No one was really asking about Melania’s ties to Epstein. But after her surprise White House statement to the press on Thursday, the questions are flowing—particularly because a former Brazilian model who moved in both Trump and Epstein circles is posting threats against the First Lady on social media. Tim and Jane break it all down. Plus, Melania does not speak or read English very well, Trump is furious about Tucker & co.’s opposition to the Iran war, Vance’s motives for converting to Catholicism are disgusting and unchristian, and why would Iran permit Saudi-paid Jared to participate in the Islamabad peace talks? Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.

Jane Coaston joins Tim Miller for the holiday weekend pod.

show notes

• JVL and Catherine LIVE on the not-so-great economic news
• Tim's deep dive on Oscar Romero was in this episode
• Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21
• Follow "Bulwark Takes" for breaking news over the weekend
• Tim's playlist
  
  

Putin puppet Viktor Orbán—whose nepotistic and corrupt government in Hungary has become the model for the far-right in America and Europe—is facing his first serious election challenge in 16 years. It turns out that voters get mad when a president steals from the public and tanks the economy. Vance tried to bolster Orbán with Kremlin-esque fake propaganda, but the energy may be with the grassroots campaign of Peter Magyar. Plus, Vance's arrogance and ignorance about Ukraine, Trump is still coming up short on his Iran war goals, the administration made some weird threats against Pope Leo, and Kari Lake is still a loser.

Anne Applebaum joins Tim Miller.

show notes

• Anne's piece on Hungary, "The First Post-Reality Political Campaign"
• Thursday's "Morning Shots"
• Giselle Donnelly's Bulwark piece on how Trump's war is impacting global navigation
• Anne's book, "Twilight of Democracy"
• Anne's "Autocracy, Inc." in paperback
• Anne's book recommendation, "Furious Minds: The Making of the Maga New Right"
• Letters from Leo on Substack
  
  

Trump showed that he is completely unequipped to be a war leader. He threatened crimes against humanity, and not only let a foe prove it could take our punches, but also inflict economic pain on the global economy as well. Indeed, with the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran looks to have emerged from the war with a stronger hand. We also don't know how much Trump's financial ties to Gulf countries are influencing his wild and erratic handling of the war. And if this military operation was just about Israel's national security, then that should have been explained to the American people from the start. Plus, the threat an Orbán loss would pose to MAGA, the key redistricting election in Virginia, and how Dems would prioritize oversight if they win back the House.

David French and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam join Tim Miller.

show notes

• TNL live last night after Trump folded
• Wednesday's "Morning Shots"
• Tim's debate over the war with Rep. Josh Gottheimer
• Tix on sale soon for The Bulwark LIVE in San Diego on May 20 and in Los Angeles on May 21