Trump is currently at the G7 openly criticizing Netanyahu and Israel, calling Israel’s attack in Beirut vicious, lavishing praise on the Syrian President, saying no country has ever been treated as unfairly as Lebanon, and saying Syria is better at controlling Hezbollah than Israel is. I don’t know if it ultimately means anything, but maybe Netanyahu is about to run into the immutable law of ETTD. If so, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
But there's so much winning on the Netanyahu train! It's all winning.
Trump is an idiot. No doubt, EVERY SINGLE OTHER PRESIDENT who's dealt with Bibi got the same ask. They all resisted and said, "Nope." They knew things would spiral beyond scope of the project.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is also an idiot. Trump will always stay true to form. You're only useful to him, while your useful to him, and once you are not you're chum.
Bibi is a lot smarter than Trump (a low bar, of course), but he's just about out of options. He's only still in power bkz of the war with Iran/Lebanon/Gaza/reality because it's the only way he can stay out of jail. He's going to crash this whole MOU, bkz he's not going to stop bombing anybody.
The Iranians have played a better game than either Bibi or Trump. They have essentially made reigning in Israel in Lebanon contingent on the deal moving forward. Trump is desperate enough for a deal hence his language and attitude towards Bibi. If Trump really puts the screws on Bibi in Lebanon it will be game over for him domestically — parts of his coalition are already in the uproar. Regime change may be an outcome of this war but in Jerusalem rather than Tehran.
I would love to see our country turn off the spigot of money we send to Israel. Get rid of Bibi by stopping his funding. When the Israeli people realize they have to survive on their own without the US' help, Bibi would be in jail in a NY minute.
These are certainly tricky waters to navigate, so I'll tread cautiously: I agree. There were legitimate responses to the October 6th attack. I think we're way beyond those. I can see the head strike on Iran as being tactically acceptable. Everything else now seems like we're just running around spraying gasoline on stuff. Time to turn off the hose.
Some response was necessary (leaving aside the theory that Bibi precipitated the attacks himself), but it's now out of all proportion, and he's dragged "The Dumbest President in American History" into it with him. He's not going to let Trump pull out without making a fuss.
I wish I could share Andrew's optimism, but to my eye, the administration now seems squarely focused on manipulating elections in every way possible. That seems worse. Way worse.
All honor to the people of Minneapolis, who, with the Trump administration at the height of its power and presumption, stood up against Trump and his army of goons, and who stood with their neighbors, for our country, and in defense of its principles.
AMEN! And thank you to them for showing the rest of the country that People Power still matters.
What D.C. needs is not a bombastic arc de Trump but a small monument to Minneapolis, perhaps with eternal flames for Renee Good and Alex Pretti. They saved what remains of our honor.
I've always thought he was turning into a lizard, rather than a cockroach. Those weird, hooded little eyes - wouldn't surprise me to see him flick a fly out of the air with his tongue. . .
I never saw much value to him in his role, especially after the eating kittens thing, but he’s really proving to have a lot more hate and stupidity than I’d given him credit for.
I know JVL and Sarah covered this during last week's secret pod but can we talk about how fucking unethical Maggie Haberman is as a journalist? Trump and his team are talking about invoking the insurrection act and destroying the constitution and she is saving that information for a book tour. This would have been nice to know in January. She did this during the first administration too, holding back information about criminal acts that could have been folded into impeachment so she could make a buck in 2022. This is not the kind of journalism that will help save Democracy and more people should call it out.
I wish I could like this a hundred times. Maggie Haberman has helped herself by helping Trump more times than I care to count. She is a morally vacuous, unpatriotic hack posing as a journalist and bears as much responsibility as anyone for the sane-washing of this administration.
This is not the first time someone held back on info that would have been useful to the American people. I'm thinking of Bob Woodward's book in which it was clear the president downplayed the seriousness of the Covid virus.
You know...that's probably one of the most damning aspects of the Trump presidency...what he spends his time and energy on. Similar to when he takes time to comment on actors and TV shows that he calls "failures" and such.
I think my biggest sigh comes from thinking that this version of the GOP doesn't even bother to mention this aspect of his presidency...even though we all know if Joe Biden or Kamala Harris were doing this...it would be a sign that they weren't fit for office. It would be headline news for 24/7 for the rest of their terms.
"All honor to the people of Minneapolis, who, with the Trump administration at the height of its power and presumption, stood up against Trump and his army of goons, and who stood with their neighbors, for our country, and in defense of its principles."
Thanks for making this point again, Bill; it can never be said too many times. Still heart-wrenching that two people had to die in this effort.
Thanks Andrew, it's a bit off the reporting beat for most of the Bulwark staff, but the other thing that is giving me genuine optimism for America is the World Cup. I was totally ready to stop watching out of protest, but I sort of can't help it, and generally, I've been extremely encouraged both by how much fun the world seems to be having visiting and the way Americans in general have been hosting. The story of the Algerian Team in Lawrence, KS is amazing -
That and I saw a scandavian guy try to eat 15 waffle house waffles, and an Australian organically discover on his own the "Waffle House is Southern Hibachi" meme (he called it teppanyaki, but still) and a French guy who wanted to cast shade on Buccees but wound up loving it for its clean restrooms and barbeque.
We can still be the shining city on the hill, with our waffle houses and clean bathrooms
Shiny restrooms rather than shining hill. A somewhat low bar, but we gotta take what we can. This world cup is proving to be good fun with a few surprising twists and the antidote to the Trumpian spectacle on the White House lawn.
Last year I was angry. I had friends lose jobs and more fear that they would also be unemployed. I watched dumbfounded as the administration did everything it could to provoke and troll. This year I am just sad. I am pretty certain that what has been broken is gone for good just like the lives of all those children who lost aid and health care. The phrase build back better makes me laugh. To get back to pre-Trump would take a lifetime.
We are living through the MOST corrupt, mean spirited, anti-American presidential administration in our history. It is an Ultra Fight Club circus writ large in national, partisan politics. The world is both laughing at us and ignoring us. If it was all constrained to a comedy movie it might be funny. But it's our everyday reality. Ugh. Trump needs to resign.
Iranian leaders said the quiet part out loud. They brought on a panel of their top clinical psychologists to advise them on what to expect from an insane demented old man, and the best path forward to deal with him. Manipulate him is more accurate. They got some some outstanding advice.
I'm curious to see if the G7 leaders follow suit. I assume Macron will have his hands full just trying to keep Trump awake so it will be up to others to make any pertinent observations.
That's so spot on. I was thinking something like this when I saw the G7 leaders lining up for the historical photo this morning. You could see that they were pushing the whole "Let's put Trump in the center of the photo again." Not because they think he deserves it but they know he likes it and they'll appease him on the petty stuff in an attempt to get him on the big stuff.
What's really disheartening is to know that everyone knows this but him.
Dear Bulwark team - Do you guys mind making a comment in your newsletter about the newly implemented "good taste" nanny that's making decisions on what's good taste posting and what is not?
I see where this post was hidden and wow...that seems rather mild to me:
"The Iran deal includes a 300-billion dollar payout to the Iranians. That stupid orange child molester…"
While not something I would say or post...are we really being that picky these days? I've heard Tim Miller or JVL say far worse on their podcasts.
I've had TWO of my comments hidden - and they were both pretty mild. One was actually factual - and provable. And it was on a Will Sommer piece - and considering the life styles he covers, that's a pretty hard man to "shock"!
Trump is currently at the G7 openly criticizing Netanyahu and Israel, calling Israel’s attack in Beirut vicious, lavishing praise on the Syrian President, saying no country has ever been treated as unfairly as Lebanon, and saying Syria is better at controlling Hezbollah than Israel is. I don’t know if it ultimately means anything, but maybe Netanyahu is about to run into the immutable law of ETTD. If so, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
But there's so much winning on the Netanyahu train! It's all winning.
Trump is an idiot. No doubt, EVERY SINGLE OTHER PRESIDENT who's dealt with Bibi got the same ask. They all resisted and said, "Nope." They knew things would spiral beyond scope of the project.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is also an idiot. Trump will always stay true to form. You're only useful to him, while your useful to him, and once you are not you're chum.
Bibi is a lot smarter than Trump (a low bar, of course), but he's just about out of options. He's only still in power bkz of the war with Iran/Lebanon/Gaza/reality because it's the only way he can stay out of jail. He's going to crash this whole MOU, bkz he's not going to stop bombing anybody.
The Iranians have played a better game than either Bibi or Trump. They have essentially made reigning in Israel in Lebanon contingent on the deal moving forward. Trump is desperate enough for a deal hence his language and attitude towards Bibi. If Trump really puts the screws on Bibi in Lebanon it will be game over for him domestically — parts of his coalition are already in the uproar. Regime change may be an outcome of this war but in Jerusalem rather than Tehran.
Agreed.
I would love to see our country turn off the spigot of money we send to Israel. Get rid of Bibi by stopping his funding. When the Israeli people realize they have to survive on their own without the US' help, Bibi would be in jail in a NY minute.
These are certainly tricky waters to navigate, so I'll tread cautiously: I agree. There were legitimate responses to the October 6th attack. I think we're way beyond those. I can see the head strike on Iran as being tactically acceptable. Everything else now seems like we're just running around spraying gasoline on stuff. Time to turn off the hose.
Some response was necessary (leaving aside the theory that Bibi precipitated the attacks himself), but it's now out of all proportion, and he's dragged "The Dumbest President in American History" into it with him. He's not going to let Trump pull out without making a fuss.
Are NY Minutes longer or shorter, now that Mamdani is mayor? 😃
One could say Bibi has some cards.
Then tipped his hand.
Exactly. Trump eventually throws everyone under the bus. No matter what.
But Bibi thought he was special and would not get thrown under the bus. FAIL.
Just like everybody else who has (for lack of a better word) "trusted" Trump and then displeased him in some minor way.
Exactly. Like entropy, Trump's arrow only goes one way...
"Trumpentropy".
He did. So did Cassidy and Cornyn.
It is probably not wise to gamble on the man who bankrupted casinos. Netanyahu decided that was a gamble he was willing to take.
Trump turns on everyone in the end, yet there's always someone else who thinks *this time* will be different.
The leopard won’t eat MY face
The president didn't have to take Netanyahu's advice.
The phrase 'immutable law'. It does have death knell ring to it.
I wish I could share Andrew's optimism, but to my eye, the administration now seems squarely focused on manipulating elections in every way possible. That seems worse. Way worse.
Indeed. To me it seems like they've altered their focus on how to ensure that Republicans retain the house in November.
Yeah, there’s never a bottom with these guys.
The whole admin is AT THE VERY LEAST "comfortable" with child rape. There is no low to which they will not sink.
It seems worse because it is worse. You and I are both worried about this, as are millions of other Americans. We need to make that number 300MM+
All honor to the people of Minneapolis, who, with the Trump administration at the height of its power and presumption, stood up against Trump and his army of goons, and who stood with their neighbors, for our country, and in defense of its principles.
AMEN! And thank you to them for showing the rest of the country that People Power still matters.
What D.C. needs is not a bombastic arc de Trump but a small monument to Minneapolis, perhaps with eternal flames for Renee Good and Alex Pretti. They saved what remains of our honor.
Also, the Reflecting Pool is now green after we were promised American flag blue. 😢
But it is still bigger than the Empire State Building!
And I’m sure they can fix it with photoshop anyway.
The cameras pointed at it uses AI to change the color such that it looks like the Blue Lagoon.
LOL! And MAGA is saying that the algae was a left wing terrorist attack! Also does Trump not know that "American flag blue" is just indigo?
Something something Biden's fault something.
Per the Administration, they are simply getting ready for St. Paddy's Day.
Not as green as trump when he sees his polling figures. . .
Hard not to comment on the following:
“Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Won’t Have ‘Tolls’ but It Will Have ‘Fees.’”
Kafka would be really proud here, Bravo, but we've been here for awhile anyway.
"Can we turn this dude into a giant cockroach already?"
Ghost of Franz Kafka
Turn? Isn't he already?
He doesn't have bruises on his hands, he's shedding his layer of orange human skin.
I've always thought he was turning into a lizard, rather than a cockroach. Those weird, hooded little eyes - wouldn't surprise me to see him flick a fly out of the air with his tongue. . .
“The vice president and Mr. Miller were still searching for a reason to put federal troops on American streets,”
We see you JD.
I never saw much value to him in his role, especially after the eating kittens thing, but he’s really proving to have a lot more hate and stupidity than I’d given him credit for.
I'm not gonna lie, Andrew. The doings of Trump and his regime don't really outrage me anymore. I feel more of a tired disgust.
Yes, "disgust" is my feeling now, day after day.
Yes, disgust. That's the feeling exactly!
"squee and gibber"... I can't even say how much I love those 3 words. That is exactly what (pathetically) happened. Thanks, Andrew!
I know JVL and Sarah covered this during last week's secret pod but can we talk about how fucking unethical Maggie Haberman is as a journalist? Trump and his team are talking about invoking the insurrection act and destroying the constitution and she is saving that information for a book tour. This would have been nice to know in January. She did this during the first administration too, holding back information about criminal acts that could have been folded into impeachment so she could make a buck in 2022. This is not the kind of journalism that will help save Democracy and more people should call it out.
I wish I could like this a hundred times. Maggie Haberman has helped herself by helping Trump more times than I care to count. She is a morally vacuous, unpatriotic hack posing as a journalist and bears as much responsibility as anyone for the sane-washing of this administration.
This is not the first time someone held back on info that would have been useful to the American people. I'm thinking of Bob Woodward's book in which it was clear the president downplayed the seriousness of the Covid virus.
Can a judge order the Kennedy cover be removed? It’s so silly. It’s just bringing more attention to DJT’s pettiness. Does he realize this?
You know...that's probably one of the most damning aspects of the Trump presidency...what he spends his time and energy on. Similar to when he takes time to comment on actors and TV shows that he calls "failures" and such.
I think my biggest sigh comes from thinking that this version of the GOP doesn't even bother to mention this aspect of his presidency...even though we all know if Joe Biden or Kamala Harris were doing this...it would be a sign that they weren't fit for office. It would be headline news for 24/7 for the rest of their terms.
ex-GOP guy
"All honor to the people of Minneapolis, who, with the Trump administration at the height of its power and presumption, stood up against Trump and his army of goons, and who stood with their neighbors, for our country, and in defense of its principles."
Thanks for making this point again, Bill; it can never be said too many times. Still heart-wrenching that two people had to die in this effort.
Thanks Andrew, it's a bit off the reporting beat for most of the Bulwark staff, but the other thing that is giving me genuine optimism for America is the World Cup. I was totally ready to stop watching out of protest, but I sort of can't help it, and generally, I've been extremely encouraged both by how much fun the world seems to be having visiting and the way Americans in general have been hosting. The story of the Algerian Team in Lawrence, KS is amazing -
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/algeria-lawrence-kansas-world-cup-fans-adopted-team
https://sports.yahoo.com/video/lawrence-kansas-has-rallied-behind-the-algerian-national-team-195112027.html
That and I saw a scandavian guy try to eat 15 waffle house waffles, and an Australian organically discover on his own the "Waffle House is Southern Hibachi" meme (he called it teppanyaki, but still) and a French guy who wanted to cast shade on Buccees but wound up loving it for its clean restrooms and barbeque.
We can still be the shining city on the hill, with our waffle houses and clean bathrooms
Shiny restrooms rather than shining hill. A somewhat low bar, but we gotta take what we can. This world cup is proving to be good fun with a few surprising twists and the antidote to the Trumpian spectacle on the White House lawn.
Lawrence is a great town and a group of Kansans that don't mind things being a little weird (The Austin, TX of Kansas, so to speak.)
As for Buccees...hard to hate 'em, even if you try.
Last year I was angry. I had friends lose jobs and more fear that they would also be unemployed. I watched dumbfounded as the administration did everything it could to provoke and troll. This year I am just sad. I am pretty certain that what has been broken is gone for good just like the lives of all those children who lost aid and health care. The phrase build back better makes me laugh. To get back to pre-Trump would take a lifetime.
We can't go back to pre-Trump because that's the era that brought us Trump to begin with.
We are living through the MOST corrupt, mean spirited, anti-American presidential administration in our history. It is an Ultra Fight Club circus writ large in national, partisan politics. The world is both laughing at us and ignoring us. If it was all constrained to a comedy movie it might be funny. But it's our everyday reality. Ugh. Trump needs to resign.
Iranian leaders said the quiet part out loud. They brought on a panel of their top clinical psychologists to advise them on what to expect from an insane demented old man, and the best path forward to deal with him. Manipulate him is more accurate. They got some some outstanding advice.
I'm curious to see if the G7 leaders follow suit. I assume Macron will have his hands full just trying to keep Trump awake so it will be up to others to make any pertinent observations.
That's so spot on. I was thinking something like this when I saw the G7 leaders lining up for the historical photo this morning. You could see that they were pushing the whole "Let's put Trump in the center of the photo again." Not because they think he deserves it but they know he likes it and they'll appease him on the petty stuff in an attempt to get him on the big stuff.
What's really disheartening is to know that everyone knows this but him.
Dear Bulwark team - Do you guys mind making a comment in your newsletter about the newly implemented "good taste" nanny that's making decisions on what's good taste posting and what is not?
I see where this post was hidden and wow...that seems rather mild to me:
"The Iran deal includes a 300-billion dollar payout to the Iranians. That stupid orange child molester…"
While not something I would say or post...are we really being that picky these days? I've heard Tim Miller or JVL say far worse on their podcasts.
Whoa. I noticed something the other day in my comment window...are posts actively being hidden!?
I've had TWO of my comments hidden - and they were both pretty mild. One was actually factual - and provable. And it was on a Will Sommer piece - and considering the life styles he covers, that's a pretty hard man to "shock"!