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