Bulwark Takes

Join Catherine Rampell and Justin Wolfers as they cover the week's biggest economics and finance news.
Check out Justin's Substack, Platypus Economics: https://platypuseconomics.com/

Join Sarah Longwell and Sonny Bunch as they cover Trump's July 16, 2026 prime time speech.

Sam Stein speaks with Reuters national security reporter Erin Banco about Trump’s planned election speech, his administration’s moves against federal election officials, and concerns inside his own White House that reviving voting-machine conspiracies could backfire by convincing MAGA voters to stay home.
White House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and US elections, sources say: 
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/white-house-weighs-releasing-controversial-intel-china-us-elections-sources-say-2026-07-15/
Foreign Threats to the 2020 US Federal Elections: 
https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ICA-declass-16MAR21.pdf

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) and Ben Parker take on the Pentagon's bizarre new testosterone screening program for troops, a promotion list with zero women admirals, and China's quiet power grab as America's alliances crack under Trump.

Buckle up. It’s the last Trio video of July—and it’s a big one. The guys start by reacting to Joe Rogan’s interview of JD Vance, in which the Vice President trafficked in Epstein conspiracy theories. Vance also reflected on more important matters, like who’s cooler: Republicans or Democrats? His expertise on coolness could only come from years of experience getting stuffed into lockers and getting swirlies from bullies. Then, they go deep on New Orleans rapper Boosie’s attempt to get a pardon from the administration with help from an infamous duo of GOP operatives. Plus, an update on Kash Patel’s girlfriend. And the woman who couldn’t walk forward after receiving the flu shot—where is she now?
Read Will Sommer's False Flag newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/false-flag