a doctor you love today.

Read Jonathan Cohn's The Breakdown Newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-breakdown

Read Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots

Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and Los Angeles in May: https://thebulwark.com/events

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected