The Next Level

1128: Secret: The Worst Person in the World

The Next Level

Summary

Uncontrolled eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) can severely impact a person's quality of life, requiring them to modify their eating habits significantly. Dupixent, a prescription medication for patients aged one year and older, offers a breakthrough treatment that reduces inflammation in the esophagus and improves swallowing. Unlike steroids, Dupixent proactively addresses EOE, allowing patients to regain control over their health. However, potential severe allergic reactions necessitate caution and consultation with healthcare providers.

The conversation shifts to the political landscape, focusing on the upcoming elections. Elon Musk's substantial financial contributions to political campaigns are scrutinized, with concerns raised about the consolidation of media power and its implications for democracy. The hosts express skepticism about the integrity of polling, particularly following revelations about a fraudulent polling organization, Wedgwood Polls, which manipulated data to highlight vulnerabilities in the media's reliance on polling for electoral insights.

In Ohio, the political climate intensifies as Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign releases a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Amy Acton, a prominent political figure. The ad has sparked outrage among Republicans, including Governor Mike DeWine, who condemns it as morally reprehensible. The fallout raises questions about voter perceptions and the ethical boundaries of political campaigning as the election approaches.

Show Notes

The Secret Podcast is exclusively for paid members of The Bulwark. Join on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Substack. Sarah and JVL talk: Elon dropping another $76m on the election Fake pollsters Trump grifters getting cut loose by Big Orange But the big story is Vivek Ramaswamy working with a woman who aided and abetted a pedophile-rapist. You know the ad we’re talking about. Sarah did a focus group with Ohio Trump voters. They all knew about the ad. And what they told Sarah is . . . not great for Vivek. If you have questions for Tim, Sarah and JVL, send them to [email protected] and they may answer them on an upcoming episode of TNL.

More from The Next Level

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This week’s Next Level starts out as a Secret Podcast episode, before Tim and Sam crash the stage. They discuss Sarah’s interview with Pete Buttigieg, why Jon Ossoff might be history’s choice for 2028 whether he likes it or not. Plus: some hopium on some key races across the South. Then the crew turns to Vivek Ramaswamy’s despicable ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, and whether JD Vance might be (shudder) underrated in 2028. who they most want to see hauled before Democratic committees in 2027, with Elon Musk, RFK Jr., Todd Blanche, and Jared Kushner all making the list.

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Note: We're doing something a little different today. Paid members of the Bulwark get exclusive access to a extra, super, jumbo-sized TNL with a play-by-play breakdown of Katie Zacharia's disastrous press conference. It's a lot of fun, and you should definitely join to see it. You can join on Apple Podcast, Substack and YouTube. Tim, Sarah, and JVL are back together for a super-sized, off-the-rails show. They wish Kimberly Guilfoyle well after she was forced out of the Trump administration, dig into the background of our new White House Press Secretary, discuss the DHS raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar's home, discuss the right-wing meltdown over James Talarico's absence from the campaign trail, and gloat about the GOP pulling resources out of some key House races. Then, they go behind they paywall, and it REALLY gets fun: They watch Katie Zacharia's entire White House press briefing (all 15 minutes), and give their minute-by-minute commentary. Then: Sarah and JVL ask Tim whether he's reconsidered his stance on a take that got MANY Bulwark listeners mad a few months ago. Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off your order. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince, at https://Quince.com. Tell them The Next Level sent you!

Oct 12, 2026

The Secret Podcast is available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark on Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube. Elon Musk threatened to destroy Trump’s Republican allies. Now he’s spending hundreds of millions to keep them in power. Sarah Longwell and JVL discuss Musk’s humiliating surrender, the billionaires lining up behind Trump, the MAGA smear campaign against James Talarico, and why Trump’s desperate deal with Putin represents a stunning display of American weakness. Plus, Sarah has some ideas about holding Trump’s wealthy enablers accountable, and JVL has some big news.

Oct 9, 2026

Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and at https://thebulwark.com. If you want to join, you're in luck: We’re running a 30% off October Surprise sale, so it’s a great time to get the full Secret Podcast and all of our members-only reporting. Sarah and JVL break down Jon Ossoff’s Terminator-style destruction of Mike Collins. Seriously: It was so brutal that someone should have stopped the debate. Then it’s off to:

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