Jack Benjamin
@jackcarterbenjamin.bsky.social
Senior reporter and podcast producer for The Media Leader, a trade publication focused on all things commercial media.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.
There is 1000x more money in ranting about being a victim of “the woke left” than there is in being an actual member of the left.
You have to respect his dedication to writing the same article over and over again regardless of context, relevance or accuracy
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
There is 1000x more money in ranting about being a victim of “the woke left” than there is in being an actual member of the left.
The right-wing turn by these institutions has never made business sense to me.
Maga does not watch or read news. They watch Fox and look at Facebook memes. Trying to appeal to them will fail because they aren’t your target demo. Meanwhile you’ll cause your loyal fans to leave you.
It’s just dumb.
Maga does not watch or read news. They watch Fox and look at Facebook memes. Trying to appeal to them will fail because they aren’t your target demo. Meanwhile you’ll cause your loyal fans to leave you.
It’s just dumb.
CBS destroying a brand they built up over the course of like 100 years for one criminal idiot is a pretty funny bit
'Smallest audience ever': Kennedy Center Honors tank on CBS after Trump takes over
www.rawstory.com/trump-kenned...
www.rawstory.com/trump-kenned...
December 24, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The right-wing turn by these institutions has never made business sense to me.
Maga does not watch or read news. They watch Fox and look at Facebook memes. Trying to appeal to them will fail because they aren’t your target demo. Meanwhile you’ll cause your loyal fans to leave you.
It’s just dumb.
Maga does not watch or read news. They watch Fox and look at Facebook memes. Trying to appeal to them will fail because they aren’t your target demo. Meanwhile you’ll cause your loyal fans to leave you.
It’s just dumb.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
I'd be delighted to have a hairstylist or a youth soccer coach visit for a night
December 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I'd be delighted to have a hairstylist or a youth soccer coach visit for a night
This has become true of social media in general. Proponents still love to go on about how platforms have democratized success but that’s really only true for the tiniest fraction of users, and it’s not a meritocratic system. Those already with audiences benefit. Algorithmic discovery is fickle.
Oh yeah this was extremely clear as soon as they started paying people with existing platforms to start up newsletters, and was pointed out at the time. There are, to this day, exceedingly few examples of people who found success on Substack without bringing their own audience to begin with.
December 24, 2025 at 12:29 AM
This has become true of social media in general. Proponents still love to go on about how platforms have democratized success but that’s really only true for the tiniest fraction of users, and it’s not a meritocratic system. Those already with audiences benefit. Algorithmic discovery is fickle.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
The US just banned a guy from the country (Imran Ahmed) for pointing out that X is full of hate speech
The US is imposing visa restrictions on five Europeans, including Thierry Breton, accusing them of pressuring US tech companies to censor certain US viewpoints (Fatima Hussein/Associated Press)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
December 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The US just banned a guy from the country (Imran Ahmed) for pointing out that X is full of hate speech
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
From @parkermolloy.com at New Republic. newrepublic.com/article/2047...
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
December 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
From @parkermolloy.com at New Republic. newrepublic.com/article/2047...
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
A foggy Utrecht in medium format.
📷 Rolleiflex T
🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
📷 Rolleiflex T
🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A foggy Utrecht in medium format.
📷 Rolleiflex T
🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
📷 Rolleiflex T
🎞️ Kodak Gold 200
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
Among the newly-released Epstein files. This Justice Dept email from Jan 2020
'I wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported"
'I wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported"
December 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Among the newly-released Epstein files. This Justice Dept email from Jan 2020
'I wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported"
'I wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported"
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
The CBS investigation portrays a modern concentration camp, similar to the Soviet GULAG (like CECOT, an acronym): sadistic guards, 24 hour lighting, isolation cells.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
December 23, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The CBS investigation portrays a modern concentration camp, similar to the Soviet GULAG (like CECOT, an acronym): sadistic guards, 24 hour lighting, isolation cells.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
“Stop stealing and start creating” is a real thing an “AI artist” said
December 21, 2025 at 12:31 AM
“Stop stealing and start creating” is a real thing an “AI artist” said
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
"Nenko was arrested by ICE on Sept. 23 when he showed up for an interview to discuss his green card application at the USCIS Chicago office...
Nearly three months later, the day that his wife was notified of Gantchev's death - Dec. 16 - was the couple's eight-year wedding anniversary."
Nearly three months later, the day that his wife was notified of Gantchev's death - Dec. 16 - was the couple's eight-year wedding anniversary."
“A Bulgarian man from Chicago arrested during the recent fall immigration enforcement 'blitz' has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Michigan private prison.”
December 20, 2025 at 5:16 AM
"Nenko was arrested by ICE on Sept. 23 when he showed up for an interview to discuss his green card application at the USCIS Chicago office...
Nearly three months later, the day that his wife was notified of Gantchev's death - Dec. 16 - was the couple's eight-year wedding anniversary."
Nearly three months later, the day that his wife was notified of Gantchev's death - Dec. 16 - was the couple's eight-year wedding anniversary."
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
These folks are being so openly and casually antisemitic, it makes me wonder if some other outlets' are sanewashing their focus groups.
From the right-wing Manhattan Institute's focus group of Gen Z conservatives -- just jaw-dropping stuff. We have a very sick society. www.city-journal.org/article/manh...
December 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
These folks are being so openly and casually antisemitic, it makes me wonder if some other outlets' are sanewashing their focus groups.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
All this defiling of America, these symbolic shifts from "We the People" to a personalist regime, must be removed entirely as soon as the American people regain their democracy.
The gross bribe-funded ballroom, the illegal "Department of War," the illegal renaming of the Kennedy Center, all of it.
The gross bribe-funded ballroom, the illegal "Department of War," the illegal renaming of the Kennedy Center, all of it.
NEWS: They're adding Trump's name to the Kennedy Center building right now. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Kennedy Center adds Trump’s name to building
The signage change follows a vote by the board of trustees to rename the performing arts complex the Trump Kennedy Center.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
All this defiling of America, these symbolic shifts from "We the People" to a personalist regime, must be removed entirely as soon as the American people regain their democracy.
The gross bribe-funded ballroom, the illegal "Department of War," the illegal renaming of the Kennedy Center, all of it.
The gross bribe-funded ballroom, the illegal "Department of War," the illegal renaming of the Kennedy Center, all of it.
Good time to repost my reporting on the implications of this sale, back when it was first announced as a possibility:
December 18, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Good time to repost my reporting on the implications of this sale, back when it was first announced as a possibility:
“Why can’t we all just talk to each other?” is the type of question only asked by people that constantly go out of their way to offend half the country.
It’s like the relative that ruins Thanksgiving every year asking why we can’t just have a nice Thanksgiving. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
It’s like the relative that ruins Thanksgiving every year asking why we can’t just have a nice Thanksgiving. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
CNN has a show with a similar line. That the problem with this country is we just aren’t talking to each other.
It’s the kind of diagnosis that a toddler would land on.
It’s the kind of diagnosis that a toddler would land on.
December 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
“Why can’t we all just talk to each other?” is the type of question only asked by people that constantly go out of their way to offend half the country.
It’s like the relative that ruins Thanksgiving every year asking why we can’t just have a nice Thanksgiving. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
It’s like the relative that ruins Thanksgiving every year asking why we can’t just have a nice Thanksgiving. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
Percentage of Americans holding multiple jobs:
a 25-year high. 👀
(via Schwab)
a 25-year high. 👀
(via Schwab)
December 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Percentage of Americans holding multiple jobs:
a 25-year high. 👀
(via Schwab)
a 25-year high. 👀
(via Schwab)
Another way to look at this (just eyeballing here) is that, sans the black swan that was the pandemic and the subsequent recovery, unemployment is at its worst levels in nearly a decade.
Also really makes you appreciate the Obama and Biden admins. Inherited horrible job markets, left them great.
Also really makes you appreciate the Obama and Biden admins. Inherited horrible job markets, left them great.
Charts! Starting with the unemployment rate, which rose to 4.6 percent, its highest level in more than four years.
December 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Another way to look at this (just eyeballing here) is that, sans the black swan that was the pandemic and the subsequent recovery, unemployment is at its worst levels in nearly a decade.
Also really makes you appreciate the Obama and Biden admins. Inherited horrible job markets, left them great.
Also really makes you appreciate the Obama and Biden admins. Inherited horrible job markets, left them great.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
Interesting roundup of changes in media this year by
@kang.bsky.social. I hadn't seen this revealing Pew report. Link to Kang's piece: www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
@kang.bsky.social. I hadn't seen this revealing Pew report. Link to Kang's piece: www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
December 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Interesting roundup of changes in media this year by
@kang.bsky.social. I hadn't seen this revealing Pew report. Link to Kang's piece: www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
@kang.bsky.social. I hadn't seen this revealing Pew report. Link to Kang's piece: www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
An ad-funded BBC doesn't make sense from a competition perspective.
The BBC would still get public funding to help produce its bevvy of news and entertainment, and also get to compete in an ad market with broadcasters/publishers that don't get that benefit.
Everyone else would get crowded out.
The BBC would still get public funding to help produce its bevvy of news and entertainment, and also get to compete in an ad market with broadcasters/publishers that don't get that benefit.
Everyone else would get crowded out.
The universality is one of the BBC’s most defining principles. Replace it with ads and it is lost forever.
Here's my first cut on the government's fairly radical plans for the BBC. Not sure the BBC even wants this (Tim Davie's rhetoric is universality, universality, universality). Also, can already see pitchforks at ITV and Netflix over a BBC fattened by ads/subs. deadline.com/2025/12/bbc-...
December 16, 2025 at 3:41 PM
An ad-funded BBC doesn't make sense from a competition perspective.
The BBC would still get public funding to help produce its bevvy of news and entertainment, and also get to compete in an ad market with broadcasters/publishers that don't get that benefit.
Everyone else would get crowded out.
The BBC would still get public funding to help produce its bevvy of news and entertainment, and also get to compete in an ad market with broadcasters/publishers that don't get that benefit.
Everyone else would get crowded out.
I fear that 4.6% figure hides an even worse economy, full of gig workers and influencer wannabes earning paltry pay, barely scraping by amid tariff-caused price inflation.
Loads of class of 2025 grads I know just simply can't get work right now. The "entry level" is in dire health.
Loads of class of 2025 grads I know just simply can't get work right now. The "entry level" is in dire health.
Breaking:
The U.S. labor market lost 41,000 jobs over October and November, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6% — the highest since 2021.
The U.S. labor market lost 41,000 jobs over October and November, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6% — the highest since 2021.
December 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I fear that 4.6% figure hides an even worse economy, full of gig workers and influencer wannabes earning paltry pay, barely scraping by amid tariff-caused price inflation.
Loads of class of 2025 grads I know just simply can't get work right now. The "entry level" is in dire health.
Loads of class of 2025 grads I know just simply can't get work right now. The "entry level" is in dire health.
If there's one takeaway from this piece (though this has been obvious for some time), it's that Weiss has always been and has continued to be very much part of the "establishment", extremely well-connected and with a constant slew of wealthy financial backers that find her worldview useful.
"Chris Pine is there, and Bob Iger is there, and all of these A-list writers who’ve won Oscars. And all anyone wants to do is talk to Bari Weiss." @charlottetklein.bsky.social on Bari Weiss's Hollywood-fueled comeback: nymag.com/intelligence...
Bari Weiss In Wonderland
Her exile in Hollywood paved the way for a triumphant return to New York.
nymag.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
If there's one takeaway from this piece (though this has been obvious for some time), it's that Weiss has always been and has continued to be very much part of the "establishment", extremely well-connected and with a constant slew of wealthy financial backers that find her worldview useful.
This is an extraordinarily good summary of the current moment.
It's going to be worth checking this lecture's audience performance online. To a point Bregman makes here, this is deserving of our attention; yet, will it receive as much attention as a viral AI slop video? A far right podcaster?
It's going to be worth checking this lecture's audience performance online. To a point Bregman makes here, this is deserving of our attention; yet, will it receive as much attention as a viral AI slop video? A far right podcaster?
My first Reith Lecture is now out in video form: A Time of Monsters.
On moral decay, elite cowardice, and why we need a moral revolution. Watch here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=fUJ-...
(With one tiny edit at 4:28, for those who notice such things 😉)
On moral decay, elite cowardice, and why we need a moral revolution. Watch here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=fUJ-...
(With one tiny edit at 4:28, for those who notice such things 😉)
Are we living through the fall of civilisation? | The Reith Lectures 2025
YouTube video by BBC Sounds
youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
This is an extraordinarily good summary of the current moment.
It's going to be worth checking this lecture's audience performance online. To a point Bregman makes here, this is deserving of our attention; yet, will it receive as much attention as a viral AI slop video? A far right podcaster?
It's going to be worth checking this lecture's audience performance online. To a point Bregman makes here, this is deserving of our attention; yet, will it receive as much attention as a viral AI slop video? A far right podcaster?
"A modicum of self-awareness [...] is in short supply in grievance memoirs."
Opinion | Olivia Nuzzi, Karine Jean-Pierre and Eric Trump Have All Written the Same Book
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"A modicum of self-awareness [...] is in short supply in grievance memoirs."