Bulwark Takes

Latest Episodes:

Trump’s Pick to Lead The Navy Is a Walking Red Flag Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Jared Poland give their takes on Trump’s new acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao. From viral podcast clips to resurfaced campaign interviews, Cao leans hard into “alpha male” rhetoric, conspiracy-adjacent claims about witches, and extreme takes on immigration, NATO, and the military. It’s a wild collection of moments, including comments about “peeing standing up,” calling ICE on people, and KKK hoods. Cao’s rise to the top ranks of the Pentagon raise serious questions about judgment and leadership under Pete Hegseth.

Get tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: https://thebulwark.com/events

California’s Governor Race Is Absolute Chaos Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Sarah Longwell breaks down California’s chaotic governor’s race, where 61 candidates and a fractured Democratic field could open the door for Republicans. In polls, Xavier Becerra is quietly rising as the “safe” choice with Katie Porter still facing questions about her personal baggage, and billionaire Tom Steyer took most of the heat on the debate stage. All of this as Republicans, like Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, stand to benefit from the split in a chaotic jungle primary.

BREAKING: Worst Consumer Sentiment in History; DOJ Drops Criminal Probe of Chair Powell Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Catherine Rampell and JVL are going live to cover the week's biggest developments in the world of finance and the economy.

Read Catherine Rampell's 'Receipts' Newsletter

Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May

Tim Miller Nukes Grotesque “Pastor” Doug Wilson Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored and got into a heated on-air clash with a right-wing “pastor” while dismantling the case for Trump’s war with Iran.

Watch more Piers Morgan Uncensored: https://www.youtube.com/piersmorganuncensored

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

Kash Patel SNAPS at Reporter on Live TV Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down a chaotic day involving Kash Patel. First, Patel snaps at a reporter when pressed about his own lawsuit, turning a simple question into a total meltdown. They also dig into the Justice Department’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, explaining the allegations and why the case is already raising serious questions. Finally, they examine a troubling development: the FBI questioning a New York Times reporter after a story about Patel’s girlfriend.

Read more from Will's newsletter False Flag: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

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

Republicans Have 7 Months Left to Bury the Epstein Files Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

The Epstein files are back in the news and JVL and Will Sommer are here to break down the latest. Republicans are now weighing whether to recommend a pardon for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. At the same time, the Department of Justice’s internal watchdog is launching a review into how the Epstein files were handled, raising new questions about what was released, what was withheld, and why. Is this a routine oversight review—or the start of something much bigger?

Read more from Will's newsletter False Flag: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

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

Katie Couric LIVE on Trump's AWFUL Polls, GOP's Gerrymander Faceplant, WHCD Drama Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Katie Couric is joining JVL and Bill Kristol to talk about Trump's dismal approval polling, the GOP's failed attempt to gain an edge in the House via gerrymandering, and the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner.

BOMBSHELL: The Kennedy Center Isn’t Closed For “Renovations”—It’s Bankrupt! (w/ Josef Palermo) Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Sonny Bunch speaks with whistleblower Josef Palermo, who saw the collapse of the Kennedy Center from the inside. The Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell and the Trump administration said the shutdown was about renovations. But Palermo says the real story is financial collapse, political interference, and a dramatic shift away from the institution’s mission. From six-figure ticket markups to a fundraising pitch delivered during an October 7 memorial, Palermo lays out how things went wrong and how fast it happened.

We’re Running Low on Munitions—Just Seven Weeks Into the War Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are discussing the week's major military and foreign policy news.

The Bulwark is going to Southern California! Go to https://thebulwark.com/events to learn more.

BREAKING: Virginia Redistricting Referendum PASSES Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Tim Miller and Bill Kristol give their takes on a major election night development in Virginia as voters approve a redistricting referendum that reshapes the state’s congressional map and clears the way for a potential 10–1 Democratic advantage. The result marks a significant political victory for Democrats, who moved aggressively to counter Republican-led gerrymandering efforts in other states.

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