The Bulwark Podcast

The Bulwark

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. read less

Our Editor's Take

Political parties have a tendency to become muddied with sub-categories and new offshoots. Modern politics are no exception, especially in recent years. The Bulwark Podcast explores the differentiation between parties from an old-school conservative perspective. It also explores current stories and political questions. It does all of the above through the lens of the Republican Party of the last several decades. Listeners can consider it the stalwart voice of what came before the current New Right and before Donald Trump.

Charlie Sykes hosts The Bulwark Podcast. He is also an NBC/MSNBC contributor. He has written articles for The Atlantic and The Washington Post. He considers himself a conservative and has published several books, most recently How the Right Lost Its Mind. This podcast discusses political issues while remaining even-keeled. There are no impassioned monologues or raised voices here. This place is for refined commentary. Current events are a focal point of the show. But Charlie also dedicates significant time to critiquing his own political party. As a self-identifying conservative, he has unique insight into the party's inner workings. His analysis of its evolution and opinions of how it should be are sure to intrigue. Because of this, liberals may like The Bulwark Podcast.

Listeners can hear Charlie's insights on most weekdays. Episodes tend to be around an hour long, making them easy to fit into any schedule. Guests often join Charlie, offering their expertise and adding a new dynamic to the show.

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Marc Caputo and Dan Goldman: Trump v. the United States

Marc Caputo and Dan Goldman: Trump v. the United States

The incompetent and compromised nominees Trump has assembled at record pace show how little regard he has for the essential functions our government provides. He wants to harness its power for his own ends, in a way that could put Americans and our national security at risk—but he can only do this if Congress is complicit. Meanwhile, the roundly-hated Matt Gaetz is providing cover for the sex abuse allegations against the other nominees, and the House majority margin may be razor thin. Rep. Dan Goldman and Marc Caputo join Tim Miller.

Episodes

Marc Caputo and Dan Goldman: Trump v. the United States

Marc Caputo and Dan Goldman: Trump v. the United States

The incompetent and compromised nominees Trump has assembled at record pace show how little regard he has for the essential functions our government provides. He wants to harness its power for his own ends, in a way that could put Americans and our national security at risk—but he can only do this if Congress is complicit. Meanwhile, the roundly-hated Matt Gaetz is providing cover for the sex abuse allegations against the other nominees, and the House majority margin may be razor thin. Rep. Dan Goldman and Marc Caputo join Tim Miller.

Jen Psaki: Don't Speak to Me

Jen Psaki: Don't Speak to Me

The Democrats focus too much on reaching white college-educated voters, and the threat to democracy was not the right closing message. Plus, Nancy Mace needs to get a life beyond getting MAGA street cred, no one wants to be in the same bathroom with MTG, and Jared Polis may be on to something with the hippie-ish libertarians. Jen Psaki joins Tim Miller. show notes Gov. Polis tweet about RFK, Jr. The governor's follow-up tweet

Bill Kristol: A Power Play for Autocracy

Bill Kristol: A Power Play for Autocracy

Trump is flooding the zone with unqualified nominees who would destroy government norms and standards and create the kind of chaos that would let him do what he wants—and Senate Republicans may be too afraid of him to put up much resistance. Meanwhile, allies are already seeing the third world-style political decay, beyond the orgies and sexual assaults. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes "Art of the Surge" doc on Apple TV; Ep 5 has debate reaction backstage

Amanda Carpenter: Lessons from the Tea Party Era

Amanda Carpenter: Lessons from the Tea Party Era

Ted Cruz and Jim DeMint ground things to a halt in the Senate quite effectively during the Obama era, and Democrats should take a cue from them for Trump's appointments: Demand hearings or hold their own. More broadly, the opposition has to be loud and make a scene, while also staying unified and focused. We are a big country with big ideas, and there are more of us than there are of them. Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Part 1 of the "Behind the Bastards" podcast on RFK, Jr. Tim's playlist

Rick Wilson and David Brooks: MAGA to the Max

Rick Wilson and David Brooks: MAGA to the Max

Trump's appointments—like degenerate Matt Gaetz and Putin stooge Tulsi Gabbard—are about his raw power and his stupid show, but are also a risk to our nation's security and institutions. Plus, America's diploma divide has trapped us in a caste society, where future leaders are being chosen based on how they performed on standardized tests at age 18. David Brooks and Rick Wilson join Tim Miller. show notes Ed Whelan on Trump's recess appointment scheme (gifted) David's cover story on the Ivy League (gifted)

Osita Nwanevu: Democrats Need A Better Story

Osita Nwanevu: Democrats Need A Better Story

Republicans have been good at telling a story about the economy and how people should feel about it, and Democrats haven't responded in a sufficiently compelling way. Meanwhile, plucking Pete Hegseth off the Fox & Friends couch to run one of the biggest organizations in the world is a sign of how dumb the next administration will be. Osita Nwanevu joins Tim Miller. show notes Osita's forthcoming book

Jon Lovett: The Worst People Are Happy

Jon Lovett: The Worst People Are Happy

The worst people believe their worldview has been validated, while the best people are uncertain, scared, and angry. But we have to stay focused on the menace, including the threat to officials Trump may target for revenge—and the immigrants whose cheap and willing labor helped build our economy. Jon Lovett joins Tim Miller for a special crosspost with the "Lovett or Leave It" pod. show notes Speech by Otto Wels in March 1933 The 'Lovett or Leave It' podcast

Bill Kristol: A Pro-Putin America First

Bill Kristol: A Pro-Putin America First

The Trump team is moving quickly to sell out Ukraine, but it's not clear yet whether Putin would settle for taking a quarter of the country—or if he intends to crush it, so he can plant the Russian flag in Kiev. Meanwhile, Elon has been at Mar-a-Lago every day, expanding his oligarch résumé to include helping choose the incoming president's Cabinet and advisors. Plus, key Senate Republicans are already prepping to sacrifice their constitutional duties to advise and consent, and the election denialists on the left have to accept reality. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Charles Gaba's thread on the new 'Stop the Steal' conspiracy Tim's appearance on the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast

BONUS EPISODE with James Carville: We Are the Opposition

BONUS EPISODE with James Carville: We Are the Opposition

It's time to get our opposition organized and develop a narrative about Trump. And one narrative that's likely to emerge is how he betrayed his voters. Plus, did Kamala's interview on "The View" seal her fate? James Carville joins Tim Miller. show notes Carville documentary, "Winning Is Everything, Stupid" (post-election recut out 11/14)

Ben Wittes: Americans Elected a Serial Criminal to Be President

Ben Wittes: Americans Elected a Serial Criminal to Be President

The Trump trials were a cosmic democratic disaster, and the justice system did not do justice: Trump was not treated in the same way as other people who've stolen classified docs or tried to overthrow the election—and his conviction and indictments made him more qualified in MAGA's eyes. Plus, the Sotomayor/SCOTUS issue, aiding Ukraine before January 20, and avoiding the sound of Trump's voice. Ben Wittes joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Ben's column, "Were the Trump Trials Pointless?" Tim's playlist

Tom Nichols: This Is What They Want

Tom Nichols: This Is What They Want

The American people made their choice, and the fight to preserve the global democratic coalition against the global authoritarian movement continues. But maybe letting those voters see unadulterated Trumpism in the White House, without the baby bumpers—at least for a little while—is how we save America. Plus, the price of eggs v fascism, and Trump is going to inherit a great economy and take credit for it. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes Tom's most recent Atlantic Daily newsletter Derek Thompson's piece mentioned by Tim (gifted) Nick Catoggio's piece

Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last: Election Debrief

Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last: Election Debrief

Kamala's tailored campaign message and ground game didn't matter. Voters were unhappy with Biden and didn't want a 'regular' politician. They also didn't care about the infrastructure bill or the CHIPS Act—but they do care about demagoguery and grievance. Sarah and JVL join Tim to take in the pain, but also to chart The Bulwark's next phase: doing everything we can to protect our country, our democracy, and our institutions.

David Frum: Pride in the Fight

David Frum: Pride in the Fight

Whatever happens tonight, Never Trumpers and voters should be proud that we rose to the challenge of Trump—and that a majority of Americans see through this fraudster. Meanwhile, a vote for Kamala is both a progressive and conservative choice. Plus, the Electoral College is crazy, Megyn is mad at the wrong people, and Tim's final prediction. David Frum joins Tim Miller. show notes Reagan's closing statement in 1980 at the final debate with Carter David's book mentioned in show, "Trumpocalypse"

Bill Kristol: Maybe It's Dobbs, After All

Bill Kristol: Maybe It's Dobbs, After All

Republicans are crowing about a big turnout of early rural voters and a decrease in African American voters in the cities. But the early vote also features a big gender gap, likely tied to abortion—an issue that was not on the ballot in 2020. And the Trump team has done a terrible job of not taking the air out of the issue. Plus, the Epstein tapes, Trump's lousy last two weeks, and The Bulwark's good and worthy fight. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes Monday's Morning Shots newsletter HuffPost story on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania

Ann Selzer: How Could This Be?

Ann Selzer: How Could This Be?

Few states are as red as Iowa, and yet the legendary Iowa pollster Ann Selzer found that Kamala has leapfrogged over Trump to take the lead there. The turnaround is due to women—particularly women 65 and older, who previously tilted toward Trump, but now favor Kamala 63% to 28%. Iowa's new strict abortion law could be a factor. J. Ann Selzer joins Tim Miller for a special Sunday pod. show notes Des Moines Register story on the Iowa Poll Des Moines Register story on Iowa's congressional races

Mehdi Hasan: Memory-Holing the Worst President

Mehdi Hasan: Memory-Holing the Worst President

The WSJ wants readers to think that Trump is too stupid to coup—despite Jack Smith's indictment showing a very clear plan. And for those on the left and right arguing that we survived once before, there are hundreds of thousands of people who would still be alive today if Trump had managed Covid better. Plus, the laughable GOP civility police, Kamala's potential trouble in Michigan, the MAGA ads that are simultaneously antisemitic, Islamaphobic, and misogynist, and the Green parties in Europe want Jill Stein to step aside. Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller. show notes Tim's playlist

Adam Kinzinger: All the Little Bros

Adam Kinzinger: All the Little Bros

Trump and his pack of dude-bros are pitting men against women, even inside the home—the current Republican Party is definitely not pro-family or pro-marriage. Plus, Nikki's feelings are hurt, and Elon trucked in door-knockers for Trump who basically worked as indentured servants. How does this Putin-whispering patsy still have government contracts? Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller. show notes Tim's message to Nikki Haley voters

Alex Vindman and Lakshya Jain: No More Petty Tyrants

Alex Vindman and Lakshya Jain: No More Petty Tyrants

The character of the nation is on the line: We have to stop an autocratic minority from imposing its will on the majority of Americans. And no question, Putin has been very easily manipulating Trump and Musk. Plus, Biden talking about garbage, spam polls, pollster herding, and the weakest swing states for Kamala. Alex Vindman and Lakshya Jain join Tim Miller. show notes: Congressional candidate Eugene Vindman's web site The fake family of Eugene's opponent in the open VA-7 seat

Robert Draper: The Prosecutor

Robert Draper: The Prosecutor

Kamala Harris sees the world as divided between those who follow the rules and those who break them—and that injustice requires action, not whining. And behind the story of a child of two high-achieving immigrants is a woman who remains loyal, reveres law and order, shows up prepared, and approaches challenges with a 'just the facts' linear style of thinking. Yet, she also maintains a level of inscrutability. Robert Draper joins Tim Miller. show notes: Draper's profile of Kamala

Robert Kagan and Bill Kristol: It's Already Happening Before our Eyes

Robert Kagan and Bill Kristol: It's Already Happening Before our Eyes

By de-prioritizing The Washington Post in his business empire, Jeff Bezos is showing exactly how a free press gets dismantled. Other corporate titans are also falling in line so they're not on the wrong side of Trump. Meanwhile, with the Klan-like rhetoric at Sunday's rally, MAGA is baring its teeth and showing us that its true essence is about white Christian supremacy. Plus, the Senate races, and Tim's reporting from outside MSG. Bob Kagan—who resigned from WAPO on Friday—and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller. show notes: Bill and Bob's conversation on authoritarianism in 2019 Bob's book, "Rebellion," published in April Bob's 2016 piece warning how fascism could come to America Tim's message to Haley voters