Bulwark Takes

MAGA thought it had a career-ending scandal on James Talarico. Instead, it got a spectacular humiliation. Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down how the conspiracy unraveled, including the full phone call obtained by The Bulwark that exposed the holes in the story. Plus, the federal raid on Ilhan Omar’s home, Pete Hegseth’s public execution plans, and the latest MAGA infighting.
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Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos give their takes on Trump’s latest deal with Vladimir Putin and why Trump suddenly announced an energy ceasefire. Sources tell Michael that Ukraine was blindsided by this weekend’s series of announcements from Trump as his approach only benefits Moscow even more. They also examine the threat to intelligence sharing, the future of U.S. weapons sales to Ukraine, and why Europe is increasingly preparing to defend itself without Washington.
Plus, the latest revelations surrounding U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, mounting pressure for her removal, and the corruption concerns threatening U.S.-Greek relations. Finally, there's new investigative reporting on Havana syndrome and a major new book challenging the U.S. government’s long-standing position on the mysterious condition.
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Trump’s midterm problem may be far worse than it was in 2018, and the warning signs are showing up in places Republicans never expected. Bill Kristol and veteran political analyst Ron Brownstein examine Trump’s collapsing support among core MAGA voters, the surprising Senate races emerging in deep-red states, and how a Democratic wave could reshape the Supreme Court for decades.

This episode is a little taste of Receipts, Catherine Rampell’s brand-new show from The Bulwark, where she follows the money, cuts through the economic spin, and exposes who’s really paying the price for Trump’s policies. Subscribe to Receipts wherever you listen to podcasts:

Apple Podcasts:  ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/receipts-with-catherine-rampell/id6807470569

Spotify:  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1O2Z2akwyonpAsbxyMqBTV

Scott Bessent thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room, but his disastrous financial record and increasingly strange public statements tell another story. Catherine Rampell and Sam Stein dissect the Treasury secretary’s jaw-dropping Axios interview, then Catherine talks with an American cheesemaker whose business has been hammered by Trump’s trade wars, supposedly designed to protect farmers like him.

Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell give their takes on Trump’s decision to buy oil from Putin, just weeks after Trump signed Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill into law. Instead of increasing pressure on Russia, Trump is opening the door to Russian fuel exports that could help bankroll Putin’s war on Ukraine.
Plus, they examine the bill’s loopholes, whether the deal will actually lower fuel prices, and why Trump is pressuring Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. As Zelensky pushes back, Trump’s deal risks a major rupture in U.S.-Ukraine relations.