Tracy Alloway and Jordan Ritter Conn: The Global Economic Shock from a Stupid War

Not only is the new hardline regime in Tehran now more likely to go rogue as a nuclear power a la North Korea, ordinary Iranians—who Trump and Bibi initially claimed we were rescuing—are also living under even harsher conditions. At the same time, the war has burned through billions worth of our critical weapons stockpile, a development that surely will figure into China’s calculations vis‐à‐vis Taiwan. This is the moment for Dems to reshape their brand and win back everyday working Americans. Plus, the settlers’ escalating attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, the Trump administration’s depraved treatment of Afghan refugees, any talk of aid for UAE stinks of Trump family corruption, and Dems need to fix their blue places while simultaneously working to win voters in the red ones.show notes Nick's nonprofit, Kristof Impact Nick's NYT column page Helen Keller International Kristof Farms Tim's playlist Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/EventsExclusive $25-off Carver Mat athttps://on.auraframes.com/BULWARK. Promo Code THEBULWARKGet 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

Trump has gone full “1984” with his claim that it’s a good thing that the Strait of Hormuz is closed. He also says that he saved some Iranian women from being executed, which the regime in Tehran called “fake news.” It’s a telling sign of the times when the public can’t figure out whether the White House or the Iranian regime is lying. Speaking of scam artists, Ben joins Tim to discuss his new film on cryptocurrency, "Everyone is Lying to You for Money." The industry is rife with crime, it sorely needs to be regulated, and some of the most unscrupulous people are behind it— including our president. Ben McKenzie and Sarah Matthews join Tim Miller.Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #RidgepodWhen life feels overwhelming, therapy can help. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/THEBULWARK.show notes: More on Ben's film, "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money" Tim's interview with Ben from 2023 Tim and Catherine on Tucker's despicable attack on Catherine David Kirkpatrick on Trump's $4 bil in profiteering off the presidency, mostly from crypto Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events

Trump's madman antics got him into a game of chicken with Iran, but he's up against people who are even crazier than he is. And he is not likely to get a deal with Tehran that is any better than Obama's nuclear agreement—which Trump called the worst deal in the world. Plus, the Virginia win is another reminder that Dems can effectively play hardball, Kevin Warsh is looking like an alarming pick for the Fed, the media coverage of the mass shooting in Shreveport was almost non-existent, MAGA is obsessed with Mamdani, Sam and Tim have new Cabinet rankings, and is there a way to stop Kushner from making deals with Sharia law countries? Sam Stein joins Tim Miller.show notes Catherine on Warsh failing the big test in his confirmation hearing Will Saletan on the latest anti-MAMDANI bill Jonathan on the national media largely ignoring the mass shooting in Louisiana Tim, Sam, and Sommer on Candace vs. Loomer Tim on the Nuggets pod, CSG Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events Our listeners get the Harry’s Plus Trial Set for only $10 athttps://www.Harrys.com/THEBULWARK #Harryspod Learn a new language and get up to 60% off  your subscription at Babbel.com/BULWARK

Trump keeps jawboning the markets to try to manage the fallout from the war on Iran, but we have yet to see the full economic impact of his foreign policy misadventure. Oil and gas facilities in the Gulf have been critically damaged and will take years to repair—which will inevitably lead to higher fuel prices. And countries are stockpiling commodities and products like fertilizer, which will also feed inflation. Plus, a new book on the social and economic travails of modern American men.The Ringer's Jordan Ritter Conn and Bloomberg's Tracy Alloway join Tim Miller.show notes Jordan's new book, "American Men" Tracy's podcast, "Odd Lots" "Road from Raqqa," Jordan's book about two Syrian brothers  The NYT story on the Syrian billionaires and their business deals with the Trump family  Jordan's reporting on the heartbeat of resistance in Minneapolis  Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events Get 20% off when you go to trustandwill.com/BULWARK

Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a face-saving off-ramp. Meanwhile, back in reality, Iran too can see how desperate Trump is, the war is helping China feel emboldened, and some of our closest post-WWII allies think Beijing is more dependable than the U.S. under Trump. Plus, Hegseth has chosen an ideal time to pick a fight with the secretary of the Army, numerous officials at the FBI are alarmed by Kash's alleged alcohol-induced absences, kudos to Ossoff for the way he talked about corruption and kleptocracy, and more Vance-splaining from the newbie Catholic Veep.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Tim’s livestream Monday at 8ET on YouTube or Substack JVL on the "Trump Madman Theory' of the stock market Lauren on the Dems preparing for a potential midterm-year SCOTUS vacancy Tim's 2020 piece on Joe DiGenova  Images of the Poodle Room, Kash's alleged hangout in Vegas Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

The U.S. and Israel started dropping bombs on Iran because the regime, amid mass street protests, appeared to be in a weakened state. But the regime has now ended up with a much stronger hand: It's proven its leverage over the global economy with the Strait of Hormuz, and under Trump's offer, Iran will get a huge infusion of cash to rebuild its ballistic missiles program and fund its proxy terror groups. At the same time, Trump has made the United States look like a rogue state—while spending billions for a deal he could have got without a war. Plus, Israelis are likely not happy, the Gulf states realize America can't protect them from Iran's drones, Cuba is readying to be next, Dems should make clear they are the anti-war party now, Trump is fighting his demons from his first term, and JD has a radical and un-American world view.Ben Rhodes joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.show notes Ben's podcast, "Pod Save the World" Ben's forthcoming book, "All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches" Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events Tim's playlist For 30% off your order, head to BloodFlow7.com/THEBULWARK and use code THEBULWARK. Post jobs for free at ziprecruiter.com/BULWARK

From Trump's sacrilegious use of Jesus, to his massively corrupt pardon scheme, and his desire to plaster his name on every federal building and institution, this country has never had such a bad president. The Dems need to plan now how they will do oversight and also keep his loyalists from helping him cheat in the midterms. Plus, Hegseth really doesn't know his Scripture, Trump is turning America's 250th birthday into a party for himself, and RFK has really got a thing about dead animals.Amanda Carpenter joins Tim Miller.show notes Protect Democracy's website ProPublica's reporting on Trump's effort to "take over" the midterms JVL on driving the stake through the heart of Trumpism Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK

The Irish are protesting in the streets over the price of fuel, Qatar's GDP is plummeting, and heating bills are skyrocketing in France. And today, every world leader and every CEO of every major corporation is having to address the consequences of this war of choice on Iran—and Trump couldn't care less. Instead, he's working on a new distraction to get the media to talk about something besides his and Bibi's catastrophic error. But European leaders are finally starting to hit back against Trump, and Xi is trolling him on a genius level. Plus, Vance can't stop making a fool of himself, a debate over the merits of Europe v. the United States, and a healthy serving of fresh British insults to try on for size. Alastair Campbell joins Tim Miller.show notes Tim’s livestream Wednesday at 7pm ET on YouTube or Substack Alastair's podcast, "The Rest Is Politics"  Alastair's recent interview with Zelensky  ON SALE NOW: Bulwark+ members-only presale for Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA through TheBulwark.com/Events Tickets for these shows go on sale for everyone else at Noon PT on Friday Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod

The Iranian regime may be wounded, but it’s likely to seek revenge for the war at some point, maybe even through sleeper cells in the United States. And with a second round of peace negotiations potentially in the works, Iran could rake in billions in return for pausing its nuclear program. On the more uplifting side, the election news out of Hungary has feel-good shades of 1989, and is a reminder that reality and facts can get in the way of a stubborn authoritarian. Plus, Tim on Trump's Jesus post and how he's losing political allies by the minute. Michael Weiss once again joins Tim Miller.show notes: Michael's Substack ON SALE NOW: Bulwark+ members-only presale for Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA through TheBulwark.com/Events Tickets for these shows go on sale for everyone else at noon P.T. April 17 Tim’s livestream Wednesday on Coachella and more  Cathy on how the Iran war looks from Russia 

Orbán’s loss in Hungary was so overwhelming he couldn’t cheat his way out of it. But the decisive defeat for both Putin and authoritarianism may also suggest that the vibes they are a changin’. For instance, at home, Trump had to take down his Jesus post because of the backlash from across the political spectrum. People can see he’s flailing on the war and the economy. Plus, Vance has the stink of a loser, Dems can learn some campaigning tricks from Peter Magyar, the Melania-Epstein mystery continues, Trump and Marco are likely to regret those images from the UFC fight, and The Bulwark remains Team Pope Leo.Bill Kristol joins special guest host, Sarah Longwell.show notes This week's Focus Group pod with sad, mad GOP base voters Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Sarah Matthews Monday's "Morning Shots," with David Baer from Budapest Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September! Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.