The Next Level

In the first major set of elections of Donald Trump’s second term, voters deliver a rebuke to Trumpism. Democrats win gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race in New York City after Trump endorses Andrew Cuomo. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react on Election Night to what these results mean in the fight against MAGA, assess the leverage Democrats may have gained in the government shutdown debate and take stock of the political landscape a year out from the 2026 midterms.Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% offGo to https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code NEXTLEVEL for 25% offGo to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics

JVL and Sarah talk about Socialism, Jersey, Virginia, MTG, and the Heritage Foundation’s panic that someone might think they don’t approve of white nationalist Nick Fuentes.It’s a whole thing. You’ll love it.

JVL, Sarah, and Tim talk about the intra-MAGA war inside immigration enforcement, the bizarre fall of Tom Homan, Stephen Miller’s power games, RFK Jr.’s unhinged HHS drama, Trump teasing war in Venezuela, and the new Democratic memo that’s tearing the party apart.Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL at checkout.Cancel your unwanted subscriptions with RocketMoney at https://RocketMoney.com/THENEXTLEVEL.

Trump’s obsession with tearing up the East Wing turns into a fight over symbolism, willpower, and what it really takes to undo his damage. JVL and Sarah Longwell go back and forth over what matters, what’s just noise, and why elites still won’t stand up to him. Plus: Trump’s love for dictators, Reagan on tariffs, and Canada making him mad again.

JVL, Sarah, and Tim discuss the drama over Democrat Graham Platner’s “Nazi tattoo,” the Maine Senate race, and the left’s weird obsession with finding their own Trump-style outsider. Plus: Trump’s corrupt White House ballroom, the “No Kings” protests, and just how far America’s slipped into banana-republic territory.Listen to "The Bulwark's Seven-Year War" from Puck: https://puck.news/podcast_episode/the-bulwarks-seven-year-war/Go to https://shopremi.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use CODE THENEXTLEVEL to get up to 50% off.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Remember to head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL

JVL ambushes Sarah with The Darkness. It’s a fun-filled episode with the indictment of John Bolton, the decimation of the Pentagon press corps, another extra-legal killing off the coast of Venezuela, the resignation of the head of SouthCom, and the weaponization of the IRS.Good times.

This week on The Next Level Jonathan V. Last, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the GOP’s accelerating moral collapse. MAGA wants to discredit No Kings protests as “Hate America” rallies, and a racist Young Republicans group chat leak shows how deep the rot goes. They explore how Kristi Noem’s taxpayer-funded ad blitz crosses every ethical line and what it says about ICE’s power in the administration. Plus, they debate whether establishment Democrats are sabotaging the party’s Senate chances by pushing candidates they feel are safer bets.

Live from New York, Sarah Longwell, JVL and Tim Miller tear into America’s culture of cowardice—from billionaires hiding in Hawaii to Merrick Garland’s endless hesitation. They discuss into how Trump’s intimidation works, why “lawfare” backfired, and why too many Democrats STILL seem afraid to fight.Note: This was recorded on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

This week Sarah and JVL did something they haven’t done for a couple of years: they just . . . hung out and asked each other questions. Some stuff about life. Some stuff about The Bulwark. Some stuff about the world.Hope you enjoy listening as much as they enjoyed visiting with each other.

The crew is back together, live in D.C. and fired up. From wild personal stories to real talk about how we face this moment as a country, this episode is all about connection, community, and not giving in to the chaos. When things get dark, we stick together.

JVL and Sarah Longwell zero in on the government shutdown chaos and what it really means. They debate why Democrats can’t afford to play defense, how Trump is openly embracing authoritarian ideas like Project 2025, and the GOP’s sheer inability to govern even as they drive the country toward crisis.

Pete Hegseth calls in the nation’s top generals and admirals so he can lecture them about being in shape and ending wokeness and Donald Trump can speak ominously about “the war from within” and using American cities as training grounds for troops. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react to the supremely weird meeting—and then spend some time reflecting on how the first nine months of Trump’s second term have stacked up against JVL's worst case scenario from a year ago.

Sarah and JVL talk about big-tent liberalism—who’s in and who’s out of the l-word tent. JVL goes on a riff on Henry Kissinger, which you are absolutely going to HATE.And then we get the main event: JVL doesn’t think [gestures broadly] all this is fixable. Sarah has a plan to fix it. Who’s right?

Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! They talk about Trump’s mob-style shakedowns of ABC and Disney, Jimmy Kimmel refusing to cave, Kamala Harris admitting "it" about Pete Buttigieg, Trump’s clownish UN meltdown, and the government’s demented social media propaganda.Head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off.Go to https://shopremi.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use CODE THENEXTLEVEL to get up to 50% offCatch The Bulwark on September 27 in Toronto and October 8 in DC. Get your tickets at https://TheBulwark.com/EVENTS

JVL and Sarah go head-to-head over the New York Times, Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit, and what solidarity really means when democracy is on the line.

Tim, Sarah and JVL are BACK! Trump’s allies want to charge protesters with RICO, Kash Patel stonewalls, Trump plays the victim, and MAGA world spins truly nuts new conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.Get 50% off your first month with Green Chef at https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVELGet 30% off your order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.For our friends in Canada, we added a second live show with Sarah, Tim and Sam to the schedule. Tickets are on sale now for our bonus Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27, here: https://admitone.com/events/the-bulwark-podcast-toronto-10155121

Sarah and JVL talk about the president’s response to Charlie Kirk’s murder and why it’s so dangerous. Then we go deep on how to react in moments of crisis: Can you be too nice? How do you balance truth and compassion? What is the impact of timing? And was JVL right to turn the comments off for the first 24 hours?Do us a solid, though: Don’t comment on this until you’ve listened to the episode.

Tim, Sarah and JVL are back! Trump shrugs at Russian drones, clings to a laughable “hoax” defense on Epstein, and gets played by Netanyahu yet again — while Kamala Harris calls Biden’s 2024 run reckless.To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGet $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL.

Sarah and JVL go through the Epstein Birthday Book in detail. We tell you what’s actually in it, no euphemisms. And what it means for Trump and 2026.But before you ask: It’s Tuesday. So no Rebecca.

Sarah and JVL go long on the economy, The People, double standards, RFK, and . . . Hamilton.It’s a super-sized Secret pod.In the comments, we want you to talk about whether or not the double-standard is real—is it true, as JVL proposes—that voters obsess over Democratic mistakes while waiving away Republican insanity?And if it is true, why is it? Remember: We’re not just talking about partisans, but about the generalized broader public. We want to hear your theories.

Sarah, JVL and Tim are back! Trump disappears for a weekend and sets off health rumors, Epstein victims speak out on Capitol Hill, and Congress releases “new” files that turn out to be mostly recycled documents. Meanwhile, Trump tries to change the subject with National Guard deployments, a tariff scheme runs into the courts, and GOP leaders flirt with blood-and-soil politics.Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVELGo to https://Zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use promo code NEXTLEVEL for 15% off your first order.

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, leaving many wondering if the party is ready to stand up to Trump’s power grab.

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 use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Get 60% off your first Smalls order PLUS free shipping when you head to https://Smalls.com/THENEXTLEVEL.Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the promo code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

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 economy, authoritarian crackdowns, and the next elections. Plus: Sherrod Brown’s uphill Ohio battle, and why Democrats need real butch he-men running for office.

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 think they made human breasts cool again.

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

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 garish, gold-plated, dictator-inspired makeover. Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL. Get 60% off your first order with Smalls at https://Smalls.com/THENEXTLEVEL Get 30% off your first order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

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 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.Sponsors:Get free shipping and 365 day returns from Quince at https://Quince.com/thenextlevelGet 50% off your first order with Green Chef at https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVELGet 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod #sponsored

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 Mega Meltdown Over Latest Epstein Flop” JVL’s Triad “The American Police State Is Here”Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Get 20% off plus free shipping at BollandBranch.com/NextLevelFor 15% off your order and a special gift, head to Pacagen.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL.

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. Get 40% off your first box with Hungryroot at https://Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.

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 THENEXTLEVELGo to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Bring on the good vibes and treat yourself to Soul today! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order.

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 Tulsi’s Bizarre and Creepy Nuclear War PSA Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL For an extra 25% off your order and a special gift, head to https://Pacagen.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

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 the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

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, head to Pacagen.com/THENEXTLEVEL

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 PASSWORD.For a limited time only, get 35% off plus an additional 50% off your first order when you head to Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL. Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.

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 life. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at MINTMOBILE.com/thenextlevel Go to wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL for $35 off your first box of premium, wild-caught seafood.

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 shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.Go to GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

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/ #oneskinpodGo to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

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 both the code AND PASSWORD. Go to Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five-day returns

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-comeListen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGot to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL, code THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.Shop data plans at MINTMOBILE.com/THENEXTLEVEL

The gang dive into the constitutional crisis as President Donald Trump refuses to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, against the ruling of SCOTUS, Democrats planning a trip to El Salvador to demand the Maryland man's release, Harvard University's refusal to fold to Trump's defunding threats, and Elon Musk's continually disturbing mission to impregnate different women.

Trump has no idea what he’s doing, and America’s financial standing in the world, as well as the security that comes with it, is forever diminished.Note: Today’s episode of TNL was recorded before President Trump rescinded some of his tariffs, which the GOP then claimed was part of his brilliant plan all along. We think this commentary on the chaos, economic uncertainty and long term consequences of Trump’s tariffs still stands. Enjoy!Get PrivacyHawk and run your FREE privacy scan here https://go.privacyhawk.com/nextlevel Use code LEVEL20 (iOS) / level20 (Android) for full access to the Platinum Suite: $1M ID theft recovery insurance, dark web alerts, sensitive info monitoring, and much more—all at a special price!For a limited time only, get 35% off plus an additional 50% off your first order when you head to Smalls.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL. Upgrade your sleep during Boll & Branch’s Annual Spring Event! For a limited time get 20% off at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel.

The gang discuss President Donald Trump's ridiculous "Liberation Day" declaration and the foolish harm his tariffs will cause, the results of yesterday's Wisconsin election, Sen. Cory Booker's new filibuster record, and more!

Sam Stein fills in for Sarah to talk the continued fallout of the Trump administration’s signal group chat, with newly released texts detailing the “attack plans.” Plus, Tesla’s brand disintegration continues and Vice President JD Vance gets roped into accompanying his wife, Usha, to Greenland.Go to Hungryroot.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.