Amanda Carpenter: The Worst President Ever

In this episode of The Bulwark, host Tim Miller welcomes back Amanda Carpenter to discuss the escalating crisis of democratic erosion under Donald Trump's second term. Carpenter argues that Trump is not only failing as a leader but actively undermining American democracy through a series of reckless actions—most notably a war in Iran pursued without a clear rationale, a campaign to delegitimize mail-in voting, and the systematic dismantling of election security institutions like CISA. She details how Trump’s administration has replaced nonpartisan election officials with loyalists who promote 2020 election lies, creating a dangerous precedent for future interference. Carpenter also highlights the alarming religious symbolism in Trump’s rhetoric and imagery, including self-deification through Jesus-like portrayals and the use of fake Bible verses from Pulp Fiction in military prayers, which she views as sacrilegious and authoritarian. The episode underscores a growing unease among even Trump’s base, with concerns about gas prices, war fatigue, and the president’s erratic behavior. Carpenter concludes by calling for a national reckoning, urging Americans to recognize Trump as the worst president in U.S. history and to prepare for a long-term effort to rebuild democratic trust and institutions.