Summary of Lis Smith: A Very Vengeful President

Overview of The Bulwark — “Lis Smith: A Very Vengeful President”

In this episode, Tim Miller talks with Democratic strategist Lis Smith about Donald Trump’s increasingly punitive use of power, the political fallout from U.S. involvement in Iran, and how Democrats should respond to corruption and vengeance politics. The conversation centers on the idea that Trump’s administration is not just chaotic but actively vindictive, and that Democrats have an opening to make a broader anti-corruption case going into 2026 and beyond.

Main Takeaways

• Trump is being framed as unusually vengeful

  • Smith and Miller discuss how Trump’s White House is targeting political enemies, critics, and perceived adversaries.
  • Examples mentioned include attacks on Miller over a quote tweet, scrutiny of E. Jean Carroll, and broader threats directed at opponents.

• Iran policy is politically damaging

  • Smith argues Trump’s Iran posture is not a clear win, even if a deal eventually emerges.
  • She says the conflict is costly, unpopular, and likely to keep gas prices high, undercutting Trump’s promises to lower costs and avoid new wars.

• Democrats should run on corruption

  • The episode repeatedly returns to corruption as the strongest Democratic message.
  • Smith says Trump-era corruption is too broad and obvious to ignore:
    • foreign money and family enrichment
    • crypto deals
    • influence-peddling
    • pardons for sale
    • the Epstein file cover-up
  • She believes Democrats can connect these scandals directly to voters’ pocketbook concerns.

• Oversight should start now, not later

  • Smith argues Democrats can’t wait until 2027 to begin preparing oversight and accountability efforts.
  • She wants a sustained, aggressive campaign now to build the case and communicate it publicly.

Candidates, Campaign Strategy, and the 2026 Map

Different states require different Democrats

Smith pushes back on the idea that there is only one winning Democratic formula. She argues:

• candidates should fit their states and districts
• Democrats need flexibility rather than a single ideological template
• both populist and moderate styles can work depending on the terrain

Candidates discussed

• James Talarico (Texas)
  Smith likes his campaign and says he has handled past “woke” baggage well by acknowledging mistakes and moving on.
  She also praises him for:

  • breaking with Democrats on oil and gas
  • criticizing Biden’s border handling
  • talking about teacher accountability

• Ken Paxton
  Smith sees Paxton as a prime corruption target:

  • multimillionaire despite low official income
  • indicted for bribery-related conduct
  • tied to disturbing criminal leniency in a rape case involving a boy

• Graham Platner (Maine)
  Smith is surprisingly positive on Platner despite his rough online history.

  • She says his candidacy works because he is authentic, apologetic, and anti-establishment.
  • Republicans’ oppo research attacks, she argues, miss the point and may even help him.

• Zohran Mamdani / New York politics

  • Smith says she liked Mamdani’s optimism and his focus on practical city issues.
  • She praises his willingness to adjust on policing and governance rather than cling to old slogans.

• Mallory McMorrow / AI

  • She highlights McMorrow’s focus on AI as a labor and safety issue.
  • The framing: AI is not just tech hype; it’s a billionaire-driven threat to jobs, kids, and privacy.

Media and Message Strategy

“Go everywhere” is the right play

Smith strongly endorses Democrats appearing on conservative and right-coded media rather than staying inside friendly bubbles.

• She says the goal should be persuasion, not just viral confrontation.
• Democrats should go on Fox, Rogan-adjacent platforms, and other outlets to explain:
  • corruption
  • cost-of-living issues
  • why Trump’s policies hurt ordinary people

Why the message matters

Smith argues that many voters:

• don’t follow politics closely
• don’t consume elite media
• can still be reached through repeated, simple messaging

Her core belief: corruption and greed are legible to ordinary voters when tied to everyday costs and instability.

Notable Points and Quips

• Miller jokes that Smith is now an “agent of the Iranian government” because of a White House tweet accusing her of violating FARA.
• Smith and Miller laugh about the absurdity of being labeled soft on Iran.
• They also discuss how Trump’s image of being strong is undercut by a long list of petty vendettas and money-making schemes.
• The conversation repeatedly contrasts:
  • Trump’s chaos and self-enrichment
  • vs. Democrats’ need for discipline and credibility

Parent Corner / Personal Banter

The back half of the episode turns lighter and more personal:

• Miller shares a story about his young son saying “the man’s coming,” suggesting an early instinct to protect his mother.
• Smith shares a story about her daughter being pushed around in a basketball setting and how she responded by getting physical and competitive in a backyard rematch.
• The segment ends with both of them joking about parenting, gendered behavior, and teaching kids confidence.

Bottom Line

This episode is a strategic and political conversation more than a policy debate. Smith’s core argument is that Democrats should:

• stop waiting
• speak plainly about corruption
• use every media platform available
• and tailor candidates to the places where they’re running

The strongest throughline is that Trump’s second-term politics are not just unpopular but deeply personal, corrupt, and punitive—and Democrats should make that the centerpiece of their response.