Bulwark Takes

Latest Episodes:

Trump Said It Out Loud. His Cabinet Says It Never Happened. Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Trump says he’s banning news organizations over negative coverage. Then his own officials go on TV and insist that’s not what’s happening. Will Saletan meticulously breaks down Todd Blanche’s defense of Trump’s press crackdown, Mike Waltz getting confronted with the president’s own words, and the shifting story about the war with Iran.

Just How Crazy is the White House Right Now? (w/ Sarah Matthews) | Bulwark on Sunday Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

Trump’s White House is racking up losses, picking fights with the press, and increasingly operating without anyone willing to tell the president no. Bill Kristol talks with former Trump White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews about what’s happening behind the scenes, why Republicans are suddenly putting some distance between themselves and Trump, and why she fears things could get even more reckless after the midterms.

Trump’s MAGA Replacement for the Media Is an Amateur-Hour Disaster Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

Catherine Rampell and Will Sommer take on Trump’s escalating war on the White House press, the amateur-hour MAGA media operation stepping in to replace the traditional White House pool, and Byron Donalds’ awkward attempt to put a little distance between himself and Trump. Plus, Kimberly Guilfoyle’s misadventures as ambassador to Greece involve a mysterious lobbyist, questionable energy dealings, a middle-of-the-night trip to Albania, a shattered vodka venture, and one extraordinary warning to a U.S. ally.

Byron Donalds removes Trump references from his campaign website:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2026/09/22/byron-donalds-removes-trump-mentions-florida-governor-campaign-website/

Trump responds by announcing two rallies with Byron Donalds:
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/821961-trump-to-rally-twice-with-byron-donalds-ahead-of-election-day-says-donalds-would-lose-if-he-dropped-trump/

The Mystery Man Shadowing Kimberly Guilfoyle as She Pushes Deals Across Europe: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kimberly-guilfoyle-mystery-man-energy-5adeb541?mod=hp_lead_pos10

Listen to Catherine's new show, Receipts!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/receipts-with-catherine-rampell/id6807470569

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1O2Z2akwyonpAsbxyMqBTV?si=7d81ca2f299e4409

Inside the Strange CIA Briefing That Sent Europe Into a Panic Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss examine the growing Russian threat in Europe, separating the real danger of Russian sabotage and state terrorism from the media panic over a potential Russian invasion of NATO territory. They discuss the intelligence briefing that sparked concerns across Europe, how the assessment has since been revised downward, and why Russia’s escalating sabotage campaign could still lead to a dangerous mass-casualty event.

They also examine how Europe can respond to Russian aggression, the role of NATO and Article 5, and why Russia may be testing how willing the West is to push back.

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Ossoff is Utterly CRUSHING His Opponent. There's Just One Catch... Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Jon Ossoff is running so far ahead in Georgia that his strength is starting to shape the races around him. Tim Miller and Lauren Egan look at the striking gap between Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms, whether Ossoff can drag the Democratic ticket across the finish line, and why the governor’s race could wind up determining whether he has a real shot at the presidency in 2028.

Lauren Egan’s Opposition newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-opposition

New YouGov poll: Ossoff leads Collins by 10 while the governor’s race is effectively tied:
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/new-2026-georgia-poll-ossoff-leads-senate-race-governor-race-tied

Jon Ossoff’s Georgia race stirs talk of a 2028 presidential run:
https://www.ft.com/content/90714056-d364-43d9-9411-9bde92f966b3

Chris Christie says he’s considering another presidential run:
https://www.wmur.com/article/chris-christie-run-president-92226/73842195

Panicked Republicans Are Trying to Rewrite Their Iran Record Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller gives his take on the Republican candidates who are suddenly calling for an end to the Iran war after repeatedly supporting it. John James, Mike Rogers, Tom Tiffany and Ashley Hinson are all trying to distance themselves from the war, but Tim asks the obvious question: What is their actual plan to end it? They don't have one.

Plus, Tim also looks at Roger Marshall’s attempt to distance himself from the Trump administration’s ICE policies.

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The Bulwark’s Cruelest Assignment Yet: 6 Hours of Trump TV Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein, Brendan Hartnett and Will Sommer discuss the chaos surrounding the White House press corps after CNN, Politico and MS NOW were banned from the White House, then allowed back on the premises but haven't gotten reassurances that CNN would be allowed back into the TV pool.

They also take on the right-wing media’s attempt to create its own version of the White House press pool, including technical failures, a lack of basic pool protocol and footage that appeared to show Trump’s motorcade too closely. Plus, they examine the launch of “Trump TV,” a White House livestream featuring hours of looping Trump footage that drew only a small audience.

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Trump’s AI Push Could Boost His Own Investments (w/ Gov. Wes Moore) Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Egger is joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to give his take on Maryland’s new AI regulations, the rapid growth of data centers, and the need for guardrails around increasingly powerful AI models. Moore explains why he believes AI is moving faster than government safeguards, criticizes the White House’s approach, and raises concerns about Trump’s personal financial stake in the AI boom.

They also discuss AI safety, potential benefits in government and healthcare, and whether the U.S. should cooperate with China on regulating increasingly powerful AI systems.

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Even This Former Trump Supporter HATES the War (w/ Brandon Weichert) Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller steps outside the bubble for a conversation with Brandon Weichert, a former Trump supporter and American Greatness writer who has become deeply disillusioned with the administration. They take on Trump’s Iran war, his growing foreign-policy mess, the GOP’s increasingly dangerous midterm map, and what could happen if Democrats take back Congress.

Watch more on Mario Nawfal’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/marionawfal

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Trump’s Ballroom May Be Illegal. So Why Can’t Anyone Stop It? (w/ Ben Wittes) Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

JVL and Lawfare's Benjamin Wittes take on the strange legal fight over Trump’s ballroom and proposed triumphal arch, including why standing may be the biggest obstacle to stopping them and what John Roberts’ dissent could be signaling to future challengers. They also dig into a bigger question: whether Congress, the courts, and the power of the purse can actually constrain a president determined to push ahead anyway.

A quick note: Look, there probably aren’t many media outlets willing to spend 45 minutes going extremely deep on the finer points of standing, appropriations law, and Trump’s ballroom. We are that kind of outlet. If you’re the kind of person who appreciates that, become a paid Bulwark member and help us keep doing this.

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