Bulwark Takes

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Politics
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The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.

14 hr ago

Watch Mike Johnson Squirm Over Trump’s $5,000 Bribe

Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Mike Johnson’s defense of Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera despite the gun YouTuber’s grotesque comments about women and children—and the stark contrast with how Democrats police their own candidates. They also dissect Donald Trump’s proposed $5,000 payout if Republicans retain Congress, then debate the administration’s lack of urgency as AI insiders warn of catastrophic risks and Johnson invokes competition with China to resist rapid regulation.
19 hr ago

This 6-Second Debate Clip Could Haunt GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan

Tim Miller breaks down two political moments from the weekend that caught his attention. First, he takes on the backlash from a Texas Republican candidate over viral photos of Indian American students celebrating a football game at the University of Texas, and why Republicans should be forced to answer for openly racist rhetoric from a candidate for statewide office. Then Tim turns to the Alaska Senate race and the debate between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan. He highlights Peltola’s argument that the Iran war is driving up fuel costs for Alaskan fishermen and families, as well as a viral debate moment when Sullivan has to look to Peltola for his answer during a yes-or-no question. To get tickets for upcoming Bulwark events—including our show for Springfield, OH—go to https://thebulwark.com/events. Relevant Links: Bo French’s posts about UT students / John Cornyn’s response:https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/cornyn-bo-french-ut-students-tweet-22429931.php Bo French’s previous controversial poll:https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article309580905.html Alaska Senate fisheries debate — Mary Peltola vs. Dan Sullivan: https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/alaska-us-senate-candidates-debate-fisheries-industry/685130 Kansas Senate debate — Roger Marshall vs. Adam Hamilton:https://www.kwch.com/2026/09/10/candidates-kansas-governor-us-senate-debate-live-kansas-state-fair/
1 day ago

America’s Most Powerful People Are Caving to Trump (w/ Richard North Patterson) | Bulwark on Sunday

Bill Kristol and Richard North Patterson trace how America went from a seemingly conventional political system to Trump’s second term, where the institutions and powerful people expected to serve as guardrails have often failed to stand up to him. They look at the GOP’s transformation, economic insecurity, the capitulation of business and legal elites—and why the millions of ordinary Americans showing up for “No Kings” and other grassroots resistance give them reason for hope.
1 day ago

GOP Senator Had His Patients ARRESTED Over Medical Bills

Tim Miller takes a closer look at Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, whose record as a doctor is under new scrutiny after a New York Times investigation found that he sued more than 700 patients over medical debt, with 81 ultimately arrested after missing court dates. Plus: Marshall’s views on healthcare and vaccines, his support for Trump’s Iran war and tariffs, and his record of going along with the president even as Kansans face higher costs. Related Links: The New York Times: “A Doctor Sued 700 Patients for Debts; 81 Were Arrested. Now He’s a Senator.”https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/roger-marshall-obgyn-doctor-debts.html STAT: “Two months ago, this doctor was delivering babies. Now he’s at the nexus of the Obamacare fight”https://www.statnews.com/2017/03/03/roger-marshall-kansas-obamacare/ The Kansas City Star: “Roger Marshall calls Kansas cabin home. Official trips took him near $1.2M Florida house”https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article292974104.html The Beacon: “Why 30 hospitals in Kansas and 12 in Missouri are at risk of closure”https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/01/08/why-30-rural-hospitals-in-kansas-and-12-in-missouri-are-at-risk/ The Bulwark: Sam Stein and Tim Miller interview Adam Hamiltonhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/sam-stein-and-adam-hamilton-trumps Watch more in Tim's series about the worst Republicans running in the 2026 midterm: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdXT8ySfDKu0
1 day ago

The RNC Convention Was Basically a Trump Cult Meeting

Sam Stein and Sonny Bunch unpack Sonny’s experience covering the Republican Party’s bizarre midterm convention in Dallas where they almost didn't let him in the arena. Sonny walks through the convention’s strange credentialing saga, the overwhelming focus on Donald Trump, and an event that seemed less like a traditional party convention and more like a celebration of Trump himself. From Trump memorabilia and a pledge to the president to a convention floor united around Trump, Sonny explains what the GOP looks like up close and why the party appears to have no identity beyond Donald Trump. They also discuss the surprising prominence of Charlie Kirk at the convention, JD Vance’s appeal to Kirk’s legacy while defending Trump’s Iran policy, and the one issue that actually appeared to divide attendees.
2 days ago

Command Post: Saudi Arabia’s Oil Pipeline Hit With Multiple Attacks

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the latest escalation across the Middle East, including an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, a critical alternative route designed to move oil around the Strait of Hormuz. With the pipeline damaged and the Houthis taking control of key positions along the Red Sea, the region’s major shipping routes are facing growing disruption. The attacks threaten far more than oil. The Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea are critical routes for food, grain, packaged goods and cargo moving between the Gulf, Europe, Asia and Africa. Mark explains why Iran and the Houthis appear to have the initiative, why the U.S. is increasingly responding rather than setting the terms of the conflict, and how Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and NATO could become entangled as the war continues to expand. Plus, the Somali pirates becoming active again and shippers now face another threat once they make it through the region’s increasingly dangerous choke points. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn’t be complicated. Head to Zocdoc.com/BulwarkTakes to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list.
2 days ago

Receipts Live: Diesel Prices Soar to $6 a Gallon, Inflation Outpaces Wages

Catherine Rampell and JVL break down the latest inflation numbers and why the Trump administration is desperately trying to convince Americans that rising prices are actually good news. Inflation hit 3.4% in August, real wages are falling behind, consumer confidence is sinking, and diesel prices have crossed $6 a gallon for the first time. They also give their takes on the looming fight between Trump and the Federal Reserve, as Kevin Warsh faces a potentially impossible choice between doing what the economy requires and doing what Trump wants. Plus, they take a closer look at Trump’s promise to send Americans $5,000 checks and why the plan may be even dumber than it sounds. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn’t be complicated. Head to Zocdoc.com/BulwarkTakes to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list. Read more from Catherine: https://www.thebulwark.com/receipts
3 days ago

Stephen Miller’s Wife Has Some Explaining to Do

Will Sommer and Andrew Egger dig into Katie Miller’s previously undisclosed financial stake in Elon Musk’s xAI and why it may shed new light on her relentless promotion of Grok. Miller has posted hundreds of times repeatedly attacked OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI companies while boosting Grok as the AI for “true patriots.” But the Washington Post found through White House financial disclosures that she owns roughly $1 million in xAI stock. After the Post broke the story, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson rushed to defend Katie and instead of declining to comment, Ferguson accused the Post of partisan attacks. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn’t be complicated. Head to https://Zocdoc.com/BulwarkTakes to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list. Read Will’s False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag…and for more Andrew Egger, check out Morning Shots: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/morningshots

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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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William Kristol

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Sarah Longwell

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Tim Miller

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Ben Terris

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The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.