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

About this episode

Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller to discuss Trump's foreign policy and its implications for U.S. allies and adversaries.

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 Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code THEBULWARK at…

People in this episode

Host: Tim Miller

Guest: Bill Kristol

Topics covered

• Trump administration
• Iran negotiations
• U.S. foreign policy
• China's influence
• political commentary
• FBI concerns
• midterm elections

Keywords

• Trump
• Iran
• China
• FBI
• politics
• foreign policy
• midterms
• Ossoff
• Hegseth

Sponsors

Ridge

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FBI, China, Iran, Beijing, Democrats, The Bulwark

Books & works: Trump Madman Theory, Joe DiGenova

Places: San Diego, LA

More episodes of The Bulwark Podcast

• Jon Favreau: Why Aren't More People Talking about Nipple-Gate? · June 12, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Anne Applebaum: Trump's Firehose of Lies · June 11, 2026 · 50 min
• Raphael Warnock: Fight for Your Democracy · June 10, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Jason Calacanis: The Silicon Valley Vibes Are Still Pro-Trump · June 9, 2026 · 1h 15m
• Bill Kristol: Make It the Summer of Epstein · June 8, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Stephanie Ruhle: The Trump Family’s Massive Side Hustle · June 5, 2026 · 1h 0m