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
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)
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
January 1, 2026 at 12:18 AM
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
Reposted by David Dayen
This game is a nice encapsulation of the Sherrone Moore era. Come out with a lot of promise and a lot of sloppy mistakes, take advantage of some dumb luck, spend halftime fucking around instead of making adjustments, swing some 5-star shit around, and then finish with a spectacular collapse.
December 31, 2025 at 11:39 PM
This game is a nice encapsulation of the Sherrone Moore era. Come out with a lot of promise and a lot of sloppy mistakes, take advantage of some dumb luck, spend halftime fucking around instead of making adjustments, swing some 5-star shit around, and then finish with a spectacular collapse.
Reposted by David Dayen
I like how we're turning Arch Manning into Vince Young
December 31, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I like how we're turning Arch Manning into Vince Young
I like how we're turning Arch Manning into Vince Young
December 31, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I like how we're turning Arch Manning into Vince Young
Random WR 1st-quarter touchdown after a turnover for the second year in a row, I know far too much useless trivia about Michigan #GoBlue
December 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Random WR 1st-quarter touchdown after a turnover for the second year in a row, I know far too much useless trivia about Michigan #GoBlue
It's the last day of the year and we've got two more best of compilations. First from writing fellow James Baratta, who did some terrific stories on regulatory capture and private equity incursions on daily life.
prospect.org/2025/12/31/2...
prospect.org/2025/12/31/2...
2025 in Review: James Baratta - The American Prospect
Our writing fellow offers his favorite stories of the year.
prospect.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
It's the last day of the year and we've got two more best of compilations. First from writing fellow James Baratta, who did some terrific stories on regulatory capture and private equity incursions on daily life.
prospect.org/2025/12/31/2...
prospect.org/2025/12/31/2...
We are 30 years into the right-wing hissy fit and somehow it still manages to take people by surprise.
The truth of the matter is secondary, you put an allegation into the puke funnel and with Washington wired for conservatives it quickly becomes America's Most Important Story
The truth of the matter is secondary, you put an allegation into the puke funnel and with Washington wired for conservatives it quickly becomes America's Most Important Story
BREAKING
The Trump administration says it has frozen all childcare payments to Minnesota in the aftermath of allegations of fraud by some in the Somali community.
Important: allegations along these lines have existed for years, which has resulted in prosecutions starting with the Biden DOJ.
The Trump administration says it has frozen all childcare payments to Minnesota in the aftermath of allegations of fraud by some in the Somali community.
Important: allegations along these lines have existed for years, which has resulted in prosecutions starting with the Biden DOJ.
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 AM
We are 30 years into the right-wing hissy fit and somehow it still manages to take people by surprise.
The truth of the matter is secondary, you put an allegation into the puke funnel and with Washington wired for conservatives it quickly becomes America's Most Important Story
The truth of the matter is secondary, you put an allegation into the puke funnel and with Washington wired for conservatives it quickly becomes America's Most Important Story
Couple more Best of compilations today. First from Bluesky's own @ryanlcooper.com, who chooses his best of the year, including stories on Zohran, Greenland, and Trump:
prospect.org/2025/12/30/z...
prospect.org/2025/12/30/z...
Zohran, Greenland’s Oceanic Socialism, and the Trump Economy - The American Prospect
A senior editor reflects on his best pieces of 2025.
prospect.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Couple more Best of compilations today. First from Bluesky's own @ryanlcooper.com, who chooses his best of the year, including stories on Zohran, Greenland, and Trump:
prospect.org/2025/12/30/z...
prospect.org/2025/12/30/z...