The Bulwark Podcast

Stephen Miller has a free hand to pump out his racist policies; Trump regularly says blatantly offensive things that are way past a dog whistle; and one-time insurgents at the Heritage Foundation and other MAGA institutions are muscling out people who aren't comfortable with openly embracing bigotry. The groypers are running today's Republican Party. At the same time, Trump's Iran war has opened divisions within the administration, and the leaks are coming fast and furiously. Plus: the gullible people who think their bribes will keep them safe from Trump, Rod Dreher's falling out with JD Vance, the ties between the Tates and the White House should be a bigger scandal, Mitch McConnell may be doing the most Mitch McConnell thing of all, and how Cincinnatians fought back against DHS to protect a local chaplain.
Zeteo’s Asawin Suebsaeng joins guest host Will Sommer. 

Show notes:

Swin's recent reporting on Trump's failed Iran war

Will's recent “False Flag” on MAGA rallying around Andrew Tate

The NYT on the crackup at the Heritage Foundation

New York mag on Justin Sun blowing the whistle on Trump

Swin on the chaplain in Cincinatti 

Rod Dreher with a platter of oysters in Paris

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Not only has our lousy commander-in-chief allowed the country's missile inventory to be dramatically depleted, Hegseth's politicized hiring and firing of officers has come home to roost and is doing real damage to the military as an institution. Meanwhile, Zelensky says he'll show Trump proof that Russia is helping Iran in the war, and Laura Loomer has done an about-face and now says she's on Ukraine’s side. Plus, the wet, hot DSA summer hits its peak in the Michigan Senate race, Bibi is going to try to save his hide, and Republicans in swing districts have been given the all-clear to distance themselves from Trump.

Bill Kristol joins guest host John Heilemann.
Show notes:

The NYT on the diminished stockpile of Patriot antimissile interceptors 

John's "Impolitic" podcast

Jon Cohn on Whitmer's endorsement of Haley Stevens

Lauren on the troubles at the DNC

Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Epstein survivor, Dani Bensky

Andrew on Trump bombing at the White House Correspondents Dinner

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Since we don't have an episode of The Bulwark Podcast for you today, we're sharing something a little different—a preview of The Secret Podcast. This is a show that JVL and Sarah do every week, which is available only for paid members of The Bulwark. 
If it seems like something you'd enjoy, why not join us? You can sign up on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.
Come ride with us!

In 2026, everyone who follows politics has an opinion about Maine politics. Here’s the thing: a lot of people in Maine think they’re wrong. So, Sarah talked to a former national political reporter who moved his family to Maine to help stand up a local paper. Former NBC News reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, now deputy editor of the Midcoast Villager, joins to discuss his transition to local journalism, the unique culture of Maine politics, and how Graham Platner’s exit from the U.S. Senate race landed with Maine voters. They also size up the new Democratic candidate, Troy Jackson, and discuss why Susan Collins has had such staying power, and how–or whether–her luck might finally run out in 2026.
Show notes:

The front page on the most recent issue of the Midcoast Villager

Sarah’s ‘Focus Group’ pod

NYT profile of the Midcoast Villager

Tim’s playlist

Trump keeps promising more bombs and bigger explosions in Iran, but the regime knows he’s just trying to disguise his retreat. And the Iranians are not going to back down until the whole world can see that they beat Trump. Meanwhile, in the middle of a war that is ostensibly about stopping Iran from getting a nuke, POTUS just cut a deal with the Saudis for their own nuclear program. Plus: The failure of Republican senators to stand up to Trump may be out of fear of his voters, and are the American people or our political system more to blame for what ails the country?

David Frum joins guest host Jonathan V. Last.
Show notes:

JVL's Triad on Trump being at war with himself

JVL's Triad, "Very Low-IQ Trump Too Stoopid to Win War"

David's pod episode with Jeffrey Goldberg

The latest episode of "The David Frum Show"

Nixon certifying JFK's election victory