The Bulwark

All episodes(50)

• StandardSummaries only
  Susan Glasser: Trump’s Most Loyal Supporters Are Abandoning Him

  Published Oct 10, 2026

  Susan Glasser

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comIf you value long-form shows that resist the rush to the next topic and give deeply knowledgeable guests room to explain not just what is happening but why it matters, consider becoming a paid member of The Bulwark. Your support gives us the freedom to keep making conversations with this kind of depth. With a paid membership, you’ll gain unfettered access to ad-free and member-only editions like this one. Ad-free edi

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  Zelensky Defies Trump, Strikes Putin Where It Hurts Most

  Published Oct 10, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comA quick note: The Bulwark doesn’t believe in phony balance that gives liars the benefit of the doubt or treats bad-faith arguments as legitimate debate. We call out the lies and explain what’s actually happening. If you value that kind of independent media, join Bulwark+ and help us keep doing it.If you do want to support us, you’re in luck—we’re running a 30% off sale for a limited time.Sam Stein and Catherine Rampe

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  Republicans Thought Florida Was Safe. Then Everything Changed (with Kimberly Leonard)

  Published Oct 10, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comRepublicans have been on a long winning streak in Florida...but they might be playing defense in 2026...because they have one candidate who's REALLY into data centers, and another candidate running what's being called a 'Joe Biden Basement' campaign. And the Democratic ticket may be one of the oddest couples in the history of politics, led by a former Republican Congressman (David Jolly) and a DSA-aligned state legis

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  John Husted Is the Fakest Republican in America

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  A quick note: We’re keeping this video free because every Ohio voter deserves to know who they’re voting for. If you have friends or family in Ohio, please send it to them. And if you believe this kind of reporting needs to reach as many people as possible, become a Bulwark member. Your support helps us keep telling these stories without putting them behind a paywall.If you do want to support us, you’re in luck—we’re running a 30% off sale for a limited time.Tim Miller takes a closer look at Ohi

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  Hegseth’s Livestreamed Execution Exposes His Pathetic Tough-Guy Act

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSam Stein and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter, Nidal Hasan, and why turning an execution into a public spectacle raises serious moral questions. Hertling explains the potential toll on soldiers ordered to carry out the firing squad and warns that the spectacle could inflame tensions rather than deter future at

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  Lauren Boebert Is in MAJOR Trouble (Derek Thompson & Adam Carlson)

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comWhile the cult of Trump is dragging Republicans' popularity down, the Democrats have good, ideologically diverse candidates running all over the place. And voters aren't stupid: They know Trump's war and his tariffs are why prices are higher. But high-profile polling misses in recent years still haunt Dems, so Adam takes a deep dive into whether Republicans are doing better than the polls are showing. Plus: Derek exp

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  Is He the One We’ve Been Waiting For?

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSarah and JVL break down Jon Ossoff’s Terminator-style destruction of Mike Collins. Seriously: It was so brutal that someone should have stopped the debate.Then it’s off to:* The Eric Deters interview on Bulwark Takes that broke our brains.* Pete Hegseth tugging it at the prospect of a livestreamed execution.* The Pro-Life movement is practicing its strategic silence.* Potato discourse.* And The Golden Girls!Definite

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  Trump's Huge Problem: Voters Don't Buy His Economic Spin | Receipts LIVE

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comCatherine Rampell and JVL break down Trump’s escalating war on the Federal Reserve, including his latest attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and the growing threat to the central bank’s independence. They discuss how Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran are fueling inflation, driving up prices for everything from tomatoes to Texas brisket, and potentially hurting Republicans in key Senate races. Plus, JD Vance stru

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  Vance, Tucker, or Don Jr.? JVL Makes a Surprising Choice | Mailbag Q&A

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comCould a Democratic landslide in 2026 actually help JD Vance win the presidency? JVL and Jasmine Green answer your questions about Trump’s purge of military leadership, the future of the anti-abortion movement, the allegations at Cornell, and which MAGA heir would make the least disastrous president. Plus, JVL gets personal about parenting, politics, and why he misses the America of 20 years ago.Watch previous Triad M

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  Let the Oscar Race Begin!

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Katey Rich and Christopher Rosen, the Prestige Junkies over at The Ankler, to talk about the early days of the Oscar campaign. It’s finally heating up now that we’re hitting awards season and the prestige pictures are making their debuts; you can find our early preferred nominees at the Ankler Pundits landing page. But we cover a ton of ground in this episode, including how early favorites like The Odyssey will hold up, why La Bola Negra may well be Netfli

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  Democrats Aren’t Winning Because They’re Brilliant. It’s Trump.

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comTim Miller, Sam Stein, and Democratic strategist Lis Smith join a live audience at Dartmouth for a spirited debate about Trump’s collapsing political fortunes, the GOP’s future under JD Vance, the Democrats’ struggle to rebuild their coalition, and the wide-open 2028 presidential race. Plus, a sobering question: What happens if Trump loses Congress and decides to go rogue?

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  JD Vance Humiliates Himself Trying to Define "Socialism"

  Published Oct 9, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comTim Miller gives his take on JD Vance’s fumbling attempt to define socialism and the hypocrisy at the heart of MAGA’s attacks on Democrats. Asked why socialist candidates are gaining ground across the country, Vance pivots to immigration and transgender athletes instead of explaining what socialism actually means.But while Republicans warn that Democrats are bringing socialism to America, the Trump administration is

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  Andrew Weissmann Sees BIG Trouble for Trump in Deportation Showdown

  Published Oct 8, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comLet’s be clear about what we’re doing here. The Bulwark exists to fight authoritarianism and defend American democracy. We do that with reporting, analysis, accountability, and by building a community of people who refuse to look away or pretend this is normal. If you believe this fight matters, join Bulwark+ and help us do the work.Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann explain the explosive Kimberly Guilfoyle corrupti

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  Susan Glasser: Trump Has a Man Problem

  Published Oct 8, 2026

  Susan Glasser

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comThe king of the birther conspiracy knows he needs to round up the white male vote, so he's serving up one of his old faves—straight-up anti-Muslim bigotry. And he's added a new one: Making Americans pay for another political ad, this time about what a tough guy he is. But Trump also has another corruption problem, courtesy of Trump Jr.'s ex-fiancée, Amb. Kimberly Guilfoyle, who seems to have a habit of calling in ver

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  We Spoke to the Guy Who Snitched on Kimberly Guilfoyle (w/ Eric Deters)

  Published Oct 8, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comThis is what makes The Bulwark different: going straight to the people involved, asking the uncomfortable questions, and getting answers you won’t hear anywhere else. If you value that work, please consider supporting us by becoming a Bulwark+ member.Sam Stein on Thursday spoke with Eric Deters, the man at the center of the Wall Street Journal’s explosive report on Kimberly Guilfoyle’s troubled finances, political co

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  BOMBSHELL: Leaked Kimberly Guilfoyle Texts Reveal Brazen Corruption

  Published Oct 8, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSam Stein, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Michael Weiss went live to take on the bombshell Wall Street Journal report that reveals Kimberly Guilfoyle’s extraordinary private messages with a Trump donor, including a $100,000 request to pay her Amex bill and repeated warnings to stop creating a paper trail.

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  Susan Collins Couldn't Answer One Simple Question About Trump

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comWill Saletan breaks down the Maine Senate debate between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson, and why Collins is struggling to separate herself from Donald Trump in a state where the president remains deeply unpopular.Jackson repeatedly tied Collins to Trump on the Iran war, tariffs, abortion, health care and the Republican tax and spending bill, while Collins tried to emphasize

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  Angie Nixon: People Power

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  Angie Nixon

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comFlorida's Democratic nominee for the Senate says average Americans right now are living in the dreams of oligarchs and the super-rich, and it's time for regular people to live their own dreams. The progressive maverick promises to fight to help all Floridians—regardless of party—to be healthy, prosperous, and safe. And while Republicans like to point out Nixon's DSA affiliation, the Trump administration itself is act

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  Republicans Are Panicking Over the Kansas Senate Race

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comA quick note: This is exactly why we want Bulwark reporters out in the field: not just watching the Senate map change from Washington, but talking to the candidates and voters who are changing it. If you value that kind of on-the-ground reporting, you’re in luck: Bulwark+ memberships are 30% for a limited time!Lauren Egan travels to Kansas to report on one of the most surprising Senate races of the 2026 midterms, whe

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  Hegseth’s Grand Plan for the Military Raises Major Red Flags

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comLt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker discuss the U.S. decision to pull B-1 bombers out of the United Kingdom over concerns about Iranian drone attacks, and what the move reveals about the changing nature of modern warfare. They examine the growing vulnerability of U.S. military bases, the risks to American forces at home and abroad, and what the…

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  Tim Miller Has a Blunt Message for People Who’ve Given Up

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  A quick note: We thought Tim’s message was too important to put behind a paywall, so we’re making it free for everyone. If it speaks to you, please send it to someone who needs to hear it—especially someone feeling paralyzed by despair.One more thing: Your support is what allows us to make work like this available to everyone. We strongly believe you can’t save democracy from behind a paywall. So if you’re able to support The Bulwark, Bulwark+ memberships are on sale right now for a limited time

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  MAGA’s Racism is Blowing Up Its Own Coalition

  Published Oct 7, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comMemberships are 30% off for our October sale, a discount so large that JVL and Sarah would like it known they personally object to it. Please take advantage of this terrible business decision while you can.The gang congratulates Kash Patel on his engagement, discuss JVL's Triad on the White House reporter-turned-press staffer from Real America's Voice. Then: Megyn Kelly's ghoulish rant against Cornell's Jane Doe, and

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  Ex-CIA Officer Reacts to Insane Spy Scandal Rocking the Intelligence World

  Published Oct 6, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comReporter Michael Weiss and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos break down a staggering spy scandal involving the former head of German intelligence, an alleged Iranian plot targeting U.S. bombers in Britain, and the increasingly strange questions surrounding Kimberly Guilfoyle in Greece. Plus: why Russian intelligence operatives are suspected of leaving a particularly vile calling card in politicians’ homes.A quic

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  Michael Lewis: Don't Bet Against the Country

  Published Oct 6, 2026

  Michael Lewis

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comDestroying trust in the government is one of Trump's key sources of power, but Michael reports from the front lines of the deep state that there still are good employees serving the public interest. In his new book, Michael celebrates some of the heroes who either managed to survive DOGE—or were stupidly pushed out despite the vital roles they filled. And the absolute failures of DOGE raise serious questions about ho

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  Scott Bessent’s Interview Got Weirder by the Minute

  Published Oct 6, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comCatherine Rampell and Sam Stein discuss Scott Bessent’s strange interview, from his “I am the house” bravado and boasts about Melania’s friends to his temper and possible political ambitions. They also react to Trump’s latest pitch for $5,000 checks and his remarkable claim that he knows more about basically everything than anyone.Then Jasper Hill Farm’s Mateo Kehler joins to explains how Trump’s trade war with Canad

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  Morning Shots Live: Lindsey Graham’s Sister Was Supposed to be a Lock. Now the GOP Is Scrambling

  Published Oct 6, 2026

  Morning Shots Live

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comBen Parker and Bill Kristol discuss Donald Trump’s increasingly frantic attacks as Republicans face a surprisingly competitive Senate race in South Carolina, including Trump’s use of an anti-trans slur against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. They examine what the race says about the Republican Party’s standing heading into the midterms and whether D…

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  Trump’s Corporate Enablers Should Be VERY Worried About 2027

  Published Oct 6, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comTim Miller gives his take on the Democrats who are already arguing against investigating Donald Trump’s corporate allies, warning that accountability cannot be sacrificed in the name of avoiding political “retribution.” He argues that companies and executives who participated in or benefited from Trump’s corruption should face scrutiny, and that Democratic oversight in 2027 will be critical to uncovering what actuall

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  Trump’s $500 Checks Come With a Nasty Catch

  Published Oct 5, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comCatherine Rampell and Jonathan Cohn give their takes on Donald Trump’s latest checks to Americans, including $500 payments to some ACA marketplace enrollees and $90 payments to certain Medicare recipients. They explain where the money is coming from, why the ACA payments may lack clear legal authority, and how diverting money from healthcare outreach could further undermine the Affordable Care Act.Plus, Catherine and

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  Bill Kristol: Throw the Bums Out

  Published Oct 5, 2026

  Bill Kristol

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comLike all good demagogues, Trump's appeal works when he's got someone to blame. But it's on his watch that we've got a war-related global food crisis brewing and mass layoffs in Ohio—where Trump just happened to hold a rally over the weekend. So, POTUS is focused on getting his family more money through a new bribery scheme while Republicans struggle to demonize Dems and throw away resources on Paxton. Plus: Bill and

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  LEAKED AUDIO: Ken Paxton Says D.C. Is Running His Campaign | MAGA Mondays

  Published Oct 5, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on Kash Patel’s engagement, Benny Johnson facing a lawsuit from two anti-ICE protesters, and The Daily Wire’s new pro-ICE movie being filmed in Livingston, Montana. The film reportedly recreates the shooting of Renee Good before turning it into a fictionalized action story involving ICE agents, Antifa, MS-13 and a heroic Korean grocer. And you’ll never believe who just joine

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  Jack Smith Reveals the Words That Could Have Buried Trump

  Published Oct 4, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comWill Saletan lays out the case against Donald Trump that Jack Smith never got to present at trial. Drawing from Smith’s testimony before Congress, Will looks at the evidence that Trump was repeatedly told the truth about the 2020 election by his own advisers, Republican officials, and Justice Department officials and chose to ignore it.From Georgia and Pennsylvania to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Will walks t

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  Andrew Egger Saw an Older, Slower Trump on the Rally Stage | Bulwark on Sunday

  Published Oct 4, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comAndrew Egger joins Bill Kristol after an extraordinary 24 hours in Ohio: attending the funeral of 20-year-old Haitian immigrant Pierre Bel, then heading straight to a Trump rally, where he found surprising cracks among Trump supporters even as the MAGA faithful rallied around a visibly lower-energy president. They discuss Springfield’s Haitian community, Trump’s immigration rhetoric, and the ominous midterm numbers f

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  Ken Paxton Gets a Painfully Awkward “Endorsement” From Estranged Wife

  Published Oct 4, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comA bombshell New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrats running surprisingly strong across traditionally red states, including Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas. Catherine Rampell and Bill Kristol explain what the numbers actually tell us, why Trump’s erosion with his own voters matters, and whether this is what a real electoral wave looks like.

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  Political Shifts are Teaching The GOP a Brutal Lesson (w/ Will Saletan)

  Published Oct 4, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comMona Charen and Will Saletan discuss the GOP’s disastrous attempt to ambush Jack Smith, the political warning signs pushing Republicans away from Trump, and what Democrats should actually do if they win Congress. Plus, would impeaching Trump again hold him accountable—or accidentally give JD Vance exactly the opening he needs?Bulwark Book Club pick for October: The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their D

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  Trump Picked a Fight With His Own Ally at the Dumbest Possible Time

  Published Oct 3, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comDonald Trump posted Tom Cotton’s private phone number because the Arkansas senator is blocking his push for permanent daylight saving time. Will Saletan and Joe Perticone take on the strange fight, the golf-industry interests behind it, and why Trump is picking on one of his own loyal allies with Republicans already staring down a brutal midterm environment.A quick note: Joe Perticone spends his days on Capitol Hill

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  These Trump Voters Are Considering the Unthinkable: Voting for a Democrat (Amy Walter)

  Published Oct 3, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comIt’s October, and the political environment is really, really, REALLY bad for the Republican Party. Cook Political Report editor in chief Amy Walter explains how Cook is approaching its race ratings this year, and she and Sarah discuss the ever-growing list of reasons swing voters are mad about the state of the country, discuss Michigan’s Senate race and Sarah’s latest Focus Group Newsletter, and have a more high-min

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  Tale of Two Interviews

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSarah and JVL are back apart, as God intended. And there’s lots happening:* The new jobs report is bad!* Should Democrats try to impeach Pete Hegseth?* Trump is sending a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East.* And then there are the two interviews. JD Vance seems to be living in one world while mush-brain Donald Trump is living in another reality.* Plus: Trump’s DoJ wants to go after the real villains of Waterga

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  Sarah Longwell AMA

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSarah Longwell went live with her cohost Ben Parker for an AMA about her new book, How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time.

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  Okay, What Is Going On With Trump’s Legs? (w/ Tommy Vietor)

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comWhat is going on with Trump's legs? He appears to be wearing a brace and a recent video shows him standing in a most unnatural way—as though he is mid-exorcism. But his apparent health issues don't seem to be stopping the administration from re-escalating against Iran with an additional 10,000 troops on their way to the region. Meanwhile, Trump's son-in-law, Jared (AKA the point person on the Gaza peace deal) turns o

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  BREAKING: September Jobs Report Falls Far Short of Forecasts

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  Catherine Rampell and JVL break down the weak jobs report, the impact of immigration and tariffs on the labor market, and the economic challenges facing Trump’s manufacturing agenda. They also discuss Trump’s ideas for dealing with the national debt, including his suggestion that inflation could help pay it off, and what his attacks on the Federal Reserve could mean for America’s borrowing costs.Plus, they examine why Republican counties are losing population, the country’s declining fertility r

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  Paramount’s Done Deal, Federal Tax Credits, and More

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  On this week’s episode, I’m rejoined by Sean McNulty of The Ankler’s excellent morning newsletter, The Wakeup, to discuss some of the big stories in the news. We start with the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. deal going through its final phases before approval, before heading into some discussion of the federal film tax credits (17:10), and then wrapping up with a discussion of the state of sports rights and plateauing audience numbers there (29:30). This is a public episode. If you'd like to di

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  The Daily Wire is Making the Most MAGA Movie Imaginable

  Published Oct 2, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSam Stein and Will Sommer break down the leaked script for the Daily Wire’s upcoming fictional movie Pawn Shop, a pro-ICE thriller set amid an imagined Antifa siege of a Minneapolis pawn shop. They discuss the film’s fictionalized version of the Renee Good shooting, its portrayal of ICE agents, Antifa and MS-13, the “rooftop Korean” storyline, and the movie’s many conservative-media tropes. Will also explains how the

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  Trump Crashes Out: You Haven't Asked "One F**king Positive Question"

  Published Oct 1, 2026

  Trump Crashes Out

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comCatherine Rampell and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s bizarre new interview with Time Magazine, from his claims about having the “highest” IQ to his ever-changing story about how long the war in Iran was supposed to last.They also discuss Trump’s claim that annihilating Iran would create peace, his latest attempt to rewrite his four-to-six-week timeline, his complaints about “negative” questions, and his fixat

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  Josh Barro and Jonathan V. Last: The Patriotic Cowboys Wrecking Our Economy

  Published Oct 1, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comFinally, some accountability in Washington: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s general counsel and poster-holder is in career limbo after the infamous basketball mix-up in the Jack Smith hearing. And Americans seem to be holding Trump responsible for their economic frustrations—he’s below the Bush Line. Josh Barro explains: We’re not in a recession, but people feel stuck because borrowing costs are higher. Big budget deficits are i

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  Andrew Weissmann Spots the Biggest Tell in the Jack Smith Hearing

  Published Oct 1, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comLet’s be clear about what we’re doing here. The Bulwark exists to fight authoritarianism and defend American democracy. We do that with reporting, analysis, accountability, and by building a community of people who refuse to look away or pretend this is normal. If you believe this fight matters, join Bulwark+ and help us do the work.Sarah Longwell and Andrew Weissmann discuss Jack Smith’s latest Senate testimony, inc

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  Elissa Slotkin Spots a Big Warning Sign for Trump’s GOP | Command Post

  Published Oct 1, 2026

  Command Post

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joins Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker to share her takes on what she learned from her recent trips to Hungary and Poland and what those lessons could mean for America after the Trump era.Slotkin explains how countries can recover from authoritarianism, why she believes the U.S. needs to “Trump-proof” its government, and why Democrats need a new generation of leaders with big an

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  A Suspected Terror Plot Just Took a Much More Alarming Turn

  Published Oct 1, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comFormer CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos and national security reporter Michael Weiss take on the attempted hijacking of a flight bound for Tel Aviv, a suspected plot targeting an air base in Britain, and the troubling signs that Iran may be taking its fight abroad. They also ask whether America is prepared for a renewed terror threat as experienced counterterrorism personnel and resources are pulled toward other prior

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  Pete Hegseth's Speech Was a Hyper-Macho Freak Show

  Published Sep 30, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comIf sitting through 16 minutes of Hegseth talking about “fatties,” testosterone, and the wisdom of Newt Gingrich sounds like a lot, become a Bulwark member. We watch this stuff so you don’t have to!Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on Pete Hegseth’s bizarre State of the Force address, from his “no fatties, no weirdos” vision for the military to his fixation on testosterone, wokeness and American universities.T

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  Maria Comella and The Trio: Holy Schmitt, That Was Bad

  Published Sep 30, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comThe Trio comes together on the daily pod for the first time to give a little taste of the MAGA-land news Sam, Will, and Tim are covering for The Bulwark. The latest developments include speculation that Candace Owens may be a lesbian and that Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds pretended he was Jamaican. He may also have very poor judgment on financial matters. But first, Maria talks with Tim about Eric Sch

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  Paxton’s Leaked Trump Comments Are a SPECTACULAR Own Goal

  Published Sep 30, 2026

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comKen Paxton is caught on tape blaming Donald Trump for hurting his Senate campaign, telling a small group of donors that Trump’s Texas convention actually hurt his numbers. The New York Times first reported on the leaked recording, which came from a small Paxton fundraiser where an attendee recorded the conversation. JVL and Andrew Egger break down Paxton’s donor problems, his reliance on Trump’s financial support, an