Ben Fenton
@benfenton.bsky.social
Media/politics(Washington Corr covered 2 US presidential elections); Fairness - Author of TO BE FAIR https://menschpublishing.com/books/to-be-fair/ Formerly: Chair, Orwell Journalism Prize; FT chief media corr; Telegraph Senior Reporter & DC correspondent
Pinned
Ben Fenton
@benfenton.bsky.social
· Dec 16
Luigi Mangione, folk hero
The man suspected of murdering the CEO of America’s largest healthcare company has been lionised because of a yearning for fairness
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
I wrote a thing about how the folk-hero-worship of Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of a health-insurance CEO, is a result of our profound instincts of fairness and unfairness.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...
I should have added this to the list of reasons why Trump has staged a proxy coup in a foreign country.
(PS until we know what military force was used, calling it a ‘war’ may be premature)
(PS until we know what military force was used, calling it a ‘war’ may be premature)
Trump's policies mean "about 16 million people become uninsured — about half Medicaid and half marketplace.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
Opinion | The MAHA Pipe Dream Is Going to Hurt MAGA the Most
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I should have added this to the list of reasons why Trump has staged a proxy coup in a foreign country.
(PS until we know what military force was used, calling it a ‘war’ may be premature)
(PS until we know what military force was used, calling it a ‘war’ may be premature)
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Trump's policies mean "about 16 million people become uninsured — about half Medicaid and half marketplace.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
Opinion | The MAHA Pipe Dream Is Going to Hurt MAGA the Most
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Trump's policies mean "about 16 million people become uninsured — about half Medicaid and half marketplace.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/o...
The big question I’m asking myself this morning is:
“Is the King somewhere safe?”
“Is the King somewhere safe?”
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 AM
The big question I’m asking myself this morning is:
“Is the King somewhere safe?”
“Is the King somewhere safe?”
Who could have guessed that, when we finally realised how much we screwed ourselves by slashing and burning our military, that it would be America that made us regret it?
January 3, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Who could have guessed that, when we finally realised how much we screwed ourselves by slashing and burning our military, that it would be America that made us regret it?
Venezuela Pros and Cons for Trump? Pros: Propaganda win at home - strong leader, demonises Latinos, fulfils promises, distracts from Epstein; sends horrifying message to strongmen leaders in LatAm and makes them cooperate in deportations; oil.
January 3, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Venezuela Pros and Cons for Trump? Pros: Propaganda win at home - strong leader, demonises Latinos, fulfils promises, distracts from Epstein; sends horrifying message to strongmen leaders in LatAm and makes them cooperate in deportations; oil.
Can someone please check in on @janinegibson.ft.com - thinking of her at this exciting and yet truly horrifying time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Major incident declared over giant hole at Shropshire canal
Two boats have been left at the bottom of the cavity, where water has drained away.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Can someone please check in on @janinegibson.ft.com - thinking of her at this exciting and yet truly horrifying time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two weeks ago, the UK Government trumpeted a major global partnership with TAE Technologies, a US nuclear fusion firm.
Today, TAE Technologies announces it is merging with Trump Media.
So does that now mean Britain is partnering with Trump's Media company? Did HMG know in advance?
Today, TAE Technologies announces it is merging with Trump Media.
So does that now mean Britain is partnering with Trump's Media company? Did HMG know in advance?
December 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Two weeks ago, the UK Government trumpeted a major global partnership with TAE Technologies, a US nuclear fusion firm.
Today, TAE Technologies announces it is merging with Trump Media.
So does that now mean Britain is partnering with Trump's Media company? Did HMG know in advance?
Today, TAE Technologies announces it is merging with Trump Media.
So does that now mean Britain is partnering with Trump's Media company? Did HMG know in advance?
The most important part of this photograph is the signpost pointing to "Rail Drive", a much-missed part of the British travelling experience which allowed you to drive your car onto a train (Eurotunnel style), go to your couchette for 12 hours and then drive off again in Fort William or Inverness.
December 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The most important part of this photograph is the signpost pointing to "Rail Drive", a much-missed part of the British travelling experience which allowed you to drive your car onto a train (Eurotunnel style), go to your couchette for 12 hours and then drive off again in Fort William or Inverness.
Umm, this company that is getting into bed with Trump's media business is already in bed with...the British government and its nuclear energy group UKAEA.
How is that going to work? Has someone misread a US stock market filing?
www.gov.uk/government/n...
How is that going to work? Has someone misread a US stock market filing?
www.gov.uk/government/n...
December 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Umm, this company that is getting into bed with Trump's media business is already in bed with...the British government and its nuclear energy group UKAEA.
How is that going to work? Has someone misread a US stock market filing?
www.gov.uk/government/n...
How is that going to work? Has someone misread a US stock market filing?
www.gov.uk/government/n...
If ChatGPT is so brilliant at everything, how come OpenAI used Grok as a headhunter?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Former chancellor George Osborne joins OpenAI
Osborne said it was a privilege to become managing director of OpenAI for Countries based in London.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
If ChatGPT is so brilliant at everything, how come OpenAI used Grok as a headhunter?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Open Ai Bigwig: 'Hi ChatGPT, We're looking to hire a big-brained Brit with a reputation for getting things done and is really popular everywhere he goes. Ideas?"
Bot: "Hi and thanks for asking. How about this list? 1. George Osborne. 2. Liz Truss. 3. Nick Clegg?"
Bigwig: Wow, great! No. 1 it is!"
Bot: "Hi and thanks for asking. How about this list? 1. George Osborne. 2. Liz Truss. 3. Nick Clegg?"
Bigwig: Wow, great! No. 1 it is!"
December 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Open Ai Bigwig: 'Hi ChatGPT, We're looking to hire a big-brained Brit with a reputation for getting things done and is really popular everywhere he goes. Ideas?"
Bot: "Hi and thanks for asking. How about this list? 1. George Osborne. 2. Liz Truss. 3. Nick Clegg?"
Bigwig: Wow, great! No. 1 it is!"
Bot: "Hi and thanks for asking. How about this list? 1. George Osborne. 2. Liz Truss. 3. Nick Clegg?"
Bigwig: Wow, great! No. 1 it is!"
This seems to me to be a case of prejudice based on the fact that he was wearing a mask.
It seems the raccoon might have a problem — and it’s not just drinking.
The raccoon, famously known for its Nov. 29 drunken spree at a Virginia liquor store, is suspected of sneaking into multiple businesses in the same shopping center.
The raccoon, famously known for its Nov. 29 drunken spree at a Virginia liquor store, is suspected of sneaking into multiple businesses in the same shopping center.
Drunk raccoon found in liquor store is a repeat offender, officials say
Virginia animal protection officials say the furry bandit is suspected in break-ins at a martial arts studio and Department of Motor Vehicles office.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This seems to me to be a case of prejudice based on the fact that he was wearing a mask.
For anyone old enough to remember the 1994 World Cup in the USA and all the fuss about how US media couldn't love a game that didn't have "four quarters", because 'ad breaks', it has taken 31 years for this shoe to drop, but drop it finally has...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
2026 World Cup to feature three-minute hydration breaks in every half throughout tournament
Every game will pause for three minutes in the middle of each half, which will essentially split the match into quarters.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
For anyone old enough to remember the 1994 World Cup in the USA and all the fuss about how US media couldn't love a game that didn't have "four quarters", because 'ad breaks', it has taken 31 years for this shoe to drop, but drop it finally has...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Axios says Jared Kushner is part of this Paramount effort to undo Netflix's agreed bid for WBD.
If so, is this when corporate America realises what it has bought with its support for a Trump presidency?
Oct/Nov 24, a friend told me all big US media wanted Trump to win. Now, maybe not all of them.
If so, is this when corporate America realises what it has bought with its support for a Trump presidency?
Oct/Nov 24, a friend told me all big US media wanted Trump to win. Now, maybe not all of them.
Breaking news: Paramount has launched a $108bn hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery, in an attempt to outmanoeuvre Netflix after the streaming giant won an auction for the media company last week. on.ft.com/3MmkV1c
December 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Axios says Jared Kushner is part of this Paramount effort to undo Netflix's agreed bid for WBD.
If so, is this when corporate America realises what it has bought with its support for a Trump presidency?
Oct/Nov 24, a friend told me all big US media wanted Trump to win. Now, maybe not all of them.
If so, is this when corporate America realises what it has bought with its support for a Trump presidency?
Oct/Nov 24, a friend told me all big US media wanted Trump to win. Now, maybe not all of them.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Breaking news: Paramount has launched a $108bn hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery, in an attempt to outmanoeuvre Netflix after the streaming giant won an auction for the media company last week. on.ft.com/3MmkV1c
December 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Breaking news: Paramount has launched a $108bn hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery, in an attempt to outmanoeuvre Netflix after the streaming giant won an auction for the media company last week. on.ft.com/3MmkV1c
I do wih I had put that bet on when Zuckerberg announced that the metaverse was the future of his company, but unfortunately the only way you could have placed it would have been to short his share price and that is not open to logical forces.
Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI on.ft.com/3Mj7yPh
Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI
Mark Zuckerberg’s social media company considers cutting unit’s budget by as much as 30%
on.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I do wih I had put that bet on when Zuckerberg announced that the metaverse was the future of his company, but unfortunately the only way you could have placed it would have been to short his share price and that is not open to logical forces.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI on.ft.com/3Mj7yPh
Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI
Mark Zuckerberg’s social media company considers cutting unit’s budget by as much as 30%
on.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI on.ft.com/3Mj7yPh
Well, maybe 2026 is the year we all shout: "OK, I've had enough. I'm coming out. I surrender."
Pantone has named a shade of white called Cloud Dancer as the defining color of the next year. Have they gotten it right? Reporters for our Styles desk sat down to debate. trib.al/Vf9rhmC
December 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Well, maybe 2026 is the year we all shout: "OK, I've had enough. I'm coming out. I surrender."
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Pantone has named a shade of white called Cloud Dancer as the defining color of the next year. Have they gotten it right? Reporters for our Styles desk sat down to debate. trib.al/Vf9rhmC
December 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Pantone has named a shade of white called Cloud Dancer as the defining color of the next year. Have they gotten it right? Reporters for our Styles desk sat down to debate. trib.al/Vf9rhmC
Dunno about you, but I have never empathised with an animal as much as I am empathising with the raccoon in this photograph.
"The Hanover county animal protection and shelter confirmed the raccoon was drunk and said it had since become sober."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Drunk raccoon found passed out in Virginia liquor store
Store employee found masked bandit sleeping off a bender after invading booze store and tippling a tad too much
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Dunno about you, but I have never empathised with an animal as much as I am empathising with the raccoon in this photograph.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
"The Hanover county animal protection and shelter confirmed the raccoon was drunk and said it had since become sober."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Drunk raccoon found passed out in Virginia liquor store
Store employee found masked bandit sleeping off a bender after invading booze store and tippling a tad too much
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"The Hanover county animal protection and shelter confirmed the raccoon was drunk and said it had since become sober."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This is being reported as if the alternative was to say that he went via the bank to deposit his pay-off.
WITKOFF GOES TO THE U.S. EMBASSY IN MOSCOW AFTER MEETING WITH PUTIN IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺🤝
December 2, 2025 at 9:41 PM
This is being reported as if the alternative was to say that he went via the bank to deposit his pay-off.
"How many flotillas has the Pope?" Trump asks Hegseth.
POPE LEO URGES US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION NOT TO ATTEMPT MILITARY OUSTER OF VENEZUELA'S MADURO
December 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"How many flotillas has the Pope?" Trump asks Hegseth.