Tim Miller (born December 25, 1981) is an American political commentator, writer, and former political consultant. He served as communications director for Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign and later became a prominent Republican critic of Donald Trump. Miller is a writer‑at‑large for the conservative opinion website The Bulwark and hosts its daily podcast. He also appears as an analyst on MSNBC’s program MS NOW.
Early life and education
Miller was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Littleton, Colorado. He graduated from Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, in 2000. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs in 2004.
Political career
Miller began his involvement in Republican politics as an intern on the 1998 Colorado gubernatorial election. He later worked as an Iowa staffer for John McCain’s 2008 presidential primary campaign. In 2012, Miller served as national press secretary for Jon Huntsman’s presidential campaign and subsequently acted as a liaison for the Republican National Committee (RNC) to Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign.
In 2015, former Florida governor Jeb Bush hired Miller as a senior adviser to his exploratory committee and the Right to Rise political action committee. Miller was appointed communications director for Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign, where he gained visibility for his vocal criticism of Donald Trump. During the South Carolina primary debate that year, Miller was involved in a physical altercation with Trump campaign strategist Corey Lewandowski.
Anti‑Trump advocacy
After Bush withdrew from the race, Miller emerged as an early and outspoken member of the “Never Trump” movement, regularly condemning Trump’s rhetoric and strategy. He co‑founded the anti‑Trump political action committee Our Principles PAC and contributed commentary to various media outlets, positioning himself as a leading critic within the Republican establishment.
Later work and media
Following his shift from campaign work to commentary, Miller joined The Bulwark, a platform founded by former Republicans opposed to Trump. He writes columns, hosts the site’s daily podcast, and contributes analysis to MSNBC, NPR, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and other publications. In 2023, he succeeded Charlie Sykes as host of The Bulwark’s flagship podcast.
Personal life
Miller is married to Tyler Jameson, and the couple has one child. He identifies as an independent as of 2020, having previously been affiliated with the Republican Party.
References
- Wikipedia entry on Tim Miller (political strategist)
- Various news articles and interviews documenting Miller’s career and public commentary.