The Bulwark Podcast James Bennet: Trump Is Still Hacking the Media
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Sep 9, 2025 
Join James Bennet, a seasoned journalist from The Economist and former NYT editor, as he dives into the complexities of covering Trump. He reveals how Trump manipulates media narratives, leaving reporters struggling to keep pace with his outrageous statements. Bennet also discusses the implications of Trump's evolving support base and the challenges journalists face in maintaining integrity amidst political bias. Plus, he touches on the latest Epstein revelations and their ramifications for political discourse.
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Epstein Documents Escalate Partisan Framing
- Epstein-related documents produced a partisan battle with Republicans quickly echoing White House claims.
- Political framing can outpace factual resolution when documents resurface decades later.
Institutions' Failure Helps Trump
- Trump succeeds partly because institutions act as independent agents and fail collective pushback.
- His political imagination exploits institutional weakness rather than only personal charm.
Corporate Acquiescence Signals Fear, Not Support
- Corporate acquiescence to power reflects fear and calculation, not just admiration.
- Firms may yield to avoid being targeted, revealing fragility in nonpolitical institutions.