The Bulwark
@thebulwark.com
Political analysis and reporting free of tribal prejudices. Sign up for our newsletters here: https://thebulwark.com/subscribe
Pinned
The Bulwark
@thebulwark.com
· Nov 7
"You need liberal democracy to protect what journalism is. And I think part of the problem is that the traditional media doesn't know what to do as we slip further and further away from a pure liberal democracy."
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social on The Rebooting Show with Brian Morrissey:
@sarahlongwell25.bsky.social on The Rebooting Show with Brian Morrissey:
The public perception of Steyer is that he’s a prominent member of the elite Democratic donor class. Will Democratic voters believe in a billionaire-populist?
Tales of a Billionaire-Populist Wannabe Governor
Tom Steyer has hired Zohran Mamdani’s ad firm to help get him elected in California. Can they pull it off?
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The public perception of Steyer is that he’s a prominent member of the elite Democratic donor class. Will Democratic voters believe in a billionaire-populist?
One of the most resounding lessons Democrats learned—or, at least, should have learned—from 2025 is that they have more agenda-setting power when opposing Trump than when trying to cooperate with him.
Why Aren’t Dems Going After Trump’s Tariffs?
They don’t work and Americans hate them. Layup.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
One of the most resounding lessons Democrats learned—or, at least, should have learned—from 2025 is that they have more agenda-setting power when opposing Trump than when trying to cooperate with him.
We should have learned by now that the simple fact of a foreign leader being a corrupt, brutal dictator doesn't mean launching a war against him will be good for America or for global stability lnk.thebulwark.com/4s4n8hZ
Trump Is an Idiot Spoiling for War. Also, Maduro Is a Bastard.
The enemy of your enemy isn’t always your friend.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We should have learned by now that the simple fact of a foreign leader being a corrupt, brutal dictator doesn't mean launching a war against him will be good for America or for global stability lnk.thebulwark.com/4s4n8hZ
"It has become increasingly clear what unrestrained Trumpism means for the country: corruption and cruelty at home, incompetence and anarchy abroad." Turns out Americans don't love it. lnk.thebulwark.com/48TqBqY
Americans Are Turning Hard Against Trumpism
His insane overreaches are giving Americans a new appreciation for free trade, immigration, and international alliances.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"It has become increasingly clear what unrestrained Trumpism means for the country: corruption and cruelty at home, incompetence and anarchy abroad." Turns out Americans don't love it. lnk.thebulwark.com/48TqBqY
Sometimes you need a pusher in your life. Like, a book pusher.
This Holiday, Give the Auntly Gift of Books
Young nieces and nephews may not thrill to them—but there is virtually no better way of inviting them into the world of your own childhood imagination.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Sometimes you need a pusher in your life. Like, a book pusher.
That speech last night made us sleepier than Donald Trump in an important cabinet meeting!
Today's Morning Shots, with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @saletan.bsky.social, and @saletan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4p0Ox1K
Today's Morning Shots, with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @saletan.bsky.social, and @saletan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4p0Ox1K
December 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
That speech last night made us sleepier than Donald Trump in an important cabinet meeting!
Today's Morning Shots, with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @saletan.bsky.social, and @saletan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4p0Ox1K
Today's Morning Shots, with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @saletan.bsky.social, and @saletan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4p0Ox1K
"It's really unbelievably stupid that we're here."
December 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"It's really unbelievably stupid that we're here."
"As he sat on the other side of a FaceTime conversation with me this week, the man who is now running to be governor of California started—I swear to you—crying."
The latest edition of The Opposition from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4anFLHu
The latest edition of The Opposition from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4anFLHu
Tales of a Billionaire-Populist Wannabe Governor
Tom Steyer has hired Zohran Mamdani’s ad firm to help get him elected in California. Can they pull it off?
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"As he sat on the other side of a FaceTime conversation with me this week, the man who is now running to be governor of California started—I swear to you—crying."
The latest edition of The Opposition from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4anFLHu
The latest edition of The Opposition from @lauren-egan.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4anFLHu
"It's Bonginover"
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the news that Dan Bongino is on his way out at the FBI. They discuss Bongino’s bizarre tenure, his struggle to reconcile conspiracy culture with reality, and what comes next.
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the news that Dan Bongino is on his way out at the FBI. They discuss Bongino’s bizarre tenure, his struggle to reconcile conspiracy culture with reality, and what comes next.
December 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"It's Bonginover"
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the news that Dan Bongino is on his way out at the FBI. They discuss Bongino’s bizarre tenure, his struggle to reconcile conspiracy culture with reality, and what comes next.
Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes on the news that Dan Bongino is on his way out at the FBI. They discuss Bongino’s bizarre tenure, his struggle to reconcile conspiracy culture with reality, and what comes next.
"Coke was involved—this I know," Michael Steinberger said of Palantir CEO Alex Karp's interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin. "Mexican Coke. He drinks Mexican Coke before television appearances and other interviews to get a sugar rush."
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
"Coke was involved—this I know," Michael Steinberger said of Palantir CEO Alex Karp's interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin. "Mexican Coke. He drinks Mexican Coke before television appearances and other interviews to get a sugar rush."
"They said it's just to improvement government efficiency."
Michael Steinberger on what we know about Palantir's database work with the Trump administration.
Michael Steinberger on what we know about Palantir's database work with the Trump administration.
December 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"They said it's just to improvement government efficiency."
Michael Steinberger on what we know about Palantir's database work with the Trump administration.
Michael Steinberger on what we know about Palantir's database work with the Trump administration.
"Karp could look at Elon and, and think the other way, right? That like you get a little too close to the sun, it gets too hot, you do end up hurting your core business."
Tim Miller and Michael Steinberger discuss Palantir's CEO and billionaires navigating Trump.
Tim Miller and Michael Steinberger discuss Palantir's CEO and billionaires navigating Trump.
December 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Karp could look at Elon and, and think the other way, right? That like you get a little too close to the sun, it gets too hot, you do end up hurting your core business."
Tim Miller and Michael Steinberger discuss Palantir's CEO and billionaires navigating Trump.
Tim Miller and Michael Steinberger discuss Palantir's CEO and billionaires navigating Trump.
"He's created this permission structure," Michael Steinberger says of Trump. "This is beyond him at this point. Now, people feel very, you know, very free to express bigotry in a way that wasn't the case 10 years ago."
December 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"He's created this permission structure," Michael Steinberger says of Trump. "This is beyond him at this point. Now, people feel very, you know, very free to express bigotry in a way that wasn't the case 10 years ago."
Catherine Rampell: "It's not like I think Americans were being turned away from these positions. In fact, construction companies have been complaining about labor shortages for years...So it's not like if you get rid of the immigrants, suddenly there'll be a lot of new openings for Americans.
December 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Catherine Rampell: "It's not like I think Americans were being turned away from these positions. In fact, construction companies have been complaining about labor shortages for years...So it's not like if you get rid of the immigrants, suddenly there'll be a lot of new openings for Americans.
Even if Trump's threat of an illegal war - or a military campaign itself - were to depose Maduro, would you trust this administration to build something stable out of a post-Maduro Venezuela?
Trump Is an Idiot Spoiling for War. Also, Maduro Is a Bastard.
The enemy of your enemy isn’t always your friend.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Even if Trump's threat of an illegal war - or a military campaign itself - were to depose Maduro, would you trust this administration to build something stable out of a post-Maduro Venezuela?
Tim Miller: "A+++, Rome isn't built in a day, not gonna get fixed in a week, not gonna get fixed in 11 months apparently."
Catherine Rampell: "Well, it's especially not gonna get fixed if they keep on doing things to break it further."
Catherine Rampell: "Well, it's especially not gonna get fixed if they keep on doing things to break it further."
December 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Tim Miller: "A+++, Rome isn't built in a day, not gonna get fixed in a week, not gonna get fixed in 11 months apparently."
Catherine Rampell: "Well, it's especially not gonna get fixed if they keep on doing things to break it further."
Catherine Rampell: "Well, it's especially not gonna get fixed if they keep on doing things to break it further."
"We are trained to deconstruct, interrogate, and problematize pop culture artifacts, especially those which uncritically celebrate normalcy." lnk.thebulwark.com/3Y0kVXb
The Curious Rise of the Complicated Christmas Song
Some holiday music reflects the maturity—and loneliness—of America.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
"We are trained to deconstruct, interrogate, and problematize pop culture artifacts, especially those which uncritically celebrate normalcy." lnk.thebulwark.com/3Y0kVXb
"Donald Trump, I think, very much wants to be cooking the books, but there is no evidence to date."
Catherine Rampell tells Tim Miller what worries her most about Trump's handling of the economy.
Catherine Rampell tells Tim Miller what worries her most about Trump's handling of the economy.
December 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM
"Donald Trump, I think, very much wants to be cooking the books, but there is no evidence to date."
Catherine Rampell tells Tim Miller what worries her most about Trump's handling of the economy.
Catherine Rampell tells Tim Miller what worries her most about Trump's handling of the economy.
"I don’t know what will happen when the Messiah comes. I am sure that if and when he comes, Norman will be grateful. But he’ll also have many challenging questions. He’ll make some combative arguments. What a scene that will be!" lnk.thebulwark.com/4s3gNTW
Why Aren’t Dems Going After Trump’s Tariffs?
They don’t work and Americans hate them. Layup.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM
"I don’t know what will happen when the Messiah comes. I am sure that if and when he comes, Norman will be grateful. But he’ll also have many challenging questions. He’ll make some combative arguments. What a scene that will be!" lnk.thebulwark.com/4s3gNTW
What Life magazine archives tell us about Christmas commercialism over the decades:
Is Christmas Gift Inflation Real?
A century of Christmas commercialism, as observed in old magazine ads.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:30 AM
What Life magazine archives tell us about Christmas commercialism over the decades:
Trump tried to change the subject. He changed nothing.
@timmiller.bsky.social weighs in on a speech that exposed how thin Trump's playbook really is.
@timmiller.bsky.social weighs in on a speech that exposed how thin Trump's playbook really is.
December 18, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Trump tried to change the subject. He changed nothing.
@timmiller.bsky.social weighs in on a speech that exposed how thin Trump's playbook really is.
@timmiller.bsky.social weighs in on a speech that exposed how thin Trump's playbook really is.
"Hayden McDougall refused to give the protester back his swastika armband, even as another groyper-type personality begged him to, arguing they had plenty of swastikas at home already." lnk.thebulwark.com/4oXPkQU
Candace Owens Has Already Won
Plus: MAGA, manliness, and a slap in the face.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:00 AM
"Hayden McDougall refused to give the protester back his swastika armband, even as another groyper-type personality begged him to, arguing they had plenty of swastikas at home already." lnk.thebulwark.com/4oXPkQU
"He spent that whole speech aggrieved, like not just sort of channeling grievance, but, like, personally aggrieved," @eggerdc.bsky.social said of Trump. "He thinks he is doing a fucking amazing job of being the president, and he does not see that reflected in what he gets back."
December 18, 2025 at 3:54 AM
"He spent that whole speech aggrieved, like not just sort of channeling grievance, but, like, personally aggrieved," @eggerdc.bsky.social said of Trump. "He thinks he is doing a fucking amazing job of being the president, and he does not see that reflected in what he gets back."
"Everything that's wrong is, I'm blaming on other people," @saletan.bsky.social says of Trump's speech. "And at some point...the message is you're a guy who blames other people, and you blame them even when you've been in office for a year."
December 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
"Everything that's wrong is, I'm blaming on other people," @saletan.bsky.social says of Trump's speech. "And at some point...the message is you're a guy who blames other people, and you blame them even when you've been in office for a year."
"I was embarrassed," Tim Miller said of Trump's speech. "It's really unbelievably stupid that we're here, that this person is the president, and that that was real—that was not a spoof."
December 18, 2025 at 3:40 AM
"I was embarrassed," Tim Miller said of Trump's speech. "It's really unbelievably stupid that we're here, that this person is the president, and that that was real—that was not a spoof."