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Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored  A high school math teacher just pulled off one of the most remarkable upsets of the midterms. Tim Miller talks with Minnesota Congressman-elect Jake Johnson, who ran a campaign staffed largely by his former students and flipped a district Republicans won by 17 points just two years ago. Johnson recounts the nail-biting election night, explains how his working-class upbringing shaped his politics, and lays out his plans to take on Trump’s tariffs, ICE, and Washington corruption.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored  Michael Weiss and Marc Polymeropoulos examine the explosive allegations that a Chinese intelligence operative used a honey trap to get close to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, potentially exposing some of America’s most sensitive AI technology. Marc explains how honey traps work, how foreign intelligence services use sex and blackmail to recruit targets, and why this alleged operation could have serious national security consequences. But the biggest questions may be about the Trump administration: U.S. intelligence reportedly uncovered the relationship, Marco Rubio allegedly warned the White House, and Trump still appears unwilling to take the threat seriously. Plus, why the scandal raises fresh questions about Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and the administration’s willingness to confront foreign espionage. And a look at some of the most notorious honey trap operations in intelligence history.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅ : https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored  Pete Hegseth is facing impeachment, and his response is to blame the media, attack Congress, and hide behind American troops. Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) dissect Hegseth’s combative Pentagon press conference, his defense of controversial military operations, and his refusal to take responsibility for civilian casualties and questionable orders. They also examine how Hegseth has turned the job of Secretary of Defense into a partisan political operation, why he has failed to grow into the role, and what an impeachment fight could mean for the Pentagon.

Sam Stein and Tim Miller went live to watch Trump unravel at an impromptu press conference, where he dodges questions about a Chinese spy allegedly tied to Nvidia’s CEO, walks back any suggestion of easing his immigration crackdown, and lashes out at reporters who press him on Putin and Pete Hegseth. Plus, Trump tries to recruit UFC boss Dana White as his press secretary and gets shot down in spectacularly awkward fashion. Give the gift of quality this holiday season with Quince. Shop premium cashmere, Italian leather, fine jewelry, and more at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Cashmere sweaters start at just $60, with free shipping and 365-day returns. Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes. When asked where you heard about Quince, select The Bulwark Takes to support the show.

Will Saletan breaks down Donald Trump’s response to the Republican Party’s midterm wipeout, as the president scrambles to blame everyone but himself. Trump claims the Alaska election should be overturned, insists he would have won if he were on the ballot, and throws Republican candidates under the bus after previously endorsing them. He turns on Greg Abbott, attacks Fox News for reporting unfavorable polls, and blames Senate Republicans. After a historic defeat, Trump is pointing the finger at everyone but himself. Give the gift of quality this holiday season with Quince. Shop premium cashmere, Italian leather, fine jewelry, and more at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Cashmere sweaters start at just $60, with free shipping and 365-day returns. Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes. When asked where you heard about Quince, select The Bulwark Takes to support the show.

Will Sommer and Sam Stein look at the growing cracks in Trump’s MAGA coalition after the midterm losses. Trump is floating a possible immigration deal with Democrats, sending hardliners like Megyn Kelly and The Blaze into a frenzy. Trump, nearly a week after the election, is now pushing baseless claims that the midterms were stolen. Plus, Laura Loomer’s paid political posts are coming under scrutiny, Russell Brand’s prison sentence raises questions about MAGA’s embrace of accused predators, and a fight over corruption inside Trump’s White House is getting uglier. Give the gift of quality this holiday season with Quince. Shop premium cashmere, Italian leather, fine jewelry, and more at prices 50–80% less than similar brands. Cashmere sweaters start at just $60, with free shipping and 365-day returns. Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes. When asked where you heard about Quince, select The Bulwark Takes to support the show.

Todd Blanche went on CNN to defend Trump’s threats to imprison Democrats, dismiss allegations against Susie Wiles, and promise to protect Stephen Miller from congressional scrutiny. Will Saletan and Catherine Rampell break down the interview and explain how Blanche, in trying to head off investigations, may be giving Democrats even more reasons to investigate him.

After Trump’s crushing midterm defeat, could Republicans finally decide they’re better off without him? Bill Kristol and veteran Republican strategist Mike Murphy examine the growing turmoil inside Trump’s White House, Stephen Miller’s rise to power, Pete Hegseth’s uncertain future, and the possibility of a Nixon-style collapse. They also look ahead to 2028 and explain why JD Vance may have a much tougher road than anyone expects.

There were so many spectacular Republican failures in 2026 that Tim Miller and Sam Stein decided to turn them into a fantasy draft. From Vivek Ramaswamy and Ken Paxton to the candidates who somehow managed to lose in deep-red states, Tim and Sam compete to assemble the ultimate roster of MAGA losers, reliving the terrible campaigns, astonishing defeats, and self-inflicted wounds along the way.

Trump’s response to a crushing midterm defeat? Putting Stephen Miller in charge of the White House. Bill Kristol and former Trump aide Sarah Matthews discuss why Miller could become the de facto president, how his appointment could reshape the balance of power inside the administration, and whether Pete Hegseth’s desperate displays of loyalty can save his job as the Iran war drags on.

Almost nobody thought Jeff Van Drew’s seat was in play. But Zack Mullock pulled off one of the election’s biggest upsets, defeating the Trump loyalist in a supposedly safe Republican district. The congressman-elect joins Tim Miller to explain how he won over Republican voters, why Trump’s ICE crackdown and Iran war became political liabilities, and what Democrats need to do with their new majority.

She spent just $56,000 to defeat one of North Carolina’s most powerful Republicans—and the man who helped gerrymander his own congressional district. Tim Miller talks with Congresswoman-elect LaKesha Womack about her astonishing upset, her path from a near-death experience to Congress, and the last-minute legal controversy she believes was meant to derail her campaign. Give the gift of quality with Quince! Shop cashmere sweaters starting at $60, premium outerwear, and more. Visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping and 365-day returns.

After a crushing midterm defeat, Donald Trump is firing Susie Wiles as chief of staff and replacing her with Stephen Miller. Sam Stein, Andrew Egger, and JVL react to the stunning shakeup, Trump’s search for someone to blame, Miller’s disturbing record, and what his promotion could mean for immigration policy, political retaliation, and Trump’s growing rivalry with JD Vance. Give the gift of quality with Quince! Shop cashmere sweaters starting at $60, premium outerwear, and more. Visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Will Sommer are back together to celebrate the midterm results and take a victory lap over MAGA’s spectacular election night failures. They break down JD Vance getting roasted by the manosphere, Tim Pool’s election meltdown, and the humiliating defeats of MAGA candidates like Brandon Herrera. Plus, Laura Loomer and Benny Johnson spiral over the results, Will introduces the trio to one of the internet’s most influential right-wing streamers (and his truly horrifying living conditions), and Russell Brand is convicted of rape and sexual assault after appearing alongside Trump administration officials just weeks before his trial. Give the gift of quality with Quince! Shop cashmere sweaters starting at $60, premium outerwear, and more. Visit https://www.quince.com/bulwarktakes for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Don Leonard just pulled off a stunning upset in Ohio, defeating a Republican incumbent in a district Trump won by 10 points. The congressman-elect joins Tim Miller to discuss how he did it, his arrest at a No Kings protest, his plans to dismantle ICE, Trump’s treatment of Haitian immigrants, and why he believes JD Vance has betrayed his working-class roots. This episode is sponsored by Casper. Get a better night’s sleep with Casper’s comfortable, long-lasting mattresses. Right now, buy a King mattress for the price of a Queen or a Queen mattress for the price of a Full when you visit https://casper.com.