From the jump, the administration has been all about the memes, owning the libs, and pissing people off. But Abby says she wants Trump’s supporters to have a chance to share their points of view on her show—and be challenged in real time. Meanwhile, during the weirdest shutdown ever, Republicans are at risk on SNAP and Obamacare subsidies. And policing the Caribbean and the Pacific to commit summary executions is not America First. Plus, the roots of Bernie Sanders’s populist campaigns were planted by Jesse Jackson’s runs for the presidency in ‘84 and ‘88. But Trump too also echoes Jackson as a political figure—through their use of celebrity, personality, and similar outsider populist messaging.
Abby Phillip joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Abby's book, "A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power"
CNN's NewsNight with Abby Phillip
Tim and Bill on Trump creepiest propaganda yet
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53:50
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53:50
Sam Stein and Francis Fukuyama: A Coming Deportation Blitz?
While the inhumane and aggressive tactics unfolding in Chicago are repelling many Americans, they are having the opposite effect among Trump's top aides. The Kristi Noem clique wants more— much more— of the Border Patrol's "Midway Blitz" around the country, and they're busy purging local ICE leadership in a number of cities in an attempt to dramatically ramp up the pace of deportations. Meanwhile, Trump keeps talking like he's all for regime change in Venezuela. Plus, how conspiracy and our phones helped fuel the rise of global populism, why the left and right yearn for a struggle in an age of peace and prosperity, and the modern effort to reclaim the word 'liberal.'
Frank Fukuyama and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.
show notes:
Adrian's recent reporting from Chicago
Isaac Chotiner's interview with Karine Jean-Pierre
Frank on Substack
Frank's "Liberalism and Its Discontents" and his "The End of History and the Last Man"
"Termination Shock," referenced by Frank
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1:22:31
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1:22:31
Bill Kristol: Diaper Tantrum
Trump was so embarrassed by Canada using Reagan’s warnings about tariffs that he had a little hissy fit and decided to punish Americans for buying Canadian goods. And by the way, stuffed shirt Scott Bessent: Real American soybean farmers are being hurt by tariffs while you bail out Argentina and pretend that your dainty hands are tilling the soil on the farmland you bought as an investment. Meanwhile, the White House isn’t even pretending that it’s going after corrupt moneyed interests, as the Trump family rolls in dough from the most entrenched swampy types in DC. Plus, Dems get pressure on the shutdown and Trump weighs in on the VP gimmick for 2028.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Scott Bessent saying he's a soybean farmer
Monday's "Morning Shots"
For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK.
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51:14
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51:14
Ryan Holiday: Life Is Too Short to Be a Bootlicker
Members of the administration, like Stephen Miller, who spend hours every day kissing Trump’s ass look so pathetic—but since the time of the ancients, courtiers have gone to great lengths to degrade themselves before the vain and vindictive. And one lesson for the ages is to not compromise with an extortionist: it will only lead to more extortion and more pressure because the extortionist wants everything. Meanwhile, Elon’s brain is broken, Peter Thiel spends too much time at dinner parties, Trump’s media diet allows no time for presidential reflection, and authoritarians can be seductive. Plus, Tim sees the redistricting fight looking better for Democrats, and argues that the best way to shut down the talk of a decrepit Trump running in ‘28 is to make sure the Dems win the House in 2026.
Ryan Holiday joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.Â
show notes
Ryan's new book, "Wisdom Takes Work"Â
Ryan's book, "Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue"
Tim and JVL's interview with Ryan about being a dad
The Daily Stoic Podcast
Tim's playlist
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1:07:48
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1:07:48
Ben Wittes and Anna Bower: Trump's Reparations Demand
The convicted felon was legitimately prosecuted for hoarding classified docs at Mar-a-Lago. And he was justifiably investigated over the numerous contacts he and his associates had with Russian nationals during 2016. But Trump feels he has endured so much pain and suffering from all the probing that he's owed a quarter of a billion dollars in damages from hard-working American taxpayers. Meanwhile, his hired tool of revenge, Lindsey Halligan, is hard at work pursuing really weak cases against Comey and Tish James when she's not sending mean girl texts.
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Lawfare's Anna Bower and Ben Wittes join Tim Miller.
show notes
Anna on her Signal chat with Lindsey Halligan
Lawfare's Molly Roberts on the weak case against James
Ben's Substack
Tim Miller and guests discuss the latest political news for the flagship podcast of the Never Trump movement and the reality-based community. Every weekday we provide insightful analysis, political hot-takes, an unabashed defense of liberal democracy and long-form interviews that cut through the "both-sides" BS. Plus a few laughs to help you wash down the crazy.
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