Jonathan V. Last: We Got a Billionaire Problem

Most of the multibillionaires are not only hoarding their money and failing to contribute to the public good, they're also using their wealth-based power to manipulate the government, the markets, or our elections. Like Elon, for instance, who just manipulated the Nasdaq so all Americans with a 401(k) can help him become the first trillionaire by the end of the year. At some point, there is such a thing as too many billions for one person, and we need to start applying the pre-Reagan tax rate. Plus, 'vanilla' Dems are doing pretty well, maybe not so fast on Pratt 2028, and Trump will never forgive Vance for being right about the Iran war. And Lawfare's Katherine Pompilio discusses her exclusive reporting on the significant number of pardoned J6ers who went on to commit subsequent crimes.Katherine Pompilio and JVL join Tim Miller.show notes Katherine's reporting on the scores of pardoned J6ers committing new crimes JVL on how Marco beat out JD for the Trump's Favorite Adopted Son spot JVL's "Trump Madman Theory’ of . . . the Stock Market" Lauren on the 'vanilla' dems  The Secret Podcast  Join at functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK or use gift code THEBULWARK25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.

After "60 Minutes" veteran Scott Pelley was fired, he said that the new management at CBS News had instructed him to put false information in his political stories. Coupled with the decimation at The Washington Post, it feels like there is a vast rightwing conspiracy to take over the media. Plus, the much-promised ceasefire with Iran is nowhere in sight, Megyn Kelly feels duped by Trump, California's marquee races look like they'll be Dem v. MAGA, and Steve King gets revenge. Also, newly minted Democratic Senate nominee in Iowa, Josh Turek, talks about his prairie populism, how he'll win over Trump voters, the state's farmaggedon, and its growing cancer rate. And three NBA super-fans give their picks for the finals.Josh Turek and Luke Russert join Tim Miller.show notes Turek's campaign website Luke will be a new co-anchor on MS NOW's "The Weeknight" on June 15 For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to 3DayBlinds.com/THEBULWARK.

Republicans never defend Trump’s corruption on the merits. Their lot in life is just to serve up anti-moral excuses for his repeated acts of immorality. And the Dems are currently in a bit of a moral dilemma of their own over the latest Platner revelations, given the moral imperative of having a Senate that obstructs Trump’s worst policies. Questions of morality also surface with AI, particularly if we allow machines to do the thinking for us. Plus, the Dems need a Wemby, an American debt crisis seems inevitable, the global fertility crisis may be too hard to fix, and why is the English-language world the most unhappy? Derek Thompson joins Tim Miller.show notes “The Next Level” pod will be out later today Derek’s piece on vicemaxxing Derek on the great AI cost panic The “Plain English” pod, hosted by Derek “Mere Christianity,” by C.S. Lewis “Pluribus”

Another weekend passed without a promised Iran deal. Despite reporting to the contrary, Iran’s negotiators don’t live in caves, and they’re not interested in dealing with the U.S. anymore, at least according to state media. Meanwhile, the president continues to release unhinged midnight bleats on his social media platform, including one targeting not just a judge who ruled against him in the Kennedy Center case but also that judge’s spouse. That’s just one reminder that the authoritarian threat remains, and we should prepare for election meddling if the midterms don’t go Trump’s way. Plus, the White House seems to have soured on JD Vance, the Epstein cover-up continues, there’s more Graham Platner drama, Susan Collins has enabled the worst of Trump 2.0, and Bill outflanks Tim on Pride Month?Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.Show notes Bill’s Bulwark on Sunday with Nathaniel Zelinsky Bill’s Morning Shots from Friday on Trump’s plans for America250 Text BULWARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.

Tim just happened to quote from an official Iranian news agency about how the regime is cleaning up in their negotiations with the Trump administration, and the White House accused him of being a foreign agent. Maybe the administration should take a closer look at all the money the guy sitting behind the Resolute Desk and his family are getting from Mideast dictators if they're really looking for foreign agents. Speaking of massive amounts of corruption, the Dems need to be making the case everywhere just how brazenly corrupt Trump & co. are—and not wait until 2027. Plus, the real freak in the Texas Senate race is Paxton, Platner's struggles and missteps are part of his appeal, the Great American State Fair is another Trump fiasco, and parenting lessons on how to raise kids to push back against bullies.Lis Smith joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.show notes Tim's episode with E. Jean Carroll from last year Liz's book, "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story" Tim's playlist

Bezos, Elon, Andreessen and the whole lot are such terrible, tiny, greedy people. They blow off the public’s concerns about AI while living apart from us in their cashmere prisons; they keep talking about things they know nothing about; and they figured out how cheap it is to buy and manipulate a president. The pitchforks are coming. Plus, the SpaceX IPO is all about Elon’s self-dealing, Ellison doesn’t care about CBS News or its journalists—and only bought the network to influence Trump—injectable peptides may not be worth the risks, and some longevity tips from Kara.Kara Swisher joins Tim Miller.show notes Kara's and Scott Galloway's “Pivot” podcast Kara's "On with Kara Swisher" pod CNN's "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever" Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THEBULWARK at https://laundrysauce.com/THEBULWARK #laundrysaucepod

The United States lost the Iran war back in March when Trump chickened out and didn’t retaliate against Tehran once it proved it could inflict economic pain on the Gulf states. While much of the mainstream media keeps hyping the negotiations and the ceasefire, Iran is not making concessions and is focused on shaking Trump down for money. But the biggest loser in this debacle may be Israel, which turned itself from a dominant power in the region to a losing power. And Israel, which the administration is likely to turn against, has been irreparably damaged in the U.S. as well. Plus, the post-WWII American-led world order is collapsing, Trump is the worst negotiator, and conquering Cuba will require a major nation-building effort.Bob Kagan joins Tim Miller.show notes Bob on Trump's surrender Bob on the end of the post WWII-order The Next Level LIVE after the Texas primary Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to www.joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

As we barrel towards July 4th, Trump wants the celebration of our country's 250th anniversary to be not only about him but also about America as a white republic. But this diverse nation needs to speak up and speak back loudly to drown out that MAGA messaging. In his new book, Glaude lays out the inherent contradiction of America's milestone anniversaries, starting with the one in 1876. Plus, black Mississippians are aiming to top Obama-era turnout numbers, Trump has a pathetic need to be worshipped, and the MMA fight at the White House perfectly encapsulates the decline of seriousness in this country. Eddie Glaude joins Tim Miller.show notes: Glaude's new book, "America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries" Glaude's "Begin Again," his study of James Baldwin Baldwin's essay on Faulkner The Bulwark's Memorial Day sale: Get 50% off of a new Bulwark+ subscription for the next year, that’s everything we offer on our website, by going to thebulwark.com/sanity – this is a limited time offer.

The master negotiator couldn't have been more clear how badly he wants out of his war, and now the Iranians are enjoying twisting the knife over a murky developing deal that will likely deliver sanctions relief and more. Trump keeps trying to shoehorn the Abraham Accords into the negotiations as a face-saving move, but there's no denying that the U.S. has made Iran a stronger power than it was before the war. Plus, Cuba looks to be in the crosshairs next, the Dems need someone at the DNC who can give donors confidence, and remembering those we've lost in service to this country. Bill Kristol joins Tim for a holiday pod.show notes Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Marine veteran, Michael Wood Mark Hertling on how vets regard Memorial Day Will Selber on remembering the Gold Star families Take Cheers Restore after your last drink or before going to bed and wake up feeling at least 50% better — or your money back. For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order at CheersHealth.com/THEBULWARK. #Cheers #ad

Trump's killing off of John Cornyn's political career was the last straw for Senate Republicans, who magically found the courage—for the moment—to oppose his thug fund and the cool billion dollars he's demanding for his ballroom. And while the DNC autopsy shows a party not focused on winning, Jeffries and Schumer played a very shrewd hand with their anti-ICE DHS shutdown. Plus, the staggering amount of stock trades from the guy in the Oval Office, blue California's herd mentality may end up sending a man with no message to the governor's mansion, Trump is the Henry Ford of the Chinese auto industry, and Mike makes the case for bulldozing the new East Wing.Mike Murphy joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.show notes Joe on the trader in the Oval Office Mike's EV website  Tim's playlist