Bulwark Takes

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Donald Trump claims Russia has been “fine” in Ukraine, and Michael Weiss, who has witnessed Russian atrocities firsthand, is furious. Weiss and former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos examine Trump’s increasingly alarming alignment with Putin, reports that Elon Musk interfered with Ukraine’s satellite defenses, Pete Hegseth’s refusal to release desperately needed Patriot missiles, and whether Trump now fits the intelligence definition of a Russian agent of influence.

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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the disgusting attack ad targeting Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton, featuring her estranged mother accusing her of lying. When Acton was 12, her stepfather was accused of sexually abusing her and was indicted by a grand jury before he fled with Amy's mother. Acton’s mother also lost custody of both of her children. The ad appears to be connected to Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, which has refused to disavow it. Sam and Wi...

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Will Saletan gives his take on the growing panic inside House Republican leadership as bad polls, shrinking campaign budgets, and vulnerable races threaten the GOP’s hold on Congress. Even friendly voices on Fox News are pressing Mike Johnson, Tom Emmer, and Steve Scalise on why Republicans are struggling ahead of the midterms. From Texas districts where Republican gerrymandering may be backfiring to rising frustration over fuel prices and the Iran war, GOP leaders are running out of explanations.

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Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on Trump’s increasingly desperate push to save Republicans two weeks before the midterms. As Trump’s approval rating sinks and Democrats build a major polling advantage, the president is struggling to make the case for his party, resorting to racist attacks, religious bigotry, and bizarre defenses of vulnerable Republicans. 

Plus, Trump continues to side with Vladimir Putin as Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine and Marco Rubio is left def...

Donald Trump can’t seem to stop talking about other men’s bodies, from Republican candidates’ jawlines to their backsides, even as his presidency faces mounting crises. Sam Stein joins Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW to discuss Trump’s bizarre fixation and misplaced priorities, plus why James Talarico’s unconventional campaign against Ken Paxton could rewrite the political playbook in Texas.

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Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

Sen. Andy Kim joins The Bulwark’s Jonathan Cohn to discuss the terrifying family health crisis that inspired his political career, Republicans’ attacks on healthcare, and his ambitious new proposal to guarantee health insurance for every American from birth through age 26. Could this be the first step toward universal healthcare?

Read Jonathan Cohn's newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/before-medicare-for-all-this-senator-andy-kim-wants-medicaid-for-kids-medikids

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Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the foreign money scandal involving Alina Habba’s new husband, Ric Grenell, and the Kennedy Center. They also examine the protests roiling Albania over Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s controversial resort project, and Bari Weiss’s pursuit of right-wing internet conspiracy theories at CBS News.

Plus, the strange cast of characters gathering for a $3,000-a-ticket citizen journalist event at Mar-a-Lago, Laura Loomer’s White House ambitions, and Nick Fuentes’s online dating drama.

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For years, American spies and diplomats have suffered mysterious, debilitating injuries. Was Russia secretly targeting them, and did the CIA cover it up? Former CIA officer Mark Polymeropoulos, whose career was ended by Havana Syndrome, and Michael Weiss welcome 60 Minutes investigative journalist Michael Rey to examine explosive new evidence, a suspected Russian microwave weapon, and the government’s treatment of its own officers.

Read The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cover-Up, and the Greatest Spy Mystery of Our Time by Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados:

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-havana-syndrome-invisible-weapons-a-government-cover-up-and-the-greatest-spy-mystery-of-our-time-michael-rey/a5...

Trump is lifting sanctions on Russian energy, his own energy secretary is contradicting his explanation, and Republicans are scrambling to defend the indefensible. Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Trump’s latest gift to Putin, Elon Musk’s troubling role in Ukraine’s Starlink crisis, and the disastrous legacy of Lindsey Graham, who helped bring Trump back to power believing he could control him.

Tim Miller talks with journalist Caolan Robertson, reporting from Ukraine’s front lines, about disruptions to the satellite communications Ukrainian soldiers depend on, Marco Rubio’s baffling explanation, and the deadly consequences of losing that lifeline. They also discuss Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians, Ukraine bringing the fight to Russian territory, and how Trump’s relationship with Putin is being viewed by Ukrainians.

Follow Caolan’s independent reporting from Ukraine: https://caolan.report/

James Carville joins Bill Kristol to explain why he's cautiously optimistic about a massive Democratic wave, with Republicans facing unexpected threats in Florida, Texas, and even the Deep South. They discuss Trump’s disastrous polling, the GOP’s crumbling coalition, the possibility of election interference, and what a crushing Republican defeat could mean for Trump’s billionaire allies and the future of American politics.

Recorded live in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 16, 2026, Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and Will Sommer take a hilarious tour through the latest MAGA madness: Kimberly Guilfoyle’s increasingly messy scandals, Tucker Carlson’s inexplicable horse commentary, James O’Keefe’s $3,000 journalism awards, the mystery of $60,000 in missing beef, and the growing civil war among young Republicans.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker welcome Eliot Cohen to discuss what makes great leaders, the dysfunction inside Trump’s Pentagon, and the difficult choices facing military officers. Drawing on lessons from Churchill, Afghanistan, and Iraq, they explore why wars go wrong, how to recognize victory, and what history teaches us about military strategy.

Preorder The Strategist on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-strategist-how-to-think-about-war-and-politics-eliot-a-cohen/207ebf9c4bf5d10f

Preorder The Strategist on Amazon: https://a.co/d/06DERJxH

Watch Shield of the Republic: https://www.shieldoftherepublic.com/

Tim Miller ventures outside the Bulwark bubble for a candid conversation with Mario Nawfal, a Trump-friendly influencer who’s having serious buyer’s remorse. They discuss Trump’s disastrous Iran war, the voters abandoning his coalition, his increasingly dangerous obsession with his legacy, and his willingness to throw Ukraine under the bus to appease Putin.

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Five days. That’s how long Katie Zachariah lasted as Trump’s White House press secretary before a disastrous debut, questions about her legal credentials, and a wave of West Wing backstabbing brought her tenure to an abrupt end. Former Trump White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews joins Andrew Egger and Judd Legum, whose reporting helped expose Zachariah’s questionable résumé, to explain how it all fell apart, why Trump bears the blame, and what this fiasco reveals about the chaos returning to his White House in the second term.

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Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer give an update on the MAGA influencers caught pushing a false story about Texas Democrat James Talarico, and why those behind the smear may face few consequences. They also examine court documents revealing how Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski allegedly fed false information to Laura Loomer to smear a government employee, raising questions about how political disinformation spreads without traditional media scrutiny.

Plus, the trio breaks down Ben Shapiro’s growing conservative movie business, including why Hollywood stars like Rob Lowe are signing on to his films. And an update on...

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Tim Miller gives his take on Elon Musk’s return as the biggest campaign donor of the 2026 midterms, funneling $276 million into Republican groups, including $158 million to help Republicans hold the Senate. After threatening to launch his own political party and breaking with Donald Trump, Musk is back in the GOP’s corner.

Tim looks at how Musk’s spending, Trump’s return to X, the administration’s dealings with Russia, and Ukraine’s loss of critical Starlink access point to a renewed al...

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Is Donald Trump about to fire the woman who has kept his White House from descending into chaos? Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger cover reports that Trump is considering replacements for Susie Wiles, his retreat from Pete Hegseth’s planned livestreamed execution, and his increasingly alarming efforts to appease Vladimir Putin at Ukraine’s expense.

Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss give their takes on the growing questions surrounding Elon Musk’s Starlink and his company purposely disrupted Ukraine’s war effort. They examine reports of missed Russian missile warnings, the status of U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and why any deliberate disruption could put American personnel at risk. They also discuss the need for congressional oversight and what the controversy reveals about the Trump administration’s increasingly cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin.

Plus, they dig into the growing scandal surrounding U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, her ousting, and the allega...

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the latest developments in Ukraine, including Russia’s escalating attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the growing rift between Washington and Kyiv, and how Ukraine is imposing mounting costs on Russian forces. They also examine how the Trump administration’s approach is undermining a critical U.S. ally and what the battlefield’s evolution means for the future of modern warfare.

Then, former military lawyer and federal prosecutor Margaret Donovan joins Command Post to discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to potentially livestream the execution of Fort Hood sho...

Sam Stein again welcomes Eric Deters, the man whose text messages helped expose Kimberly Guilfoyle’s alleged $100,000 ask and preceded her resignation as U.S. ambassador to Greece. Deters discusses why he believes Guilfoyle was forced out, his plans to sue her for defamation, and why he says her resignation won’t end the congressional and State Department investigations. He also shares his take on the culture of money and influence inside Trump World, and why he believes the fallout from the Guilfoyle scandal is far from over.

Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol give their takes on the news White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia made when she announced on her first day that the White House asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece. Beyond that, Zacharia’s first briefing was remarkably short, with questions from just a few outlets, all of them conservative, yet she still struggled to deliver clear answers and repeatedly returned to praising Trump.

Plus, they examine Trump’s latest rally in Ohio, his attacks on Haitian and Somali communities, the federal raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home...

Sen. Brian Schatz joins Sam Stein to explain why Democrats suddenly have a shot at winning Senate races in deep-red states, how they plan to hold Trump’s corrupt officials accountable, and why he doubts JD Vance has what it takes to succeed Trump. From the possibility of impeaching Trump administration officials to Vance’s struggle to connect with MAGA voters, Schatz offers an unusually candid look at what comes next.

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s bizarre and disturbing Ohio rally, from his repeated comments about Senator Jon Husted’s physique to mocking a woman who was assaulted by a fellow rallygoer for wearing a shirt demanding the release of the Epstein files. Trump revived his racist lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield and embraced embattled Republican Rep. Max Miller despite allegations of abuse.

Plus, Trump claims Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire that neither side says exists. Sam and Andrew discuss Trump’s increasingly grievance-driven rallies, his lack of a posi...

MAGA thought it had a career-ending scandal on James Talarico. Instead, it got a spectacular humiliation. Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down how the conspiracy unraveled, including the full phone call obtained by The Bulwark that exposed the holes in the story. Plus, the federal raid on Ilhan Omar’s home, Pete Hegseth’s public execution plans, and the latest MAGA infighting.

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Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on Trump’s latest deal with Vladimir Putin and why Trump suddenly announced an energy ceasefire. Sources tell Michael that Ukraine was blindsided by this weekend’s series of announcements from Trump as his approach only benefits Moscow even more. They also examine the threat to intelligence sharing, the future of U.S. weapons sales to Ukraine, and why Europe is increasingly preparing to defend itself without Washington.

Plus, the latest revelations surrounding U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, mounting pressure for her removal, and the corruption concerns thre...

Trump’s midterm problem may be far worse than it was in 2018, and the warning signs are showing up in places Republicans never expected. Bill Kristol and veteran political analyst Ron Brownstein examine Trump’s collapsing support among core MAGA voters, the surprising Senate races emerging in deep-red states, and how a Democratic wave could reshape the Supreme Court for decades.

This episode is a little taste of Receipts, Catherine Rampell’s brand-new show from The Bulwark, where she follows the money, cuts through the economic spin, and exposes who’s really paying the price for Trump’s policies. Subscribe to Receipts wherever you listen to podcasts:

Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump’s decision to buy oil from Putin, just weeks after Trump signed Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill into law. Instead of increasing pressure on Russia, Trump is opening the door to Russian fuel exports that could help bankroll Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Plus, they examine the bill’s loopholes, whether the deal will actually lower fuel prices, and why Trump is pressuring Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. As Zelensky pushes back, Trump’s deal risks a major rupture in U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Tim Miller takes a closer look at Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted, whose carefully crafted moderate persona masks a record of corruption allegations, MAGA loyalty, and political opportunism. From his ties to Ohio’s utility scandal and donations from Jeffrey Epstein associate Les Wexner to his opposition to releasing the Epstein files, Husted has plenty of explaining to do.

Tim also examines Husted’s role in bringing data centers to Ohio, his support for the Iran war and Trump’s tariffs, his dismissive comments about people living in poverty, and his decision to hire a political director with a...

Sam 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 attacks.

After we recorded, Vice President JD Vance addressed Hegseth’s plan, saying he wasn’t sure the livestream would actually happen and adding, “If it’s ultimately livestreamed, I’m not go...

Tim 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?

Tim 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 expanding government control over the economy, intervening in private enterprise, and using the power of the state to target political enemies. 

Tim explains why the administration’s own policies undermine its anti-so...

Sam Stein speaks with Eric Deters, the man at the center of the Wall Street Journal’s explosive report on Kimberly Guilfoyle. Deters describes his relationship with Guilfoyle, the hundreds of thousands of dollars he spent in Trump world, and his claims that she promised access and favors in exchange for money.

Deters explains why he came forward and why he says Guilfoyle asked him for another $100,000 to pay off her credit card. He also details her attempts to connect him with Tucker Carlson and Billy Long, her warnings to stop putting things in writing, and why he...

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Sam Stein, Marc Polymeropoulos, and Michael Weiss are going 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.

Read the Wall Street Journal's reporting: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/guilfoyle-amex-donor-100-000-0e02cdc3?st=8Rg5Hy&reflink=article_copyURL_share

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Will 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 her independence and point to the work she has done for Maine. But wi...

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Lauren Egan travels to Kansas to report on one of the most surprising Senate races of the 2026 midterms, where Democrat Adam Hamilton is running neck-and-neck with Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. A new New York Times poll shows the race in a dead heat, and Republicans are now pouring millions of dollars into Kansas as they scramble to defend a seat they once considered safe.

Hamilton, a former pastor, makes the case that rising costs, health care concerns, ta...

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Lt. 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 threat means for NATO and America’s alliances.

Plus, Hertling breaks down Pete Hegseth’s six n...

Reporter 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.

Find your next fall favorites at https://Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. When Quince asks where you heard about them, let them know it wa...

Ben 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 Democrats could make gains in traditionally red states.

Plus, Ben and Bill dig into the corruption allegations surrounding Trump’s foreign policy, including his family’s business interests and deals involving Russia, Venezuela and the Middle East. They also discuss the withdrawal of U.S. B-1 b...