Officials Caught in Their Own Deceptions
Michael Steele notes that men serving Trump are so used to deceiving the media that they sometimes walk into traps where the truth is revealed.
1The Bulwark Podcast
Michael Steele: Tripped up by Their Own Lies
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller to discuss how Trump administration officials are walking into traps and revealing truths they intended to hide.
Michael Steele argues that Trump administration officials, accustomed to deceiving the media, often walk into traps where the truth slips out, citing examples involving Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton.
1Listen to the source episode
Michael Steele: Tripped up by Their Own Lies
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Ask naturally. GenPod can find a related episode—or make a focused explainer when the right one does not exist.Key takeaways
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Todd Blanche's Collaboration with Ghislaine Maxwell
Steele highlights that Todd Blanche, Trump's personal attorney and acting AG, had to acknowledge his collaboration with Ghislaine Maxwell to protect Trump.
2Jay Clayton's Nomination and Election Efforts
Steele criticizes Jay Clayton, the DNI nominee, for showing zero self-worth and readiness to help the President try to steal the election.
3Administration's Obsessions
The episode mentions the administration's obsession with specific issues and attempts to rewrite African-American history.
4Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“What other examples of Trump officials walking into traps has Michael Steele observed?”
“How does the collaboration between Todd Blanche and Ghislaine Maxwell impact the legal defense of Trump?”
“What specific aspects of African-American history is the administration trying to rewrite?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Episode Context
The Bulwark Podcast Discussion
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller on The Bulwark Podcast to discuss political missteps and revelations within the Trump administration.
6Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Why do Trump administration officials often reveal the truth?
According to Michael Steele, they are so used to deceiving the media that they walk into traps they don't see coming.
1What did Todd Blanche have to own up to?
Todd Blanche had to own the fact that he collaborated with Ghislaine Maxwell to protect Trump.
2What is Michael Steele's view on Jay Clayton?
Steele views Jay Clayton as having zero self-worth and being ready to do anything to help the President try to steal the election.
3What other obsessions does the administration have?
The administration has an obsession with specific issues and trying to rewrite African-American history.
4Experts
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Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the episode 'Michael Steele: Tripped up by Their Own Lies' from The Bulwark Podcast, published on 2026-07-16.
- Publisher show notes
The men serving Trump are so used to getting away with punking people, including too many members of the media, that they sometimes walk into a trap they don't see coming, and the truth slips out.
- Publisher show notes
Like Todd Blanche—Trump's personal attorney masquerading as acting AG—having to own the fact that he collaborated with Ghislaine Maxwell to protect Trump.
- Publisher show notes
Or Jay Clayton, the DNI nominee, showing that he has zero self-worth and that he's ready to do anything to help POTUS try to steal the election in the fall.
- Publisher show notes
Plus, the administration has too much of an obsession with d*icks—and trying to rewrite African-American history as well.
- Publisher show notes
And parents with young kids be warned: Vance has an issue with eating corn dogs and has an odd reaction to Biden licking an ice cream cone.
- Publisher show notes
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller.
- Publisher show notes
Show notes:
- Publisher show notes
• Michael's "The Weeknight" on MS NOW • Longer clip of Ossoff's exchange with Jay Clayton • Tim's episode with Clint Smith from the July 4th weekend • "This Is Your Land," the book Tim referenced
- Publisher show notes
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