James Comey and Ben Wittes: A Demagogue Our Founders Feared
Former FBI Director James Comey joins Tim Miller to discuss the choices he made in 2016, the DOJ's self-sabotaging avoidance of the media, and how to maintain your integrity and principles in the face of a lying, lawless bastard. Plus, Ben Wittes in New York updates the status of the Trump trial, and praises the fairness of Judge Merchan. show notes: Comey's new crime novel Ben on Judge Merchan
22 Touko 202458min
Rick Wilson: The Reich Stuff
The "unified Reich" reference was no accident: Trump is aiming to both fire up the base and court public controversy. Meanwhile, Giuliani is hawking sedition coffee, Marco Rubio is auditioning for secretary of state, and the UN had a dumbass reaction to the Iranian president's death. Rick Wilson joins Tim Miller today. show notes: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-killing-of-roger-fortson
21 Touko 202444min
Tom Nichols: The Cult Around the Sad Boy from Queens
Trump has embraced the culture war on guns and abortion, but he is somehow being painted as a moderate again. Meanwhile, Giuliani and Abbott served up fresh reminders that MAGA thinks law and order doesn't apply to them. And today's authoritarians aren't anti-elite—it's just that the wrong elites are in charge. Tom Nichols joins Tim Miller. show notes: Tom's piece about Carla, the cat
20 Touko 202456min
Anne Applebaum: A New Propaganda War
Russia, China, and their authoritarian allies are working overtime to poison the idea of democracy everywhere in the world. It's a theme so heartily embraced by MAGA, their messaging is often the same. Plus, coup sympathizer Samuel Alito, Ukraine's high-tech gains and low-tech losses, and our risk of being outflanked by foreign influence in 2024. Join Tim, Sarah JVL in Denver June 21. Gov Jared Polis is our guest. Tickets at TheBulwark.com/events. show notes: Anne's Atlantic cover story Anne's forthcoming book, "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who to Run the World." Tim's playlist
17 Touko 202446min
Joe Walsh: Red Lines
This election is about being a grownup and making a choice. One candidate is clearly preferable, and a protest vote sends a message to no one. Meanwhile, Biden is not waiting to take the fight to Trump, and Democrats have to call out culture war ugliness. Plus, another installment of "The Right Stuff." Joe Walsh joins Tim Miller today.
16 Touko 202453min
Ben Wittes and Brody Mullins: Code Red
Michael Cohen substantiated 99% of what's needed to prove Trump's hush money reimbursement scheme—and so far, Cohen held his own under the weak defense counsel's cross-exam. Plus, are we past the peak power of the corporate lobbying world? Ben Wittes and the WSJ's Brody Mullins join Tim Miller today. show notes: Brody Mulllins' book, "“The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government.” Ben on Michael Cohen, Day 2
15 Touko 202446min
Eddie Glaude Jr.: Biden Needs to Thread the Needle
Joe has to tell campus protesters it's OK to disagree with him—and that they can hold him to account. But if they want to keep the ability to protest, they can't let the knuckle-dragging troglodyte back into power. Plus, pressuring Cornel West, white people are losing their damn minds, again—and is Gen Z really the catastrophic generation? Eddie Glaude joins Tim Miller. show notes: Eddie's latest book, "We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For." Eddie's "Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul."
14 Touko 202452min
Will Saletan: Trolls and Liars
Today's GOP is not a governing party—it's a grievance and trolling party, and Trump has the nihilist vote all locked up. Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham and others are pushing a Hiroshima model in response to Gaza. And because we all still need to laugh, the pod now has a new segment, "The Right Stuff." Will Saletan joins Tim Miller today. show notes: Jonathan Karl on Johnny McEntee CBS News segment on the mother rescued from Gaza
13 Touko 202447min
