The Next Level

Today Bill Kristol is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about CNN’s Trump town hall, the latest Ginni Thomas reporting, and the bizarre reaction of Conservatism Inc. to the ongoing Clarence Thomas story. To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+. Go to: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The OG trio is back this week to talk the latest poll of GOP primary voters. Spoiler alert: fighting “wokeness” matters, helping Ukraine does not. Plus, Ron DeSantis is imploding before our very eyes, while Trump’s campaign is actually running a coherent operation. Is a repeat of 2020 truly inevitable? And in Texas, the tragic murder of a family gets drawn into immigration politics, while Rep. Colin puts his hat in the ring to challenge Cruz for the Senate. Watch the gang record this episode our official YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgm6vZqPjqA The Bulwark is heading to the Big Apple for a night of politics, laughs and maybe even a few tears—with special guest Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics podcast. Come meet the gang from The Next Level and fellow Bulwark+ members in Manhattan on Thursday, May 18. For tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a favorite of Never Trumpers everywhere, joins Tim this week to talk appealing to the middle, the battle of the debt ceiling, her career in the CIA (as much as she's allowed to say), what it's like being a mom while in Congress and much more! Note: This episode was recorded on April 24, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah and JVL talk about Montana Republicans kicking a trans Democrat out of the chamber, the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit, Nikki Haley’s death pool, DeSantis in Israel, Trump and debates. And then we close out with the scourge of participation trophies. To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+. Go to: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Both Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon have been kicked to the curb by their employers, leaving us political pundits to wonder what their next move means, and what the future holds for Fox and CNN, respectively. Plus, Ron DeSantis keeps sinking in the polls, while the primary field against Trump has almost evaporated. Will DeSantis even run? And is he trying to match Trump’s crazy by making it easier to enforce the death penalty? Amanda Carpenter subs in for Sarah to discuss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abraham Josephine Riesman, author of The New York Times bestselling book, Ringmaster, joins Tim and JVL to talk WWE wrestling and the latest attacks on trans Americans from the right. Plus, Tim and JVL talk the $5 million Mike Lindell has the pay for his disproven election fraud claims. Watch the gang record this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0u9_tuy9V4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah and JVL talk about Biden’s coming reelection announcement and DeSantis’s latest polling drop. Also: If Trump becomes the Republican nominee and you could wave a wand and have any person be the Democratic nominee, who would you pick? To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fox settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, at the expense of getting Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham to testify publicly. Was this the best or worst case scenario? Plus, with his stock in the 2024 presidential horse race sinking, Ron DeSantis picks back up his fight with Disney, threatening to build a jail next to Disney World. Anything beats taking on Trump directly, right? And Democrats are pressuring Sen. Dianne Feinstein to retire as her absence prevent President Biden from confirming judges. Is it time for all these octogenarians to finally give up their seats? Watch the gang record this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyhv2AIoEk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tennessee House Rep. Gloria Johnson joins Tim to talk the insanity that's happened in her state's legislature over the past couple of weeks. She details why she and her Democratic colleagues, Reps. Justin J. Pearson and Justin Jones, decided to take action after another school shooting in Nashville. Along with reacting to the racism her Republican peers and the conservative media have shown in the aftermath, Rep. Johnson also gets into the dangerous legislation proposed by the GOP in her state, which will have serious consequences for abortion access and freedom of expression. Watch Tim and Rep. Johnson record this episode live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpywzrLd_Z0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah and JVL talk about MAGA’s new attack on the Great Republican Hope. And about the Heritage Foundation’s strange new respect for socialism. And more! Check out all The Secret Podcast episodes here: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices