The Bulwark Podcast

Susan Glasser: A Superpower in Crisis

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. is knee-deep in the war in Ukraine, and now another potentially enormous war in the Mideast may draw us in. At the same time, military and am...

Steve Inskeep: Kevin Is No Lincoln

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lincoln's political skills were a key part of his legacy, but the politics he practiced were not like today's base-oriented version. He didn't demoniz...

Will Saletan: Israel's 9/11

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The attack by Hamas on Israel was barbaric, but the incursion—by land, sea, and air—was also sophisticated. And it was an Israeli intel failure. M...

The GOP’s Rubik’s Cube for Morons

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Republicans have been on a trajectory to get a Jim Jordan-style speaker for 11 years, and the Democrats couldn’t have stopped it. Plus, Liz Chen...

The Crazed Slavering Jackal Caucus

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Crazed Slavering Jackal Caucus is running the GOP. Plus, Giuliani's drinking may undermine Trump's defense in the Jan 6 case, Fani Willis gets her...

Tim O'Brien: The Hollow Men

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin McCarthy aspired to the speakership for his resume, not because of legislative talents. In the end, he was a victim of hubris. And in NYC, Trump...

Dana Milbank: The Chair Was Already Vacant

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin McCarthy hasn't been doing much of anything all year as speaker, except lurching from crisis to crisis and leading from behind. Meanwhile, Trump...

Will Saletan: Everybody Hates Matt Gaetz

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The bipartisan loathing of Gaetz is almost a kumbaya moment. Meanwhile, Trump likes to say the US is turning into a third world country, and he's work...

David Frum: The Kraken Is Never Coming

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first impeachment hearing was panned on both sides, while House Republicans keep promising a new unicorn. Plus, the GOP is not going to follow Tru...

A.B. Stoddard: A Completely Pointless Debate

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The kids' table debate was a cacophony of speed talking, interruptions, and yelling. Plus, Milley responds to the death threat, more Dems tell Menende...

Trump’s Empire of Fraud

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The ex-POTUS has been put out of business in New York, after his fraud was found so overwhelming that no trial was needed. Meanwhile, his lawyers are ...

Will Saletan: The Politics of Atonement

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cassidy Hutchinson atones. Bob Menendez refuses. Plus: the government shutdown about nothing. And MAGA’s war on (checks notes) Taylor Swift.  Will ...

Trump Ever After: Live from TribFest

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Olivia Nuzzi, Bret Stephens, and Ben Terris joined Charlie Sykes on stage in Austin over the weekend. While the Dems have Gretchen Whitmer to look for...

Yascha Mounk: The Identity Trap

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our democratic order is facing a two-front war. While the immediate crisis may be from the right, the left is presenting its own threats—which only ...

A Raging Bull Elephant

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump is trying to intimidate witnesses and jurors in the election case, and Chutkan's only remedy may be to move up the trial date. Plus, Republicans...

Manu Raju: The Hostage Crisis on Capitol Hill

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

House Republicans are bickering and calling each other names, while the Matt Gaetz caucus threatens to hold the country hostage with a government shut...

Ruy Teixeira: Biden’s Working Class Blues

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The system feels rigged for the millionaires and the billionaires, and the populist red lights are flashing for 2024. Can the Democrats get back to be...

Will Saletan: In Defense of Kristen Welker

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump threw the pro-life movement under the bus in his NBC interview, and essentially pleaded the Fifth on Jan 6.  Plus, Jack Smith wants a gag order...

Anne Applebaum: Musk Buys Russia’s Lies

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The billionaire was duped by Russian nuclear propaganda, but he's not the only one in the West who worries about provoking Russia by helping Ukraine. ...

Did the FBI Get a Pass on Jan 6?

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Romney's text message to Mitch McConnell renews questions about what law enforcement knew ahead of the attack on the Capitol. Plus, the weak counter-p...

A.B. Stoddard: McCarthy's Month from Hell

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The speaker is trying to sate the MAGA wing with a sham impeachment, and maybe a government shutdown, but it will never be satisfied. Plus, Ignatius s...

James Hohmann: Kevin in a Vise

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

McCarthy has caved on an impeachment inquiry so he can hold onto his gavel. Meanwhile, Congress should really be investigating Elon Musk's power as a ...

Will Saletan: Lying Dog-Faced Pony Soldier

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Biden giving a press conference while jet-lagged may not quell rising concerns about his age. Plus, Kamala sticks to the script on abortion, Trump can...

Tim Miller: Down to Clown

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tucker is in some corner of Elon's basement testing to see what he can get away with, while Elon is cozying up with Putin. Plus, Santos' oppo on himse...

Trump Keeps Admitting His Crimes

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump did himself no favors talking to Hugh Hewitt, the Proud Boys could've spared themselves a lot of prison time, the Fulton case may move quickly, ...

Adam Kinzinger: Trump Ignited the Proud Boys

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Never forget it was Donald Trump telling the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by" which ultimately set Jan 6 in motion. And now he's retconning tha...

Will Saletan: The Hammer Philosophy of Governing

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Republican leaders in Wisconsin sound like they're planning an end-run around democracy, Musk is running with one of the oldest antisemitic tropes in ...

Tim Miller: Heroes and Zeroes of the GOP

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How different would things be if other Republicans had stood up to MAGA like the way Kemp did for Fani Willis? Plus, Ted Cruz tried on beer-swilling t...

Justice for Ruby and Shaye

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Giuliani is going to pay $$$$ for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss—and Trump may too, for his financial statements in New York. Meanwhile, ex-PO...

Mike Murphy: The Psychopath vs The Cynic

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does cynical Nikki Haley have the guts to run an edgier campaign? Plus, Vivek's Hermain Cain moment, Iowa's unpredictable caucus voters, and the denia...

2024 Will Be a Train Wreck

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From Trump's court calendar to concerns about Biden's age, we may be underestimating how bad next year could be. Plus, Mark Meadows' dubious claims ab...

Charlie and Will Monday: Vivek’s BS

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The new hotness, Ramaswamy, is serving up a load of bull. Plus, the risks of our political gerontocracy, the mug shot heard 'round the world, and of c...

Tim Miller: We Told You So

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We were always going to get this first-of-its-kind presidential portrait. What else would you expect from a con man and a criminal? But this is all be...

A.B. Stoddard: A Pointless Exercise?

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At Wednesday's debate, Ramaswamy touched all the MAGA erogenous zones, Haley had a great night while Tim Scott did not, and DeSantis seemed to shrink ...

When the Hammer Comes Down

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost nothing concentrates the mind more than an indictment, so expect other minor players in Trumpland—especially in Georgia—to flip on the don....

Tom Nichols: Our Surreal Moment

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump's co-defendants don't even dispute what they're accused of doing—they just claim it wasn't illegal. Plus, will the debate penetrate Fox's herm...

Joe Perticone and Mona Charen: Trusting the Chronic Liar over the Pastor

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The base gives Trump higher marks for speaking truth than they give to religious leaders, Vivek will be targeted at the debate,  DeSantis turns on MA...

DeSantis’s WTF Memo

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The governor of Florida is being treated like a low-IQ child. Meanwhile, Trump hasn't been treated like the common criminal he is: mugshot him, weigh ...

Thumbprints on a Conspiracy?

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could Trump have been dumb enough to use Twitter DMs for his plot? Plus, the dangers of not fearing the law, the politics of four indictments, and the...

Christopher Miller: The War Came to Us

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A one-time Peace Corps volunteer, Chris Miller was posted to Ukraine, fell in love with it, and decided to stay. Now, he's one of the best Ukraine cor...

A.B. Stoddard: All the Ex-President's Conspirators

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has been a low-rent mobster for his entire career, and now he's getting the indictment he deserves. And this time, some of co-conspirator...

Ep.7: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even with Trump out of the White House, Lindsey Graham says that Trump is the organizing principle of the Republican Party. And everything that the se...

Tim Miller: They're Still Humoring Him

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remember one of the worst quotes in history about just 'humoring' Trump after he lost in '20? Well, he's creating another threatening climate. Plus, T...

Trump Baits the Judge

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The ex-POTUS's ugly threats and intimidation against Jack Smith, Fani Willis, and Judge Chutkan will only escalate. Plus, the fake electors are the re...

Will Hurd: Don't Kiss Your Opponent's Butt

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The former Texas congressman says he's running for president because America deserves a sane conservative party—while Trump is running to stay out o...

Jake Tapper: "All the Demons Are Here"

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The CNN anchor and author re-visits the 70s with a new thriller, featuring a Murdoch-esque character getting his toehold in American journalism, and E...

Ep. 6: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the 2020 election, Lindsey Graham had a chance to be free—of Donald Trump, and all the rationalizing he had done for four years. But the senat...

Adam Kinzinger: The Rhetoric Is Getting More Dangerous

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsey Graham says the federal courts in DC are illegitimate, the FBI is being called the Gestapo, and Charlie Kirk is casually talking about an exec...

Trump’s Bogus Defenses

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump defenders are arguing that the charges in the latest indictment infringe on his free speech rights, but using words to carry out crimes is not p...

Susan Glasser: An Offense against Democracy Itself

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Smith has filed a case for the ages. It's not only an indictment of the Big Lie itself, but also of the charlatans who knowingly and consciously ...

Bonus Episode: Listen to the Third Indictment

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A federal grand jury indicted Donald Trump on Tuesday with a series of crimes related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The 45-page indict...

David French: Building a Legal Wall around Trump

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump's high floor of support—the voters who think God sent him to save the country—combined with some of Biden's weaknesses, can put Trump back i...

Ep. 5: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By the time of the Ukraine scandal and impeachment, Lindsey Graham and other Republicans had grown tired of defending Trump's corrupt behavior. But th...

Bonus Episode: Listen to the Superseding Indictment

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Federal prosecutors have added new charges against Trump in the classified documents case, including his alleged efforts to have security camera foota...

Russell Moore: "Losing Our Religion"

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are living in a time when an evangelical pastor can literally quote Jesus Christ and a theo-bro will tell him he's weak and woke. How did we get he...

The Power of Whataboutism

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Republicans are going to launch an impeachment inquiry against Biden to divert attention from the crimes of the ex-POTUS, Rudy is an admitted defamer,...

Asa Hutchinson: Why I’m Doing This

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor wants to take the Republican Party in the direction of public service and conservative princip...

The Drama and Reality of 'Oppenheimer'

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The film captures the race against the Nazis to develop the first atomic bomb, and Oppenheimer's genius and torment as well. Mona Charen and Sonny Bun...

Ep. 4: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the 2018 midterms, Lindsey Graham moved to a new stage of collaboration with Trump. Graham was no longer just protecting him from accountability...

Will Saletan: All for the Fan Service

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The dick pics, RFK, jr,'s testimony, and McCarthy's promise to expunge impeachment records are all for the base. Plus, DeSantis should GTFO of Twitter...

Indictment Day

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Smith will move very quickly on a new indictment, numerous court appearances and trials can be quite disruptive to a presidential campaign, and T...

Miles Taylor: Imagining a Trump 2.0

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plans are already being drawn up for Trump's revenge plans in a second term, including special counsels to investigate Trump's enemies, a "Sue the Blu...

Tom Nichols: Jack Smith Is Not Screwing Around

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Going after a former president for an attempted coup had seemed like 'mission impossible,' but the special counsel is going big. Meanwhile, Republican...

Ep. 3: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After Trump's first year in office, the power shifted in Washington. Republicans went from humoring Trump to fearing him. Lindsey Graham surrendered t...

Why Are People Still Sticking With Trump After All This?

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cassidy Hutchinson and Sarah Matthews had gumption, while the grown-ass men who were their bosses did not. Plus, the billion $$$ cottage industry arou...

Indictments for All the President's Men?

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prosecuting Trump for Jan 6 presents novel issues, but that's not the case when it comes to Giuliani, Flynn, and Mark Meadows—and charges may be imm...

Philip Bump: The Self-Disappearing Informant

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

House Republicans keep stepping on rakes when it comes to Hunter Biden: Turns out their 'missing informant' is a fugitive accused of working for the C...

Jay Nordlinger: The Poisonous Nature of Strength Worship

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The masculinity contest in the Republican presidential primary ramps up, Chris Christie keeps dropping truth bombs, and the trans issue is the new wal...

Ep. 2: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Within days of the 2016 election, Lindsey Graham began transforming into Trump's chief apologist—in an effort to influence him on national security ...

Tommy Vietor: David Plouffe Would Have Murdered Us

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How Obamaworld views the weird attempt by Team DeSantis to mimic Ted Cruz's failed 2016 campaign. Plus, Dems need to stop worrying about Biden and Kam...

Trump Is Going Down

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The docs case against Trump is bigger than Snowden's, the people of South Florida should be cut more slack as a jury pool, and the media is largely ig...

A.B. Stoddard: Governing Is for Wimps

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

House Republicans are racing to the crazy again as they try to nail down who they're going to impeach. Plus, gaming out why Biden gets so little credi...

Ep. 1: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsey Graham was once one of Donald Trump's fiercest critics—before becoming one of his most important collaborators. His eventual capitulation is...

Mark Hertling: How Dangerous Were the Trump Docs?

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If Trump wanted to impress a memoir writer with classified documents, wouldn't he also want to do the same with Putin and MBS? Plus, will the US suppl...

TRAILER The Bulwark Podcast Presents: The Corruption of Lindsey Graham

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Will Saletan has a story to tell: It’s about what’s happened to the United States since Donald Trump began his rise to power eight years ago. It’...

Trump’s Bravado Defense

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Charging Trump for Jan 6 just got meaningfully harder after a Supreme Court ruling that has nothing to do with storming the Capitol. Plus, Rudy was Qu...

Seth Masket: Trending Trump

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grassroots Republican leaders increasingly favor Trump, and he's getting significantly more coverage on CNN than the other candidates. Plus, when Demo...

Ben Terris: It's Not Going Back to Normal

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is DC so weird? The Washington Post's Ben Terris describes his hitchhiker's guide through the backrooms of Washington to show why normal is not co...

Will Saletan: A Wannabe Coup

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After this weekend's mutiny in Russia, the world is suddenly seeing Putin in a new light. Meanwhile, America's wannabe authoritarian goes full martyr,...

Tim O'Brien: A Clown Rodeo

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The celebrification of running for president continues to grow, Boebert and MTG are a couple of ignoramuses, Schiff gets censured instead of Santos, R...

Trump’s TV Strategy

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump keeps undermining his own defense, but he's not wrong that if he wins, he can make the cases against him go away. Plus, John Durham gets humilia...

Andrew Weissmann: Jack Smith Cometh

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Special Counsel Jack Smith is racing the clock, Justices Alito and Thomas seem to be taking cues from Donald Trump's "What are you gonna do about it?"...

Chris Christie: Why I Want to Beat Trump

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gov. Christie joins Charlie Sykes to explain campaign strategy, his error in judgment in 2016, and how Trump knows he lost. Plus, why Trump voters exp...

Will Saletan: Welcome to the Resistance, Bill Barr

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former AG Barr protected Trump while he obstructed justice, but he's now staked out a spot in the anti-Trump coalition. Plus, Tim Scott tests out bein...

Tim Miller: A Season of Grifters and Crackpots

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has found the sweet spot in the horseshoe— between QAnon-ers waiting for JFK, Jr. and the weirdo, anti-vaxxers in the Dems. P...

Jack Smith's Steely-Eyed Gaze

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The special prosecutor had his eyes on Trump during the arraignment, but Trump—who seemed tired and resigned—didn't even look at him once. Plus, w...

Adam Kinzinger: The Freak Prom

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump likes to convey that he is invincible and has a massive army of people behind him. But he's scared and deflated. And many in the cult behind him...

Michael Weiss: Perp Walks and Counteroffensives

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even after winning the White House, Trump is still the consummate grifter who's got no time for political correctness or following the law—whether i...

Will Saletan: A World Series of Whataboutism

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Republicans spent the weekend defending Trump by pointing to Biden, Pence, other ex-presidents, and of course, Hillary. In MAGA-land, he's always exem...

Listen to the Indictment

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a reading of the classified documents indictment against former President Trump that was unsealed by the Justice Department on Friday. Parts o...

Tim Miller and Bill Kristol: Rally Around the Felon

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fox calls Trump's prosecution an insurrection. The GOP shrug off his hoarding, hiding, and sharing of top secret national security docs. But our justi...

Wait, Is This Guy a Freakin' Criminal?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Smith will need a barn burner of a case, rich in facts, and one that holds up under the scrutiny of conservative legal analysts on Fox. Plus, Pen...

A.B. Stoddard: Christie Brought the Hot Sauce

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Christie launched his presidential campaign by calling out Trump—and hit him on the kleptocracy, the hypocrisy, and the lying. Plus, the Freed...

Astead Herndon: Our Broken Politics

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Too many of today's politicians don't care that they are undermining their own parties with messages the general public doesn't support. Plus, the don...

Will Saletan: The Dem’s RFK, Jr. Problem

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Bannon and company are helping give anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy a boost in the polls, Trump gets challenged from the right on foreign policy, ...

Tim Miller: Normal v Crazy

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It wasn't like the boring 90s, but politics this week felt almost normal. Meanwhile, Trump's bleats are getting more demented and DeSantis is all-in o...

Lordy, There Are Tapes

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trump's own recorded words appear to undercut his already weak defense that he had declassified the documents he took from the White House—and he ma...

Michael Steele: We're Way Past Kumbaya

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The media thinks the GOP base could still want 'Morning in America,' Citizens United is keeping no-hopers in the race, Charlie totally called it on Ta...

Tom Nichols: Knuckleheads with Flamethrowers

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

McCarthy cut a normal deal with Biden when the GOP caucus couldn't agree on what to demand—beyond just shouting and pounding the table. Plus, missin...

Luke Russert: Look for Me There

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the summer of 2016, on the eve of the Republican and Democratic conventions, Luke Russert—an NBC News star and a scion of media royalty—walked ...