The Bulwark Podcast

As the Iran war enters its third week, the Trump administration looks like it doesn’t know what it’s doing: It did not bother to consult U.S. allies before the military operation began but it now wants their help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; POTUS keeps talking about his great victory even with Marine Expeditionary Forces en route; and the disruption in the oil markets is likely to last for months. In the face of the neutered Republican leaders in Congress, the Dems must be a hard “No” on additional funding—unless it’s about helping our people to exit safely. Plus, FCC Chair Brendan Carr is threatening broadcasters for reporting the truth about the war, JD is hiding in the hedge, our enemies are less afraid of us, the "Donroe Doctrine" looks like a joke, and a major intra-right fight has broken out online.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes

Monday's "Morning Shots"

Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Bob Kagan

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.

The Trump administration is preparing to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East along with more warships. But that development was not Hegseth’s highest priority at his Pentagon briefing. His first order of business was attacking the media—even before mentioning the six fallen service members who were killed in a plane crash supporting the war in Iran. And while the administration may have finally narrowed down its reasons for launching the war alongside Israel, it hasn’t discussed the risks of the operation, or why it doesn’t seem to have an issue with Putin helping Iran in the fight. Plus, JD is skeptical about the war but won’t tell Trump to his face, oil prices are soaring while Russia cashes in, and don’t forget that the Department of Homeland Security is still shut down while our country is at war.
Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
show notes

Tom on 'victory disease' in The Atlantic 

French news channel with a split screen of bombs and Trump dancing

Tim's playlist

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Event

We’re raining hellfire down on Iran and American soldiers have died, but that doesn’t stop Trump from hitting the links, doing a little dancing, or holding a revenge rally. His main preoccupation is his daily PR battle over the war—which currently involves arguing that higher gas prices are a good thing. And his ever dutiful backup chorus in Congress is happy to explain how “freedom isn’t free.” Meanwhile, the immigration system has been so undone that we now have a shortage of seasonal workers. Plus, the absurd shoe-related loyalty test at the White House, a major Trump donor is trying to buy a Senate seat in Oklahoma, at least one white Afrikaner refugee has seen enough and wants to go home, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet member rankings, and some justice for JVL and Bill after Wednesday's pod.
Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.
show notes

JVL’s “Triad” on Iran from Wednesday and Thursday

Bill on the "epic failure" of the Iran war in "Morning Shots"

Adrian and Jared on Markwayne Mullin

Sam's and Catherine's 'Bulwark Take' on higher gas prices

Tim's and Sam's year-end ranking of Cabinet members

"Odd Lots" podcast

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

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

For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

One of the biggest America First fans tells Tim that he thought Trump 2.0 would be different because like-minded, high-level personnel—including the vice president and top DOD staff—were supposed to stop Trump from doing stupid wars like the strategic catastrophe unfolding in and around Iran. And Trump’s mass deportation was supposed to crack down on the labor practices of big business and Big Ag, but POTUS instead is sticking with the Chamber of Commerce status quo. Saagar now regrets his vote for Trump. Plus, the difference between MAGA and America First, a different take on Epstein, Venezuela red-pilled Trump, and the U.S. may be facing a major shortage of munitions because of the latest shock and awe campaign.
Saagar Enjeti joins Tim Miller.
show notes

Tim's livestream Wednesday at 8:30pm ET on YouTube or Substack

Saagar's show, "Breaking Points"

Carville's 2009 book, "40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule The Next Generation"

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

Before the bombs and the missiles started falling on Iran, Trump sent Jared and Witkoff to try to cut a deal with Tehran. But his two favorite emissaries with no expertise in world affairs fundamentally misunderstood the Iranian mindset, and Trump grew impatient. Now, while Israel is likely trying to create a failed state in Iran, the U.S. seems to be looking for the quickest exit. Plus, the dystopia of “Robocop,” "Brazil," and "Infinite Jest" may have arrived in real life, the Iran War’s potential impact on the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, predictions for Sunday's Oscars ceremony, and Timothée Chalamet can do no wrong. Sonny Bunch and Laura Rozen join Tim MIller.
show notes

Laura's Substack

Sonny on our dystopian parody

Tickets for our LIVE show in Austin on March 19: TheBulwark.com/Events.

Stay ready for anything with the American Giant Classic Full Zip. Go to https://www.american-giant.com and get 20% off your first order with promo code BULWARK. Thanks to American Giant for sponsoring the show!

Learn a new Language and get up to 60% off your subscription at Babbel.com/BULWARK