Honest news. Smart Analysis. Good Faith.
THE BULWARK is an independent media company built on good faith, fearless journalism, and a community committed to defending liberal democracy. This is the home of Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell, and more.
The Mission
We're building a home for the politically homeless.
In a world of extremism and disinformation, THE BULWARK is clear and consistent. We start with facts and aren’t afraid to draw conclusions. We are on the side of liberal democracy. No Kabuki theater. No false equivalence.
More than a media company, we’re a community. Because democracy is stronger when people come together.
What we do
We tell you what we really think.
THE BULWARK is produced by journalists who have no interest in saying the safe thing. There’s no calculation. There are no sacred cows. No one here is playing double-bank shots. We just say the thing.
Sometimes that gets us in trouble. But (mostly) it’s good trouble.
We publish articles and newsletters. We create videos and podcasts. We host live events. We analyze and report on politics, elections, the economy, and more. When we don’t understand something, we find experts who do and bring them to your inbox or screen.
Some of what we do is behind a paywall. Most of what we do is not. That’s because we’re mission-based.
We’re going to save democracy first, and make the business work second. And we believe, in our bones, that you can’t help save democracy from behind a paywall.
THE BULWARK is reader-supported. Come and join us. We’ll keep you sane.
You'll also find THE BULWARK on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Substack Notes, and Reddit. Give us a follow.
BULWARK shows are available for free wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.
TheBulwark.com is published on Substack, where we’re the largest collection of pro-democracy voices bundled together under one banner.
A paid Bulwark+ membership via Substack helps to sustain the work we do here and entitles you to unfettered access to all our newsletters, ad-free and member-only editions of our shows, and community features. Members access these benefits via our site, the Bulwark App, and the Substack Mobile and TV apps. Bulwark+ members via Substack can also set up ad-free feeds (via RSS) of our shows on their podcast player of choice.
Customize your Bulwark+ membership via our Account Management center:
Ad-free and member-only BULWARK shows are also available with a paid YouTube Bulwark Channel subscription. Note: A YouTube channel subscription is separate and distinct from a Bulwark+ membership through Substack.
For more about Bulwark+ and how you can get the most from your paid membership, check out our FAQ.
Like what we do here? Come help us do more of it.
Our Founders
The Bulwark was founded in 2019, and the idea, then and now, was to tell you what we think—with honesty and good faith.
William Kristol
Editor at Large, The Bulwark. Director, Defending Democracy Together. Host, Conversations with Bill Kristol.
Your Guides
The Team
Bec Legato
Deputy Social Media Editor for The Bulwark, Former CNN. News junkie, Mets fan, Letterboxd user.
