Bulwark Takes Sarah Longwell: “Smell the Weakness, Go for the Jugular”
Jul 22, 2025
Joining Sarah Longwell is Lauren Egan, an incisive political journalist and author of The Opposition Newsletter, where she dissects Democratic narratives. They dive into the political silence surrounding the Epstein scandal and Trump's peculiar immunity to repercussions. Egan highlights the Democratic Party's struggle with messaging, especially as they gear up for the 2026 elections. They further explore the fundraising gaps Democrats face in competitive races and discuss strategies to counteract the MAGA coalition's influence while navigating scandals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump Protects Elites Narrative
- Democrats see Trump's protection of elites as a winning 2026 message connecting Epstein, billionaire policies, and campaign funding.
- Epstein captures attention and symbolizes the broader elite-protection theme central to exposing Trump.
Link Epstein to Economic Woes
- Voters focus primarily on cost of living, not Epstein, but linking Epstein to economic issues can broaden concern.
- Democrats can tie Trump's failure on prices with his protection of elites to resonate with everyday struggles.
Use Genuine Indignation
- Democrats should get genuinely mad about Trump's lies to maintain message authenticity and focus.
- Authentic indignation helps candidates remember and deliver talking points effectively.