Another dark week: Trump toys with occupying Chicago, the FBI under Kash Patel ignores domestic terrorism, RFK Jr. runs HHS with conspiracy theories, and even the CDC is led by a political crony. JVL and Sarah Longwell ask the hard question, what if our democracy is already too broken to fix?

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

It’s a weird Secret pod this week. Sarah (and half of The Bulwark) are on vacation and then we had breaking news this morning when the FBI raided John Bolton’s house.

So Tim and I taped a little topper for you and then the rest of the show is a recording of the livestream we did this morning right after the Bolton news broke. That livestream has me and Tim plus Mona Charen and George Conway, who joined us from literally outside Bolton’s house.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL defend the honor of Baby Boomer protestors and debate the merits of anti-fascist sandwich throwing before hunkering down for a loooong conversation about whether Trumpism is a perversion of conservatism, or a fulfillment of it.

ICYMI:

JVL's Triad on Trump and Conservatism with a followup in Friday’s Triad to some smart reader comments.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Bill Kristol fills in for JVL during this extra super secret edition of the Secret Podcast. Trump’s economy is cracking under its own weight—grocery prices, tariffs, and a sputtering job market are chipping away at his support. Could these numbers spell trouble for 2026?

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL give you the mega-show you’ve been waiting for: Trump’s $200 million presidential palace ballroom! Tariff TACOs! Kamala’s book! Hunter Biden! Vegas, Baby!

All this and Sydney Sweeney, too.

It’s a super-sized go-home show as JVL heads out for vacation.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL talk about Hulk Hogan, MAGA’s coming pivot on Ghislaine Maxwell, and Derek Huffman, the MAGA dad who joined Putin’s war on Ukraine. And the new Superman movie, too.

It’s a doozy.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL break down the WSJ Trump-Epstein story. Sarah has some rage and JVL has a brand new conspiracy theory involving JD Vance.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL talk about gangster government; the crazy swings in polling on immigration; the Jeffrey Epstein opportunity; and Superman and cursing in kids movies.

It’s a monster, super-sized show. And we especially want to hear your parenting thoughts on kids, movies, and swear words.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL talk about the big reveal that there was . . . nothing at all suspicious about Jeffrey Epstein’s death. And also, apparently, no client list?

Super excited to see how MAGA takes this news.

Also: Elon Musk has completed his speed run through the seven stages of Republicanism and landed at No Labels Part 2. We love that for him.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.

Sarah and JVL talk about Republicans caving on Fiscal Responsibility, the irresponsibility of the New York Times, and a Bulwark milestone.

The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.