The Next Level

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?

Sarah Longwell is back and ready to go! They dive into Trump’s accelerating authoritarian moves, from masked cops snatching people off the streets to purging the Federal Reserve, while Gavin Newsom trolls Trump with meme-style politics that energize Democrats but raise doubts about his 2028 chances. Meanwhile, the DNC looks out of touch, bogged down in land acknowledgments and bad messaging, leavi...

JVL, Tim Miller, and special guest Andrew Egger get into the rise of Trump’s cult cops, the right’s open flirtation with Caesarism, and whether Newsom’s new “mean streak” is a weapon or a trap for Democrats. Head to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVEL and use code 50NEXTLEVEL to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months--with free shipping! Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and us...

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.

Sarah, Tim and JVL are BACK! Trump turns a late-night DC fight into an excuse for a full-blown National Guard takeover — complete with a TV personality running the cops. The gang tackles this absurd “Big Balls” pretext, Trump’s upcoming Alaska summit with Putin (and the Billy Joel geography lesson), his bizarre choice of an unqualified weirdo to cook the jobs numbers, and what it all means for the...

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?

Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Tim, Sarah, and Sam talk Trump’s continuing Epstein nightmare, the GOP’s redistricting chaos in Texas, and RFK Jr.‘s disastrous anti-vax decisions. Plus, Megyn Kelly picks a fight with Sarah, Acosta creeps everyone out by interviewing an AI ghost, and conservatives suddenly...

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.

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 fo...

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. This is a special preview of an episode that’s JUST for paid Bulwark subscribers. If you’d like to hear the full episode, you can subscribe via thebulwark.com , YouTube, or right through Apple Podcasts!

Celebrate the chaos with Sarah, Tim and JVL! Trump panics over Epstein revelations and demands Barack Obama’s arrest for “treason,” sending MAGA into conspiracy-theory overdrive. Republicans literally flee Congress to avoid tough votes, Jerome Powell’s Fed independence hangs by a thread, and Gen-Z conservatives openly embrace fascism as their new ideology. Meanwhile, Trump’s Oval Office gets a gar...

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. This is a special preview of an episode that's JUST for paid Bulwark subscribers. If you'd like to hear the full episode, you can subscribe via thebulwark.com , YouTube, or right through Apple Podcasts!

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell 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...

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 notes   Will Sommer’s False Flag “MAGA World’s Meg...

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today’s show, we will be covering the House vote on Trump’s fugly bill, ICE expansion, and the cowards at Paramount. Get 10% off your first month with BetterHelp at https://BetterHelp.com/THENEXTLEVEL. To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD....

Watch Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest news. On today's show, we will be covering Mitch McConnell's threats, the Iran war, and the New York City mayoral primary results. For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order PLUS shipping when you head to https://Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15%...

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 Notes Arrest of NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander Zohran Mamdani: FYPod Crossover...

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. Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Get 15% off OneSkin with...

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. For an extra 25% off your order and a special gift, h...

Live from Chicago, Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL break down the latest wave of Trump pardons, the rising authoritarian behavior from GOP leaders, and the Democratic Party’s identity crisis. Also, who is the worst (and best?) cabinet member so far, and what comes next. To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASS...

The gang discusses the incompetence of Kristi Noem on constitutional matters, Bernie Sanders’ views on the Democratic party, Joe Biden’s campaign mismanagement, the Republican tax bill, and Tesla’s business struggles. Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts. Go to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for...

The gang discuss the extensive corruption of President Trump's Middle East business dealings,  Republicans' focus on state and local tax deductions while letting democracy burn, and the latest revelations on former President Biden old age in office. Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to learn more and get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout. Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free...

The gang talk the latest on President Trump’s obsession with owning Canada and Greenland, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s based first meeting in the White House, the administrations cruel immigration agenda, and DOGE’s complete failure. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and t...

The gang bask in the utterly abysmal first quarter of President Trump’s second presidency. Plus, they react to Gretchen Whitmer and Hakeem Jefferies not understanding the authoritarian moment we’re in, and advise Democrats how they can capitalize on just how unpopular Trump will be come 2028. To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for bot...

The gang break down the latest developments in the market, and how it’s sent the Trump administration into panic mode. Plus, Trump loses grounds in new immigration polling, Tesla might be unsalvageable, and Pete Buttigieg takes on the manosphere. Buy tickets to our live shows in Chicago (May 28) and Nashville (May 29) here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/chicago-and-nashville-here-we-come Listen now...