The Bulwark Podcast
The Bulwark
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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Bulwark+ members can get a totally ad-free version of the show delivered right to their favorite podcast player.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
May 13, 2026 • 1h 7min
Tom Nichols: There’s Something Wrong with the President
Tom Nichols, political scientist and writer who comments on American politics and national security, joins to dissect Trump's late-night posting spree and visible health concerns. They debate Iran intelligence and strike effectiveness. They critique a new counterterrorism strategy and explore political fallout, polling trends, and possible DOJ moves related to Trump.
60 snips
May 12, 2026 • 51min
James Comey: We Can't Trust the DOJ
James Comey, former FBI director and federal prosecutor turned thriller author, speaks about a politicized Justice Department and eroded public trust. He discusses revenge-style prosecutions, leaks from raids, morale problems at the FBI, national security risks from leadership changes, and what rebuilding DOJ might require. The conversation also touches on his new novel, Red Verdict.
50 snips
May 11, 2026 • 55min
Bill Kristol: What a Bunch of Jackasses
Bill Kristol, veteran political commentator and editor-at-large, offers sharp takes on foreign policy and conservative politics. He discusses Iran and freedom of navigation, how Trump's worldview reshapes alliances, Russia and Ukraine developments, redistricting and racial gerrymanders, and the spectacle of Trumpian politics. Short, pointed, and often sardonic commentary.
59 snips
May 8, 2026 • 55min
Adam Serwer: Now, This Is Rigged
Adam Serwer, Atlantic writer on race, democracy, and politics, explains how recent court rulings enabled Tennessee to redraw Black districts out of existence. He traces the rise of colorblind rhetoric, links judicial shifts to partisan advantage, discusses retaliatory gerrymandering, and examines the cultural forces driving political rage and online radicalization.
34 snips
May 7, 2026 • 1h 5min
Isaac Saul: The Mind-Blowing Self-Dealing in the Oval Office
Isaac Saul, founder and executive editor of Tangle News who compiles cross‑partisan reporting, walks through astonishing accounts of alleged Trump family self-dealing. He discusses crypto ties, foreign payments and questionable business partners. He also covers the Trump‑branded phone controversy and why algorithmic silos mute corruption reporting.
80 snips
May 6, 2026 • 1h 29min
Arash Azizi and Jodi Kantor: Iran Has the Leverage
Jodi Kantor, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter and author, and Arash Azizi, historian and writer on Iran, discuss Iran's surprising cohesion and bargaining power. They explore likely deal terms, Iran's economic resilience and leverage over energy routes. Jodi also talks about her book on launching careers, AI in hiring, and navigating early-career uncertainty.
30 snips
May 5, 2026 • 54min
Melissa Murray: Reclaim the Constitution
Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of Strict Scrutiny, and author of an annotated Constitution guide. She discusses the Voting Rights Act ruling and Reconstruction amendments. She unpacks the mifepristone fight and the rise of the shadow docket. She explores war powers, press freedoms under pressure, and practical reforms like gerrymandering fixes and statehood.
73 snips
May 4, 2026 • 57min
Bill Kristol: Trump's Revenge Tour Is Backfiring
Bill Kristol, conservative analyst and Never Trump leader, offers sharp political commentary. They tackle rising Iran tensions and whether Trump will escalate or back down. They dissect the troop pull from Germany as a strategic and symbolic misstep. They also examine chaotic revenge prosecutions, political fallout from tariffs and polls, and the spectacle of Trump’s grandiose public projects.
52 snips
May 1, 2026 • 1h 1min
Adam Kinzinger: The First Family's Corruption Is Mind-Blowing
Adam Kinzinger, former Illinois congressman, Air Force veteran and author, weighs in on political corruption and national security. He discusses Trump-family business ties, failures in the information war with Iran, Israel’s fraught geopolitics, rising debt and democratic threats. He also talks about celebrating everyday heroes and his new children’s book.
83 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 1h 17min
Jon Ossoff: Trump Is a Lifelong Racist
Jon Ossoff, Georgia senator focused on voting rights, foreign policy, and anti-corruption, and Luke Thomas, combat sports analyst and Morning Kombat host, discuss Trump's ties to assaults on Black voting power and court packing. They cover debate over limits on Israel aid, Iran policy failures, corruption from overseas business deals, and how the UFC has intertwined with politics and sportswashing.
