The Bulwark Podcast S2 Ep1008: Michael Weiss, Ben Smith, and Annie Karni: Radioactively Stupid
39 snips
Mar 26, 2025 
Michael Weiss, an expert in Russia and foreign policy, joins Ben Smith, co-founder of Semafor, and Annie Karni, a Congressional correspondent for the New York Times. They dissect the fallout from leaked military plans and the absurdities of the current administration's handling of national security. The trio also discusses Russia's dubious ceasefire claims, the evolving dynamics within the GOP, and examines the unsettling relationship between media narratives and political realities. Annie’s new book, "Mad House," sheds light on Congress's chaotic landscape.
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False Narratives
- Trump boasts on Newsmax about saving Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kursk, a claim refuted by evidence.
- This highlights Trump's tendency to create false narratives and accept Russian talking points.
Conflicting Interests
- Russia's support for the Houthis, including providing targeting data, adds another layer of complexity.
- This creates a conflict for Trump, who is both pro-Israel and seeks closer ties with Russia.
Goldberg's Release
- Ben Smith suggests Jeffrey Goldberg had no obligation to keep the leaked texts secret.
- He argues that the Trump administration essentially dared Goldberg to release them by calling him a liar.
