David Dayen
@ddayen.bsky.social
Executive editor, The American Prospect. Author, Chain of Title and Monopolized. Tips at ddayen-at-prospect-dot-org or Signal at ddayen.90
Pinned
Happy New Year everyone. I've been working on our first big project of 2026 all day long. We grind to bring you stories about ideas, politics, and power.
We're wrapping our end of the year fundraiser and we're close to our goal. I'd be honored to have your support.
Thanks.
prospect.org/donate
We're wrapping our end of the year fundraiser and we're close to our goal. I'd be honored to have your support.
Thanks.
prospect.org/donate
My holiday reading of Joe Jackson's history of the Spanish-American War appears to have inadvertently served me well for this moment.
January 4, 2026 at 4:50 PM
My holiday reading of Joe Jackson's history of the Spanish-American War appears to have inadvertently served me well for this moment.
Rubio went 0-1 on Venezuela. Wanted to deliver the country to right-wing Floridian exiles, got Maduro's VP.
He probably hopes she won't comply & in the unrest his buddies can get back in. Meanwhile he's set a regime change precedent for a bigger prize: delivering Cuba to right-wing Floridian exiles.
He probably hopes she won't comply & in the unrest his buddies can get back in. Meanwhile he's set a regime change precedent for a bigger prize: delivering Cuba to right-wing Floridian exiles.
WELKER: Is the Cuban government the Trump administration's next target?
MARCO RUBIO: Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah.
WELKER: Is that a yes?
RUBIO: I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes
MARCO RUBIO: Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem. Yeah.
WELKER: Is that a yes?
RUBIO: I think they're in a lot of trouble, yes
January 4, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Rubio went 0-1 on Venezuela. Wanted to deliver the country to right-wing Floridian exiles, got Maduro's VP.
He probably hopes she won't comply & in the unrest his buddies can get back in. Meanwhile he's set a regime change precedent for a bigger prize: delivering Cuba to right-wing Floridian exiles.
He probably hopes she won't comply & in the unrest his buddies can get back in. Meanwhile he's set a regime change precedent for a bigger prize: delivering Cuba to right-wing Floridian exiles.
I mean a guy can't even kidnap a foreign leader in an unauthorized military operation without getting criticized anymore
Some Democrats hate that their party is largely positioning itself in opposition to the operation that resulted in Maduro's capture.
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"It looks weak": Some Democrats want their party to shut up and clap for Maduro's capture
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," fumed one House Democrat.
www.axios.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:43 PM
I mean a guy can't even kidnap a foreign leader in an unauthorized military operation without getting criticized anymore
Let's first put together a commission to issue a study of a report and then we can convene a task force to devise recommendations to consider... I believe it's 2029 now, whew
Asked if he supports Congress using its power of the purse to hold Trump accountable for Venezuela, Chuck Schumer replies: "Let's first get the facts."
January 4, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Let's first put together a commission to issue a study of a report and then we can convene a task force to devise recommendations to consider... I believe it's 2029 now, whew
Reposted by David Dayen
this is your mission. our pedophile president needs you to jump out of a helicopter to kidnap a head of state and his wife so some oil ceos can make a lot of money. we’ll be watching from a resort in florida that still serves wedge salad and checking how many retweets we get. good luck soldier
January 3, 2026 at 10:57 PM
this is your mission. our pedophile president needs you to jump out of a helicopter to kidnap a head of state and his wife so some oil ceos can make a lot of money. we’ll be watching from a resort in florida that still serves wedge salad and checking how many retweets we get. good luck soldier
Reposted by David Dayen
We've got 1 more Moe Tkacik banger in us before the end of the year.
It's about Marco Rubio, his scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses & their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country in the name of fighting drug cartels, & his high school summer job working for a drug trafficker.
It's about Marco Rubio, his scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses & their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country in the name of fighting drug cartels, & his high school summer job working for a drug trafficker.
The Narco-Terrorist Elite - The American Prospect
Why is Marco Rubio so hell-bent on making Iran-Contra again?
prospect.org
December 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
We've got 1 more Moe Tkacik banger in us before the end of the year.
It's about Marco Rubio, his scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses & their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country in the name of fighting drug cartels, & his high school summer job working for a drug trafficker.
It's about Marco Rubio, his scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses & their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country in the name of fighting drug cartels, & his high school summer job working for a drug trafficker.
It's about restoring Rubio's grifter friends to the palace, the oil thing is the cover story for the rubes and the companies who don't want to produce any more because prices are already in suicidal territory have to be bullied to prop it up
Very important signal here. You can say it's abt oil. And part of it is. But the White House is actually being forced to strongarm the oil companies to get involved. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump admin sends tough private message to oil companies on Venezuela
The White House has told companies they must rebuild Venezuela's crude-pumping infrastructure if they want compensation for assets seized by Caracas.
www.politico.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:49 PM
It's about restoring Rubio's grifter friends to the palace, the oil thing is the cover story for the rubes and the companies who don't want to produce any more because prices are already in suicidal territory have to be bullied to prop it up
How can we trade on Polymarket if we don't know about the operation in advance???
January 3, 2026 at 7:55 PM
How can we trade on Polymarket if we don't know about the operation in advance???
We have been researching the ease with which administration officials could do this kind of thing (even just by rumormongering) for several weeks, and were planning to run a story about it next week. Events overtook us, but look for our report soon at @prospect.org.
January 3, 2026 at 7:23 PM
We have been researching the ease with which administration officials could do this kind of thing (even just by rumormongering) for several weeks, and were planning to run a story about it next week. Events overtook us, but look for our report soon at @prospect.org.
They love rearranging their little green plastic army men. The next antiwar voice on cable news will be the first, I won't miss it when it's gone (5 years tops)
I turn on MSNOW and hear Gen. McCaffrey being too admiring of the operation as an operation: "unbelievable, audacious, complex, and successful military operation."
January 3, 2026 at 3:44 PM
They love rearranging their little green plastic army men. The next antiwar voice on cable news will be the first, I won't miss it when it's gone (5 years tops)
Surely the citizens of a country that has named itself "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" will meekly consent to whatever leadership a foreign government chooses for them
January 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Surely the citizens of a country that has named itself "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" will meekly consent to whatever leadership a foreign government chooses for them
Reposted by David Dayen
So for months they have tried to blame the entire fentanyl crisis on Venezuela and the indictment only mentions cocaine, which they pardoned a different guy for weeks ago
January 3, 2026 at 2:03 PM
So for months they have tried to blame the entire fentanyl crisis on Venezuela and the indictment only mentions cocaine, which they pardoned a different guy for weeks ago
Reposted by David Dayen
The legal justification the WH gave us for attacking Venezuelan boats in int’l waters without Congressional approval was weak, and exposes the WH and military staff to domestic and international criminal prosecution. They have not even sought to justify strikes within Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 2:32 PM
The legal justification the WH gave us for attacking Venezuelan boats in int’l waters without Congressional approval was weak, and exposes the WH and military staff to domestic and international criminal prosecution. They have not even sought to justify strikes within Venezuela.
Reposted by David Dayen
So if you’re Venezuelan and in the U.S., we’re kidnapping you and flying you back to Venezuela.
And if you’re Venezuelan and in Venezuela, we’re kidnapping you and flying you to the U.S.
And if you’re Venezuelan and in Venezuela, we’re kidnapping you and flying you to the U.S.
January 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
So if you’re Venezuelan and in the U.S., we’re kidnapping you and flying you back to Venezuela.
And if you’re Venezuelan and in Venezuela, we’re kidnapping you and flying you to the U.S.
And if you’re Venezuelan and in Venezuela, we’re kidnapping you and flying you to the U.S.
Reposted by David Dayen
the ultimate democratic party response: i LOVE the crazy illegal thing you just did, but could you perhaps come to my office to sign form 317b for it?
My statement on the capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and need for a transition to democracy:
January 3, 2026 at 2:38 PM
the ultimate democratic party response: i LOVE the crazy illegal thing you just did, but could you perhaps come to my office to sign form 317b for it?
Marco Rubio's right-wing exile grifters stand ready to bankrupt Venezuela and steal everything they can
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
The $30 Billion Identity Theft of Venezuela - The American Prospect
How Juan Guaidó sucked a weary nation dry, and primed it for the current U.S.-led assault
prospect.org
January 3, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Marco Rubio's right-wing exile grifters stand ready to bankrupt Venezuela and steal everything they can
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
Saw Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die at the Palm Springs Film Fest tonight (with a Q&A with the director after). He deserves a lot of credit for taking a big swing with this one, which is shockingly negative about AI and matches the zeitgeist. Sam Rockwell is insane (as usual).
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Saw Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die at the Palm Springs Film Fest tonight (with a Q&A with the director after). He deserves a lot of credit for taking a big swing with this one, which is shockingly negative about AI and matches the zeitgeist. Sam Rockwell is insane (as usual).
Our resident analyzer of political rhetoric, Harold Meyerson, viewed Zohran Mamdani's speech yesterday and saw it as a homeboy speech, a tour of New York City, meant to stress identification and reassurance, legitimacy, and commitment. Here's his report:
prospect.org/2026/01/02/e...
prospect.org/2026/01/02/e...
Enter, Stage Left, Mayor Mamdani - The American Prospect
Rather than tell his fellow New Yorkers to lower their expectations of what government could do, the city’s new mayor vowed that “the only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.”
prospect.org
January 2, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Our resident analyzer of political rhetoric, Harold Meyerson, viewed Zohran Mamdani's speech yesterday and saw it as a homeboy speech, a tour of New York City, meant to stress identification and reassurance, legitimacy, and commitment. Here's his report:
prospect.org/2026/01/02/e...
prospect.org/2026/01/02/e...
One last day of best of before we rev up for 2026.
First, our best veterans stories from our incredible investigative journalist Suzanne Gordon.
prospect.org/2026/01/02/b...
First, our best veterans stories from our incredible investigative journalist Suzanne Gordon.
prospect.org/2026/01/02/b...
Best of 2025: Suzanne Gordon - The American Prospect
Our veterans affairs reporter looks back on the year.
prospect.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:20 PM
One last day of best of before we rev up for 2026.
First, our best veterans stories from our incredible investigative journalist Suzanne Gordon.
prospect.org/2026/01/02/b...
First, our best veterans stories from our incredible investigative journalist Suzanne Gordon.
prospect.org/2026/01/02/b...
Reposted by David Dayen
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's vision is an NYC where economic growth & economic justice go hand in hand. That’s only a radical notion because we’ve become so accustomed to economic injustice as the norm.
Doesn’t get better than working with @linamkhan.bsky.social & @saalevine.bsky.social again!
Doesn’t get better than working with @linamkhan.bsky.social & @saalevine.bsky.social again!
Happy New Year! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, and some of his most high-profile aides were among the most effective members of the Biden administration.
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
Meet Mamdani’s Biden Expats - The American Prospect
Several former members of the Biden administration, including a cabinet official, are going to work for New York City’s new mayor. Here’s what they have planned.
prospect.org
January 2, 2026 at 9:46 AM
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's vision is an NYC where economic growth & economic justice go hand in hand. That’s only a radical notion because we’ve become so accustomed to economic injustice as the norm.
Doesn’t get better than working with @linamkhan.bsky.social & @saalevine.bsky.social again!
Doesn’t get better than working with @linamkhan.bsky.social & @saalevine.bsky.social again!
Reposted by David Dayen
Power is a muscle,” Su said. “You strengthen it by exercising it. There’s power that cities have, that has not always been exercised for the good of the people who have been forgotten.”
Happy New Year! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, and some of his most high-profile aides were among the most effective members of the Biden administration.
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
Meet Mamdani’s Biden Expats - The American Prospect
Several former members of the Biden administration, including a cabinet official, are going to work for New York City’s new mayor. Here’s what they have planned.
prospect.org
January 1, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Power is a muscle,” Su said. “You strengthen it by exercising it. There’s power that cities have, that has not always been exercised for the good of the people who have been forgotten.”
Reposted by David Dayen
President Biden had his flaws but led with compassion, appointed talented public servants, and enacted some excellent policies through laws and regulation. Read @ddayen.bsky.social here on how some Biden expats may help drive the new Mayor's agenda. /1
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
Meet Mamdani’s Biden Expats - The American Prospect
Several former members of the Biden administration, including a cabinet official, are going to work for New York City’s new mayor. Here’s what they have planned.
prospect.org
January 1, 2026 at 2:32 PM
President Biden had his flaws but led with compassion, appointed talented public servants, and enacted some excellent policies through laws and regulation. Read @ddayen.bsky.social here on how some Biden expats may help drive the new Mayor's agenda. /1
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
Happy New Year! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, and some of his most high-profile aides were among the most effective members of the Biden administration.
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
Meet Mamdani’s Biden Expats - The American Prospect
Several former members of the Biden administration, including a cabinet official, are going to work for New York City’s new mayor. Here’s what they have planned.
prospect.org
January 1, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Happy New Year! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, and some of his most high-profile aides were among the most effective members of the Biden administration.
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
I talked to them about their plans for this, the first story at @prospect.org for 2026:
prospect.org/2026/01/01/m...
You're welcome to Indiana and Miami for softening Ohio St up for you, signed, Michigan (this is not even close to what happened)
January 1, 2026 at 3:56 AM
You're welcome to Indiana and Miami for softening Ohio St up for you, signed, Michigan (this is not even close to what happened)