The Bulwark Podcast Jonathan V. Last: Trump's Decadence Is Rubbing off on Americans
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Feb 23, 2026 
Jonathan V. Last, editor and political commentator behind the Triad Newsletter, offers sharp takes on Minnesota’s turmoil, national security lapses, and whether Trump is gearing up to strike Iran. He dissects political incentives around Israel, critiques media attention spans, and flags worrying social consequences as norms fray.
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Locker Room Praise Highlights Institutional Failure
- Jonathan V. Last argues Kash Patel's locker-room adulation matters because he now leads an agency that has hindered investigations into murdered U.S. citizens.
- The specific outrage: USA Hockey players draped Patel in gold medals while he allegedly blocked probes into Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Signals Suggest Trump May Follow Through On Iran Threats
- JVL and Tim read Trump's regime-change signals toward Iran as credible because he amplifies pro-war media figures and has previously moved military assets before acting.
- Example: Trump reposted Mark Levin calling to "eliminate" the regime while aides now admit Iran's nuclear program isn't gone.
Israel's Political Alignment With Trump Creates Leverage
- Jonathan V. Last views Netanyahu and Israeli officials as having politically favored Trump, creating leverage that could push U.S. policy toward Israel-aligned actions.
- He frames Israeli behavior after October 7 as strategically courting Republican support, complicating Democrats' response.