Tim Miller on GOP Corruption and Betrayal

Tim Miller on GOP Corruption and Betrayal

Author: The One Country Project August 5, 2026 Duration: 42:46

Rural voters keep hearing about scandal in Washington, but most of it never gets past the surface. Tim Miller, host of the Bulwark Podcast, joins Heidi to dig into what's actually driving political corruption right now, from foreign money shaping U.S. policy to the insider trading scandals barely making headlines.

Tim traces how political corruption has evolved, from straightforward kickbacks to the foreign money now quietly steering decisions on war and energy. He and Heidi also get into what's happening back home in North Dakota, where data centers are reshaping local economies and testing what rural communities are willing to trade for growth.

In this episode:

  • How decades of scandal have made it normal for politicians to profit off their power
  • How foreign money, especially from the Gulf states, shapes U.S. decisions on war and energy
  • Insider trading and bribery in how political campaigns get funded
  • What the lawsuits against Trump show about deeper corruption
  • The midterm outlook in Iowa and North Dakota, and why low voter enthusiasm could hurt incumbents
  • How data centers are changing rural economies and who actually benefits
  • Why Democrats keep losing the messaging fight, and what could turn that around

Connect with Tim Miller

Bulwark Podcast

Twitter

Corruption doesn't announce itself. Tim and Heidi tell you where to actually look.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).


  • (00:00) - -- Opening: family updates and life outside politics
  • (01:52) - -- Corruption in government, from foreign money to insider access
  • (06:18) - -- Banking litigation and what discovery could reveal
  • (08:44) - -- Why corruption feels different now
  • (10:02) - -- Midterm strategy, Iowa, and the rural political map
  • (13:51) - -- Redistricting, turnout, and the enthusiasm gap
  • (17:06) - -- Corruption, broken promises, and the forever war
  • (20:45) - -- Oil profits and Trump's shifting base
  • (23:36) - -- Data centers and rural backlash
  • (29:34) - -- Trump's declining visibility in rural America
  • (31:41) - -- Democrats, socialism messaging, and the real majority
  • (39:05) - -- How Democrats should respond

Heidi Heitkamp, a former U.S. Senator, and her brother Joel, a longtime Midwest radio host, bring a unique perspective to the table in their podcast The Hot Dish. Their dynamic is the engine here-a blend of deep policy knowledge from the halls of Congress and grounded, everyday insight from community radio, all filtered through the familiar and often humorous lens of sibling debate. They sit down with a range of guests, from national newsmakers and elected officials to local policymakers, focusing squarely on the ideas and actions that impact rural communities across America. These aren't dry lectures; they're animated discussions that dig into practical solutions for real challenges, from economic opportunities to infrastructure. Produced by The One Country Project, the conversation on this podcast is as informative as it is engaging, often punctuated by the kind of lively back-and-forth that only a brother and sister can provide. You'll come for the insightful analysis on politics and news, but you'll stay for the authentic and enlightening dialogue that makes complex issues relatable. Each episode serves up a hearty mix of substance and personality, offering listeners a fresh take on the stories that shape the heart of the country.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Hot Dish
Podcast Episodes
The State of the Family Farm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
Grab your coffee and get ready to talk dirt! Heidi and Joel check in on the state of the family farm, taking stock of what's actually happening in farm country right now. From a farm bill that leaves small farmers behind…
The Race That Could Flip Mississippi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
Grab your sweet tea and pull up a chair! Heidi and Joel sit down with Scott Colom, candidate for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, to talk about what it actually takes to turn one of the reddest states in the nation. If you…
Rural America will Decide the Senate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
Hold onto your farm hats and Capitol coffee mugs! Heidi, Joel, and the legendary Scott MacFarlane spill the tea on courts, campaigns, and deer sausage. If you’re into political intrigue, judicial juiciness, and rural ral…
The Rural vs. Urban Divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
Buckle in, folks, because Suzanne Mettler brings deep insights on the rural-urban political divide — and it’s more about history, economics, and institutions than you might think. If you’ve ever wondered why rural voters…
Trump's Coalition is Collapsing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
Hold onto your hats, folks! Today's episode features political heavyweight Andrew Egger, joining the Heitkamps from The Bulwark, breaking down the current state of Donald Trump’s influence, the midterms’ future, and the…
Donald Trump versus the Pope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the messiest, juiciest conversations about church, politics, and global trade, served with a side of satire and a sprinkle of smirk. Former U.S. Senator and Ambass…
How do we get out of this mess? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:47
The Madness of Power and Prophecy: A Chat with Denver RigglemanBuckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the chaos that’s unraveling in U.S. politics and global diplomacy, with the ever-brave Denver Riggle…
Justin Wolfers on the Cost of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:59
Justin Wolfers returns to the Hot Dish to unpack the economic and political impacts of the Iran war with Heidi and Joel. This episode offers a clear-eyed view of how markets, government decisions, and public sentiment in…
Faith Communities to the Rescue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
In this episode, Heidi and Joel delve into the pivotal roles religion and community resilience play in rural America, featuring insightful conversations with Reverend Jane Field of Maine and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture…
Tom Nichols on Trump's Iran War and Disastrous Foreign Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
In this episode of The Hot Dish, Heidi and Joel talk to Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, about the complexities of the U.S. mili…