<![CDATA[The Bulwark: Bulwark Takes]]>

<![CDATA[The Bulwark: Bulwark Takes]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/s/bulwarktakeshttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ucvo!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff2be086b-13ae-4f84-a6ee-36f827a0bebf_256x256.pngThe Bulwark: Bulwark Takeshttps://www.thebulwark.com/s/bulwarktakesSubstackSat, 01 Aug 2026 23:08:21 GMT<![CDATA[DOJ Admits Reflecting Pool Wasn’t Vandalized]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/doj-admits-reflecting-pool-wasnthttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/doj-admits-reflecting-pool-wasntSat, 01 Aug 2026 19:53:37 GMTSonny Bunch and Bill Kristol take on the dismissed felony vandalism case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn—who was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool—after government officials acknowledged problems with the work itself. They consider what the case reveals about political pressure, government misconduct, the costs of defending against unjust prosecutions, and Trump’s fixation on remaking Washington.

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]]><![CDATA[Trump’s Obsession Is Tanking Republicans’ Chances]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-obsession-is-tanking-republicanshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-obsession-is-tanking-republicansFri, 31 Jul 2026 22:36:53 GMTSarah Matthews joins MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace to break down Trump’s Cabinet meeting, his continued defense of January 6th rioters, and why his obsession with 2020 could hurt Republicans in the midterms. BBC They also discuss Trump’s falling poll numbers, the chaos inside his administration, and how the Texas Senate race could give Democrats a surprising opportunity.

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]]><![CDATA[Jeff Bezos’s Washington Post Is Falling Apart (w/ Max Tani)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/jeff-bezos-washington-post-is-fallinghttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/jeff-bezos-washington-post-is-fallingFri, 31 Jul 2026 22:16:05 GMTThe Washington Post is in turmoil once again. Opinion editor Adam O’Neal is stepping down after just over a year, raising fresh questions about Jeff Bezos’s controversial overhaul of the newspaper’s opinion section to focus more on “personal liberties and free markets.” Will Sommer sits down with Semafor media editor and Mixed Signals podcast cohost Max Tani to break down what O’Neal’s departure means, why the Post’s conservative pivot has struggled, and whether the paper’s expensive push into YouTube and podcasting was doomed from the start.

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]]><![CDATA[Receipts Live: Even FOX Doesn't Buy Hassett's Economic Spin]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/receipts-live-even-fox-doesnt-buyhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/receipts-live-even-fox-doesnt-buyFri, 31 Jul 2026 18:14:23 GMTJoin Catherine Rampell and JVL as they cover the week's biggest economics and finance stories.

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]]><![CDATA[Ross Douthat Is Sending JVL Back to Confession]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/ross-douthat-is-sending-jvl-backhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/ross-douthat-is-sending-jvl-backFri, 31 Jul 2026 17:04:13 GMTJasmine poses Triad readers’ questions to JVL: What do you think about the DSA? What can be done to protect the 2030 census from Republican meddling? Why does the right crave authoritarianism? Why did The Bulwark change its website? All that and more (like JVL’s hidden backstory as an opera singer) in this week's mailbag.

Link to JVL’s stream with Destiny here!

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]]><![CDATA[NEW POLLS: Trump’s Approval Has Collapsed]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/new-polls-trumps-approval-has-collapsedhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/new-polls-trumps-approval-has-collapsedFri, 31 Jul 2026 02:12:12 GMTPresident Trump’s approval rating is collapsing, and new polling shows voters are increasingly unhappy with his handling of the issues that matter most: the Iran war and the economy. Sarah Matthews gives her take on the three new polls showing Trump stuck in the low 30s, with voters questioning his decision to launch military action against Iran, his broken promise to avoid new wars, and his failure to deliver on his pledge to lower costs. Trump is out of touch with everyday Americans and the numbers paint a grim picture for the White House heading into the midterm elections.

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]]><![CDATA[John Cornyn and Thom Tillis Defy Trump on Todd Blanche Confirmation]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/john-cornyn-and-thom-tillis-defyhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/john-cornyn-and-thom-tillis-defyFri, 31 Jul 2026 01:25:25 GMTJVL and Andrew Egger discuss Todd Blanche’s stalled attorney general confirmation, as Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis seek assurances that the Trump administration will not revive a proposed “anti-weaponization” fund for allies and January 6 defendants. They also consider Trump’s response, Blanche’s political strategy, and the senators’ reluctance to confront the president directly.

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]]><![CDATA[The Horny Economy Fueling MAGA Media]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-racist-maga-influencer-sellinghttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-racist-maga-influencer-sellingThu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:09 GMTSavanna Cannon has become one of the fastest-rising viral personalities in right-wing media, but is politics really what she's selling? Will Sommer joins Brendan Hartnett to break down how Cannon's provocative MAGA videos have ignited a civil war on the right, with conservative influencers arguing over sex appeal, authenticity, and the growing influence of OnlyFans in the MAGA ecosystem. They explore how creators are using political content to build massive audiences, why conservative media can't seem to look away, and what Cannon's success reveals about the incentives driving online right-wing culture.

Read more from Will's work: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/right-wing-media-and-onlyfans-are-symbiotic-relationship

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]]><![CDATA[Top Democratic Fundraiser: There’s No Saving Ken Martin (w/ Rufus Gifford)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/top-democratic-fundraiser-thereshttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/top-democratic-fundraiser-theresWed, 29 Jul 2026 22:14:00 GMTThe Democratic National Committee is facing growing criticism from within its own ranks—and now one of the party's most prominent fundraisers is speaking out. Sam Stein sits down with veteran Democratic fundraiser Rufus Gifford to discuss why he believes DNC Chair Ken Martin is failing at the two most important parts of the job: raising money and delivering a clear message. Gifford explains why he thinks the committee is spending too much on long-term party-building while critical Senate and House battlegrounds need every available dollar ahead of the midterms.

Read more from Lauren's reporting on Ken Martin

Read on Substack

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]]><![CDATA[This Isn't a Hearing. It's a Show Trial. ]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/this-isnt-a-hearing-its-a-show-trialhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/this-isnt-a-hearing-its-a-show-trialWed, 29 Jul 2026 19:52:31 GMTJonathan Cohn takes on the Fauci hearing spectacle, where Rand Paul grilled the former NIH chief over newly obtained diaries—and Fauci pled the Fifth. Cohn joins MS Now to separate legitimate oversight from what he calls a political show trial aimed at Trump-era vengeance.

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]]><![CDATA[BREAKING: Trump Makes Profane Threat Against Iran, New Attacks on U.S. Assets (w/ John Kirby)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-makes-profane-threathttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-makes-profane-threatWed, 29 Jul 2026 15:11:27 GMTLt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.), Ben Parker and special guest Ret. Rear Adm. John Kirby went live to discuss the U.S. intercepting an attack by Iran, Trump’s response to the attacks, and the concern on U.S. missile stockpiles as the war drags on.

Drawing on his own experience in the Navy, John breaks down what it’s really like to defend the Strait of Hormuz, why Iran continues to threaten global shipping despite months of U.S. strikes, and how a lack of clear strategy is putting American readiness at risk.

Plus, a look at how the Pentagon’s silence and the White House’s inconsistent public statements are undermining public trust at a moment when Americans deserve honest answers about the war.

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]]><![CDATA[The Government’s Sole Witness Just Sank the Reflecting Pool Case (w/ Ryan Reilly)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-governments-sole-witness-justhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-governments-sole-witness-justTue, 28 Jul 2026 21:29:15 GMTThe Justice Department's case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn may have a major problem and it comes from the government's own witness. Sam Stein is joined by NBC News justice reporter Ryan Reilly to take on new court filings showing the prosecution's key witness reportedly acknowledged the reflecting pool was already damaged before Hearn allegedly touched it. If that's true, can DOJ still prove the felony charge against him? They discuss why the $1,000 damage threshold is so important, what Jeanine Pirro's office has to prove, and why Hearn's attorneys argue the grand jury may have been misled.

Read more from Ryan’s reporting: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/reflecting-pool-case-witness-conceded-damage-olympic-canoeist-davey-he-rcna589510

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]]><![CDATA[BREAKING: Trump Claims Lindsey Graham Wanted Deal to End Iran War | Morning Shots]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-claims-lindsey-grahamhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/breaking-trump-claims-lindsey-grahamTue, 28 Jul 2026 15:10:46 GMTAndrew Egger and Bill Kristol went live to cover Trump’s claim that the late Lindsey Graham wanted him to make a deal with Iran, the Republican holdouts who could derail Todd Blanche’s confirmation to be AG, and why Trump is now pushing RFK Jr. to find a connection between autism and vaccines.

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]]><![CDATA[Mitch McConnell Releases Another “Proof of Life” Photograph]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/mitch-mcconnell-releases-anotherhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/mitch-mcconnell-releases-anotherMon, 27 Jul 2026 23:49:39 GMTMitch McConnell says he's "still working hard" to get back to the Senate, but the only proof of life we've gotten is two photos and a statement from his physician. JVL and Andrew Egger break down why the timeline doesn't add up, why a five-minute call with a reporter could end all the speculation, and why the new photo is sending conspiracy theorists into overdrive.

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]]><![CDATA[MAGA Mondays: Trump Goes on a Bizarre, Manic Posting Spree]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-mondays-trump-goes-on-a-bizarrehttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-mondays-trump-goes-on-a-bizarreMon, 27 Jul 2026 15:42:37 GMTWill Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover Laura Loomer's recent trip to Ukraine, the giant conspiracy theory on Joe Rogan, Kash Patel using the FBI to hype himself up, Liz Truss partnering up with Matt Schlapp, and Trump posting gross and disgusting slop all weekend long.

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]]><![CDATA[Waltz Keeps Saying the War Goal Is “Very Clear.” He Can’t Name It.]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/waltz-keeps-saying-the-war-goal-ishttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/waltz-keeps-saying-the-war-goal-isSun, 26 Jul 2026 23:27:22 GMTWill Saletan and Ben Parker take on Mike Waltz's Sunday show gauntlet defending Trump's Iran war—confused goals, dwindling munitions, Russia and China's help, civilian infrastructure targeting, and fantasy pipelines meant to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

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As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

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]]><![CDATA[Epstein Survivor Asks: Will Any GOP Senators Do the Right Thing? (w/ Dani Bensky)]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/epstein-survivor-asks-will-any-gophttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/epstein-survivor-asks-will-any-gopSun, 26 Jul 2026 17:57:31 GMTBill Kristol welcomes Epstein survivor Dani Bensky to discuss her private meeting with Todd Blanche, her communications with Senators Tillis and Cornyn, and whether any GOP Senators will do the right thing.

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]]><![CDATA[Bitter, Miserable Trump Whines Through Interminable WHCD Speech]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bitter-miserable-trump-whines-throughhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/bitter-miserable-trump-whines-throughSat, 25 Jul 2026 21:39:47 GMTTrump took the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and delivered one of the most uncomfortable speeches of his political career. Sam Stein and Will Saletan break down the jokes that bombed, the attacks on Kaitlan Collins and other targets that crossed the line from comedy into cruelty, the surreal Wall Street Journal/Epstein moment, and what happened when Trump faced an audience that simply stopped laughing.

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As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

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]]><![CDATA[Destiny Introduces JVL to the Wild World of Streaming]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/destiny-introduces-jvl-to-the-wildhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/destiny-introduces-jvl-to-the-wildFri, 24 Jul 2026 22:53:34 GMTJVL joins Destiny for his first-ever political stream to talk about how MAGA media manufactures reality, why mainstream outlets keep playing by obsolete rules, and how Democrats kill their own messages before voters ever hear them.

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As always: Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Bulwark+ Takes is home to short videos, livestreams, and event archives exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

Add Bulwark+ Takes feed to your player of choice, here.

]]><![CDATA[Command Post: Pentagon Hides Number of Troops Killed In Iran War]]>https://www.thebulwark.com/p/command-post-pentagon-hides-numberhttps://www.thebulwark.com/p/command-post-pentagon-hides-numberFri, 24 Jul 2026 20:03:39 GMTJoin Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker as they cover the Pentagon lowering the count of US service members killed in the Iran War.

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