The Bulwark

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Channel • 16 Shows

Politics

Politics

Updated daily
Politics

Politics

Updated weekly
Politics

Politics

Updated weekly
Film Interviews

Film Interviews

Updated weekly
Film Reviews

Film Reviews

Every two weeks
History

History

Updated weekly
Politics

Politics

Updated weekly

31/12/2025

John Heilemann: The Year Is Ending a Lot Better than It Started

Only six months ago, the wheels felt like they were coming off of America, and our democracy experiment. But since the Epstein case broke wide open, the wheels started to come off Trump instead. And he's not just lost his way in politics but in the broader culture too—with his despicable words about Rob Reiner, his trying to get Jimmy Kimmel fired, and his pedophile cover-up. At the same time, we are likely stuck with his family grift, which will last for generations. Over on the Democratic side, the left has the momentum but there is room for a McCain-style reform candidate. Meanwhile, JD may be too repellant to win the presidency and the expectations for Mamdani are likely unrealistic. Plus, some love for Oasis, Geese, and Cameron Winter—and some hope that people are longing for something tangible in their music again. People need a rock star. John Heilemann joins Tim Miller for the year-end pod.show notes: John's "Impolitic" podcast John's columns at Puck Tim's 2025 Music Year in Review Filmmaker Charles Curran's recut of the Melania trailer with Miss Piggy Shane Gillis on how we got Trump Tim's playlist

31/12/2025

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1h 12m
31/12/2025

When Fox News Starts Saying "Trump is Bad" (and Other Wild Predictions)

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller look ahead to what’s next—and it (mostly) isn't pretty. From Trump’s plans for the Fed and crypto chaos, to billionaire media consolidation, and some truly unhinged foreign policy ideas, they game out what could break, what might finally collapse Trump’s support, and why things probably have to get worse before they get better. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

31/12/2025

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38 min
02/12/2025

Project 2025 Is Coming Back To Bite Trump

As a candidate, Trump knew to steer clear of Project 2025. But as president, he embraced its deeply unpopular policy goals and it has been driving down his poll numbers. Meanwhile, what are we doing with Venezuela? No one in the administration has made a remotely convincing case for the intimidation campaign against President Maduro. And the boat bombings are putting members of our military in legal danger under the guidance of Hegseth. Plus, the threats against legislators in Indiana who aren't going along with redistricting, and the broad-based coalition standing up to ICE—including people in costumes and grannies on scooters—has been one of the most successful responses to Trump's immigration agenda. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.show notes: Protect Democracy's web site Amanda's Substack "If You Can Keep It" on Substack Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

02/12/2025

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39 min
01/12/2025

Bill Kristol: A Kleptocratic, Autocratic Cabal

Not only are the opportunities for personal financial gain for Trump and his White House cronies driving the administration’s foreign policy decisions, his tariffs look more and more about grift. Trump also inexplicably granted clemency to a private equity exec who ripped off ordinary Americans in a Ponzi scheme, while he plans a pardon for a former Honduran president who trafficked cocaine to America—even as he orders the bombings of suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, on the immigration front, Border Patrol is moving into NOLA, and the administration is exploiting the heinous and tragic DC Guard shooting to try to rid the country of black and brown immigrants.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Bill's 'Bulwark on Sunday' on Trump's anti-immigrant agenda Tim's 'Bulwark Take' on Scott Jennings WSJ's piece, "Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine" NYT on David Sacks Andy McCarthy on the killing of two survivors of a missile strike in the Caribbean Makeup-less Trump at Mar-a-Lago New Bulwark merch! Go to https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code BULWARK. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show!

01/12/2025

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51 min
20/11/2025

Susan Glasser: Our Grotesque, Corrupted Oligarchy

Tim Cook and the other tech titans who dined with bone saw murderer MBS—and who’ve given millions to Trump to knock down our history for his gilded ballroom—expect the people who use their products every day to protect American democracy, while they reap its benefits to freely act against the public’s interest. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy is acting like an agent of the Russian government, and POTUS shows yet again that he is not a tough negotiator. Plus, Stephen Miller is spreading fear by design, Trump’s Epstein capitulation is still worth savoring, and Tim shares his postmortem on his Kamala interview. The New Yorker’s Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller. show notes Susan and Peter Baker’s book, “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021” Tim’s interview with Kamala in Nashville TAKE THE SURVEY

20/11/2025

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48 min
04/12/2025

Sam Stein: We Got Ourselves a Mad King

Trump’s use of his pardon power is downright crazy, and that’s not even counting his rescue of a convicted drug kingpin. He’s also sabotaging his own redistricting plans in Texas by pardoning Rep. Henry Cuellar, and wasting taxpayer money absolving a sports executive who was indicted by his own Justice Department earlier this year. Meanwhile, down in NOLA, two men with a Napoleon complex are unleashing misery of the psychic and economic kind on the city through its ICE and Border Patrol operation. Plus, someone needs to scour the immigration history of Phil Mickelson’s family, and why is Tucker so obsessed with the gays?Sam Stein joins Tim Miller. Sam's 'Bulwark Take' on the DOJ attorney fired for not restoring Mel Gibson's gun rights Lauren on the Dems itching to go after AI Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/BULWARK. Promo Code BULWARK Go to https://zbiotics.com/THEBULWARK and use THEBULWARK at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

04/12/2025

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51 min
03/12/2025

Olivia Nuzzi Breaks Her Silence

There are no shortage of scandals plaguing Washington D.C. right now. One that has captivated much of the political and media professions involves Olivia Nuzzi, a political writer formerly of the magazine New York, and now an editor with Vanity Fair, who was involved in a relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the 2024 campaign. Nuzzi’s relationship has provided incredible fodder for the press, not least because her ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, has penned a multi-part series on the matter where he has unspooled numerous accusations against her and RFK Jr., in anticipation of the publication of Nuzzi’s book, American Canto, which was released Tuesday. Those accusations are quite serious, many of which Nuzzi addresses in her book, including an admission that she secretly aided RFK Jr.’s campaign. The more important ones, however, deal with RFK Jr. himself, including the charge that he has hid drug use and was both manipulative of and threatening to Nuzzi during their relationship. Nuzzi has not discussed any of it on camera. Until now. In a sit down interview with Tim Miller, she talked about the ethical breaches that cost her her job, the conflict between her responsibilities as a reporter, the private relationship that blurred those boundaries, and the fear and isolation she experienced as the scandal unfolded. She describes withdrawing from the world, fleeing across the country, and trying to rebuild her sense of self while contending with public shaming and, what she saw as, the “weaponization” of her personal life against her. She also offers some insights and revelations regarding the now Health and Human Service secretary, who has denied the relationship. She and Tim discuss her relationship with RFK Jr. and the wreckage that followed, whether he continues to use drugs while occupying a cabinet post, what type of threats she felt, and why she didn’t feel compelled to speak up as it became clear that Kennedy was ascending to remarkable heights of political power. They also discuss the broader political moment that shaped all of it: the Trump era’s constant tug between reality and spectacle, the corrosion of public trust, and the ways journalists become characters in the dramas they cover. And they broach one of the more understated questions throughout this entire, sordid ordeal: why even bother writing this book to begin with? Nuzzi explains that writing was an act of survival and the clarity that came from separating herself from Washington, D.C.’s rituals and delusions. Along the way, she says, she became further entrenched in the delusions she was hoping to escape. show notes Buy American Canto by Olivia Nuzzi

03/12/2025

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1h 8m
16/05/2025

Peter Hamby: All in Service of Kissing Trump's Ass

MAGA is having a performative tantrum calling for James Comey to be jailed over a seashell meme because the daily job of Trump's supporters and Cabinet members is to try to warm his heart—that includes Kristi Noem changing her face and Tulsi firing top intel officials because they told the White House the truth it doesn't want to hear. Meanwhile, fentanyl deaths and violent crime fell dramatically last year, and border crossings have plummeted, but the administration keeps hyping a "crisis" to try to justify suspending habeas corpus. Plus, Tim briefly goes back to his comms job, the GOP's bill is not on a glide-path, Dems think their leaders are "spineless," Gavin tries "just win" on for size, Kamala mulls the CA governor's race—and new baby advice!! Peter Hamby joins Tim Miller for a bountiful weekend pod. show notes Peter's pod, "The Powers That Be" Peter on Puck's poll on Dems Peter's "Good Luck America" Tim's FYPod (Suzanne Lambert episode out Saturday) Bulwark piece on how Biden should rethink his post-presidency Free Andry live show in DC on June 6 Tim's playlist

16/05/2025

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1h 27m
07/05/2025

Katie Phang and Greg Casar: Trump & Co Are the Real Flag Burners

The Supreme Court is working hard to tend to Mr. Presidential Immunity's wounds because he just can't abide lower federal court judges telling him he can't kick trans people out of the military, or that the 14th Amendment is a real thing. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem is defiling her own birthright citizenship by kidnapping people and sending them to a foreign gulag. Plus, how the Dems should fight the party that only wants to break things—and craft a better economic message that appeals to both moderates and progressives. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas and Katie Phang join Tim Miller.show notes Katie's Substack NYT profile of Rep. Casar

07/05/2025

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56 min
13/06/2025

Tom Nichols: Remember the Split Screen

On Saturday, Trump would like nothing more than images from Los Angeles of tear gas and balaclava-clad anarchists throwing bottles at Marines to complement video of himself in the stands at his military parade, saluting the troops amid a field of flags. That's part of the reason why he chose LA to federalize the Guard—home to numerous adversaries who willingly take his bait. And while tanks are going to roll through DC, wrecking its streets for the big birthday boy, Israel is going after Iran like it went after Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem handled the Padilla incident like a little fascist, and it only just occurred to Trump how the deportations will affect farms and hotels. Plus, a "Les Miz" correction, a 'Godfather' goof, and fighting words over The Beach Boys v. Lou Reed. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Why Trump deployed troops to LA Tom's late night piece on Israel's attack on Iran Tom's "Silence of the Generals" piece The baptism scene in The Godfather Tim's playlist

13/06/2025

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1h 5m

Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy. Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.

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POLITICS
Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last bring their signature political insight and banter to the masses in The Next Level podcast. Tune in to hear them discuss the news of the week, break down campaigns and elections, and wade into pop culture feuds. www.thebulwark.com

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POLITICS
Unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. She and a series of special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say. https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast/focus-group/

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POLITICS
Sonny Bunch hosts The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood, a new podcast featuring interviews with folks who have their finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry during this dynamic—and difficult—time.

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FILM INTERVIEWS
Here’s the elevator pitch: It’s “Left, Right, and Center” meets “Siskel and Ebert.” Three friends from different ideological perspectives discuss the movies and controversies (or nontroversies!) swirling around them. You'll have to sign up for the Substack to get bonus episodes and you can do that at movieaisle.substack.com.

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FILM REVIEWS
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. We probe beyond the hive mind of Washington conventional wisdom on national security and foreign affairs.

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HISTORY