Gregg Levine
@greggjlevine.bsky.social
Reporter/Editor/Analyst | Flâneur/gadabout/gimlet eye | bys @NewYorker @TheNation @Guardian @NewRepublic @AJAM | 2020 Alicia Patterson Foundation fellow
Pinned
2025 has taught me you don’t have to be smart to be ruthless.
Murderous anti-science, conspiracy-stoking grifters put this policy in place, but the road here has been paved by 6 years of ignoring & minimizing the effects of infectious diseases like Covid, flu, RSV & hMPV. All of those are airborne viruses & incidence of all are reduced with masks & mitigation.
HHS announces unprecedented overhaul of US childhood vaccine schedule
The new vaccination policy, which pares the number of universally recommended immunizations from 17 to 11, is modeled after the schedule used by Denmark.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The new vaccination policy, which pares the number of universally recommended immunizations from 17 to 11, is modeled after the schedule used by Denmark.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
January 5, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Murderous anti-science, conspiracy-stoking grifters put this policy in place, but the road here has been paved by 6 years of ignoring & minimizing the effects of infectious diseases like Covid, flu, RSV & hMPV. All of those are airborne viruses & incidence of all are reduced with masks & mitigation.
Oh look, billionaire backer of Trump (and before that, Rubio) bought Citgo last November. Citgo is the US subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-run oil company.
It was a forced sale—one which Maduro had been challenging in court.
(From @popular.info —who should get off substack & update its Bsky page.)
It was a forced sale—one which Maduro had been challenging in court.
(From @popular.info —who should get off substack & update its Bsky page.)
Venezuela raid enriches MAGA billionaire
The ouster of Maduro is a financial windfall for a prominent Trump-supporting billionaire, investor Paul Singer.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Oh look, billionaire backer of Trump (and before that, Rubio) bought Citgo last November. Citgo is the US subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-run oil company.
It was a forced sale—one which Maduro had been challenging in court.
(From @popular.info —who should get off substack & update its Bsky page.)
It was a forced sale—one which Maduro had been challenging in court.
(From @popular.info —who should get off substack & update its Bsky page.)
We live in the dumbest timeline.
January 5, 2026 at 10:34 AM
We live in the dumbest timeline.
As a time-honored rule, I stop playing holiday music at the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve. I wish advertisers would do me the honor of adhering to the same stricture.
January 5, 2026 at 4:50 AM
As a time-honored rule, I stop playing holiday music at the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve. I wish advertisers would do me the honor of adhering to the same stricture.
Trump is the horrifically imperfect combo of “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it” and “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
January 4, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Trump is the horrifically imperfect combo of “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it” and “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.”
Scared, thirsty and stupid is no way to go through life, Marco.
BRENNAN: You're describing the regime as still in place. I'm confused why the Trump admin only arrested Maduro. The chief thug who controls the police & has $25m price on his head is still in place
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
January 4, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Scared, thirsty and stupid is no way to go through life, Marco.
With the Sunday news shows now in the books, I feel pretty secure in saying that, in three sleepless minutes, I came up with better messaging on Trump’s Venezuela incursion than the whole of Democratic leadership.
The money was to buy me healthcare plan,
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
Harry Belafonte "Matilda, Matilda" on The Ed Sullivan Show
YouTube video by The Ed Sullivan Show
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 7:34 PM
With the Sunday news shows now in the books, I feel pretty secure in saying that, in three sleepless minutes, I came up with better messaging on Trump’s Venezuela incursion than the whole of Democratic leadership.
The sick man of the Americas.
Long ago, a declining Ottoman Empire was nicknamed “the sick man of Europe.” I have long said that as the US loses ability to use soft power, as its economic, scientific & cultural influence wanes, it will still have and increasingly use its military to get its way.
Long ago, a declining Ottoman Empire was nicknamed “the sick man of Europe.” I have long said that as the US loses ability to use soft power, as its economic, scientific & cultural influence wanes, it will still have and increasingly use its military to get its way.
We need to be honest with ourselves and our leaders about Venezuela
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
America launches its 250th birthday year by becoming a rogue state | Will Bunch
Trump's illegal war on Venezuela cemented his claim to dictatorship and marked the U.S. as a global pariah.
www.inquirer.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:14 PM
The sick man of the Americas.
Long ago, a declining Ottoman Empire was nicknamed “the sick man of Europe.” I have long said that as the US loses ability to use soft power, as its economic, scientific & cultural influence wanes, it will still have and increasingly use its military to get its way.
Long ago, a declining Ottoman Empire was nicknamed “the sick man of Europe.” I have long said that as the US loses ability to use soft power, as its economic, scientific & cultural influence wanes, it will still have and increasingly use its military to get its way.
It’s going to come out that the Bondi DOJ used ChatGPT to draw up the new Maduro indictment, isn’t it?
There seems to be doubt among experts whether the “Cartel of the Suns” mentioned in the Maduro indictment actually exists: www.bbc.com/news/article...
January 4, 2026 at 9:34 AM
It’s going to come out that the Bondi DOJ used ChatGPT to draw up the new Maduro indictment, isn’t it?
The money was to buy me healthcare plan,
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
Harry Belafonte "Matilda, Matilda" on The Ed Sullivan Show
YouTube video by The Ed Sullivan Show
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 8:43 AM
The money was to buy me healthcare plan,
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
But he’d eyes for foreign land.
Donald Trump, he take me money to run Venezuela.
Everybody!
I’m listening to the BBC describe a country’s corrupt actions and insane declarations, and it suddenly hits me, “oh shit, they’re talking about the place I live.”
January 4, 2026 at 7:13 AM
I’m listening to the BBC describe a country’s corrupt actions and insane declarations, and it suddenly hits me, “oh shit, they’re talking about the place I live.”
Maybe if Machado offers to swap Peace Prizes with Trump, she can get him to reevaluate.
Trump says Venezuelan opposition leader doesn't have the 'respect' to govern after Maduro ousted
Venezuelans are reacting to the U.S. operation early Saturday that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
abcnews.go.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Maybe if Machado offers to swap Peace Prizes with Trump, she can get him to reevaluate.
Jeffries to Schumer: "Well, that seems like the very least we could do."
Schumer to Jeffries: "Exactly."
Schumer to Jeffries: "Exactly."
This is *extremely* weak leadership from Jeffries and Schumer. When the wannabe king ignores congress to initiate regime change abroad, they are requesting a fucking briefing sometime soon.
January 4, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Jeffries to Schumer: "Well, that seems like the very least we could do."
Schumer to Jeffries: "Exactly."
Schumer to Jeffries: "Exactly."
As Maduro is removed from an airplane at NY Stewart Airport, he is preceded down the stairs by someone, apparently in an FBI jacket, holding up a mobile phone, appearing to photograph or tape the event.
Expect social media, likely set to music for which DHS has not purchased the rights, soon.
Expect social media, likely set to music for which DHS has not purchased the rights, soon.
January 3, 2026 at 10:32 PM
As Maduro is removed from an airplane at NY Stewart Airport, he is preceded down the stairs by someone, apparently in an FBI jacket, holding up a mobile phone, appearing to photograph or tape the event.
Expect social media, likely set to music for which DHS has not purchased the rights, soon.
Expect social media, likely set to music for which DHS has not purchased the rights, soon.
Aaaand… Rubio is already out there threatening Cuba.
January 3, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Aaaand… Rubio is already out there threatening Cuba.
Same as it ever was… cable news just effing loves it some kinetic war.
January 3, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Same as it ever was… cable news just effing loves it some kinetic war.
I wish I had fallen asleep before all this started.
January 3, 2026 at 12:15 PM
I wish I had fallen asleep before all this started.
I doubt we will ever know the whole story, but I am curious about the tick tock on how sign off from President Sundown was given.
NYT reporter who spoke with Trump remarked he seemed very tired.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
NYT reporter who spoke with Trump remarked he seemed very tired.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 3, 2026 at 11:06 AM
I doubt we will ever know the whole story, but I am curious about the tick tock on how sign off from President Sundown was given.
NYT reporter who spoke with Trump remarked he seemed very tired.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
NYT reporter who spoke with Trump remarked he seemed very tired.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
I said this in a joking way, but it’s not really a joke. Rubio has been hellbent on regime change in Venezuela as a stepping stone to regime change in Cuba, Hegseth just likes hurting people and Trump likes anything he can do without having to consult with others that makes him feel like he’s king.
Maduro’s offer to talk was getting too much press—gotta war war before too many insist Rubio jaw jaw.
January 3, 2026 at 7:17 AM
I said this in a joking way, but it’s not really a joke. Rubio has been hellbent on regime change in Venezuela as a stepping stone to regime change in Cuba, Hegseth just likes hurting people and Trump likes anything he can do without having to consult with others that makes him feel like he’s king.
War (good god) what is it good for?
(Giving Trump a chubby)
Say it again.
(Giving Trump a chubby)
Say it again.
CNN team witnesses multiple explosions in Venezuela’s capital Caracas | CNN
A CNN team witnessed several explosions on Saturday night in Caracas, and reported that some areas of the city were without electricity.
www.cnn.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:58 AM
War (good god) what is it good for?
(Giving Trump a chubby)
Say it again.
(Giving Trump a chubby)
Say it again.
Dem leadership twisted their panties into pretzels because TikTok was showing folks what US munitions were doing in Gaza, but here’s a site, run by a sworn opponent, generating bespoke CSAM, and I can hear the crickets doing three-part harmonies.
And every single AG and prosecutor needs to be asked why Elon Musk and xAI leadership aren't being immediately investigated and indicted for this.
January 3, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Dem leadership twisted their panties into pretzels because TikTok was showing folks what US munitions were doing in Gaza, but here’s a site, run by a sworn opponent, generating bespoke CSAM, and I can hear the crickets doing three-part harmonies.
I thought living through 1984 and 2001 was mind blowing—now it’s 2026!
Is there any future left?
Is there any future left?
How 2026 was depicted in the sci-fi classic 'Metropolis' (1927)
January 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
I thought living through 1984 and 2001 was mind blowing—now it’s 2026!
Is there any future left?
Is there any future left?
Also: earthquakes are not “tumblers,” they’re “temblors.”
Also: "forte" meaning strength—as in "it's not my forte"—is of French derivation, and is pronounced fort, as in Fort Sumter.
If you pronounce it for-tay, then you are using the Italian-rooted musical term for "loud" or "with intensity."
"It's not my loud" doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?
If you pronounce it for-tay, then you are using the Italian-rooted musical term for "loud" or "with intensity."
"It's not my loud" doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?
January 2, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Also: earthquakes are not “tumblers,” they’re “temblors.”
Reposted by Gregg Levine
Mayor Mamdani, please be a good role model and mask especially on public transit. Collectivism includes collective health
Mayor Mamdani hasn't moved into Gracie Mansion yet and remains in his Astoria apartment for now, his team says. He expects to move at some point before his lease is up Jan. 30.
His team also shares this pic of him taking the W train to City Hall this morning from Astoria.
His team also shares this pic of him taking the W train to City Hall this morning from Astoria.
January 2, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Mayor Mamdani, please be a good role model and mask especially on public transit. Collectivism includes collective health
NYT has an article about Mayor Mamdani’s EO revoking Adams EOs signed after Eric’s indictment—all of them. But the Times thought it important to publish a separate story to drive one of its favorite narratives.
The 2 EOs, btw, elevated rightwing takes on dissent & needed to be revoked. (Gift link)
The 2 EOs, btw, elevated rightwing takes on dissent & needed to be revoked. (Gift link)
Mamdani Revokes Executive Orders That Adams Signed to Support Israel
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:29 AM
NYT has an article about Mayor Mamdani’s EO revoking Adams EOs signed after Eric’s indictment—all of them. But the Times thought it important to publish a separate story to drive one of its favorite narratives.
The 2 EOs, btw, elevated rightwing takes on dissent & needed to be revoked. (Gift link)
The 2 EOs, btw, elevated rightwing takes on dissent & needed to be revoked. (Gift link)