JVL and Andrew Egger go over the disaster that was Tesla's latest earnings call. Cybertruck sales have tanked by 50%. The “affordable” Tesla is nowhere to be found. Profits are drying up. Carbon credit revenue is vanishing. And yet Elon Musk says he wants more control of the company. What could go wrong? We talk about the cult of Elon, the myth of the robo-taxi, the collapse of Tesla’s European sales, and the increasingly absurd PR spin Musk is trying to pull off.

Sam Stein and Ben Parker discuss a tense, awkward exchange between Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a staged visit about supposed cost overruns at the Fed's renovation project. Trump, clearly aiming to pressure Powell into resigning or create grounds to fire him, was directly fact-checked by Powell in real-time.

They highlight this unusual public clash, criticizing Trump's manufactured outrage and praising Powell's willingness to push back, suggesting the entire episode is political theater designed by Trump to control the Federal Reserve.

While voters—left, right, and everything in between—demand transparency, Fox News is busy covering bear mayhem and wine carriers. Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol break down the growing scandal, Trump’s panic, and the right-wing influencers suddenly trying to rehab Ghislaine Maxwell.

South Park didn’t just go after Trump—they obliterated him. Tim Miller and Sonny Bunch break down the season premiere, from Trump’s cartoon lawsuit frenzy to his desert PSA with googly eyes. Yes, really.

Jonathan Cohn is joined by Dr. Zeke Emanuel to discuss the future of American healthcare. As Trump’s past and current efforts to dismantle Medicaid and the ACA continues to be a disaster, Dr. Emanuel has proposals for a more efficient, universal system. They also touch on medical research funding, the role of states, and the geopolitical risks of falling behind countries like China when it comes to healthcare.

Sonny Bunch and Will Sommer dig into the chaos surrounding Candace Owens, the bizarre conspiracy about the French First Lady, and what happens when right-wing grift spills across international borders.

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The Wall Street Journal just confirmed it: Donald Trump’s name appears multiple times in the Epstein files. Sarah Longwell and Will Sommer take on the explosive revelations—and why Trump fought so hard to hide them.

Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp at https://BetterHelp.com/BULWARKTAKES. #sponsored

Lauren Egan talks to James Talarico, a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives who’s been all over our algorithm—and even appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. They discuss how Democrats in red states are using smart, moral messaging and digital tools to fight the GOP from the minority. Talarico’s success is a case study in how Gen Z, social media, and innovative strategies are reshaping our politics.

Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp at https://BetterHelp.com/BULWARKTAKES. #sponsored

Check out Rep. Talarico’s appearance on Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jOGPvMftb8

Follow Rep. Talarico on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamestalarico?lang=en

Rep. Jared Moskowitz joins Tim Miller to discuss the House GOP’s inaction on Epstein file disclosures, allegations of a cover-up involving DOJ officials, and MAGA's growing frustration. Also, FEMA’s slow disaster response under Kristi Noem is causing concerns about preparedness heading into hurricane season.

Sam Stein sits down with Beto O’Rourke for a VERY blunt conversation about the state of American democracy. From gerrymandered districts in Texas to national political fights, Beto lays out how the next few months could decide everything — and why Democrats need to be willing to do anything to win.