The Bulwark

The 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: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/its-gone-from-bad-to-worse-to-perilous-dnc-finance-fundraising-ken-martin-democrats-money

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Jonathan 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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Lt. 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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The 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.

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

Andrew 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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Mitch 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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Will 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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JVL 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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Join 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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Join JVL and special guest Paul Krugman (filling in for Catherine) as they cover the week's biggest stories from the world of economics and finance.

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For more on Catherine's original reporting, check out her latest Receipts newsletter on how the Trump administration is conspiring to exclude millions of immigrants from the 2030 census: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/inside-trumps-stealth-trick-to-rig-census-and-congress

Sam Stein and Ben Parker give their takes on why the DOJ abruptly withdrew its subpoenas against three New York Times reporters and their family members over reporting on security flaws in Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One. But the losses in court don't stop there, the administration also quietly dropped its demand for a list of Jewish faculty and students at UPenn, and a Trump-appointed judge just blocked the White House from obtaining Kentucky’s voter rolls. Plus, in a scene straight out of Pyongyang: Trump finishes a speech, and the applause just… doesn’t stop. A full uncomfortable minute of a room too scared to be the first one to sit down.

Sam Stein and Will Sommer break down the double standard at the heart of the GOP right now: Democrats forced Graham Platner off the ballot over disturbing allegations, while Republicans stand by candidates and members with far more documented records. Texas gun-YouTuber Brandon Herrera made disgusting comments about women and children. Arizona's Mark Lamb is facing sexual misconduct allegations. Sitting Congressmen Cory Mills and Max Miller continue to face domestic abuse allegations. So what does Mike Johnson say when he's asked directly about it? He dodges. 

Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Trump's new threats of war crimes to Iran, the new polling showing MAGA support for the war cratering, and the new U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement. Plus, they dig into the White House's ever-expanding gold decor of oversized frames, mystery bells, and speculation about Trump's late-night decorating habits.

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Will Saletan breaks down how Donald Trump’s empty threats, reckless boasts, and shifting stories turned his Iran deal into a deadly fiasco—and exposed just how little he understands the war he started.

This video is sponsored by The New York Times.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker are joined by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for her take on the state of the Iran war, U.S. military strategy, and the health of American democracy heading into the midterms. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst with three tours in Iraq, pushes back on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's testimony that the U.S. has neutralized Iran's naval threat in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Iran retains "veto power" over the critical waterway through drones, mines, and fast boats. Plus, Sen. Slotkin explains how her "Protect Our Polls Act" is designed to block the military from being deployed to polling sites during the midterms without congressional approval.

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey just pulled in $124.5 million over its opening weekend, the biggest domestic opening for a live-action film this year. So why has MAGA Twitter spent the weekend insisting it's a woke disaster, a box office fraud, and a betrayal of Homer himself?

Sam Stein, Sonny Bunch, and Will Sommer give their takes on the right's bizarre backlash: the fake Achilles/Elliot Page casting controversy, the Emily Wilson translation discourse, the conspiracy theories about Rotten Tomatoes being "rigged," and the very online split between guys like Matt Walsh and Elon Musk (furious) and Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin (actually kind of into it).

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Sam Stein and HuffPost's Arthur Delany went live to cover the brewing dissatisfaction with Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Todd Blanche.

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Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger went live to cover CNN's reporting that Trump and Elon Musk's cuts through DOGE to the CDC and USAID slowed the response to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the Pentagon withholding the number of U.S. military injuries from the war with Iran, and why Trump's strategy appears trapped between military escalation and political retreat.

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Brendan Hartnett and Will Saletan put their encyclopedic knowledge of Donald Trump to the test by predicting which words he would use in a major speech. The fake bets produce some eerie wins, one brutal near-miss, and a new appreciation for how quickly prediction markets can become addictive.

Will Sommer and Sam Stein went live to cover Trump refusing to leave Spain’s World Cup celebrations, the MAGA right questioning Trump’s claim that Iran is “obliterated” after deadly attacks on U.S. bases, the Tate brothers arrested in Florida, and Clavicular explaining “looksmaxxing” to Sean Hannity.

Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/can-this-pseudo-journalist-destroy-american-democracy-john-solomon-just-the-news-trump

Sam Stein speaks with Rep. Jim Himes about Trump’s election speech, his attacks on voting systems, and the danger of declaring sitting senators illegitimate. They also examine how Trump’s own foreign-interference files document Russia’s efforts to help him, spread the Burisma story, and create chaos in American politics.

Join Catherine Rampell and Justin Wolfers as they cover the week's biggest economics and finance news.

Check out Justin's Substack, Platypus Economics: https://platypuseconomics.com/

Sam Stein speaks with Reuters national security reporter Erin Banco about Trump’s planned election speech, his administration’s moves against federal election officials, and concerns inside his own White House that reviving voting-machine conspiracies could backfire by convincing MAGA voters to stay home.

White House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and US elections, sources say: 
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/white-house-weighs-releasing-controversial-intel-china-us-elections-sources-say-2026-07-15/

Foreign Threats to the 2020 US Federal Elections: 
https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ICA-declass-16MAR21.pdf

Buckle up. It’s the last Trio video of July—and it’s a big one. The guys start by reacting to Joe Rogan’s interview of JD Vance, in which the Vice President trafficked in Epstein conspiracy theories. Vance also reflected on more important matters, like who’s cooler: Republicans or Democrats? His expertise on coolness could only come from years of experience getting stuffed into lockers and getting swirlies from bullies. Then, they go deep on New Orleans rapper Boosie’s attempt to get a pardon from the administration with help from an infamous duo of GOP operatives. Plus, an update on Kash Patel’s girlfriend. And the woman who couldn’t walk forward after receiving the flu shot—where is she now?

Read Will Sommer's False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

Sam Stein speaks with Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, about why Trump is not the main character for many voters, how groceries, gas prices, roads, and local relationships shape elections, and his plan for rebuilding Democratic power from the ground up.

Buy Ben's book, "This Is The Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy" - https://www.amazon.com/This-Plan-Americas-Meltdown-Democracy/dp/1324131438

Lauren Egan speaks with Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley about taking on Mike Lawler, Trump’s broken promise to avoid new wars, and Lawler’s four votes against reining in the administration’s Iran conflict.

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Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Trump's rare triple L: his 20% Strait of Hormuz toll dies within 24 hours, E. Jean Carroll finally collects $5.62 million after his lawyers claimed presidential immunity, and ICE halts vehicle stops after multiple fatal shootings.

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E. Jean Carroll receives $5.62 million sex abuse, defamation payment from Trump after yearslong wait

Trump cites presidential immunity to try to toss out $83M judgment he owes to E. Jean Carroll

ICE Ordered to Cease Most Vehicle Stops After 2 Killings in a Week

Join Bill Kristol and Ben Parker (filling in for Andrew Egger) as they cover the week's biggest stories.

Make your summer wardrobe easier. Go to https://Quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on the conspiracy theories surrounding Lindsey Graham’s death and Mitch McConnell’s hospital “proof of life” photo, Jared and Ivanka Kushner’s scandal-plagued Albanian excursion, Libs of TikTok embedding with ICE, and the latest drama from the online looksmaxxers.

Read Will's False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

Sam Stein and Will Saletan reflect on Senator Lindsey Graham's sudden death at 71, tracing his shift from Trump's fiercest critic to loyal ally, and critiquing Trump's self-centered, tone-deaf response to the news.

See Will Saletan's series on Lindsey Graham here: https://specialto.thebulwark.com/

Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Bill Kristol and Sarah Longwell take on Todd Blanche’s role in the Epstein cover-up, the Republican senators who could derail his attorney general nomination, and Lindsey Graham’s complicated political legacy.

Watch Home of the Brave's ad about the Todd Blanche confirmation hearing: https://newsletter.ofthebrave.org/p/todd-blanche-is-a-predator-protector

Tim Miller joined the Deadline: White House panel to discuss Trump’s failed attempt to stop the bipartisan housing bill, the Republican cowardice it exposed, Trump's Qatar jet fiasco, and Graham Platner’s withdrawal from the Maine Senate race.

Watch Deadline White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

Sam Stein, Tim Miller and Will Sommer take on the week's weirdest stories: MAGA Manny changes his story on tape—to a puppet. Colorado GOP frontrunner Victor Marx's confessions keep getting darker, and he's still winning. Meghan McCain posts photographic proof that nobody came to her State Fair broadcast. Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier is arraigned in shackles on new felony charges—with Jeanine Pirro's name on the indictment. Plus: the Candace Owens–Ben Shapiro war over the Kirk trial.

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Read Will's False Flag newsletter at https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag

Sam Stein and Tim Miller take on JD Vance's rough day in Wisconsin: playing Fraud Czar while his Iran deal implodes, and telling a cookie story that accidentally describes Trump. Plus: Patrick Dempsey passes on a Maine Senate run, and Riley Gaines isn't sure Helen Keller existed. (Will Sommer will be back soon. Pray for his wifi.)

This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.

Join Sam Stein and Catherine Rampell as they cover the breaking news that Graham Platner has chosen to end his campaign for Senate.

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Sam Stein and Adrian Carrasquillo take on the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, shot dead by ICE in the North Houston suburbs. Lorenzo lived in the U.S. for 35 years, built a construction business, and put three sons in college. DHS released a statement nearly identical to the one it issued after Renee Goode's killing—and ICE won't say where the three witnesses in his car are.

Read Adrian's full piece: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/he-lived-here-for-35-years-put-three-kids-in-college-ice-killed-jim-lorenzo-salgado-araujo

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Catherine Rampell gives her take on Donald Trump's latest attempt to claim credit for Walmart's routine discounts, treating a standard retail promotion like a White House policy victory. From Walmart sales to corporate investment announcements, Trump has repeatedly portrayed business decisions that were already in motion as personal wins for his administration.

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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker went live to cover Trump's press conference at the NATO Summit where called Iran "scum," said negotiations were over, warned of "a big attack" on Iran, and said a U.S. aircraft carrier was struck by "the Islamic Republic of Japan.” Plus, Mark and Ben break down Trump's comments to Ukrainian President Zelensky about the war in Ukraine.

Read more from Mark on NATO spending: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-nato-defense-spending-canard-trump-5-percent-europe-turkey-alliance-russia-ukraine

Read more from Mark on the NATO Summit: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/withdrawing-troops-from-europe-is-policy-search-problem-hegseth-nato-trump

Read more from Mark on Air Force Major Watson: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/when-conscience-conflicts-with-commission-military-uniformed-protest-trump-major-jason-watson

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Trump's Versailles peace deal feels truly dead. Iran fired missiles at tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. answered with strikes promised to be "more intense" than last month's—and Tim asks the question nobody in the administration can answer: why?

Plus: JD Vance's Iran victory lap ages badly, Trump trolls Meloni then insists he likes her, Belgium dunks on the "Trump curse," and the White House story that shows just how thick the narcissism bubble really is.

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Watch Clint Smith on The Bulwark Podcast: https://youtu.be/kQb657ieShk

Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house