Bill Kristol: Trump's Iran Disaster Is Also a Defeat for the U.S.

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

From the state where Trump claims he’d win if Jesus counted the votes, Sarah and Sam joined Tim live on stage in San Diego to debate who is the most cucked Republican and whether Bill Cassidy should get credit for his late-in-the-game YOLO opposition to Trump. Also, Jeff Bezos has Tim rethinking his opposition to socialism, and how could Bibi and Trump have had such an absurd plan for a new Iranian president? At the top of the pod, Amanda Carpenter runs down the thug fund (don’t call it a slush fund) and Trump’s effort to get permanent immunity from any tax liability for himself and his family. Plus, POTUS’s revenge tour may backfire, and the administration may try using Fulton County as a test case for taking over vote counting in Democratic counties. Amanda Carpenter, Sarah Longwell, and Sam Stein join Tim Miller.show notes: Jon on how Trump’s global health cuts are undermining the response to the Ebola outbreak Lauren on how the Georgia governor’s race may be the most important one in the country And we still have a few tickets left for TONIGHT at Bulwark Live: LA at 7pm. Our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events

Tennessee is on the front lines of the racialized politics that has resurfaced in the South since SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act. Its Jim Crow legislature stripped the people of Memphis of congressional representation for their majority-black city, and Democratic legislators have been punished for protesting the move. The state is looking less like a democracy by the day. Meanwhile, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana are also working on dismantling black political power in their states. Plus, Trump is the anti-farmer president, Stephen Miller is still running an immigration crackdown, and Tim sees promising signs in Tom Massie’s loss in Kentucky. Tennessee's Rep. Justin Jones joins Tim Miller.show notes Jones on Hannity in January San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, joins the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego TONIGHT. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats at TheBulwark.com/Events Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.

Donald Trump—as a private citizen—sued our government, which he runs, and then "settled" the lawsuit with $1.8 billion that he stole from the U.S. Treasury. See, he needs a secret fund of taxpayer money so he can pay not only reparations to his band of Jan 6 rioters, but also to incentivize future (election) criming on his behalf. In a special emergency TNL, Tim, Sarah, and JVL break it all down. Plus, Martha explains how Iran’s demands for money may be why Trump won’t officially end the war. And she discusses Zelensky's resiliency, along with her new book about the 9/11 generation that fought our wars. Martha Raddatz, Jonathan V. Last, and Sarah Longwell join Tim Miller.show notes Pre-order Martha's book, "The Hero Next Door: Stories of Patriotism and Purpose"  Monday's "Morning Shots"  Sarah's ‘Illegal News’ podcast; interview with Andrew Weissmann out Thursday  San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego this Wednesday. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/EventsOne thing to pack, five ways to power! Get up to 40% off @Ridge during their Father’s Day Sale at ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod 

Sadly, it’s taken some time, but voters seem to be figuring out that Trump only cares about himself, his ballroom, his blatant corruption, and his unquenchable desire for revenge. 2026, so far, has been bad for his approval ratings. And his continued weakness on the world stage, especially when it comes to Iran and China, will only drive his numbers down more. At the same time, Trump has done permanent damage to our standing among our allies. Plus, Dems need to get serious about AI as well as a stock-trading ban for public officials—including presidents—Trump has far too many unexplained medical conditions, and Tim explains his support for commuting Tina Peters’ prison sentence.Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.show notes Monday's "Morning Shots" Lauren on how the Dems should respond to an aging Trump's health issues Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Rob Flaherty, Kamala's deputy campaign manager San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and our own MAGA culture expert, Will Sommer, will join the gang on stage at Bulwark Live: San Diego this Wednesday. And on Thursday at Bulwark Live: LA our friends Jane Coaston, Jon Favreau, Erin Ryan from Crooked Media, The Ringer’s Van Lathan and progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen will join Sarah, Tim and Sam on stage. Grab your seats today at TheBulwark.com/EventsStart your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code THEBULWARK at mudwtr.com/THEBULWARK! #mudwtrpod