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Trump Built a Party That Can’t Survive Him (w/ Conor Kilgore) | The Focus Group

2026-01-03 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
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Description

Sarah started doing focus groups in 2018 and 2019 hoping to save the Republican Party from Trump—by finding a primary challenger who wouldn’t embarrass themselves. Instead, she discovered voters who were fine with Trump, and she picked up a years-long addiction that turned into this show. We listen to audio from Sarah’s earliest focus groups with reluctant Ohio Trump voters, and not-so-reluctant New Hampshire Trump voters. Then, Sarah and producer Conor Kilgore take some listener questions and look ahead to 2026 races. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THEFOCUSGROUP Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Top Comments (10)

@gabrielegoldschmidt2436 2026-01-03

We learned from History, that we do not learn from History.

276 5 replies
@JB-fv6vx 2026-01-03

never underestimate American obliviousness

260 6 replies
@balibob47 2026-01-03

In a land that normalizes cruelty and indifference, kindness and empathy become radical ideas. Maga cannot exist without hypocrisy and cannot exist with accountability.

246 9 replies
@runmarkrunheinrich 2026-01-03

What? A party of malice, spite and greed lubricated with a thick gravy of corruption and incompetence can’t lead to effective government?

193 10 replies
@keith2366 2026-01-03

The MAGA cult is like the Soviet era peasants="I don't care how much I suffer as long as my neighbor suffers more."

172 1 replies
@taxesdeathandtrouble.1886 2026-01-03

Voltaire, "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities..."

162 3 replies
@CatQueen-p1o 2026-01-03

Republicans wrapped themselves up in a warm fuzzy blanket of FOX News ignorance.

109 4 replies
@lterzis 2026-01-05

Thank you for this look back at early focus groups. I’m one of those who has trouble listening to the groups but still understand how important it is. The idea that some voters feel shamed by their choice and then become more entrenched is probably worth remembering. It’s hard to extend grace to some of these people in some contexts.

10
@balboa0621 2026-01-05

This kind of quality content is why I love The Bulwark. You aren't just sharing your own opinions, you are trying to understand the opinions of voters. You use that understanding to inform your own opinion and analysis. Great jog, Sarah.

1
@Firefoxy-rz1nw 2026-01-05

I think Sarah's giggle is one of the most delightful sounds on the Internet!

1

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