The Bulwark Podcast
Michael Weiss analyzes the administration's Iran deal and Trump's rhetoric on Israel, while Sam Forstag discusses uniting Democratic voters in Montana.
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Key takeaways
Michael Weiss argues that the administration's portrayal of the Iran deal as a signal of the regime's readiness to join the community of nations is naive, especially given CIA warnings that the agreement is a disaster waiting to happen.
12Weiss notes that pro-Israel hawks who viewed Trump as a strong ally may be reconsidering, as Trump has spent three days trash-talking Israel and its leadership at the G7.
34Sam Forstag, a Democratic congressional candidate in Montana, explains his strategy of uniting left and centrist voters by using language that does not alienate the working class.
5Forstag highlights that voters are tired of being told to hate each other, suggesting a desire for more cohesive political messaging.
5Ask GenPod next
“What are the specific details of the CIA's warnings about the Iran deal?”
“How does Sam Forstag plan to maintain unity between left and centrist voters?”
“What other foreign policy decisions are being criticized by hawks?”
Background reading
Guests
The episode features Michael Weiss and Sam Forstag joining host Tim Miller.
6Questions
Weiss believes the deal is naive because the CIA says the Iranians cannot be trusted and views the agreement as a disaster waiting to happen.
12Trump has been trash-talking Israel and its leadership for three days, including at the G7, which has surprised pro-Israel hawks.
34Forstag aims to unite left and centrist voters by using language that appeals to the working class and reduces polarization.
5Voters are tired of being told to hate each other, indicating a fatigue with polarized political messaging.
5Experts
Sources and disclosure
This guide is based on the episode 'Michael Weiss: The Vice President Is Looking Pretty Stupid' from The Bulwark Podcast, published on June 16, 2026.
Vance is trying to sell the administration’s initial deal with Iran as a signal that the regime is ready to end its reign of terror and join the community of nations.
Never mind that the CIA is outwardly saying that the Iranians can’t be trusted and that the developing agreement looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
Also looking pretty naive are the pro-Israel American foreign policy hawks, who thought Trump would be a good war partner with the Israelis.
Trump is now on day three of trash-talking Bibi and Israel—this time at the G7.
Plus, Sam Forstag, Democratic congressional candidate in Montana, joins Tim to explain how he’s managed to unite the lefties and the centrists behind his campaign, why Dems need to cool it on language that alienates the working class, and how voters are so damn tired of being told to hate each other.
Sam Forstag and Michael Weiss join Tim Miller.
show notes
• Sam's campaign website • Michael's Substack • Watch for Tim's and JVL's live reading of Vance's new book Wednesday on YouTube or Substack • Tim's 'Take' with Caolan Robertston in Kyiv re the Russian strike on the Dormition Cathedral • "The Pulp" interview with Sam
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