The Next Level

Tim, Sarah, and Sam talk Trump’s continuing Epstein nightmare, the GOP’s redistricting chaos in Texas, and RFK Jr.’s disastrous antivax decisions. Plus, Megyn Kelly picks a fight with Sarah, Jim Acosta creeps out everyone by interviewing an AI ghost, and conservatives suddenly think they made human breasts cool again.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL discuss the recent ICE job postings. These listings describe positions for “Deportation Officer”, "Criminal Investigator" and "General Attorney". They suggest this is part of a broader strategy to staff a loyalty-vetted enforcement agency with little oversight or transparency.

Then back to Epstein, who “stole” a 16-year-old girl from a Mar-a-Lago Spa, to work for him. They examine the deeply unsettling context of this story and how Trump appears to recount it without moral concern. They connect it to a broader pattern of normalization of sexual misconduct and the erosion of outrage in political culture.

Finally, the story of Luke Farritor, a young man who used AI to help decipher text from a scroll. Then went on to work for DOGE and who is to blame for his work.

Show notes:

* ICE Job Postings

* Mother Jones Border Patrol Article.

* Bloomberg Article on Luke Farritor.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL talk about Epstein, of course—particularly President Donald Trump’s aggressive attempts to deflect attention toward former President Barack Obama by suggesting Obama committed treason. They delve into the dynamics within the MAGA base, analyzing their cognitive dissonance on issues such as Epstein’s connection with Trump and conspiracy theories. They highlight the different segments within Trump’s base and discuss how conspiracy theories and misinformation shape their political reality.

The conversation then turns to the alarming rise of fascist and authoritarian rhetoric among younger conservative activists, emphasizing how Trump's influence has emboldened extreme ideologies while social media algorithms accelerate radicalization and misinformation.

Show notes:

* JVL and Tim watch clips from Mehdi Hasan’s appearance on Juliblee.

* Tim’s conversation with Mehdi Hasan after his appearance on Jubilee.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Tim, Sarah and JVL debate whether Trump’s reaction to the Epstein files, calling it a “hoax” and lashing out at former supporters, marks a turning point. They explore whether this could crack the deep trust his base has in him, especially conspiracy-driven voters who saw him as the one to expose elites.They also argue Democrats should lean into the issue, pushing for hearings and accountability. While Trump’s health and appearance come up briefly, the real question is whether this controversy could shake his hold on crank-aligned voters who once saw him as their truth-teller.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Trump fumbles through a chaotic cabinet meeting, announcing new tariffs and cluelessness to the Ukraine weapons pause. Meanwhile, MAGA world erupts over the Epstein files, Grok turns into a bigoted chatbot, and ICE has transformed into Trump’s personal police force.

Special guest Sam Stein joins Sarah and JVL to discuss yet another wild week.

show notesWill Sommer’s False Flag “MAGA World’s Mega Meltdown Over Latest Epstein Flop”JVL’s Triad “The American Police State Is Here”

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Upgrade to Bulwark+ today to join the community in the comments. We’re on a mission to help save democracy by delivering honest news, smart analysis and good faith. We tell you what we really think. We want to hear from you. Join us!

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today’s show, we cover the House vote on Trump’s fugly bill, ICE expansion, and the cowards at Paramount.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find The Next Level wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

The Next Level gang went live Wednesday to talk about all the week’s news: McConnell’s comments on the BBB, the big win in the NYC Dem mayoral primary, do vibes or policies win, Trump’s Iran mess and being brave.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in and participated in the live chat. It’s fun to be together—even in virtual space!

Check out Sarah’s new project Home of the Brave at OftheBrave.org and please share it on your social platforms.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find the show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss Trump continuing to TACO causing increasingly slipping support, more Democrats getting arrested over immigration policies, the mixed feedback from Tim’s interview with NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on FYPod, and Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz’s heated conversation.

Show NotesArrest of NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad LanderZohran Mamdani: FYPod CrossoverTulsi’s Bizarre and Creepy Nuclear War PSA

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find the show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

The gang discuss Trump’s extreme response to protests in L.A., his unsettling rally to a cheering military crowd, and the upcoming birthday parade. Also: Elon Musk’s 3am apology, RFK Jr. dissolving the vaccine board, and Mikie Sherrill’s primary win.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find the show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell and JVL discuss the Elon Musk and Donald Trump breakup thats amplifying throughout all of MAGA, how the primaries for New Jersey governor and New York mayor could shape the future of both parties, Joni Ernst’s comments on everyone dying show how much MAGA is losing their minds, and Curtis Yarvin’s dangerous influence.

Join Tim and Sarah in DC with John Lovett in June 6th for their Free Andry fundraiser and live show during WorldPride. Tickets and more information at TheBulwark.com/events. Before the show, join Tim and Sarah at the Action for Andry protest at SCOTUS.

Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Use the controls on the the left side of the player to toggle to the free audio-only edition or find the show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

You can add The Next Level to your podcast player of choice, here.