The Bulwark Podcast

The Iranian regime may be wounded, but it’s likely to seek revenge for the war at some point, maybe even through sleeper cells in the United States. And with a second round of peace negotiations potentially in the works, Iran could rake in billions in return for pausing its nuclear program. On the more uplifting side, the election news out of Hungary has feel-good shades of 1989, and is a reminder that reality and facts can get in the way of a stubborn authoritarian. Plus, Tim on Trump's Jesus post and how he's losing political allies by the minute.
Michael Weiss once again joins Tim Miller.
show notes:

Michael's Substack

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Tickets for these shows go on sale for everyone else at noon P.T. April 17

Tim’s livestream Wednesday on Coachella and more 

Cathy on how the Iran war looks from Russia

Orbán’s loss in Hungary was so overwhelming he couldn’t cheat his way out of it. But the decisive defeat for both Putin and authoritarianism may also suggest that the vibes they are a changin’. For instance, at home, Trump had to take down his Jesus post because of the backlash from across the political spectrum. People can see he’s flailing on the war and the economy. Plus, Vance has the stink of a loser, Dems can learn some campaigning tricks from Peter Magyar, the Melania-Epstein mystery continues, Trump and Marco are likely to regret those images from the UFC fight, and The Bulwark remains Team Pope Leo.
Bill Kristol joins special guest host, Sarah Longwell.
show notes

This week's Focus Group pod with sad, mad GOP base voters

Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Sarah Matthews

Monday's "Morning Shots," with David Baer from Budapest

Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September!

Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

No one was really asking about Melania’s ties to Epstein. But after her surprise White House statement to the press on Thursday, the questions are flowing—particularly because a former Brazilian model who moved in both Trump and Epstein circles is posting threats against the First Lady on social media. Tim and Jane break it all down. Plus, Melania does not speak or read English very well, Trump is furious about Tucker & co.’s opposition to the Iran war, Vance’s motives for converting to Catholicism are disgusting and unchristian, and why would Iran permit Saudi-paid Jared to participate in the Islamabad peace talks? 
Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.
show notes

JVL and Catherine LIVE on the not-so-great economic news 

Tim's deep dive on Oscar Romero was in this episode 

Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21

Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekend

Tim's playlist

Putin puppet Viktor Orbán—whose nepotistic and corrupt government in Hungary has become the model for the far-right in America and Europe—is facing his first serious election challenge in 16 years. It turns out that voters get mad when a president steals from the public and tanks the economy. Vance tried to bolster Orbán with Kremlin-esque fake propaganda, but the energy may be with the grassroots campaign of Peter Magyar. Plus, Vance's arrogance and ignorance about Ukraine, Trump is still coming up short on his Iran war goals, the administration made some weird threats against Pope Leo, and Kari Lake is still a loser. 

Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller. 
show notes

Anne's piece on Hungary, "The First Post-Reality Political Campaign"

Thursday's "Morning Shots"

Giselle Donnelly's Bulwark piece on how Trump's war is impacting global navigation

Anne's book, "Twilight of Democracy" 

Anne's "Autocracy, Inc." in paperback 

Anne's book recommendation, "Furious Minds: The Making of the Maga New Right"

Letters from Leo on Substack

Trump showed that he is completely unequipped to be a war leader. He threatened crimes against humanity, and not only let a foe prove it could take our punches, but also inflict economic pain on the global economy as well. Indeed, with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran looks to have emerged from the war with a stronger hand. We also don't know how much Trump's financial ties to Gulf countries are influencing his wild and erratic handling of the war. And if this military operation was just about Israel's national security, then that should have been explained to the American people from the start. Plus, the threat an Orbán loss would pose to MAGA, the key redistricting election in Virginia, and how Dems would prioritize oversight if they win back the House.
David French and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam join Tim Miller. 
show notes

TNL live last night after Trump folded

Wednesday's "Morning Shots" 

Tim's debate over the war with Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21