The Bulwark Daily

Rudy Giuliani and others who purport to represent the families of 9/11 victims ginned up the idea that it would be wrong for the Muslim mayor of NYC to attend Friday's memorial at ground zero. Republican politicians and Laura Loomer keep pushing their trash Islamification conspiracy. And a law-abiding Muslim family has been imprisoned for five months because Rubio declared them a national security threat—and most of the media could care less. At the same time, Tucker has a new, large Muslim fan base because they like what he's saying about Gaza and the Palestinians, even though he's a solid anti-Muslim bigot who just hates the Jews more right now. Plus: Trump seems to really like communism, JD has never publicly said he opposes the Iran war but he keeps leaking that he's against the administration's signature foreign policy initiative, and Hunter is a crypto-scamming mess. Mehdi Hasan joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Mehdi’s Zeteo news site Tim’s piece for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Tim on the Iranian family Marco is imprisoning The Bulwark store Tim’s playlist Closing song - Orville Peck - It's the End of the World Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. Benefit for Ohio All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/BULWARK and use gift code BULWARK25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.”

As Sarah explains in her new book, Trump has been so successful teaching a new generation of Republicans about the political value of vice signaling that Nazi talk and racism has become the norm among young MAGA edgelords. Disdain for women is also a key element. One former true believer, Pedro, says the right sees all of Trump's corruption and abuse of power as justified because he's focused on the country's true enemies: brown people, immigrants, and their white allies. And Vance buddying up to the racists shows that he is the real heir apparent to Trump. Plus, Tucker is not well, Trump keeps lying about handing out money, Pence can't seem to come to terms with how he enabled this moment we're in, and Pedro's anti-Tim tweets before his Road to Damascus moment. Sarah Longwell and Pedro Gonzalez join Tim Miller. show notes: Sarah's book, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time" Pedro's Substack Pedro's piece in The Nation The Bulwark, including Tim, live tonight on YouTube or Substack Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," mentioned by Pedro Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for Springfield Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. - TICKET INFO

With Republicans in tight races stripping Trump’s name off their campaign websites, the president is in need of some love from Republicans he has summoned to Dallas to celebrate him. The fake convention also conveniently serves as a distraction from the surging price of oil. Plus: Vance may be the source who’s leaking about the missile depletions, Fox is giving more leeway for criticism of Trump, anti-Muslim hysteria is driving the complaints about Mamdani attending the 9/11 memorial in NYC, and Jessica from “The Five” has what she’s calling a “survival manual” for how to talk about politics with your MAGA friends and family members. Also, Tim is furious about the lack of media attention on Maryam Tahmasebi and her family, who are being imprisoned because of their bloodline. Jessica Tarlov joins Tim Miller. show notes: Jessica’s new book, “I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends” Tim’s piece on the green card-holding family Marco Rubio is imprisoning NYT on the newly-released 9/11 documents Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK

From politics to sports, business, and tech, the rich are breaking the rules, looking out for their friends, and still getting rewarded in the end—maybe with the help of a little trip to the White House with a POTUS gift in hand. For the midterms and beyond, Adam is bullish in his new book about the Dems' prospects to win on a grand scale and pass the kind of policies that help regular people. Part of the trick is cooling it on the purity tests over fraught issues like Israel. And in this Trump era, when accountability is so scarce, Pablo shows with his Pulitzer-winning reporting on the LA Clippers that consequences are still possible. Plus: Trump fatigue seems to be settling in, Fetterman only cares about fighting with other Democrats, the NCAA doesn't like capitalism, and the WNBA may be on the cusp of a heyday. Adam Jentleson and Pablo Torre join Tim Miller. show notes Adam's new book, "Supermajority: How Democrats Can Build Lasting Power" Sarah's book out today, "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time" Pulitzer-winning reporting by “Pablo Torre Finds Out” on the Clippers Chris Murphy on the NCAA asking for an antitrust exemption on player salaries Lane Kiffin's halftime locker room speech on Saturday Pablo's episode on Oz the Mentalist and his episode on Rony Seikaly COME HANG WITH THE GANG —Sarah, Tim, JVL, Sam and friends—during our Bulwark LIVE: Good Fight Tour this October 16-20: 🎤 Friday, October 16 at The Senate in Columbia, S.C. —Will Sommer joins the gang on stage. Is Columbia ready for the Trio? 🎤 Sunday, October 18 at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, N.C. — special guest Pete Buttigieg joins the gang with Catherine Rampell and Lauren Eagan. 🎤 Tuesday, October 20 at The Eastern in Atlanta, Ga. —Gen. Mark Hertling and the Morning Shots duo—Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol—join the gang for this final stop. Tickets are on sale NOW through the links above or through TheBulwark.com/Events . At Bulwark LIVE we can promise you a night of fellowship and politics with lots of laughs—and maybe a few tears too. We’ll keep you sane.

With just under two months until Election Day, Tim and Bill revisit the run-up to the midterms in 2006 and 1994, two major wave election cycles where the bottom just fell out from under the party in power. The 1994 blowout was more about the end of an era, while 2006 was about an unpopular war in the Middle East, a scandal, and a disappointed base. What do those wave elections suggest about the prospects for a big blue year in 2026? Plus: Do not miss either the war stories from Tim as a young Republican operative on the campaign trail or Clinton blaming Bill for helping to tank his health care reform plan. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller for a special holiday pod. show notes: Tim in 2006 Bill in "Morning Shots" with his Truman-related advice for the Dems COME HANG WITH THE GANG —Sarah, Tim, JVL, Sam and friends—during our Bulwark LIVE: Good Fight Tour this October 16-20: 🎤 Friday, October 16 at The Senate in Columbia, S.C. —Will Sommer joins the gang on stage. Is Columbia ready for the Trio? 🎤 Sunday, October 18 at the Carolina Theatre in Charlotte, N.C. — special guest Pete Buttigieg joins the gang with Catherine Rampell and Lauren Eagan. 🎤 Tuesday, October 20 at The Eastern in Atlanta, Ga. —Gen. Mark Hertling and the Morning Shots duo—Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol—join the gang for this final stop. Tickets are on sale NOW through the links above or through TheBulwark.com/Events . At Bulwark LIVE we can promise you a night of fellowship and politics with lots of laughs—and maybe a few tears too. We’ll keep you sane.

Marco Rubio is using dubious powers to create a new class of immigrant political prisoners. Meanwhile, DHS officials are bragging about how they're brutally shackling and frog-marching Haitians who came here under protected status. On this American holiday weekend, David takes a "nerd moment" to explain that the Founders always intended our Constitutional liberties to apply to noncitizens as well—including even despicable Milo Yiannopoulos. Plus: How Trump keeps getting away with his illegal ballroom construction, what normie Texas Republicans are thinking about Paxton vs. Talarico, the risks of legal shenanigans after the votes are all counted in November, and an update on the Iranian green card-holders who've now been detained 150 days. Also, Tim is heartily enjoying the LSU ruling ahead of Saturday's game against Clemson. David French joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod. show notes: Follow "Bulwark Takes" for the latest releases over the weekend David's piece on Marco's tin-pot dictator leanings More on the Iranian green card-holders from a local NBC affiiliate in LA Tim's playlist Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Thom Tillis was the pivotal vote to confirm a buffoon to run the Department of Defense, and now he’s shocked about Hegseth’s incompetency. JD wants everyone to know he’s a Catholic now, but he doesn’t seem to have absorbed even the basic teachings of Catholicism. And Susan Collins claims she has influence with her Senate colleagues over Trump’s agenda—even though on almost every occasion she has made sure that her vote won’t matter. Meanwhile, Trump did a coup in Venezuela with an associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Plus: Tim reads from the mailbag, Trump is repulsed by Ken Paxton, the Antichrist might be walking amongst us, and what would happen if armed, leftwing activists created a sanctuary space in Ohio to protect Haitian immigrants? JVL joins Tim Miller. show notes: JVL’s ‘Triad’ on the illegal Venezuelan oil deal Tim’s ‘Take’ with MAGA pollster Rich Baris Pulitzer-winning reporting by “Pablo Torre Finds Out” on the Clippers Tim’s interview with Ruby Cramer on MAHA Here’s how you can help the city of Springfield and its Haitian Community: Support the Haitian Community Help & Support Center , St. Vincent de Paul , and Second Harvest Food Bank Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. Go to Dupe.com today and find similar products for less. It’s 100% free to use. Stop wasting money on brand names and start saving with Dupe.com today.

The Army is currently operating without any Senate-confirmed civilian or military leaders at the top. For Navy secretary, Trump is nominating an election-denying veteran who thinks witches and Wiccans are taking over cities. And when Hegseth is not busy purging the DOD’s leadership, he seems to be under the spell of a Rasputin-like character who failed a polygraph and may have taken the supposedly sober defense secretary out for a bender. Meanwhile, Don Jr. got another Pentagon contract, and the administration keeps ignoring the fact that Russia is helping Iran try to kill American soldiers and sailors. Plus: Tim today launched a new series featuring a younger generation of Democratic operatives who are working hard to win the midterms. First up is Biden White House alum Rodericka Applewhaite. New Bulwark pod host Michael Weiss and Rodericka Applewhaite join Tim Miller. show notes: Tim’s candidate recs (which will be updated soon!) The Atlantic on Trump being surprised about all the top officers being fired ProPublica on Don, Jr.’s Pentagon drone contract Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Vaccine skepticism and distrust of pharmaceutical companies long predated RFK, Jr.'s 2024 presidential campaign. But the distrust of mainstream medical authority has now grown so deep that the United States can no longer contain the spread of measles. The country’s measles-vaccination rates have dropped below the threshold for herd immunity. Obviously, Trump’s misleading vax ruminations from the Oval Office have not helped the matter. The New Yorker’ s Ruby Cramer discusses her reporting on one family’s frightening medical experience after one parent fell down the MAHA rabbit hole. Plus: The administration has given Big Ag a pass, Democrats should try recapturing health-conscious voters, the overlooked case of an American shot by immigration thugs, and the surprising backstory of Kari Lake becoming ambassador to Jamaica. Ruby Cramer joins Tim Miller. show notes: "The Next Level" pod will be out later today Ruby's New Yorker piece, "The MAHA Custody Battle" Ruby's reporting on the preschool worker who was shot by Border Patrol Ruby on the DNC's Ken Martin Eddington, the film Ruby referenced and Sonny recommends Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Trump’s war is far from over, top military leaders are warning Hegseth that prolonged ops in the region are unsustainable, and Americans have been financing Pentagon propagandists who’ve been secretly collecting taxpayer money to try to convince us that things are going great in Iran. This is not the time for congressional Democrats to allow Republicans to easily pass a spending resolution that keeps the government open. At the same time, Trump keeps handing gifts to Democrats—like his sell-out to tech oligarchs and his praise of data centers. Plus: The Venezuelan oil deal is a socialist PR stunt, vile Laura Loomer is trying to bring back the normalization of Islamaphobia, Massachusetts voters should recall the risks of sending an 80-year-old back to the Senate, and Marco really is the worst Cabinet member of all Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes: Monday’s “Morning Shots” Will Sommer on the taxpayer-supported Pentagon troll army The Post on the Pentagon propagandists collecting taxpayer money The WaPo on military leaders warning Hegseth against extended Iran operations Sam on last week’s show with Tim Sam and Ben on Trump’s new threats to press freedom Military Times on the damage done to the U.S. base in Bahrain

The wars in Iran and Ukraine are increasingly entangled, CIA Director John Ratcliffe had to personally deliver a message to Moscow, and Trump is driving our Gulf allies into the arms of China. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Israel relationship keeps mucking up our domestic politics, particularly in Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign in Michigan. But it also turns out that podcast host (and senator) Ted Cruz seems to be pocketing money from the state of Israel itself. Plus: Some Democrats have finally figured out how to deliver speeches again, Vance is always trying to turn himself into something he’s not, the DSA posters sound a lot like the Resistance 1.0, and Enes Kanter is still a POS. Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

We’ve hit the August doldrums, so Tim is taking the daily pod on a little excursion. The Bulwark community delivered some epic mailbag questions, one of which prompted Sam to make one of the nerdiest confessions ever. Also, Tim and Sam adjust their Cabinet member rankings: Marco is an utter catastrophe, RFK Jr. is failing on all fronts, and Kelly Loeffler is proof that aliens exist. Plus, DeSantis is doing some seemingly dirty dealing down in Florida, ICE arrests are soaring—and here’s hoping that Trump’s super PAC spends millions on ads for the midterms extolling what a great job he’s doing as president. Sam Stein joins Tim Miller. show notes: NYT on the surge in ICE arrests Vanity Fair piece on Lutnick that Tim referenced The Atlantic on Trump's midterms ad campaign Tim's latest 'Take' on Trump's immigration policy Sam's 'Take' from May on the DeSantis Medicaid scandal Alien Kelly Loeffler video Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

The only likely way to end the nightmare of Trump—and Republicans supporting him no matter how much he ruins the country—is for Democrats to win in Republican-leaning states and congressional districts. That means giving moderates the grace to compete for people who voted for Trump. Likewise, moderates also need to recognize that the left will be swing voters in key races this election cycle. Plus: the online brawl over Hasan Piker, Scott Jennings’ desperate campaign to be the new White House press secretary, Trump is widening his attack on the First Amendment to research institutions, and Rob Sand is breaking the candidate mold in Iowa. Epic poster and Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden joins Tim Miller. show notes: The Center for American Progress website 'Take' on the CIA director's trip to Moscow (with Weiss & Polymeropoulos) Neera's busy Twitter feed Jonathan Martin's interview with gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand

Yield curve control has gone mainstream (seriously, just ask the Asheville Beatnik with a message for Scott Bessent), so Tracy Alloway is here to explain the latest economic turmoil to Tim. Bessent’s bond buyback gambit seems to have flopped, but apparently, according to the President, there’s always the option of military intervention to bring the market to heel. In the meantime, consumers are going to pay more interest on everything, and there’s no plan to reduce the federal debt. Then, for some MAGA drama dessert, Will Sommer joins the pod to talk about Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s dud of a pay-for-play road trip video series, the Trump/Tucker beef, and the feud between a Groyper-adjacent Undersecretary of State and an anonymous MAGA propaganda account that your tax dollars are paying for. Will Sommer and Tracy Alloway join Tim Miller. show notes: Picture of the Asheville protestor with the yield curve sign Tracy’s Odd Lots podcast Will and Tim’s DC tour Will’s False Flag newsletter on Data Republican Catch Tim, Sarah, and JVL on The Next Level later tonight

Canada flat-out rejected Trump’s terms in trade talks, so now it looks like we are going to have a trade war with our friends in the Great White North. Sorry, Maine. Sorry, bourbon industry. And in MAGA farm country, ranchers are furious that POTUS is increasing beef imports free of tariffs. Even Tom Cotton has dared to question Trump’s move. And on the other side of the aisle, Democrats should maximize their attacks on ICE, the midterms are looking wave-ish, and Hakeem should explain why he would have a conversation with Kushner that did not involve a subpoena. Plus: the Iran war has been a strategic loss for the U.S., Trump’s summer 250 celebrations were a bust, Lindsey’s sister is an empty vessel, and hater Enes Kanter’s campaign against the WNBA is gross and disgusting. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes: Lauren’s piece on Roy Cooper Tim’s latest crazy, stupid Republicans ‘Take.’ This time: Andy Biggs Bob Kagan on “Iran Unleashed” Katie Britt’s contact page for Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets. Head to https://forkfulmeals.com/thebulwark for 50% off your first order today!

Melania had to come out of hiding and practice her English after days of embarrassing coverage of Trump aide Natalie Harp. And now Harp’s newly released gushing notes to POTUS show unparalleled devotion to him. But they also hint at an abusive relationship built around trying to manage his easily-wounded ego with fantasy-grade good news stories. Meanwhile, Michael Cohen reminded everyone that he is a pathetic little lapdog. Plus: Trump is running the country like a socialist, he’s driving up the debt to dangerous levels, he seems determined to muck with the midterms—and the ‘orange man bad' resistance has been right all along. George Conway joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes: Two of Natalie's love notes to Trump JVL on the 'human printer' Tim's interview with Julia Curlee Tim's interview with David Wallace-Wells Katie Britt's contact page for Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis Tim's playlist Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets are on sale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Mark the summer of 2026 as the moment when an unlikely supermajority of Americans came together on one issue: their opposition to data centers. This new, big, messy coalition spans the political spectrum and is rooted in a fear that the sociopaths of Silicon Valley will determine the future of our lives, our communities, and our economic prospects. And (most) politicians have noticed which way the wind is blowing. Plus: Carbon emissions are getting better but the planet is still getting warmer, the coming El Niño may be the strongest ever, and ICE arrests are dramatically up because Stephen Miller is siccing agents on immigrants who are following the rules. The New York Times' David Wallace-Wells joins Tim Miller. show notes: David's recent newsletter on keeping the world safe from AI David on Trump's deportation machine ramping up Derek Thompson's recent "Plain English" pod on AI that Tim referenced Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

When Trump came back into power, his administration leaned heavily on former CIA analyst Julia Curlee to help safeguard our national security. The first CIA officer to transition openly, Curlee had worked at the highest levels in the White House for years. But once her gender identity became public through a witch hunt, she was hounded out. Curlee talks with Tim about the chaos of Trump’s slash-and-burn firings, the administration’s demonizing of trans people, and how Mike Pence treated her with dignity and respect when she was his personal briefer. Plus: The 19th’s Errin Haines joins to discuss the Florida primaries, the Dems’ prospects in the South, the real backlash against the Callais decision, and AOC’s Woke 1 comments. And Tim asks The Bulwark community to help Venezuelan detainees Freddys Revilla and Edgarianny Gervis. Julia Curlee and Errin Haines join Tim Miller. show notes: Katie Britt’s office: 202-224-5744 Britt’s chief of staff: Sean_Ross@britt.senate.gov and her subcommittee clerk Dave Roth at at 202-224-4319 Britt’s Twitter: @SenKatieBritt Where Tim shared the letter and drawing that were sent to Britt Curlee's Atlantic piece, "The Wrong Kind of American" Mona's podcast, where Curlee will also be a guest later this week Errin's newsletter, "The Amendment" Tim's 'Take' on the detained Venezuelan family Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale NOW. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Trump is flailing so badly on Iran. He dispatched Jared Kushner to negotiate with the regime but then denies that any talks are happening at all. He also threatened to bomb one ally and hammered another for not helping him fight his war. And somehow, in all of this, Kushner—a private businessman and a consultant for the Saudis—is meeting with Hamas officials and Netanyahu while also looking out for his own financial interests. Plus: a primer on why we keep troops in South Korea, Hegseth may be mulling a presidential run, and Gen Alpha may save us all. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes: "The Next Level" podcast—out later on Tuesday Tim on another family being held at the Dilley detention facility The Gen Alpha TikTok video Tim mentioned Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale starting August 18. Watch your inbox for details. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.

Thanks to a shrewdly-timed Jon Ossoff campaign event, a lot more people are suddenly learning about young and blonde Trump confidante Natalie Harp AKA ‘the human printer’—and one of only three aides who accompanied POTUS on his catering truck-secret flight escape. Meanwhile, Trump is lending a hand to white-collar criminals and expanding his extortion and bribery options with his crypto firm. Plus: the flat-out lies about Fauci and miscarriages, Andrew loves the Great Lakes, the tariffs have done so much damage that even Sherrod Brown is against them, and Tim has some choice words about the primary challenge against Jared Moskowitz in Florida. Andrew Egger joins Tim Miller. show notes: Catherine's piece on Trump trying to destroy the shell company registry Tim on crazy, stupid Republicans running in the midterms. First up: Mike Collins Andrew's critique of Politico's piece on Trump's tariffs in "Morning Shots" Bulwark LIVE: GOOD FIGHT TOUR with Tim, Sarah, Sam and JVL is coming to the Southeast in October. Tickets go on sale August 21. Bulwark+ members get early access via our presale starting August 18. Watch your inbox for details. Head to TheBulwark.com/Events for details and to get your tickets.