Will Saletan: Sorry, but the Democrats Won the Shutdown

As a man who’s not used to losing, Trump is going through a bit of a rough patch since his party turned against him over the Epstein case. He’s flailing, lashing out, and acting afraid. After all, he knows how many times his name comes up in the Epstein files, and Ghislaine Maxwell continues to enjoy a bevy of special perks at her cushy prison for some reason. At the same time, the economy isn’t helping him, the stench of a lame duck is growing, and the threat of oversight by Dems after the midterms feels real. Plus, some skepticism about MTG’s new-found clarity, Fox and Trump’s war on Christmas, the crash of bitcoin, and the Kinzinger documentary. Adam Kinzinger joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes "The Last Republican," the Kinzinger documentary or watch on YouTube Kinzinger's Substack CBS News on the prediction market Kalshi Ghislaine Maxwell's special prison privileges Tim's playlist For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/THEBULWARK

Tim Cook and the other tech titans who dined with bone saw murderer MBS—and who’ve given millions to Trump to knock down our history for his gilded ballroom—expect the people who use their products every day to protect American democracy, while they reap its benefits to freely act against the public’s interest. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy is acting like an agent of the Russian government, and POTUS shows yet again that he is not a tough negotiator. Plus, Stephen Miller is spreading fear by design, Trump’s Epstein capitulation is still worth savoring, and Tim shares his postmortem on his Kamala interview. The New Yorker’s Susan Glasser joins Tim Miller. show notes Susan and Peter Baker’s book, “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021” Tim’s interview with Kamala in Nashville TAKE THE SURVEY

Before a live audience in Nashville Tuesday, Kamala Harris discussed what it takes to fight back against Trump. But she also threw punches—against the corrupt and callous administration that's trying to gaslight Americans about Jeffrey Epstein, and the tech titans who are bending the knee to a tyrant. Also noteworthy: Both MTG and Mamdani come in for some praise. Plus, the power of a consumer boycott, the challenges of being No. 2 on the job, and the still stinging emotions around her 107-day campaign. Former Vice President Kamala Harris joins Tim Miller. show notes "107 Days," by former VP Kamala Harris TAKE THE SURVEY Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

The White House leaks may be more contained in Trump 2.0, but the slavish loyalists who POTUS has surrounded himself with do nothing to keep him within the bounds of the law, ethics, or decorum. So in this round, the chaos is more consequential for the country. Meanwhile, the administration may be prepping to bury the Epstein files. Plus, the bitterness and resentment that drives Trump, the war on truth is winning, and the Bidens' animosity toward Obama. ABC's Jon Karl joins Tim Miller. show notes: Jon's new book, "Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" TAKE THE SURVEY

Not a lot of people predicted that Trump would fold and let Congress vote on the release of the Epstein files. But his retreat shows that Democrats have more leverage than conventional wisdom has suggested, and they should not rule out long shots in the fight against Trump’s authoritarian project. Meanwhile, MAGA looks to be fracturing in real time and Trump looks more and more vulnerable—on his ballroom, falling asleep in meetings, and his constant reminders that he’s only out for himself. Plus, MTG’s possible Saul to Damascus moment, Border Patrol’s invasion of Charlotte, bombing Venezuela would not be America First, and the Epstein emails are a reminder of how gross and nauseating the elites can be. Go away, Larry Summers. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes  Chris Geidner on Greg Bovino's appalling misuse of E.B. White's legacy and "Charlotte's Web" Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" with Mark Hertling on Venezuela Tim's book, "Why We Did It" TAKE THE SURVEY Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made!  Go to https://trymiracle.com/THEBULWARK and use the code THEBULWARK to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF Go to https://zbiotics.com/THEBULWARK and use THEBULWARK at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics

Our commander-in-chief and breaker of mores can only muster the energy to beg Republicans to stop talking about Epstein. Where is the blustery guy who's declared that only suckers pay taxes and that he could shoot anyone on 5th Avenue? Because of the lame duck smell he's giving off—and the economic problems Trump himself brought on—he's not getting the support he needs from the outer MAGA media world that's obsessed with Epstein. Meanwhile, he's getting ready to have taxpayers pay off his cronies for trying to help steal the 2020 election. Plus, the four kinds of corruption in the Trump administration, the Caribbean boat bombings have driven down the price of cocaine, and the origins and modern flowering of antisemitism on the left and right. David Frum joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes David's recent episode on the military buildup off the coast of Venezuela David's interview with Sarah this week Tim's playlist

Trump's involvement with Epstein is simultaneously a "hoax," but he was also a "perfect gentleman" when he spent hours with one of Epstein's underage victims, Virgina Giuffre, at Epstein's pad. And Trump was an FBI informant on Epstein's sex trafficking, but again, it's all a hoax. The White House and Fox's defense is not working, and Trump may be in the worst political shape he's been in since the aftermath of January 6. Meanwhile, the wealthy and powerful old men needing teenage girls raises huge questions about manhood and virility. Plus, the shutdown fight was a stress test for how far the Dems were willing to go in the face of an authoritarian, and the party's big tent strategy faces real headwinds. Alex Wagner joins Tim Miller. show notes Alex's new podcast, "Runaway Country" The Atlantic's piece, "The Limits of the Democrats’ Big Tent" Don’t get them socks. Get them premium wireless for $15/mo. Shop Mint Unlimited Plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/bulwark 

New Jersey’s governor-elect credits her big win last week to an affordability message—and ignoring the pundits. But Sherrill also tied rising costs and declining economic opportunity to Trump’s laser-like focus on the worldwide extortion racket he’s running out of the Oval Office. Plus, former D.C. cop Michael Fanone says the current FBI won’t follow up on the threats against him and his family, the Justice Department doesn’t seem too concerned about pedophilia, and “snowflake” border patrol boss Greg Bovino has small-man complex. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and Michael Fanone join Tim Miller. show notes Tim's 'Bulwark Take' with Julie K. Brown Sarah and Andrew on the Epstein emails Tim and Dave Wasserman on Dems racking up redistricting wins Fanone's YouTube channel Will Sommer's reporting on The Blaze's pipe-bomb story Will on Kash's private jet problem Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/BULWARK.

While Trump won the first time as an anti-status-quo hero, the low-trust podcast cranks like Rogan and Tim Dillon who put him back in the White House now see him as the establishment. And they’re making Trump own the economy, the security state of masked marauders and bombing campaigns—and his close ties to the tech companies. The Democrats have not had a better moment to run against the status quo since 2008. Meanwhile, the insidious anti-semitism from Candace and Tucker has reached insane levels. Plus, the accusations that Schumer was behind the cavers, the filibuster already favors Republicans, and the risks and rewards of candidates pursuing a high-attention strategy. Chris Hayes joins Tim Miller. show notes "All In with Chris Hayes" on MS NOW "Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast" "The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource," Chris's latest book Marc Andreessen mocking the pope on Twitter Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/THEBULWARK #Ridgepod

The very online crowd is very upset, but Dems did fight like Republicans. This was a longer shutdown than anything the Tea Party pulled and real pain was being caused. And Democrats have now made the cost of healthcare front and center—while Republicans keep showing that they are the party of billionaires, Mar-a-Lago soirées, and golden ballrooms. Plus, President Al Capone pardoned all the people who tried to help him steal the 2020 election, pro-democracy Americans must stay united against the evil of the administration’s deportation policy, and the effort to keep POTUS in a bubble backfired big time Sunday night at the Commanders’ stadium. Will Saletan joins Tim Miller. show notes Will on Trump's disregard for his party Jon Chait on ending the shutdown without ending the filibuster The NYT on Venezuelans sent to CECOT in El Salvador Book referenced by Tim, "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here" F*%k your khakis and get The Perfect Jean 15% off with the code BULWARK15 at theperfectjean.nyc/BULWARK15 #theperfectjeanpod Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR at mudwtr.com/THEBULWARK! #mudwtrpod