The Next Level

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell. Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL, exclusive for TNL fans. For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL and start your subscription. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

JVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania’s bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and "America First" heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore? Paid members of the Bulwark get exclusive access to the FULL episode on Apple Podcast, Substack or YouTube.

Sarah, Tim and JVL g to cover Trump's Iran ultimatum and other news. Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free and to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow.

JVL and Sarah discuss Trump’s rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war’s goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news. Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get into the wild new scandal involving Kristi Noem’s husband—and why the story isn’t what people think it is. They also discuss Trump’s chaotic handling of the Iran conflict, the political fallout at home, and whether his support is starting to crack. Plus: Lindsey Graham’s surreal Disney detour, protests across the country, CPAC’s decline, and JD Vance’s latest reinvention. Head to https://Brodo.com/THENEXTLEVEL for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THENEXTLEVEL for an additional $10 off. JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W. Every votes counts! Vote here for Best Email Newsletter: https://wbby.co/57608N

JVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.

Tim Miller, JVL and Sam Stein (filling in for Sarah) discuss Trump’s shambolic approach to the Iran war—no clear objective, mixed signals, and rising economic fallout. As gas prices climb and markets wobble, they ask whether the political damage has already begun, even if the polls haven’t fully caught up. Plus: signs of a potential MAGA fracture, ICE at airports, a look inside the grift behind Project 2025, and a disturbing interview with Greg Bovino. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. It’s time to turn those “What Ifs” into  CHA CHING with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/thenextlevel. Upgrade your sleep during Boll & Branch’s Annual Spring Event. Take off 20% sitewide plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel.

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL were live in Austin talking about Trump’s Iran war, the cascading economic fallout, and growing global instability. As gas prices spike and allies react, the conversation turns darker: how bad could this get—and what it says about America right now. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

Paid members of The Bulwark can watch the FULL episode of The Secret Podcast. JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the Trump administration’s stumble into an Iranian conflict that betrays its "no more wars" promise. They analyze the sudden resignation of Joe Kent over foreign wars, Tulsi Gabbard’s surreal FBI testimony regarding Fulton County ballots, and the looming "bloodbath" within a fracturing Republican coalition. Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah Longwell and JVL talk about what happens if Trump doesn't TACO and pull the plug on the Iran war excursion after things go from messy to bad. Not great! Also: What happens if we know how to reform the system, but the system is so ossified that it can't be reformed? And are The People, in fact, the worst? Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in Septemberhttps://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah, Tim and JVL are going LIVE to talk about the escalating air war with Iran and the chaos and dishonesty of Trump’s shifting explanations for it. Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants for life - when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL to start your subscription today. Go to https://Leesa.com for an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL—exclusive for TNL fans. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns.

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the chaotic firing of Kristi Noem after a disastrous hearing, the MAGA infighting that may have taken her down, and what it says about how Trump runs his administration. They also talk about the war with Iran—why the strategy looks confused, how Tehran may be playing the long game, and why the economic fallout is already hitting gas prices, supply chains, and the global economy.

Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller are going live to talk about the shifting mood around the Iran strikes—how casualties could change the politics, whether 2026 is starting to feel like 2006, and if Trump’s “just do stuff” approach has hit a wall (with JD already hedging). Also: the latest Democratic freakout over Graham Platner’s campaign. Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod

To get the full episode, become a paid member of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. The U.S. government is ordering employees out of Israel and Iraq, the latest signal that war with Iran is approaching. Larry and David Ellison just bought Warner-Discovery and CNN.  Sarah and JVL also talk about the new John Fetterman in Maine and the primary in Texas. As well as the Kansas law targeting trans people. Finally, they go deep on DHS, depraved indifference, and accountability. (See the piece JVL talks about here.) Bonus: Pinball discourse.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL run through a packed episode: explosive new questions about the Epstein files and whether Trump’s DOJ is shielding him, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling (and the three justices who would green-light almost anything), and what it means for the midterms. They also discuss Kristi Noem’s completely fabricated “cannibal” story, Laura Loomer pressuring Trump to go after Netflix, Make-a-Wish kid Kash Patel, and the messy Senate primary in Texas. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code NEXTLEVEL. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.

JVL, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein team up, live in Minneapolis, to dish on how Donald Trump kicked off his new Board of Peace by threatening to go to war with Iran and why other countries are holding people accountable in Epstein-related cases while elites in the United States have dealt with few consequences. Plus, Bill Kristol crashes the party to sling some takes about the potential field of Democratic presidential candidates in 2028. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.  For a limited time, because you are a Next Level listener, you can get a Tovala smart oven for just $49, PLUS free shipping, when you order meals 6+ times. Just go to Tovala.com/NEXTLEVEL and use my code NEXTLEVEL.

Sarah and JVL discuss the Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem, Corey Lewandowski, and the internal fight over whether ICE raids should be loud and viral or quiet and deniable. They talk about why humiliation has become the price of loyalty in Trump World, why Biden is suddenly polling better than Trump on the economy, and what the backlash in Minneapolis tells us about how this moment could turn. To get access to the full episode, become a paid member of The Bulwark on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube!

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller relish Trump’s losing streak—from +6 approval to –14—and why slipping GOP support could signal a Bush-style collapse. They also get into inflation backlash, the White House’s “Don’t Be a Panican” spin, and the early cracks forming inside MAGA. Is this the start of a 2006-level wave? Get $30 off your first box and free Croissants for life when you visit https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!

Donald Trump posts an overtly racist video, Republicans briefly squirm, and the usual defenses start to crack. JVL and Sarah Longwell explain why this moment exposed GOP cowardice, how Trump’s vanity and distractions are starting to cost him politically, and what billionaire media self-destruction says about power, accountability, and the institutions being hollowed out. Paid members of The Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of Secret Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller talk about the new Epstein file releases and what they reveal about elite weakness, Peter Attia’s emails, the effort to rehabilitate Epstein after prison, and why this isn’t “cancel culture.” They also discuss what the FBI's raid of an election center in Georgia and Donald Trump's talk about nationalizing elections means for the midterms and beyond. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Get 30% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Get 50% off your first order with Green Chef and a FREE Graza Olive Oil set at https://GreenChef.com/NEXTLEVELGRAZA.

JVL and Sarah came in hottt today, angry about . . . all of it? Journalists are now being arrested. Masked DHS agents are still terrorizing Minneapolis. The worst “free speech” people you know are building a state media ecosystem. And the Melania movie is here. Paid members of The Bulwark get access to the FULL episode of The Secret Podcast. Join today on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube.

Sarah, Tim and JVL join to talk about the fallout in Minnesota after Trump pulls Greg Bovino and installs Tom Homan, how voters are reacting, global blowback on Greenland, and what's next. For a limited time, save up to $300 on the Tovala smart oven when you order meals 6+ times, by visiting https://Tovala.com/NEXTLEVEL and using code NEXTLEVEL.

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the latest—from Trump's sinking poll numbers and the Greenland spectacle to escalating ICE actions and local resistance. They also talk about new focus-group findings showing Gen Z Trump voters cooling on JD Vance (and warming to Marco Rubio), react to the White House’s use of AI imagery in political messaging, and critique Jared Kushner’s glossy “Dubai for Gaza” redevelopment pitch, with a look at how Michigan protest politics is landing now. Full episodes of the The Secret Podcast are available to paid supporters of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

Sarah, JVL and Tim discuss the low-energy, never-ending Trump event and the end of their will to live. They also go deep on how Trump’s obsession with Greenland is threatening to torch America’s relationships with its allies and completely realign the world order. To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD. Get 15% off your first order PLUS free shipping at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL and use code NEXTLEVEL. Get 50% off your first order with Green Chef and a FREE Graza Olive Oil set at https://GreenChef.com/NEXTLEVELGRAZA.

Sarah and JVL discuss the Minneapolis shooting and the growing backlash to ICE tactics, the collapse of public support for Trump across key polls, MAGA’s “comply or die” hypocrisy, a potential split between “MAGA” and “non-MAGA” Republicans, the political damage of masked federal force, and farce surrounding the Trump’s “gift” of a Nobel Peace Prize.

Sarah, Tim and JVL discuss the ICE killing in Minneapolis and the escalation that followed, including DOJ prosecutors resigning rather than smearing the victim’s family. They also talk about JD Vance’s eagerness to defend state violence, Trump’s pressure campaign against Jerome Powell, the broader pattern of unchecked power, and why Democratic candidates like Mary Peltola fit their states while others don’t. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL Get $30 off your first box and free Croissants for life when you visit https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL, or you can use promo code THENEXTLEVEL at checkout. During Tovala's New Year Sale, you can get a FREE Tovala smart oven when you order meals 6+ times by heading to https://Tovala.com/NEXTLEVEL using the code NEXTLEVEL!

Sarah and JVL talk about the new video from the ICE agent as he killed Renee Good. It’s tough and they’re not sure quite where we go from here. Is the rule of law real? Or is everything might makes right? Also: Trump probably gets away with Venezuela, too. Good times. Paid members of the Bulwark get access to full episodes of the Secret show.

Sarah, Tim and JVL discuss the legality and consequences of the Venezuela operation, the emerging split between “America First” and “Trump First,” Stephen Miller’s grotesque worldview, and why Greenland suddenly feels less hypothetical. They also debate the legacy of neoconservatism and Iraq, MAGA influencer drama, and GOP dysfunction in Congress. Get up to 30% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod #ad Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off. Go to https://greenchef.com/nextlevelgraza and use code NEXTLEVELGRAZA to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller look ahead to what’s next—and it (mostly) isn't pretty. From Trump’s plans for the Fed and crypto chaos, to billionaire media consolidation, and some truly unhinged foreign policy ideas, they game out what could break, what might finally collapse Trump’s support, and why things probably have to get worse before they get better. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

New Epstein files have dropped, and the fallout is growing. Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL discuss what’s new in the latest release, why the DOJ’s clumsy redactions and selective disclosures made things worse, and how the accumulating evidence and hypocrisy are starting to break through to voters. They also talk about Trump’s distraction tactics, JD Vance’s political viability, and why the old Trump bargain isn’t holding anymore.NOTE: The Justice Department in a tweet later on Tuesday, after the episode was taped, said that the alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar was determined by the FBI to be fake.

Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller discuss the jaw-dropping Vanity Fair interviews Susie Wiles gave to Vanity Fair and what they reveal about how Trumpworld actually operates, the Epstein and Maxwell fallout, the backlash to Trump’s remarks about Rob Reiner, MAGA’s internal fractures, Elon Musk’s role in dismantling USAID, and why this moment feels different from past Trump controversies. Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff on Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2) https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1 Susie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Part 2 of 2) https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-2Get 50% off your first order with Green Chef and a FREE Graza Olive Oil set at https://GreenChef.com/NEXTLEVELGRAZA.Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.Remember to head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.  

Donald Trump isn’t just attacking the press, he’s trying to own it. JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss how Trump is using merger approvals, billionaire allies, and corporate pressure to bend major media companies to his will, from CNN and CBS to the broader tech and news ecosystem. They explain why media consolidation creates a dangerous opening for political intimidation, how this power play has nothing to do with conservatism and everything to do with control, and why independent outlets like The Bulwark matter more than ever in an era where money, media, and government are colliding.

Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://Superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL

This a preview of The Secret Podcast, where Sarah and JVL go off-leash and uncensored in an intimate conversation. The full episode is available for paid Bulwark members on Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube!Sarah and JVL are in meat-space talking about the Donald J. Trump buildings coming soon to a town near you. And also why liberalism needs to fight.But the big topic is all of the feelings they’ve got from being at the annual Bulwark all-hands get together. Warning: Emo JVL is a bit much.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get through a chaotic week in Trump’s Washington: Elise Stefanik and Mike Johnson tearing each other apart, Hegseth’s shifting alibis for a possible war crime, Trump nodding off while his cabinet members freelance policy, and a fresh round of immigration extremism that targets even legal residents. They also discuss population-collapse warnings, the “narco-terror” fantasy, JD Vance’s pathetic theatrics, and Tim’s interview with Olivia Nuzzi. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL. Get 40% off your entire order during Soul’s Black Friday-Cyber Monday sale at https://GetSoul.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.

Note: Sarah and JVL recorded this episode on Wednesday, November 26.JVL and Sarah Longwell break down why pardoning January 6 felons might be the most dangerous move of his presidency yet. By promising protection to anyone who commits crimes on his behalf, Trump is building a loyalty pipeline straight out of a mob movie… and the Supreme Court is giving him the cover he needs.

Trump’s revenge crusade is collapsing in real time. Botched prosecutions, clown-car legal teams, foreign bot armies propping up MAGA influencers, and a GOP in full-blown identity crisis. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller talk about Trump’s latest humiliations, the Marjorie Taylor Greene detonation, the Mamdani Oval Office shocker, and the wild bot-farm revelations shaking the right. Oh and Trump looks like he can't walk.Just another week!

Trump crossed a line, again. JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss Trump’s latest tantrum: calling for Democratic senators to be put to death after they released a video reminding service members they don’t have to follow illegal orders. Yes, really.Then we get into the Epstein-email panic, why Trump suddenly pretended to support releasing documents he fought for years, and what’s really pressuring him behind the scenes, Dick Cheney’s funeral, and the singles vaccine. Don’t worry, Sarah WILL BE GETTING IT!

Trump’s awful month keeps getting worse: the botched Comey indictment, the Epstein files exploding, Trump snapping at reporters, and signs that the MAGA machine isn’t running like it used to. JVL, Sarah, and Tim talk about the panic inside Trumpworld, the fallout from his dictator cosplay with MBS, and why the movement suddenly looks shakier than it has in years.Remember to head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodTake our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio

JVL and Catherine Rampell (filling in for Sarah) dig into the latest Epstein revelations and what they expose about the darker, unsteady corners of the GOP. The conversation traces how a party already splintering under internal contradictions keeps getting dragged into fresh scandals, bad actors, and self-inflicted wounds.

Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller take on the explosive Epstein emails tying Trump to victims, the shutdown fight and ACA fallout, and the MAGA civil war erupting around Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVELGet $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL

JVL is half-delirious from the shingles vaccine and Sarah Longwell is dragging him through one of the wildest weeks in politics. From massive Democratic wins to Jeff Flake’s fantasy-land op-ed, Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar ego trip, and the jaw-dropping humanitarian fallout from dismantling USAID. They break down why Republicans are in full disarray, how Trump’s SNAP showdown is backfiring, and what new polling says about the road ahead.

In the first major set of elections of Donald Trump’s second term, voters deliver a rebuke to Trumpism. Democrats win gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race in New York City after Trump endorses Andrew Cuomo. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react on Election Night to what these results mean in the fight against MAGA, assess the leverage Democrats may have gained in the government shutdown debate and take stock of the political landscape a year out from the 2026 midterms.Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% offGo to https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code NEXTLEVEL for 25% offGo to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics

JVL and Sarah talk about Socialism, Jersey, Virginia, MTG, and the Heritage Foundation’s panic that someone might think they don’t approve of white nationalist Nick Fuentes.It’s a whole thing. You’ll love it.

JVL, Sarah, and Tim talk about the intra-MAGA war inside immigration enforcement, the bizarre fall of Tom Homan, Stephen Miller’s power games, RFK Jr.’s unhinged HHS drama, Trump teasing war in Venezuela, and the new Democratic memo that’s tearing the party apart.Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL at checkout.Cancel your unwanted subscriptions with RocketMoney at https://RocketMoney.com/THENEXTLEVEL. 

Trump’s obsession with tearing up the East Wing turns into a fight over symbolism, willpower, and what it really takes to undo his damage. JVL and Sarah Longwell go back and forth over what matters, what’s just noise, and why elites still won’t stand up to him. Plus: Trump’s love for dictators, Reagan on tariffs, and Canada making him mad again.

JVL, Sarah, and Tim discuss the drama over Democrat Graham Platner’s “Nazi tattoo,” the Maine Senate race, and the left’s weird obsession with finding their own Trump-style outsider. Plus: Trump’s corrupt White House ballroom, the “No Kings” protests, and just how far America’s slipped into banana-republic territory.Listen to "The Bulwark's Seven-Year War" from Puck: https://puck.news/podcast_episode/the-bulwarks-seven-year-war/Go to https://shopremi.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use CODE THENEXTLEVEL to get up to 50% off.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Remember to head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL

JVL ambushes Sarah with The Darkness. It’s a fun-filled episode with the indictment of John Bolton, the decimation of the Pentagon press corps, another extra-legal killing off the coast of Venezuela, the resignation of the head of SouthCom, and the weaponization of the IRS.Good times.

This week on The Next Level Jonathan V. Last, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the GOP’s accelerating moral collapse. MAGA wants to discredit No Kings protests as “Hate America” rallies, and a racist Young Republicans group chat leak shows how deep the rot goes. They explore how Kristi Noem’s taxpayer-funded ad blitz crosses every ethical line and what it says about ICE’s power in the administration. Plus, they debate whether establishment Democrats are sabotaging the party’s Senate chances by pushing candidates they feel are safer bets. 

Live from New York, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Tim Miller tear into America’s culture of cowardice—from billionaires hiding in Hawaii to Merrick Garland’s endless hesitation. They discuss into how Trump’s intimidation works, why “lawfare” backfired, and why too many Democrats STILL seem afraid to fight.Note: This was recorded on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

This week Sarah and JVL did something they haven’t done for a couple of years: they just . . . hung out and asked each other questions. Some stuff about life. Some stuff about The Bulwark. Some stuff about the world.Hope you enjoy listening as much as they enjoyed visiting with each other.

The crew is back together, live in D.C. and fired up. From wild personal stories to real talk about how we face this moment as a country, this episode is all about connection, community, and not giving in to the chaos. When things get dark, we stick together.

JVL and Sarah Longwell zero in on the government shutdown chaos and what it really means. They debate why Democrats can’t afford to play defense, how Trump is openly embracing authoritarian ideas like Project 2025, and the GOP’s sheer inability to govern even as they drive the country toward crisis. 

Pete Hegseth calls in the nation’s top generals and admirals so he can lecture them about being in shape and ending wokeness and Donald Trump can speak ominously about “the war from within” and using American cities as training grounds for troops. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react to the supremely weird meeting—and then spend some time reflecting on how the first nine months of Trump’s second term have stacked up against JVL's worst case scenario from a year ago.

Sarah and JVL talk about big-tent liberalism—who’s in and who’s out of the l-word tent. JVL goes on a riff on Henry Kissinger, which you are absolutely going to HATE.And then we get the main event: JVL doesn’t think [gestures broadly] all this is fixable. Sarah has a plan to fix it. Who’s right?

Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! They talk about Trump’s mob-style shakedowns of ABC and Disney, Jimmy Kimmel refusing to cave, Kamala Harris admitting "it" about Pete Buttigieg, Trump’s clownish UN meltdown, and the government’s demented social media propaganda.Head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Go to https://shopremi.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use CODE THENEXTLEVEL to get up to 50% offCatch The Bulwark on September 27 in Toronto and October 8 in DC. Get your tickets at https://TheBulwark.com/EVENTS

JVL and Sarah go head-to-head over the New York Times, Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit, and what solidarity really means when democracy is on the line.

Tim, Sarah and JVL are BACK! Trump’s allies want to charge protesters with RICO, Kash Patel stonewalls, Trump plays the victim, and MAGA world spins truly nuts new conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.Get 50% off your first month with Green Chef at https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVELGet 30% off your order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.For our friends in Canada, we added a second live show with Sarah, Tim and Sam to the schedule. Tickets are on sale now for our bonus Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27, here: https://admitone.com/events/the-bulwark-podcast-toronto-10155121

Sarah and JVL talk about the president’s response to Charlie Kirk’s murder and why it’s so dangerous. Then we go deep on how to react in moments of crisis: Can you be too nice? How do you balance truth and compassion? What is the impact of timing? And was JVL right to turn the comments off for the first 24 hours?Do us a solid, though: Don’t comment on this until you’ve listened to the episode. 

Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! Trump shrugs at Russian drones, clings to a laughable “hoax” defense on Epstein, and gets played by Netanyahu yet again — while Kamala Harris calls Biden’s 2024 run reckless.To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGet $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL.

Sarah and JVL go through the Epstein Birthday Book in detail. We tell you what’s actually in it, no euphemisms. And what it means for Trump and 2026.But before you ask: It’s Tuesday. So no Rebecca.

Sarah and JVL go long on the economy, The People, double standards, RFK, and . . . Hamilton.It’s a super-sized Secret pod.In the comments, we want you to talk about whether or not the double-standard is real—is it true, as JVL proposes—that voters obsess over Democratic mistakes while waiving away Republican insanity?And if it is true, why is it? Remember: We’re not just talking about partisans, but about the generalized broader public. We want to hear your theories.

Sarah, JVL and Tim are back! Trump disappears for a weekend and sets off health rumors, Epstein victims speak out on Capitol Hill, and Congress releases “new” files that turn out to be mostly recycled documents. Meanwhile, Trump tries to change the subject with National Guard deployments, a tariff scheme runs into the courts, and GOP leaders flirt with blood-and-soil politics.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVELGo to https://Zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use promo code NEXTLEVEL for 15% off your first order.

Another dark week: Trump toys with occupying Chicago, the FBI under Kash Patel ignores domestic terrorism, RFK Jr. runs HHS with conspiracy theories, and even the CDC is led by a political crony. JVL and Sarah Longwell ask the hard question, what if our democracy is already too broken to fix?

Sarah Longwell is back and ready to go! They dive into Trump’s accelerating authoritarian moves, from masked cops snatching people off the streets to purging the Federal Reserve, while Gavin Newsom trolls Trump with meme-style politics that energize Democrats but raise doubts about his 2028 chances. Meanwhile, the DNC looks out of touch, bogged down in land acknowledgments and bad messaging, leaving many wondering if the party is ready to stand up to Trump’s power grab.

JVL, Tim Miller, and special guest Andrew Egger get into the rise of Trump’s cult cops, the right’s open flirtation with Caesarism, and whether Newsom’s new “mean streak” is a weapon or a trap for Democrats.Head to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVEL and use code 50NEXTLEVEL to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months--with free shipping!Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Get 60% off your first Smalls order PLUS free shipping when you head to https://Smalls.com/THENEXTLEVEL.Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the promo code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

Sarah and JVL defend the honor of Baby Boomer protestors and debate the merits of anti-fascist sandwich throwing before hunkering down for a loooong conversation about whether Trumpism is a perversion of conservatism, or a fulfillment of it.

Sarah, Tim and JVL are BACK! Trump turns a late-night DC fight into an excuse for a full-blown National Guard takeover — complete with a TV personality running the cops. The gang tackles this absurd “Big Balls” pretext, Trump’s upcoming Alaska summit with Putin (and the Billy Joel geography lesson), his bizarre choice of an unqualified weirdo to cook the jobs numbers, and what it all means for the economy, authoritarian crackdowns, and the next elections. Plus: Sherrod Brown’s uphill Ohio battle, and why Democrats need real butch he-men running for office.

Bill Kristol fills in for JVL during this extra super secret edition of the Secret Podcast. Trump’s economy is cracking under its own weight—grocery prices, tariffs, and a sputtering job market are chipping away at his support. Could these numbers spell trouble for 2026?

Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Tim, Sarah, and Sam talk Trump’s continuing Epstein nightmare, the GOP’s redistricting chaos in Texas, and RFK Jr.‘s disastrous anti-vax decisions. Plus, Megyn Kelly picks a fight with Sarah, Acosta creeps everyone out by interviewing an AI ghost, and conservatives suddenly think they made human breasts cool again.

Sarah and JVL give you the mega-show you’ve been waiting for: Trump’s $200 million presidential palace ballroom! Tariff TACOs! Kamala’s book! Hunter Biden! Vegas, Baby! All this and Sydney Sweeney, too. It’s a super-sized go-home show as JVL heads out for vacation.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL discuss the recent ICE job postings. These listings describe positions for “Deportation Officer”, "Criminal Investigator" and "General Attorney". They suggest this is part of a broader strategy to staff a loyalty-vetted enforcement agency with little oversight or transparency. Then back to Epstein, who “stole” a 16-year-old girl from a Mar-a-Lago Spa, to work for him. They examine the deeply unsettling context of this story and how Trump appears to recount it without moral concern. They connect it to a broader pattern of normalization of sexual misconduct and the erosion of outrage in political culture. Finally, the story of Luke Farritor, a young man who used AI to help decipher text from a scroll. Then went on to work for DOGE and who is to blame for his work. Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp at BetterHelp.com/THENEXTLEVEL. #sponsored

Sarah and JVL talk about Hulk Hogan, MAGA’s coming pivot on Ghislaine Maxwell, and Derek Huffman, the MAGA dad who joined Putin’s war on Ukraine. And the new Superman movie, too.It’s a doozy.This is a special preview of an episode that’s JUST for paid Bulwark subscribers. If you’d like to hear the full episode, you can subscribe via thebulwark.com, YouTube, or right through Apple Podcasts!

Celebrate the chaos with Sarah, Tim and JVL! Trump panics over Epstein revelations and demands Barack Obama’s arrest for “treason,” sending MAGA into conspiracy-theory overdrive. Republicans literally flee Congress to avoid tough votes, Jerome Powell’s Fed independence hangs by a thread, and Gen-Z conservatives openly embrace fascism as their new ideology. Meanwhile, Trump’s Oval Office gets a garish, gold-plated, dictator-inspired makeover. Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL. Get 60% off your first order with Smalls at https://Smalls.com/THENEXTLEVEL Get 30% off your first order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

Sarah and JVL break down the WSJ Trump-Epstein story. Sarah has some rage and JVL has a brand new conspiracy theory involving JD Vance.This is a special preview of an episode that's JUST for paid Bulwark subscribers. If you'd like to hear the full episode, you can subscribe via thebulwark.com, YouTube, or right through Apple Podcasts!

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell and JVL debate whether Trump’s reaction to the Epstein files, calling it a “hoax” and lashing out at former supporters, marks a turning point. They explore whether this could crack the deep trust his base has in him, especially conspiracy-driven voters who saw him as the one to expose elites.They also argue Democrats should lean into the issue, pushing for hearings and accountability. While Trump’s health and appearance come up briefly, the real question is whether this controversy could shake his hold on crank-aligned voters who once saw him as their truth-teller.Sponsors:Get free shipping and 365 day returns from Quince at https://Quince.com/thenextlevelGet 50% off your first order with Green Chef at https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVELGet 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #sponsored

Trump fumbles through a chaotic cabinet meeting, announcing new tariffs and cluelessness to the Ukraine weapons pause. Meanwhile, MAGA world erupts over the Epstein files, Grok turns into a bigoted chatbot, and ICE has transformed into Trump’s personal police force. Special guest Sam Stein joins Sarah and JVL to discuss yet another wild week.show notes Will Sommer’s False Flag “MAGA World’s Mega Meltdown Over Latest Epstein Flop” JVL’s Triad “The American Police State Is Here”Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Get 20% off plus free shipping at BollandBranch.com/NextLevelFor 15% off your order and a special gift, head to Pacagen.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL.

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today’s show, we will be covering the House vote on Trump’s fugly bill, ICE expansion, and the cowards at Paramount.Get 10% off your first month with BetterHelp at https://BetterHelp.com/THENEXTLEVEL.To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.Get 40% off your first box with Hungryroot at https://Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.

Watch Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today's show, we will be covering Mitch McConnell's threats, the Iran war, and the New York City mayoral primary results.For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order PLUS shipping when you head to https://Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVELGo to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Bring on the good vibes and treat yourself to Soul today! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss Trump continuing to TACO causing increasingly slipping support, more Democrats getting arrested over immigration policies, the mixed feedback from Tim’s interview with NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on FYPod, and Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz’s heated conversation. Show Notes Arrest of NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander Zohran Mamdani: FYPod Crossover Tulsi’s Bizarre and Creepy Nuclear War PSA Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL For an extra 25% off your order and a special gift, head to  https://Pacagen.com/THENEXTLEVEL To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD

The gang discuss Trump’s extreme response to protests in L.A., his unsettling rally to a cheering military crowd, and the upcoming birthday parade. Also: Elon Musk’s 3am apology, RFK Jr. dissolving the vaccine board, and Mikie Sherrill’s primary win.Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell and JVL discuss the Elon Musk and Donald Trump breakup thats amplifying throughout all of MAGA, how the primaries for New Jersey governor and New York mayor could shape the future of both parties, Joni Ernst’s comments on everyone dying show how much MAGA is losing their minds, and Curtis Yarvin’s dangerous influence.For an extra 25% off your order and a special gift, head to Pacagen.com/THENEXTLEVEL

Live from Chicago, Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest wave of Trump pardons, the rising authoritarian behavior from GOP leaders, and the Democratic Party’s identity crisis. Also, who is the worst (and best?) cabinet member so far, and what comes next.To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.For a limited time only, get 35% off plus an additional 50% off your first order when you head to Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL.  Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

The gang discusses the incompetence of Kristi Noem on constitutional matters, Bernie Sanders’ views on the Democratic party, Joe Biden’s campaign mismanagement, the Republican tax bill, and Tesla’s business struggles. Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts. Go to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at MINTMOBILE.com/thenextlevel Go to wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood.

The gang discuss the extensive corruption of President Trump's Middle East business dealings,  Republicans' focus on state and local tax deductions while letting democracy burn, and the latest revelations on former President Biden old age in office.Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to learn more and get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.Go to GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

The gang talk the latest on President Trump’s obsession with owning Canada and Greenland, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s based first meeting in the White House, the administrations cruel immigration agenda, and DOGE’s complete failure.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGo to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

The gang bask in the utterly abysmal first quarter of President Trump’s second presidency. Plus, they react to Gretchen Whitmer and Hakeem Jefferies not understanding the authoritarian moment we’re in, and advise Democrats how they can capitalize on just how unpopular Trump will be come 2028. To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD. Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five-day returns

The gang break down the latest developments in the market, and how it’s sent the Trump administration into panic mode. Plus, Trump loses grounds in new immigration polling, Tesla might be unsalvageable, and Pete Buttigieg takes on the manosphere.Buy tickets to our live shows in Chicago (May 28) and Nashville (May 29) here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/chicago-and-nashville-here-we-comeListen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGot to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL, code THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.Shop data plans at MINTMOBILE.com/THENEXTLEVEL

The gang dive into the constitutional crisis as President Donald Trump refuses to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, against the ruling of SCOTUS, Democrats planning a trip to El Salvador to demand the Maryland man's release, Harvard University's refusal to fold to Trump's defunding threats, and Elon Musk's continually disturbing mission to impregnate different women.

Trump has no idea what he’s doing, and America’s financial standing in the world, as well as the security that comes with it, is forever diminished.Note: Today’s episode of TNL was recorded before President Trump rescinded some of his tariffs, which the GOP then claimed was part of his brilliant plan all along. We think this commentary on the chaos, economic uncertainty and long term consequences of Trump’s tariffs still stands. Enjoy!Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here https://go.privacyhawk.com/nextlevel Use code LEVEL20 (iOS) / level20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price!For a limited time only, get 35% off plus an additional 50% off your first order when you head to Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL.  Upgrade your sleep during Boll & Branch’s Annual Spring Event! For a limited time get 20% off at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel.

The gang discuss President Donald Trump's ridiculous "Liberation Day" declaration and the foolish harm his tariffs will cause, the results of yesterday's Wisconsin election, Sen. Cory Booker's new filibuster record, and more!

Sam Stein fills in for Sarah to talk the continued fallout of the Trump administration’s signal group chat, with newly released texts detailing the “attack plans.” Plus, Tesla’s brand disintegration continues and Vice President JD Vance gets roped into accompanying his wife, Usha, to Greenland.Go to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.

The gang discuss President Trump’s bonkers interview with Laura Ingraham, his obsession with making Canada the 51st state, his call with Vladimir Putin, Federal Trade Commission firings, and how Sen. Chuck Schumer is not meeting the moment as Minority Leader.Plus, what happens when Bad JVL meets Bad Tim & Sarah?For 50% off your first order, head to Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVELGo to GreenChef.com/nextlevelfree and use code nextlevelfree to get started with FREE Salads for two months plus 50% off your first boxHead to GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order.

The gang's all in person this week! They talk the state of the stock market, President Trump's expected invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, the arrest of Columbia University protestor Mahmoud Khalil, Gov. Gavin Newsom's new podcast, Pete Buttigieg announcing he won't run for Michigan's open Senate seat, and more!Shop plans at MINTMOBILE.com/thenextlevelStart with 50% off your EveryPlate first box with code nextlevel50 at EVERYPLATE.com/podcast

The gang break down the administration’s shameful abandonment of Ukraine, and speak to how our allies can no longer trust the United StatesThey also discuss Trump’s joint address to Congress, Sen .Elissa Slotkin’s response, Gavin Newsom’s new podcast, whether tariffs will actually stick around this time, and Sen. Lindsey Graham “joking” about Trump 2028.Get tickets for our live Phoenix show here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-eventsMake laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepodGet 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

The gang break down the bomb threat they experience at the Principles First Summit. They also discuss the White House announcing they’ll decide which journalists are in the press pool, the access Elon Musk now has to the government’s data, the House GOP’s budget resolution, and how some MAGA voters are angry DOGE eliminated their jobs.Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/FACTORPODCAST and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shippingGet 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of Boll n Branch sheets at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel

The United States is one of the bad guys now, with Donald Trump publicly calling Ukrainian President Zelenskyy a dictator. The gang react to the idea of America as a hero in the world shattering before their eyes.Plus, Elon Musk does a joint interview with Trump on Hannity and The Free Press’s Bari Weiss pisses her MAGA following off by lightly criticizing far-right.Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to GreenChef.com/nextlevelfree and use code nextlevelfree to get started with FREE Salads for two months plus 50% off your first box.

The gang react the startling deterioration of our government under Elon Musk’s shadow presidency, and question what hold Musk has over Donald Trump that’s preventing Trump’s ego from firing him. When will the negative impact of DOGE be felt my the electorate that put Trump back into office? And will they just blame Democrats?Plus, inflation is up again under Trump and the White House goes after the Associated Press for continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its name.Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/thenextlevel10fm

We’re two and a half weeks into the second Trump administration, and it already feels like a century has passed. All of Donald Trump’s nominees are getting confirmed, and Elon Musk is taking a chainsaw to our government institutions. The gang rip apart Trump, Musk, the GOP, the bad billionaires, and the “Uncommitted” movement in this super-sized episode!Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

The gang went live Wednesday night to discuss RFK Jr.’s Senate hearing, the farce that was the questioning from Republicans, Trump’s funding freeze debacle, the first White House press briefing, and whether any of these things matter one bit.Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com.thenextlevel50off and use code thenextlevel50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The gang react to his first three days, the resigned vibe from Democrats, the capitulation from Republicans over Trump’s sweeping Jan. 6 pardons, and Trump’s flurry of executive orders, which some (Tim) might describe as a bukkake. For 30% off your order, head to GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL. Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item for life at HelloFresh.com/thenextlevel10fm

The gang discuss the hearings for Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth and the changes of "norms" in Joe Biden's final week in office, as Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Musk prepare for Donald Trump's inauguration that Michelle Obama has decided to skip, plus the TikTok ban that could really happen.Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50off and use code thenextlevel50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

The gang discuss Aileen Cannon continuing to be a completely stooge for Donald Trump by ordering Merrick Garland not to release Jack Smith’s report on the incoming president. They also unpack President Joe Biden’s latest interview and Trump’s insane desires to bring Canada and Greenland into the United States.Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevelGet 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodRhone’s premium performance clothing is made to move you. Use code THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELGo to GreenChef.com/nextlevelfree and use code nextlevelfree to get started with FREE salads for two months plus 50% off your first box!

The gang discuss the GOP’s plans to investigate Liz Cheney, Elon Musk potentially causing a government shutdown before Donald Trump’s new term has even begun, and Bret Stephens renouncing the Never Trump title. Head to FACTORMEALS.com/50thenextlevel and use code 50thenextlevel to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. Go to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 for 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next two months! Head to GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order.

Sarah and JVL have a loooong talk about RFK and vaccines and collateral damage. One of them might be a heartless monster and you’ll never guess which one! Then they do a full after-action report on Sarah’s DealBook panel. You do not want to miss this part. It’s solid gold. And we’d like your thoughts on Sarah’s big question. Discuss in the comments. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The gang talk Sen. Joni Ernst folding to MAGA on Pete Hegseth’s nomination, Donald Trump already acting like president, the shocking amount of support for alleged murderer Luigi Mangione, and Kimberly Guilfoyle getting offered Ambassador to Greece amid her breakup with Donald Trump Jr. Dealbook Summit audio Visit GhostBed.com/thenextlevel and use code THENEXTLEVEL now to claim your 50% off discount. Go to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your Lumen. Head to FACTORMEALS.com/50thenextlevel and use code 50thenextlevel to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

Sarah joins Tim and JVL fresh off a heated panel at the Dealbook Summit with Kevin McCarthy, Kellyanne Conway, Anita Dunn and more. The gang also discuss Pete Hegseth’s potentially doomed nomination for Secretary of Defense, the possibility of Ron DeSantis replacing him, Lara Trump becoming the senator for Florida, and Donald Trump’s concepts of a plan to end the war in Ukraine. Get 25% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Head to ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.

Donald Trump won by aligning with cranks like RFK Jr. Should the Dems follow suit to win? Plus, Rep. Nancy Mace’s bullying of her new trans-coworker and the latest ridiculous picks to join the Trump administration.Sam Stein fills in for Sarah on today’s episode!Head to http://lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase.Head to GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL for 35% off your order now until December 3rd.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

The gang discuss Donald Trump's "joke" to the House GOP that it's possible he'll run for a third term. Plus, Trump's insane Cabinet nominees, the mistakes of Merrick Garland and Elon Musk's weird, and potentially doomed, relationship with Trump.Go to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 for 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next two months!For 25% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets, head to BollAndBranch.com/nextlevelUpgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL

It’s been three days since Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris to be our 47th president. The gang attempts to start to unravel the question of what the Democratic Party must do to win working class voters, and debate what type of insanity we should root for from a second Trump term.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGo to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to learn more and get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkoutGet 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freethenextlevel

Sarah and JVL have a lot of thoughts about Trump’s threat against Liz Cheney, Larry Hogan’s latest, and the refusal of some leaders to get off the sidelines. Also about J-Lo and Hustlers. Which is a wildly under-rated movie. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The gang assemble for their last official episode before the election on Tuesday. They give their final thoughts on where the race is at, alongside discussion on the closing arguments of both candidates and President Joe Biden’s gaffe last night.This holiday season, give the gift of Soul. Head to GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order.

Sarah and JVL look at the polling and the vibes and come to slightly different conclusions. Then Sarah lets it rip about John Kelly. (Again.) And then JVL goes to the Dark Place. It’s a real journey. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The gang reacts to the revelations that Gen. John Kelly, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff during his administration, believe the former president is a fascist and admired Adolf Hitler’s generals.This should be the October surprise, but the media seems incapable of treating it with the time and gravity the news requires. Meanwhile, Trump’s defenders claim Kelly to be a liar or minimize the disqualifying nature of the general’s testimony.Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELGo to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 for 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next two months!

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Jonathan V. Last stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on their swing state tour. They discuss the state of the race, Donald Trump's support from billionaires, RFK Jr. joining the Trump cabinet, the Trump campaign wanting Nikki Haley to help them out while Trump insults her, and why, with the polls indicating a coin clip race, our gang still thinks Kamala Harris will pull out a win. This episode was taped on October 18, 2024*

The gang talks Donald Trump’s bizarre town hall that turned into a concert, and how it presents the clearest closing argument for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign: the man’s lost his marbles.Plus the media’s insufficient job holding Trump and his surrogates, like Gov. Glenn Youngkin, accountable, and insights into Tim’s interview with tech bro Jason Calacanis.Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevelGo to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your Lumen!Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

You know when someone says something that’s both obvious and profound and it crystallizes something you’ve long felt but couldn’t articulate?That’s what Angela Alsobrooks did to Larry Hogan last night and it was something else.Also: Sarah and JVL talk about the swing-state vibe shift in Trump’s direction and the idea that Trump has a ceiling.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

MAGA’s lies about hurricanes affecting the U.S. are as ridiculous as they are dangerous, leading some in the GOP to try to debunk the false reality their party created. Plus, Bob Woodward’s new book contains disturbing allegations of Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, both during and since his time in the White House, and Sarah gives some insights into her recent Nevada focus groups.Details for our Bulwark Live Swing State Swing tour are coming soon to TheBulwark.com/events.Head to ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freethenextlevel

Let’s be honest, the gang loathes JD Vance with a burning passion and wanted Tim Walz destroy him. Instead, Walz was Mr. Midwest Nice. Did he miss an opportunity? Or was it exactly what the Harris campaign needed? Plus, the gang give their thoughts on the International Longshoremen’s Association’s strike and Judge Aileen Cannon getting another case related to Donald Trump.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Sarah can’t stop JVL from talking about the $100,000 Trump Watch. It’s pure candy this week.Also: A look ahead to Walz versus Vance. And is Kamala Harris “doing enough”?Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The gang discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s lack of media appearances compared to Sen. JD Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris’s media strategy, Sen. Mitt Romney continuing to not endorse Harris, despite being fearful of Donald Trump’s wrath, and the ethics of online gambling! Go to greenchef.com/nextlevelclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

Republican candidates and boat parades.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Post-debate movement is looking promising for Vice President Harris. Is the race still a tossup? It could come down to turnout between Harris’s newly enthused electorate and Donald Trump’s disgruntled male voters. Plus, the Trump campaign’s continued repugnant smears on Haitian migrants are having real-life consequences the ticket just doesn’t seem to care about.Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELFor FREE breakfast for life go to HelloFresh.com/freethenextlevel

Sarah and JVL go 10 rounds on the the debate, and fact checking, and the proper role of moderators and news organizations in holding candidates accountable for presenting misinformation.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Vice President Kamala Harris exceeded all expectations during her debate against a beta Donald Trump. The gang breaks down their thoughts on the debate, swing voter reactions, and potential ways it could affect the race. Plus, Tim gives some insight into his time in the spin room post-debate, including the fiery interactions with Sen. Lindsey Graham and other pro-Trump personalities.Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase.Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50 and use code thenextlevel50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month.

Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last, Tim Miller, Sam Stein and AB Stoddard give their immediate reactions to the Harris vs. Trump debate!Watch the full livestream on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/-xqxl2ICGPo?feature=share

Plus: Russian operatives and Nazi historians.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The gang talk what Kamala Harris needs to do in her debate against Trump to reignite her momentum, Republicans who want Donald Trump to lose to save their party, political yards signs and more!Check out Tim’s video on Harris’s “accent changes” here: https://youtu.be/wludyr3riKYGet 15% off OneSkin with the code NEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodHead to ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.

It's been a month since all three of our gang have recorded the show together, so they're delving deep into the state of the presidential race now that the DNC has concluded. Plus, Tim, Sarah and JVL all get their own rant on what's infuriated them in politics. Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase Go to greenchef.com/nextlevelclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!

JVL and Bill Kristol talk about the unsettling feeling that the campaign is going . . . really well.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Apparently, this is the week for so-called moderate Republicans to come out and voice their support for Trump, despite no one asking them too. This included former Sen. Richard Burr, who finds no contradiction between a vote for Trump and his vote to impeach him for Jan. 6.Plus, what's the best case scenario for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, and how likely is it we'll get it in November. And JVL, back from vacation, gives his thoughts on Trump's apparent meltdown and the selection of Gov. Tim Walz as Harris's VP.Sam Stein subs in for Sarah on this weeks episode.Head to rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% off your entire order!

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and everyone but Never-Trump Republicans is happy! Plus, Donald Trump makes an insane Truth Social post where he fantasizes about President Joe Biden getting back into the race.Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.

The conservatives who hate Simone Biles and the progressives who don't like Josh Shapiro.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The campaign has completely turned on its head after Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee. She’s got the right message, the right mentality, and an excited base that could propel her to a win against Donald Trump in November.The Trump campaign, by the way, is completely panicking, as shown by its public shunning of Project 2025 and second guessing of Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s running mate.Plus, the gang weighs in on the veepstakes and, spoiler alert, they’re all on the same page when it comes to who should join the ticket!We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel

If she crosses over to become a mainstream cultural figure, then watch out . . .Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

President Biden stepping off the ticket and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris has led to a huge vibe shift with Democrats. Can Harris ride this wave to November? What are her strengths and weaknesses? And who should she pick as her own veep?Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELHead to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase.

Trump, Tucker, J.D. Vance, and the beginning of the real campaign.Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

The Republican Nation convention is underway, and every former critic still in the party, from Donald Trump’s new veep JD Vance to Nikki, is bending the knee in a show of unity. Plus, the Biden campaign continues to go after critics in the part who think he should step aside, even as the map to victory continues to shrink.We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.Go to greenchef.com.nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months!

In some concerning ways, President Biden has taken a page out of Donald Trump’s book some in his party pressure him to leave the ticket, and a few of his supporters are attacking anyone opposed to his place atop the Democratic ticket. At the same time, some Democrats who publicly, and accurately, call another Trump term a serious threat to democracy don’t really think that’s the case, and their actions show it. Plus, Sarah gives some focus group insights on how Black voters feel about Vice President Harris leading the ticket, as well as how swing voters are viewing the election post-debate. Get the best savings of the season during Boll & Branch’s Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, you can get 20% off sitewide, plus free shipping AND a free gift with qualifying purchases at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel

Being in the out-group. Again. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Voters, not just pundits and donors, are in a panic over whether President Joe Biden should remain atop the ticket, with more and more Americans calling for him to step aside for Democrats to have the best shot of protecting the country from another rump presidency.Is Vice President Kamala Harris the only person who could replace him? Or should the Democratic Party try to put a popular midwest governor on the ballot.Either way, SCOTUS has given the next president of the U.S. an enormous amount of power, which could be used to break democracy as we know it.Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout

Yesterday's primary results kicked out Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, but welcomed back Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, because the Dems have standards. Plus, polls show more voters, somehow, think Donald Trump will be better for Democracy than President Biden, but can the current president turn things around with tomorrow's debate? Will Saletan subs in for Sarah on today's episode!Go to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your Lumen!Save 83% percent on IPVanish's 2-Year subscription by visiting IPVanish.com/thenextlevel.Get started today with 15% OneSkin off using code THENEXTLEVEL at oneskin.co! #sponsored

In this special TNL/Dark Side mash-up, JVL & A.B. attempt to break Tim's resolve by discussing President Biden's concerning showing in a new Ann Selzer poll, Black voters’ waning support for Biden, the rallying of CEOs to Donald Trump's cause, and the culture war drama surrounding Caitlin Clark.Note: There will be no new episode of The Next Level until Wednesday, June 26th.Get started with this limited-time offer and save 83% percent onour 2-Year subscription, visit https://www.ipvanish.com/thenextlevelUpgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELGo to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months!

Hunter Biden's conviction might be beneficial for Joe Biden's campaign, but that hasn't stopped the GOP from dismissing the justice they claim to crave and spreading conspiracies the trial was orchestrated by the "deep state."Plus, Donald Trump's Truth Social is producing an embarrassingly small amount of money, new inflation numbers, the issue of crime, and Sonny, subbing in for Tim, gives his opposing thoughts on the latest Samuel Alito/SCOTUS drama.Go to HelloFresh.com/thenextlevelapps for FREE appetizers for life! One appetizer item per box while subscription is active.Go to BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel for 15% off your first sheet set plus free shipping!

The GOP continues to be all in on Donald Trump, even after a conviction, choosing to blame the deep state rather than do a single thing to deter the felon's comeback. But have the polls shifted in President Biden's favor since the verdict? Plus, Trump and Biden's dual Time interviews, Biden takes new executive action on immigration and Sen. Joe Manchin leaves the Democratic Party.Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50 and use code thenextlevel50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month.Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.

It's the only question that matters. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show in Denver on June 21. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.

The jury in Trump’s trial is now deliberating, and the gang discusses the impact a conviction, hung jury or acquittal could have on the election. Plus, the scandal surrounding SCOTUS Justice Samuel Alito continues to escalate, and the Democrats are in total freakout mode as polls continue to show Trump winning against President Biden.Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase.Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% athttps://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVELJoin Tim, Sarah and JVL for a one-night show in Denver on Friday, June 21. The gang will record an episode of The Next Level and Tim will interview Gov. Jared Polis for the Bulwark Podcast. For tickets and info go to TheBulwark.com/events.

It's been a a chaotic week in GOP politics, with Donald Trump sharing a video hyping up a "United Reich, SCOTUS Justice Alito's upside down flag revelation, and a new MAGA conspiracy making the rounds claiming the FBI tried to assassinate Trump. Oh, and voters continue to see the economy as horrendous, while failing to register Trump as a socially conservative radical.Join Tim, Sarah and JVL for a one-night show in Denver on Friday, June 21. The gang will record an episode of The Next Level and Tim will interview Gov. Jared Polis for the Bulwark Podcast. For tickets and info go to TheBulwark.com/events.Go to BollandBranch.com/nextlevel for 15% off your first sheet set plus free shipping! Go to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months!

Sarah and JVL talk about Samuel Alito’s flag, Greg Abbott’s favorite murderer, MTG’s spectacle, and Bob Menendez’s gold bars. The scumbags are ascendent and it is glorious. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast Join Sarah, Tim and JVL for a live show in Denver on June 21. Tickets are on sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.

The gang was live in D.C. last night to talk President Biden challenging Donald Trump to a debate in June. The former president accepted the early debate, but is it a smart move from the White House? Plus, the gang dives deep on where they stand on recent polling and the mindset of “the people,” and ponder whether they would vote for former GOP. Gov. Larry Hogan for the open Maryland senate seat now that the Democratic primary in the state is over.

Sarah and JVL talk about the cross examination of Stormy Daniels, Biden’s move to deny Israel heavy ordinance, Marco Rubio’s VP quest, and all of the anti-anti-Trumpers getting ready to jump back on side. It’s a big episode.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Stormy Daniels takes the stand in one of Trump's trials, while Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely delays another! Plus, what's the difference between former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former Speaker Paul Ryan? One will does the right thing and vote for Joe Biden, while the other can only bring himself to write-in another conservative.Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50 and use code thenextlevel50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month!Head to ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.

Also: Trump's first criminal trial is going great.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

The gang went to Philly and hosted a live event where they discussed the terrifying new Time magazine interview with Donald Trump, and why everyone is talking about college protests instead! Plus, a dark deep dive into how Americans can still choose to elect Trump and a debate on which Republican has embarrassed themselves the most auditioning to be his veep.

And it's not clear that the SCOTUS would want to, even if it could.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

David Pecker’s testimony in Trump's trial highlights how his lies and misinformation dominated his 2016 campaign. And Marco Rubio's pathetic attempt to become Trump's veep has led him to vote against funding for Ukraine, but the gang is pretty sure conservative "normies" will eat the selection up. Plus, the potential for RFK Jr. to hurt Trump, rather than Biden, the reason why foreign aid finally got done, and protests at Columbia University.Head to rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% off your entire order!Join Sarah, Tim and JVL  for a Bulwark Live event in Philly on May 1 and May 15 in D.C. with the George Conway. For information and tickets head to TheBulwark.com/events

Sarah was out of pocket and off the grid all week. JVL was doing his best work in Overtime. So they play a rapid-fire game of catch up on everything Sarah missed.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Speaker Mike Johnson is battling Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to oust him while also crafting legislation to give foreign allies aid, a tall task given how continually chaotic his slim majority has been. Plus, jurors are selected for Donald Trump's trial, while JVL and A.B., subbing in for Sarah, give their thoughts on Tim's interview with Ross Douthat.Get tickets to see Sarah, Tim & JVL in person at TWO upcoming Bulwark Live events— Philadelphia (May 1) and D.C. (May 15) with the George Conway here: TheBulwark.com/eventsGo to greenchef.com/nextlevel50 and use code nextlevel50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months!

And cancer finally catches up with O.J. Simpson.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

The OG trio is back to discuss the Arizona Supreme Court's upholding of an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state. What does this mean for Kari Lake and Donald Trump's campaigns in the crucial swing state?Get tickets to see Sarah, Tim & JVL live at TWO upcoming events in Philadelphia (May 1) and D.C. (May 15) here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

Tim subs in for Sarah to talk new economic data that hopefully starts to make Americans feel good enough to vote for President Biden!Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Nikki Haley pulled a decent chunk of the Wisconsin primary vote, despite being out of the race for weeks, while the Governor of Nebraska is taking the lead of Charlie Kirk when it comes to changing their electoral college system. Plus, while JVL is out on Spring Break, Andrew Eggers joins Tim and Sarah to discuss their absent colleague's piece about Donald Trump running for a third term!Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout!

Ronna McDaniel wasn't hired to analyze the news. She was hired to play a part.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

The RNC, now under Lara Trump, is asking candidates if they believe the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, creating a new litmus test for Republicans who want to work in politics. Plus, Republicans politicize the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse, Candace Owens is out at the Daily Wire, and Donald Trump grifts off selling bibles! Will Saletan subs in for Sarah on this week's episode!Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50 and use code thenextlevel50 to get 50% off!Head to rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% off your entire order.

Trump-endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno easily won the GOP senate primary in Ohio on Tuesday, and will face off against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Dems are thrilled, because they think the MAGA candidate and his scandals give them their best shot at keeping the seat. And how many votes is Nikki Haley getting after dropping out? What does it mean for the general election?Plus, the debate over Donald Trump's "bloodbath" comments continues to rage, and not all our hosts agree the coverage has been fair. At the same time, Trump has threatened to prosecute Cassidy Hutchinson and the Jan. 6 committee as part of his latest authoritarian promises.

Lara Trump's takeover of the RNC has led to massive lay offs and looks to be steering the political organization towards paying off Trump's legal bills. Essentially, get ready for the RNC to be just another limb of the Trump campaign. Plus, Robert Hur testifies before Congress, defending his controversial report where he made a low assessment of President Biden's mental faculties. And Rep. Nancy Mace is feuding with George Stephanopoulos after being questioned about supporting Trump, even though he was found liable of sexual abuse.

May we interest you in a t-shirt?Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Super Tuesday has come to the close, and so has the entire 2024 primary season. Nikki Haley has dropped out, essentially sealing to deal on another Trump vs. Biden rematch. How are the hosts feeling now that the GOP is sprinting towards November with an aspiring dictator at the top of their ticket? Listen to find out!Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.

We finally got the Trump-Biden split-screen. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump scored big victories in their respective Michigan primaries, but what do the numbers tell us about the general election? Regardless, Biden is finally speaking in public more, and taking shots at both Trump and the GOP while he's at it.Senate Republicans are also on the verge of killing a bill to protect IVF, with Senator J.D. Vance calling the Democratic legislation "bait." Plus, Hunter Biden testifies before Congress and Rep. Lauren Boebert's son is arrested.

Listen to Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last and A.B. Stoddard live on stage at the 2024 Principles First Summit!

Everything, everywhere, all at once.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

The House GOP's key informant for their impeachment efforts against President Joe Biden has charged with lying about his the Biden family's business dealings in Ukraine. How is this not a bigger deal! Plus, the gang discuss Nikki Haley's vow to stay in the race as the South Carolina primary approaches, as well as the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 proposals for Donald Trump if he wins another term in the White House.Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% at  https://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL.This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/thenextlevel today to get 10% off your first month.

A study in contrast.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/it-follows

Dems continue their special election winning streak by flipping expelled Congressman George Santos' seat. Is it reason to be optimistic for November? And did the GOP sinking the border deal contribute? Plus, Sarah is back and responds to opinions President Joe Biden is too old and needs to step aside, and the gang debate whether Nikki Haley will ultimately endorse Donald Trump. Learn more about the Principles First Summit and get your tickets here: https://www.principlesfirst.us Start the Good Habit at https://tryfum.com/LEVEL to save 10% off the Journey Pack today.

Once authoritarianism enters the political realm, it distorts everything. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/it-follows

It's been a mess of a week for the GOP. Senate Republicans tanked their own bipartisan border bill, while House Republicans failed to deliver the votes to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, and provide aid to Israel. The DC Court of Appeals also ruled that former President Donald Trump is not immune from prosecution, just as RNC chair Ronna McDaniel steps down to make way for a Trump loyalist. A.B. Stoddard subs in for Sarah in this week's packed episode!Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, they’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

Tim is joined by attorney Tristan Snell, who helped lead the prosecution of Trump University. They discuss the case and delve into the best legal strategies to take on Donald Trump with, so that the tyrant can finally be held accountable for his crimes.Buy Tristan's book, "Taking Down Trump: 12 Rules For Prosecuting Donald Trump By Someone Who Did It Successfully," here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/756546/taking-down-trump-by-tristan-snell/

Also: How not to live and/or die with the polls over the next 9 months.

Biden is still down in the polls, but is it still too soon to take them seriously? Sarah has thoughts on which of the swing states Biden has to win, and she disagrees with JVL's thoughts on Nikki Haley finally going after Trump. Plus, the Trump endorsements are really starting to get to Tim, and MAGA rages against Taylor Swift for being a successful, popular liberal.Go to greenchef.com/60nextlevel and use code 60nextlevel to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months.Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to TryMiracle.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. 

If you want more Ballot Box with Bill and Tim, check out The Bulwark's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bulwarkmediaBill and Tim are live every Tuesday night at 9pm Eastern.

Tim is joined by Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, perished in 2018's Parkland school shooting. He's since dedicated his life to advocating for gun control measures  and taking on the NRA. In a heart-wrenching episode, Fred describes the day of the shooting and how his daughter still motivates him to make change.

Tim Miller speaks with Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss on the status of the Ukraine/border deal negotiations, as well as the prospect of Donald Trump sinking it for political purposes.

New Hampshire's come and gone, and while Nikki Haley hasn't dropped out of the primary, the overwhelming consensus is that the general election between Donald Trump and President Joe Biden has begun. The gang breaks down the implications of Tuesday's results, including Trump's angry reaction to Haley staying in the race. Plus, they react to Tim Scott's sad endorsement of Trump and the current state of Dean Phillips' primary challenge to Biden. This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/THENEXTLEVEL and get on your way to being your best self.

In a special climate episode of TNL Sunday, David Wallace-Wells, author of The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming, joins Tim to discuss the current state of climate change and efforts to reverse the damage that's been done.

In this third edition of “George Conway Explains it All,” George explains to Sarah Longwell how he gave legal advice to E. Jean Carroll and helped connect her with her lawyer, Trump’s many, many other trials, and Trump’s big mad TruthSocial bleats directed at George.

In a special recording of their YouTube show, "Ballot Box," Bill and Tim recap the Iowa Caucus, discuss strategies for New Hampshire and where Democrats could be doing better.

The gang breaks down Donald Trump’s big win in Iowa, as well as what comes next for the other candidates in the primary. One thing’s for sure, Republicans in the Senate had their chance to convict Trump and destroy his chances at a comeback, but here we are.Go to tryfum.com/LEVEL to save 10% off Fum’s Journey Pack today. Start the New Year off right with a delicious bowl of high-protein cereal at MagicSpoon.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL to save five dollars off.

Tim speaks with Polk Award winning author Julie K. Brown about the recent batch of documents released regarding the Epstein case as well as her book 'Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story’. Julie K Brown is an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald.Buy Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story here: https://www.amazon.com/Perversion-Justice-Jeffrey-Epstein-Story/dp/006300058XWant to listen without ads? 

No Labels Is Big Mad, Chris Christie is good and Nikki Haley is toast. JVL and Sarah are giving you a free sneak peek at this week's Secret Podcast. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/its-not-that-hard-nikki

In this second edition of "George Conway Explains it All," Sarah Longwell and George discuss the possibility of Donald Trump going to jail and the likelihood of such a glorious outcome coming to fruition.

The Iowa caucus, and potentially the end to the entire 2024 primary season, is almost here. What are the campaigns doing in the final days? Plus, Donald Trump says he wants the economy to crash while Joe Biden is president. He also claims a president has complete immunity from all crimes.Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.

George Conway joins Sarah Longwell in this special edition of The Next Level to give his legal expertise on how SCOTUS will approach states kicking Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot.

NYT bestselling author Josh Green joins Tim to discuss his new book, The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics.  They go over Josh's hypothesis as to why a progressive didn't get the Democratic nomination in 2020, how the movement pushed Biden's agenda to the left, what the future holds for the party after Trump and Biden are gone, and why populism on the right has taken over the GOP in a way it hasn't for Democrats.  Pre-order Josh's book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586025/the-rebels-by-joshua-green/

The media is killing it right now.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/its-not-that-hard-nikki

The gang is back to kick off 2024 by delving into the Iowa primary, where GOP primary voters seem poised to give aspiring dictator Donald Trump a landslide victory. Plus, the gang has differing thoughts on the president of Harvard University stepping down, as well as whether Nikki Haley has any shot of becoming Trump's VP. Buy tickets to our live show, AN EVENING WITH THE BULWARK, in San Francisco on January 18th here: https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2024-01-18/election-2024-evening-bulwark

On the last Secret Podcast of 2023, Sarah and Tim talk Nikki Haley failing to mention slavery when asked about the cause of the Civil War.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/its-not-that-hard-nikki

The gang break down their predictions for 2024, including how the GOP primary will end, who will be Trump's VP pick, and the craziest development that could happen between now and election day.

On this special Saturday edition of TNL Sunday, Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band joins Tim and JVL to cover everything from politics and apartheid to the '80s, the politics of the 2020s, and his ever evolving career. Get the scoop on his music journey, genre-blending tricks, and thoughts on race in the industry. Plus, he spills the beans on acting, 'The Sopranos,' and how TV shows mix with his tunes. Don't miss the stories and laughs in this killer interview!"

Least bad options are the only options we've got.Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/what-if-good-things-happen