The Next Level

Today Sarah and JVL try to figure out who’s worse: John Fetterman or Susan Collins. (Give us your answer in the comments.) Also, the Big Orange Arch is coming. And we chew over Doug Sosnik’s recommendations for the Democratic party. It’s a big show. Weight Loss by Hims offers access to affordable FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, including the Wegovy® pill and Wegovy® pen, with personalized treatment plans and ongoing support. Get started at https://www.hims.com/thenextlevel Plus: it’s almost Book Week! Don’t let Teddy Cancun and High Life Clarence win. Order a copy of Sarah’s book now. (If you haven’t already, I mean.) How to Eat an Elephant drops on Tuesday and the Best Friends really want to get it to #1 on the NYT best seller list. To do that, we have to unseat... a biography of Clarence Thomas by Ted Effing Cruz. Buy it on Bookshop.org : https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-eat-an-elephant-one-voter-at-a-time-sarah-longwell/6a0996cb43d2ef5b?ean=9781250464170&bkshp-astro=t Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/How-Eat-Elephant-Voter-Time/dp/125046417X Become a Bulwark member to keep watching the full conversation, plus get access to all our members-only shows and segments. Show notes: See Bill Kristol and Doug Sosnik’s conversation: https://conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation/doug-sosnik-on-two-very-different-elections-2026-and-2028/

Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss the U.S. Supreme Court letting Trump’s ballroom go ahead (for now), why JVL thinks John Roberts is the Susan Collins of the Supreme Court, and whether Sarah is warming up to tearing down the ballroom in 2029. Plus: Trump says Kristen Welker should be punished for pointing out that his endorsed candidates are losing more often, and JVL wonders whether Republicans will have to be an anti-Canada party now. Later: The gang discusses Bari Weiss’s kinda racist headline about Abdul El-Sayed’s past tweets, why elected Republicans around the country (but especially Ken Paxton) are feeling depressed about their midterm prospects, and an absolutely wild story about a Florida congressional candidates in today’s Morning Shots. Right now, save up to 30% on mattresses and up to 35% on everything else when you go to https://Casper.com . Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. If you want more of Tim, Sarah, and JVL doing what they do here—looking past the daily Trump spectacle to figure out what survives him, where Democrats have openings, and what the next political era might actually look like— become a Bulwark member and support The Next Level . Show links: Read JVL’s Triad ( https://www.thebulwark.com/p/lake-america-and-the-dogma-of-trumpism ) Read Andrew Egger’s Morning Shots ( https://www.thebulwark.com/p/we-found-her-the-most-absurd-general-election-candidate-te-brown-illinois-florida-congress-fraud-primary-election-putin-whale-orca-polar-bear-russia-ukraine )

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are a special perk just for paid members of the Bulwark. We put almost every video out for free, because we don't think you can save the country from behind a paywall. This is one of the rare things we do reserve just for members. Come ride with us. - Full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/py-SBnizZ3U - Full episode on Substack: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/mark-cuban-thinks-he-could-run-as JVL is out this week, so Tim and Sarah discuss Mark Cuban’s comments that he could run for president as a Republican (and why Tim isn’t buying it), and Sarah’s conversation with the New York Times discussing her book, and what Democratic voters REALLY want right now. They also discuss the race Rob Sand is running for governor in Iowa. Behind the paywall: Kamala Harris’s 2028 strategy, Hasan Piker discourse, and a fun mailbag segment. Show notes: Read Sarah's conversation with the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/28/opinion/democrats-fighters-trump-republicans.html Come hang with the gang—Sarah, Tim, JVL, Sam and friends—during our Bulwark LIVE: Good Fight Tour this October. Tickets are on sale now at: https://thebulwark.com/Events Let's be together.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL are back together for a JAM-PACKED show. They discuss: -Dolly Parton's passing and her legacy. -America's war (not the Iran war, our trade war with Canada), and why the rest of the world can't count on American anymore--even if Democrats win in 2028. -Sarah's Focus Group Podcast episode from Georgia--which Tim found pleasant (for once). -The South Carolina primary runoff, and whether having Donald Trump's endorsement is enough to put a political novice in the Senate. -The first U.S. measles deaths of the year in Pennsylvania. -Does the Trump administration want to demolish the Kennedy Center? Do WE want them to? -Why MAGA media is talking about the WNBA and trans issues so much. -Finally: They discuss JVL's Monday Triad about Trump's completely crazy relationship with Natalie Harp. Read JVL's Triad Get your tickets for The Bulwark's Good Fight Tour this October, coming to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta . Go to https://zbiotics.com/nextlevel and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. For a limited time, get 60% off your order from Tempo at https://TempoMeals.com/THENEXTLEVEL .

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for paid members of the Bulwark on YouTube, Substack and Apple Podcasts. --- Sarah and JVL did a BIG show today. Sample awesome: Sen. Darlene Graham says that voters in South Carolina don’t care about Taiwan—they care about boys playing girls sports. Spoiler: There are exactly zero (0) boys in South Carolina playing girls sports. Top CIA analyst Julia Curlee served Trump, Biden, and then Trump again honorably. Then she was fired because some MAGA influencers discovered she was trans. What duty do civil servants owe the country which elected Trump for the second time? Is Jon Ossoff the one we’ve been waiting for? Sarah has him in her Big Four. And you’ll never guess who the other three are. People hate Data Centers. So where is the juice for Democrats? JVL can’t stop/won’t stop beating on tankies and greens. And the birth of a new feature: Pickleball talk! We want to hear from you about any/all of this. Let’s ride. Sarah, Tim, Sam and JVL are coming to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Atlanta in October for Bulwark LIVE. We’re bringing lots of friends. Tickets are on sale now: https://thebulwark.com/events Our shows have a habit of selling out. Don’t wait to grab your seats.

Tim, JVL, and Andrew Egger discuss: -(Yet another) story of a former Trump voter seeing a loved one run into the immigration policies he voted for. -The faux outrage from MAGA-world at Sen. Jon Ossoff pointing out that Donald Trump and Natalie Harp travel together a lot. -Karoline Leavitt leaving the White House, and who might come next. -The Florida primary, and how Trump's hand-picked candidate MIGHT fumble the state away this fall. -Pete Hegseth traveling to Iowa. Is HE running? -Andrew breaks down the latest weird trend on right wing twitter: Postpartum Depression truthers. -Tim welcomes Nancy Mace to the YouTube content game. For Bulwark+ Subscribers: The pre-sale for this fall’s Good Fight tour is ON. We’re heading to Charlotte, Columbia, and Atlanta in October. Get your tickets HERE , or first, become a subscriber HERE . Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL with code nextlevel.

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available only to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts! Lots of stuff this week. (1) There are still balcony seats left for the Best Friends Show in NYC on September 8. Come sell out the 92nd Street Y with us! You can get tickets here. If we sell this show out, JVL will do something nuts. (2) Sarah, Tim, Sam and I are coming to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Atlanta in October. We’re bringing friends. Tickets go on sale August 21, but Bulwark+ members get access to an exclusive presale on August 18—so join! (3) Then there’s the news: Trump is trying to put his name on the Kennedy Center again. Grandpa is so thirsty. Karoline Leavitt is taking her talent for baldfaced lying to the private sector. Who will be the lucky news organization to buy the privilege of having her lie to its audience? And what lucky liar will inherit her spot behind the podium? JVL loses his mind over the revelation that after DHS agents murdered Alex Pretti, the federal government launched far-reaching investigations against . . . liberal activist groups in Minnesota. This story will take your hate-fire to 11. Sarah was always right about the Wisconsin Democratic primary. Why don’t progressives say a little prayer of thanksgiving for winning a big race in Minnesota with Peggy Flanagan while not having to defend Francesca Hong? Take the W. Also: JVL has some nice things to say about Bernie while Sarah is totally getting there on AOC. (4) And then there’s the feelings talk. JVL has a lot of them. About Flash and mortality and his gratitude to all of you guys. (Also: (5) We have news about Rebecca taking us home.) This isn’t an Instant Classic level show, but it’s a good one. Top quintile for sure.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL are BACK TOGETHER after a month apart. They discuss: -Bill Cassidy’s pathetic, weepy floor speech before casting the deciding vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. -What Tucker Carlson is up to these days…from interviewing Hunter Biden, to a monologue that sounds a LOT like the prelude to a presidential campaign. -DSA-aligned Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, and the stakes of experimenting with a DSA-aligned candidate in a swing state like Wisconsin. -Democrats like AOC saying that ‘Woke 1 was crazy,’ and how much of an ‘apology’ Democrats owe for ‘Woke 1.’ -Sarah is raring to talk about the WNBA and its growing role in America’s culture wars. Read JVL's criminally neglected Triad newsletter. Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL .

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. Join on Substack, Apple Podcast or YouTube! JVL and Tim did a GIANT show this week. Uncanny Callista Gingrich. Thom Tillis publishes his burn book. Tucker’s running for president. Burrito discourse. And more! Seriously: Instant classic. This one goes in the vault. Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad Get $30 off your first order and free croissants for life at https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL .

Sam joins Tim and JVL to discuss: -Live results from the (unexpectedly close) Michigan Senate primary, and discuss what an Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens win would mean for November. -The horrifying child abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller, and his disastrous CNN interview. -Trump's anger at Jeanine Pirro after she dropped vandalism charges related to the reflecting pool. -Todd Blanche advancing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee -Finally, they discuss JVL's triad about democratic socialists (meh) versus social democrats (better), and how Democrats can stop letting Republicans set the narrative of this election. The day always ends well with Casper. Right now save up to 20% on mattresses and up to 25% on everything else when you go to https://Casper.com . Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3dayblinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.

Sarah and JVL have a It’s a super-sized, instant classic: The Trump administration is using ChatGPT for everything. Why are Cornyn and Tillis even bothering with their fake protest of Todd Blanche? The Dem Senate map is looking . . . possible? Trump has raised $800 million from “donors” since coming back to office. And JVL finally explains why he’s obsessed with 60 Minutes investigative reporter Ross Douthat. Plus: Emo JVL needs your advice in the comments! Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/thenextlevel to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark through Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Come ride with us!

Sarah, JVL, and Catherine Rampell discuss: - Mitch McConnell's SECOND proof of life photo, and what's really going on with him. - The White House Correspondents' Dinner do-over, Trump's comments about Kaitlan Collins, why anyone goes to it anymore, and how the whole thing seems to be playing into Trump's hands. - The drama inside the Democratic National Committee, and how (and whether) having a strong national party committee matters anymore. - The proposed new primary calendar for the 2028 Democratic primaries. - The final stretch of the Michigan Senate primary.

Paid members of the Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of the Secret Podcast. You can join via Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube. Big show today: It’s the dawn of Streamer JVL? Plus: Some questions for Tom Homan about shooting January 6 insurrectionists; Haley Stevens and authenticity; and the Mitch McConnell conspiracy theory. Also, a conversation about raising good men. But the big topic is the Department of Defense suddenly removing the names of four dead soldiers from the Iran war casualty list because they were killed after Trump declared a ceasefire in April—because there are now apparently two distinct Iran wars. Even though neither of them is, for legal purposes, a “war.” This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Sarah, JVL, and Will Sommer (sitting in for Tim) discuss: Whether Laura Loomer is one of the adults in MAGA-land? I'm Ron Burgundy? The state of the Iran War. The ridiculous AI advertisement being run by a Ted Cruz-aligned outside group in Florida (and the whacky candidates in the ad). The unfolding special Republican primary for Senate in South Carolina The Michigan Senate race...and how all of the online conventional wisdom stacks up with reality. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL. Get 15% off your order with Boll and Branch at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL .

Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss Trump’s tedious (and still scary!) election speech, the documents that undercut his election claims, JD Vance’s cringe appearance on Joe Rogan, Trump voters’ brutal reactions to Vance, and Democrats’ missed opportunities at the Todd Blanche hearing. Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephant

The whole gang is back together, for the last time until August. Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss: - Two more killings by ICE officers. JVL asks whether we're getting numb to this. No one on this show is numb. - Trump's aborted plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz--and whether it was an act of war. - Sarah lets Todd Blanche (and Republican senators) have it. - After JVL's wifi goes bad, Tim and Sarah discuss Tim's interview with Pete Buttigieg, and why Tim is glad Josh Shapiro isn't wading into intra-Democratic turf wars. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Sarah and JVL are back together, looking at Trump’s NATO disgrace, wondering if Mitch McConnell is really talking to people on the phone about detailed policy questions, and analyzing the factional fight in the Democratic party between the people trying to elect Democrats and the insurgents focused on displacing the establishment. Short version: What if Morris Katz is just the left’s Steve Bannon? Also, there’s some personal stuff at the end. Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3DayBlinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery. Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.

Tim, Sarah, and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) take on the political stories dominating the headlines: • Mitch McConnell is alive and taking calls (maybe, probably?)—despite Laura Loomer’s reports to the contrary.. • Platnerdämmerung; the enormous irresponsibility of the Platner candidacy will have real consequences for his movement and for the country; and the messy road ahead in Maine (even if Platner does the right thing and drops out.). • In the wake of the Platner debacle, irony is dead as Trump defenders trip over themselves to claim the moral high ground. Case in point: Kevin McCarthy.. • Mallory McMorrow’s failed Michigan Senate campaign exemplifies the challenges of splitting the difference between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.. • Plus, the USMNT’s embarrassing loss to the waffle-eating Belgians in the World Cup Round of 16. Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team. Go to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVELGRAZA to get 50% off your first month of healthier meals. Get 30% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa’s July 4 sale. Go to https://Leesa.com , promo code THENEXTLEVEL.

Full episodes of the Bulwark Podcast are available to paid members of The Bulwark via YouTube, Substack, and Apple Podcasts. Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol (filling in for JVL) take on America’s 250th birthday under Trump—and how far the GOP has fallen from Reagan’s “you can become an American” to 2,000 ICE arrests a day. They break down the right-wing meltdown over the birthright citizenship ruling, Megyn Kelly’s race to the bottom, why the “socialist takeover” panic misses what Democratic voters actually want, and who’s really rising in the 2028 field. Read Sarah’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-real-reason-the-democratic-socialists-are-surging

Sarah, Tim, and Andrew Egger (filling in for JVL) discuss: -The Supreme Court's ruling upholding birthright citizenship. -NPR's retracted report that Justice Alito was retiring. -The DSA-aligned Democratic candidates winning primaries in New York City, and whether Democrats are headed for a giant fight over socialism in 2027. -Rep. Tom Kean's return to Congress after his depression diagnosis. -The gang pops off on the gut-wrenching story of the false CPS report against Pete Buttigieg -Fresh polling in the Maine and Texas Senate races. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with code THENEXTLEVEL Join The Bulwark for $86 a year—14 percent off, this week only. Declare your independence today: http://thebulwark.com/july4