Bill Kristol: The Tough Guy Really, Really Means It This Time

20 April 2026 · 50m

The Bulwark Podcast

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Just hang tight: Trump is super close to a deal with an enemy that he handed all the leverage to. Absolutely do not read his steady supply of hollow threats as him begging Iran for a face-saving off-ramp. Meanwhile, back in reality, Iran too can see how desperate Trump is, the war is helping China feel emboldened, and some of our closest post-WWII allies think Beijing is more dependable than the U.S. under Trump. Plus, Hegseth has chosen an ideal time to pick a fight with the secretary of the Army, numerous officials at the FBI are alarmed by Kash's alleged alcohol-induced absences, kudos to Ossoff for the way he talked about corruption and kleptocracy, and more Vance-splaining from the newbie Catholic Veep.

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.

show notes

Tim’s livestream Monday at 8ET on YouTube or Substack
JVL on the "Trump Madman Theory' of the stock market
Lauren on the Dems preparing for a potential midterm-year SCOTUS vacancy
Tim's 2020 piece on Joe DiGenova
Images of the Poodle Room, Kash's alleged hangout in Vegas
Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego and LA in May: TheBulwark.com/Events
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