Bulwark Takes

It’s Election Day, and Donald Trump is making some surprising last-minute moves, including an announcement that he’s cutting off military aid to Israel. Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol break down Trump’s increasingly desperate closing message, the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran, and the decisions that have put Republicans in such a precarious position, from the Minneapolis ICE crackdown to the war in Iran and a seemingly endless parade of corruption scandals. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/bulwarktakes. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Trustpilot rating as of 8/1/2026.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Trump’s bizarre closing pitch ahead of the midterms: a trip to the Reflecting Pool to brag about algae removal, vandalism that never happened, and his plans to renovate a DC golf course. Instead of making a final appeal to voters, Trump spent his time talking about monuments, promenades, statues and a proposed triumphal arch. Sam and Andrew discuss how Trump’s obsession with beautifying Washington DC has become a fitting symbol of a presidency increasingly consumed by personal passion projects as his broader agenda stalls.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down Tucker Carlson’s alarming claims that the Trump administration could be preparing a nuclear strike on Iran. They dissect Carlson’s claims about Netanyahu, Pickaxe Mountain and the possibility of nuclear escalation, explaining what’s wrong with his analysis and what a nuclear strike would actually mean. They also examine Trump’s fixation on the Iran War casualty counts, the limits of military force and why there is no easy solution to the war with Iran.

Ready to be seen? Check that appointment off your to-do list with Zocdoc ✅: https://zocdoc.com/bulwarktakes #sponsored With Election Day looming, Republicans are showing signs of panic, and some familiar election deniers are resurfacing at the White House. Sam Stein and Will Sommer discuss Roger Stone’s desperate effort to rescue a MAGA candidate, Trump’s fury over Alina Habba’s $50 million pardon controversy, and a MAGA influencer’s spectacularly failed investigation in Alaska. Plus, Tucker Carlson’s alarming nuclear claims, Laura Loomer’s latest feud, and MAGA’s strange obsession with Darth Vader.

In a stunning last-minute reversal, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely contested Senate race, just days after saying she’d support Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Sam Stein and Lauren Egan discuss the furious reaction from Democrats, the turmoil inside Stevens’ own office, what may have prompted her decision, and whether it could change the outcome of Tuesday’s election.