<![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/thenextlevelSubstackWed, 17 Jun 2026 03:37:07 GMT<![CDATA[Ben Shapiro's Tears Aren't Enough. The Iran War Hawks Owe Us More.]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/ben-shapiros-tears-arent-enough-thehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/ben-shapiros-tears-arent-enough-theWed, 17 Jun 2026 00:05:16 GMTJVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Iran "deal" that isn't really a deal—a memorandum of understanding that lifts sanctions immediately and hands Iran $300 billion while punting everything else down the road. Then: the war hawks who drummed up the Iran war—Thiessen, Graham, Levin, the WSJ editorial board — are repositioning and refusing to say they were wrong. Plus: Trump's accelerating decline, the corruption behind the White House UFC fight, and why Trump's DOJ will open a federal investigation on every 2028 Democratic nominee regardless of who it is.

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]]><![CDATA[Booed at the NBA Finals, Stormed Off NBC—Trump Is DOWN BAD]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/booed-at-the-nba-finals-stormed-offhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/booed-at-the-nba-finals-stormed-offTue, 09 Jun 2026 20:57:57 GMTThe gang is back together, and the U.S. and Iran are back at war...maybe? Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss the latest in Iran, Donald Trump storming off of Meet the Press, the 'stolen election' freakout in Los Angeles, Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, and JVL's Triad about former DHS commander Greg Bovino (kinda sorta maybe) eyeing a presidential run.

Plus: Graham Platner, Lindsey Graham's primary in South Carolina, and the gang reacts to a completely wild AI-generated ad of...James Talarico in a dress? Finally, Tim debriefs on his interview with a Silicon Valley vibes-whisperer.

Read JVL's Triad, here.
Watch Tim's interview with Jason Calacanis, here.

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]]><![CDATA[Even TRUMP Thinks Netanyahu Went Too Far?]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/even-trump-thinks-netanyahu-wenthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/even-trump-thinks-netanyahu-wentTue, 02 Jun 2026 23:33:54 GMTTim, JVL and Sam discuss Bill Pulte’s jaw-dropping appointment as Acting Director of National Intelligence and the Trump administration backing off of its weaponization slush fund (for now). Then, JVL puts Tim in the hot seat about election denier Tina Peters’ release from prison.

Plus: A bit of schadenfreude over the meltdown at 60 Minutes, the gang discusses the California and Iowa primaries, and Trump reportedly losing it at Bibi Netanyahu over Lebanon.

Last night after the gang recorded, the news broke that Scott Pelley had been fired from CBS News. Sam spoke with media reporter, Max Tani from Semafor, for Bulwark Takes.

Read JVL’s Triad, here.

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]]><![CDATA[Texas Primary Results! Megyn Kelly Turns on Trump?!]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/texas-primary-results-megyn-kellyhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/texas-primary-results-megyn-kellyWed, 27 May 2026 02:56:43 GMTSarah, Tim and JVL went live to cover the Texas primary runoff election, Megyn Kelly (maybe?) turning against Trump, and much more.

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]]><![CDATA[Trump Could Tarnish the GOP for YEARS to Come]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-could-tarnish-the-gop-for-yearshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-could-tarnish-the-gop-for-yearsFri, 22 May 2026 21:55:11 GMTLive from LA! Tim, Sarah, and Sam debate whether Democrats should just “let Trump cook” as his approval numbers crater, Republicans start breaking ranks, and the MAGA coalition begins to fracture. Plus: Rubio takes heat over Iran, the gang ranks Trump’s worst cabinet members, and they roast Trump’s gaudy gold makeover of Washington.

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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.

]]><![CDATA[Should the Next Democrat Punish Red States? JVL Says... Maybe]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/should-the-next-democrat-punish-redhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/should-the-next-democrat-punish-redTue, 12 May 2026 23:15:55 GMTJVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Virginia redistricting ruling, what it means for elections this November, and whether Democrats need to start playing as dirty as their opponents. Plus: the Iran war is a strategic catastrophe that most Americans don't understand yet, and what Bob Kagan—the man who cheered on every Middle East intervention—now thinks about where this is all heading. And Marjorie Taylor Greene has moved to Costa Rica. Seriously.

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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.

]]><![CDATA[This is The Stupidest War You Can Possibly Imagine]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-the-stupidest-war-you-canhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-the-stupidest-war-you-canTue, 05 May 2026 23:38:46 GMTSarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss the Trump administration’s assertion that the effort to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz is "separate and distinct" from the larger war effort in Iran. Plus, they get into the drama over Ken Martin’s time as DNC chair, the effect the Supreme Court’s recent voting rights ruling might have on the midterms, the wisdom of Senate Republicans allocating $1 billion for the ballroom Trump promised would be completed without public money and how the Senate battleground his shaping up for Democrats this fall. Bonus: Tim coins a new term for presidents hitting historically bad polling numbers.

"The YOLO Presidency" by Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer

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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[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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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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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.

]]><![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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]]><![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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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

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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[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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]]><![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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]]><![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.

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]]><![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.

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