<![CDATA[The Bulwark: The Next Level ]]>

<![CDATA[The Bulwark: The Next Level ]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thenextlevelhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QWq4!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe7bdbd69-ae32-45de-8348-8913f6966d53_256x256.pngThe Bulwark: The Next Level https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thenextlevelSubstackSun, 03 May 2026 00:32:39 GMT<![CDATA[Trump Indicts Comey—AGAIN ]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-indicts-comeyagainhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-indicts-comeyagainTue, 28 Apr 2026 20:19:56 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL went LIVE for this episode of The Next Level to cover yet another indictment of former FBI Director James Comey by the Trump administration. Plus an attempted shooting at the WHCD and The Bulwark’s own Ben Parker breaks news!

Read Ben Parker’s exclusive reporting on Trump’s plan to put his own face on U.S. passports.

Read JVL’s Triad newsletter.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[JVL Is the Reigning Champion of All the Internet]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/jvl-is-the-reigning-champion-of-allhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/jvl-is-the-reigning-champion-of-allTue, 21 Apr 2026 23:35:46 GMTSarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL celebrate JVL’s Webby win (sort of), and cover Tucker Carlson’s sudden “regret” turn and what it means about MAGA, Donald Trump Jr. as a 2028 front-runner, and the continued disaster in Iran. Plus: the ongoing dysfunction inside the administration, including the latest turmoil surrounding Kash Patel.

Don't miss the Triad newsletter this Friday when JVL will answer all your pressing questions on the news of the day. Leave your questions here.

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Calling all West Coast friends: Tickets are on sale now for our Bulwark Live: California tour stops. Join Sarah, Sam and Tim in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21 for a night of politics among friends. For show details and to snag your seats visit TheBulwark.com/events.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

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]]><![CDATA[Did JD Vance Tell the Pope to Shut Up?]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/did-jd-vance-tell-the-pope-to-shuthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/did-jd-vance-tell-the-pope-to-shutTue, 14 Apr 2026 23:51:58 GMTSarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell.

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JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.

Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter

Calling all West Coast Bulwark+ members: Today starting at 9:00 a.m. PT, tickets will go on sale for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Click here to get the members-only presale code and links to the ticketing sites.

Tickets go on sale for everyone else starting on Friday, April 17.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

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]]><![CDATA[The Next Level LIVE: Trump Extends Civilian Annihilation Threat For Two Weeks]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-trump-extendshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-trump-extendsWed, 08 Apr 2026 02:17:04 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL go live to cover Trump's Iran ultimatum and other news.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App sto…

]]><![CDATA[Kristi Noem's Husband Isn’t the Problem]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/kristi-noems-husband-isnt-the-problemhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/kristi-noems-husband-isnt-the-problemTue, 31 Mar 2026 23:54:40 GMTSarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get into the wild new scandal involving Kristi Noem’s husband—and why the story isn’t what people think it is.

They also discuss Trump’s chaotic handling of the Iran conflict, the political fallout at home, and whether his support is starting to crack. Plus: Lindsey Graham’s surreal Disney detour, protests across the country, CPAC’s decline, and JD Vance’s latest reinvention.

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show notes

JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.

Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter

Watch, listen, and leave a comment.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[How Much Pain Before MAGA Turns on Trump?]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-much-pain-before-maga-turns-onhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-much-pain-before-maga-turns-onTue, 24 Mar 2026 23:21:51 GMTTim Miller, JVL and Sam Stein (filling in for Sarah) discuss Trump’s shambolic approach to the Iran war—no clear objective, mixed signals, and rising economic fallout. As gas prices climb and markets wobble, they ask whether the political damage has already begun, even if the polls haven’t fully caught up.

Plus: signs of a potential MAGA fracture, ICE at airports, a look inside the grift behind Project 2025, and a disturbing interview with Greg Bovino.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice. Or watch in the new Bulwark App—available now in the Apple and Google App stores.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Even Trump’s Cheerleaders Are Saying “Oops”]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/even-trumps-cheerleaders-are-sayinghttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/even-trumps-cheerleaders-are-sayingFri, 20 Mar 2026 22:52:02 GMTTim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL were live in Austin talking about Trump’s Iran war, the cascading economic fallout, and growing global instability. As gas prices spike and allies react, the conversation turns darker: how bad could this get—and what it says about America right now.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Trump Doesn’t Understand His Own War]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-doesnt-understand-his-own-warhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-doesnt-understand-his-own-warTue, 10 Mar 2026 20:06:47 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL go LIVE to talk about the escalating air war with Iran and the chaos and dishonesty of Trump’s shifting explanations for it.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[TNL LIVE: Iran War Nukes MAGA]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/tnl-live-iran-war-nukes-magahttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/tnl-live-iran-war-nukes-magaTue, 03 Mar 2026 22:01:49 GMTSarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller are going live to talk about the shifting mood around the Iran strikes—how casualties could change the politics, whether 2026 is starting to feel like 2006, and if Trump’s “just do stuff” approach has hit a wall (with JD already hedging). Also: the latest Democratic freakout over Graham Platner’s campaign.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[They’re Hiding the Epstein Files to Protect Trump]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/theyre-hiding-the-epstein-files-tohttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/theyre-hiding-the-epstein-files-toWed, 25 Feb 2026 00:13:59 GMTSarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL run through a packed episode: explosive new questions about the Epstein files and whether Trump’s DOJ is shielding him, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling (and the three justices who would green-light almost anything), and what it means for the midterms. They also discuss Kristi Noem’s completely fabricated “cannibal” story, Laura Loomer pressuring Trump to go after Netflix, Make-a-Wish kid Kash Patel, and the messy Senate primary in Texas.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Trump Wants to Be King of the World (Live from Minneapolis)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-wants-to-be-king-of-the-worldhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-wants-to-be-king-of-the-worldFri, 20 Feb 2026 23:17:34 GMTJVL, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein team up, live in Minneapolis, to dish on how Donald Trump kicked off his new Board of Peace by threatening to go to war with Iran and why other countries are holding people accountable in Epstein-related cases while elites in the United States have dealt with few consequences. Plus, Bill Kristol crashes the party to sling some takes about the potential field of Democratic presidential candidates in 2028.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Trump is Crashing Out And We're Loving It]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-crashing-out-and-were-lovinghttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-crashing-out-and-were-lovingTue, 10 Feb 2026 23:46:09 GMTJVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller relish Trump’s losing streak—from +6 approval to –14—and why slipping GOP support could signal a Bush-style collapse. They also get into inflation backlash, the White House’s “Don’t Be a Panican” spin, and the early cracks forming inside MAGA. Is this the start of a 2006-level wave?

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See the gang live in Minneapolis on February 18 or in Texas, March 18 & 19. For Bulwark Live show details and to get tickets go TheBulwark.com/Events.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[New Epstein Files Reveal Pathetic Depths of America’s Elites]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/new-epstein-files-reveal-pathetichttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/new-epstein-files-reveal-patheticTue, 03 Feb 2026 23:59:27 GMTJVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller talk about the new Epstein file releases and what they reveal about elite weakness, Peter Attia’s emails, the effort to rehabilitate Epstein after prison, and why this isn’t “cancel culture.” They also discuss what the FBI's raid of an election center in Georgia and Donald Trump's talk about nationalizing elections means for the midterms and beyond.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[The Next Level LIVE: Lil’ Greg Bovino Sent Home; Tom Homan In]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-lil-greg-bovinohttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-lil-greg-bovinoTue, 27 Jan 2026 20:48:26 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL go live to talk about the fallout in Minnesota after Trump pulls Greg Bovino and installs Tom Homan, how voters are reacting, global blowback on Greenland, and what's next.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

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]]><![CDATA[The Next Level LIVE: Sundowning Trump Stumbles Through Press Event]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-sundowning-trumphttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-next-level-live-sundowning-trumpTue, 20 Jan 2026 23:22:51 GMTSarah, JVL and Tim discuss the low-energy, never-ending Trump event and the end of their will to live.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[JD Vance Picked the Ugliest Fight on Purpose]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/jd-vance-picked-the-ugliest-fighthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/jd-vance-picked-the-ugliest-fightWed, 14 Jan 2026 01:34:48 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL discuss the ICE killing in Minneapolis and the escalation that followed, including DOJ prosecutors resigning rather than smearing the victim’s family. They also talk about JD Vance’s eagerness to defend state violence, Trump’s pressure campaign against the Federal Reserve and Jerome Powell, the broader pattern of unchecked power and why Democratic candidates like Mary Peltola fit their states while others don’t.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Venezuela Exposes the Lie of America First]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/venezuela-exposes-the-lie-of-americahttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/venezuela-exposes-the-lie-of-americaWed, 07 Jan 2026 01:40:17 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL discuss the legality and consequences of the Venezuela operation, the emerging split between “America First” and “Trump First,” Stephen Miller’s grotesque worldview, and why Greenland suddenly feels less hypothetical. They also debate the legacy of neoconservatism and Iraq, MAGA influencer drama, and GOP dysfunction in Congress.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[When Fox News Starts Saying "Trump is Bad" (and Other Wild Predictions) ]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/when-fox-news-starts-saying-trumphttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/when-fox-news-starts-saying-trumpWed, 31 Dec 2025 02:04:40 GMTJVL, Sarah, and Tim look ahead to what’s next—and it (mostly) isn't pretty. From Trump’s plans for the Fed and crypto chaos, to billionaire media consolidation, and some truly unhinged foreign policy ideas, they game out what could break, what might finally collapse Trump’s support, and why things probably have to get worse before they get better.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Trump's DOJ Utterly Bungled the Latest Epstein Release]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-doj-utterly-bungled-the-latesthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-doj-utterly-bungled-the-latestWed, 24 Dec 2025 01:35:57 GMTNew Epstein files have dropped, and the fallout is growing. Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL discuss what’s new in the latest release, why the DOJ’s clumsy redactions and selective disclosures made things worse, and how the accumulating evidence and hypocrisy are starting to break through to voters. They also talk about Trump’s distraction tactics, JD Vance’s political viability, and why the old Trump bargain isn’t holding anymore.

NOTE: The Justice Department in a tweet later on Tuesday, after the episode was taped, said that the alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar was determined by the FBI to be fake.

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This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Click the learn about setting up this show, ad-free, on your podcast player of choice.

You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

]]><![CDATA[Why Did Susie Wiles Do These Interviews?]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/why-did-susie-wiles-do-these-interviewshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/why-did-susie-wiles-do-these-interviewsWed, 17 Dec 2025 01:39:42 GMTSarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller discuss the jaw-dropping Vanity Fair interviews Susie Wiles gave to Vanity Fair and what they reveal about how Trumpworld actually operates, the Epstein and Maxwell fallout, the backlash to Trump’s remarks about Rob Reiner, MAGA’s internal fractures, Elon Musk’s role in dismantling USAID, and why this moment feels different from past Trump controversies.

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You can find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here. And help more people find this show by leaving us a review and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen.

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