265 Comments

Bill says: "Trump is of the buffoonish species of the genus authoritarian, so one’s often inclined not to take the extent of his authoritarian ambitions seriously. And it’s true that he may not have fully worked out what he’s doing. He seems to have more the cunning instinct of the bully than the planned calculation of the despot."

It was often said about Trump that he went the direction of the last voice he heard in his ear. I can't help but worry that, at critical times, Victor Orban might be one of the main voices Trump hears. I can't ignore the fact that Trump touted Orban's endorsement during the one debate with Harris. Nor can I ignore Harris's accurate assessment that Trump is easily manipulated by dictators. There is no doubt that either Orban or Putin can provide all the planned calculation Trump needs.

Expand full comment

I predict a trickle-down effect from ABC's capitulation. Independent local newspapers and news sites will be harassed by local officals and agencies. I'm expecting the Trumpian mayor of my town to find some BS excuse to sue the local newspaper I work for because we have not shy about reporting on her mandacity and bad policy.

Expand full comment

I hope the judge whose court Trump's asinine lawsuit lands in has the balls (or the female counterpart, which I guess is ovaries, just to cover all the bases) to tell Trump in the most elegant legalese possible to shove this piece of shit back up his ass, from whence he fished it out.

Expand full comment

Is there a non-profit wing of the Bulwark? It would be nice to get a tax deduction and company match for supporting the free press. It's such an important cause and I would probably give more.

Expand full comment

Agreed -- it seems to me that the antidote to intimidation-by-frivolous-lawsuit would be organizations that gather contributions to help fund the legal defense, reducing its silencing effect. Because, people/orgs could know someone has their backs, and could therefore be more bold in defying the regime. Are there any organizations doing this?

Expand full comment

Pretty soon we won’t have to be worrying over Trump’s lawsuits. They won’t be needed once the press starts self-censoring any content that isn’t pro Trump.

Expand full comment

The logo sucks. Reds aren't red enough, blues aren't blue enough, whites arent WHITE enough...

I'm calling Bannon.

Expand full comment

It was a second grade Teacher.

" Police responded to a 911 call placed by a 2nd grader—yes, a 2nd grader

Expand full comment

I’m not sure “spare us” means what you think it means.

Expand full comment

I don't know, I think it's quite likely Gannett will settle à la ABC. Remember Ann Selzer retired right after the election, perhaps she saw the writing on the wall.

Expand full comment

Re the New Logo…of course we all LOVE 💕 it…I mean why would anyone not love it? … and I ummmmm really truly think it’s just plain awesome and about time we have an official logo…cuz ummmm it exactly captures why I became a Bulwark+ member and upgraded to Founding… it was because I KNEW the words on the new logo is what the Bulwark has always firmly stood for in past, present and future in every word appearing in these pages no matter how anyone may have otherwise interpreted it…and really hoping all the best people are reading the comments so they really and truly understand what the Bulwark stands for! (Did I get that right?…)

Expand full comment

Somebody want to explain to me why Tulsi Gabbard would be a danger to our national security. She and the rest of Trump’s picks seem to all be less dangerous than Trump himself.

If you add them all together there seems to be a common theme that they would all support the president, and would probably only be as crazy, corrupt, and dangerous as he is.

Expand full comment

At this point, anyone who has to ask why Tulsi Gabbard would be a threat to U.S. national security if she were made DNI has not been paying attention. It's highly likely the case against Gabbard has even been laid out clearly and persuasively within The Bulwark family of publications.

In any case, it is no comfort knowing that Tulsi Gabbard "would probably only be as crazy, corrupt and dangerous as" Donald Trump.

Expand full comment

Fair point. Even his most atrocious picks are no worse than he is - though Tulsi Gabbard as DNI would probably be paying more attention to intelligence than Trump ever has, and more capable of understanding it.

Expand full comment

People constantly and I mean constantly told the media to STOP talking about the horse race and focus on the stakes. At some point you reap what you sow.

Expand full comment

Trump's highly educated apologists will probably come up with some way of explaining why suing a pollster over an outlier poll is in the interest of truth, justice, and the American Way, since they're firmly committed to defending the proposition that anything done by Trump is motivated by the purest, deepest patriotism and righteous intolerance of "corruption," and that nothing he does is ever too outlandish or unethical or self-serving to disturb that commitment.

But I always have to wonder: Aren't they just a tiny bit embarrassed from time to time?

Expand full comment

Would The Bulwark be interested in curating a collection of images that can help to spread our messages? Memes are the new medium of political discourse, right?

I have an idea for one cartoon image that I believe tells the story: picture a massive pile of cash, with Elon reclining atop it. Nearby, a bunch of people fight each other, with red-hatted characters bashing their signs (“perverts!” “Cheaters!” “DEI hires!”) onto other cartoon characters, whose signs read various antiMAGA words. Meanwhile, money falls from their pocket in the skirmish and a t***p cartoon character is using a leaf blower (or maybe just his own hot air?) to blow the falling money onto Elon’s pile. Thought bubble from Elon “just keep fighting, and you’ll never even notice where your money is going”.

Now, if only I had any artistic ability! :->

Expand full comment

One of the greatest Shots ever. Andrew's clear description of the structure of trump's brand of fascist intimidation is indispensable. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Love the rebranding. My group-chat was also rebranded from "Neoliberal Shills" to "Rebuild America PAC" - you have to worry about the heat of being an out Neoliberal in the age of populist retribution

Expand full comment