Jen Rubin
@jenrubin.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief of The Contrarian, MSNBC contributor, dog and art lover, democracy defender, and pro-Oxford comma. Book recommendations welcomed.
Pinned
Words & Phrases?
It will always be The Kennedy Center
open.substack.com
Donald Trump’s pathetic and grammatically flawed attempt to affix his name to Kennedy Center emblematic of his narcissism and blithering stupidity in attaching his name to a memorial, which pays tribute to the deceased.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Donald Trump’s pathetic and grammatically flawed attempt to affix his name to Kennedy Center emblematic of his narcissism and blithering stupidity in attaching his name to a memorial, which pays tribute to the deceased.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Words & Phrases?
It will always be The Kennedy Center
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Donald Trump’s pathetic and grammatically flawed attempt to affix his name to Kennedy Center emblematic of his narcissism and blithering stupidity in attaching his name to a memorial, which pays tribute to the deceased.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It... superb account and analysis open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It
This article was originally published in CAFE on January 5, 2026.
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Jack Smith’s Testimony: A Reminder that Donald J. Trump Owns All of It... superb account and analysis open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Roberts’ 2024 opinion without textual or historical legitimacy, granted Trump immunity for virtually all crimes ushered in reign of domestic terror, and now an unconstitutional and shameful war for oil. No one has done more to destroy the “rule of law” than Roberts. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
If We had a Functional Constitution, We Wouldn’t have an Illegal War
MAGA stooges destroyed the rule of law
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Roberts’ 2024 opinion without textual or historical legitimacy, granted Trump immunity for virtually all crimes ushered in reign of domestic terror, and now an unconstitutional and shameful war for oil. No one has done more to destroy the “rule of law” than Roberts. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Donald Trump’s unprovoked and unconstitutional war against Venezuela demolished any notion that we live in a rules-based, constitutional democracy. Instead Trump was allowed to murder, kidnap a head of state, and vow to take oil and "run" a soverign country. MADNESS open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
If We had a Functional Constitution, We Wouldn’t have an Illegal War
MAGA stooges destroyed the rule of law
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Donald Trump’s unprovoked and unconstitutional war against Venezuela demolished any notion that we live in a rules-based, constitutional democracy. Instead Trump was allowed to murder, kidnap a head of state, and vow to take oil and "run" a soverign country. MADNESS open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
What a glorious performance, what a voice and what emotion she evokes!! ( secret: my husband and I travel around the world to hear Lisette !)
TONIGHT!! Our second performance of Bellini’s masterpiece I puritani The Metropolitan Opera begins at 7pm in all its glory!!
Thank you to everyone who came to our premiere on Wednesday and showed their incredible love for this opera.
Thank you to everyone who came to our premiere on Wednesday and showed their incredible love for this opera.
January 4, 2026 at 11:44 PM
What a glorious performance, what a voice and what emotion she evokes!! ( secret: my husband and I travel around the world to hear Lisette !)
The War with The Contrarians
A recording from The Contrarians live video 1/4
contrarian.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:42 PM
9:30 AM ET @normeisen.bsky.social , @tommalinowski.bsky.social and I go LIVE on substack to discuss the latest on the illegal and immoral war for oil contrarian.substack.com
The Contrarian | Jen Rubin and Norm Eisen | Substack
Unflinching journalism in defense of democracy. Click to read The Contrarian, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
contrarian.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
9:30 AM ET @normeisen.bsky.social , @tommalinowski.bsky.social and I go LIVE on substack to discuss the latest on the illegal and immoral war for oil contrarian.substack.com
contrarian.substack.com/p/we-toppled... sharp analysis
We Toppled Venezuela for Oil: Trump Just Told Us So
The president admitted the crude part of his attack.
contrarian.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:45 AM
contrarian.substack.com/p/we-toppled... sharp analysis
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... This mind-blowing attack is the direct result of a Supreme Court MAGA majority, and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. specifically, who granted him broad immunity never envisioned by the Framers. He has taken that and run with it—now headfirst into war.
Headfirst Into War
The horrific attack on Venezuela overnight puts the U.S. in the same camp as Russia.
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... This mind-blowing attack is the direct result of a Supreme Court MAGA majority, and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. specifically, who granted him broad immunity never envisioned by the Framers. He has taken that and run with it—now headfirst into war.
An undeclared, unprovoked, and illegal war designed to, well, we can only guess—though Donald Trump and JD Vance have seemed to concede this was a war for oil—puts the United States on the same moral and legal footing as Russia, which invaded its neighbor in a war of pure aggression.
contrarian.substack.com/p/headfirst-... wtf just happened? The Contrarian explains
Headfirst Into War
The horrific attack on Venezuela overnight puts the U.S. in the same camp as Russia.
contrarian.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
An undeclared, unprovoked, and illegal war designed to, well, we can only guess—though Donald Trump and JD Vance have seemed to concede this was a war for oil—puts the United States on the same moral and legal footing as Russia, which invaded its neighbor in a war of pure aggression.
contrarian.substack.com/p/headfirst-... wtf just happened? The Contrarian explains
Headfirst Into War
The horrific attack on Venezuela overnight puts the U.S. in the same camp as Russia.
contrarian.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM
contrarian.substack.com/p/headfirst-... wtf just happened? The Contrarian explains
An illegal, unauthorized, unnecessary, and morally noxious policy of extrajudicial killings (which are not remotely necessary for cocaine interdiction) combines bad policy with bad politics.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Worst Foreign Policy Blunders of 2025
And the competition was fierce...
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:47 PM
An illegal, unauthorized, unnecessary, and morally noxious policy of extrajudicial killings (which are not remotely necessary for cocaine interdiction) combines bad policy with bad politics.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Year America Broke Open...brilliant and compelling open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
The Year America Broke Open
It would be silly to pretend that 2025 was not among the most challenging years this country has faced in modern times.
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:45 PM
The Year America Broke Open...brilliant and compelling open.substack.com/pub/sherrily...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... In weakening alliances, frittering away our moral authority, aligning himself with international dictators, trashing multilateral organizations, hollowing out the State Department and acting as feckless, corrupt bully, he demolished US standing around the world
The Worst Foreign Policy Blunders of 2025
And the competition was fierce...
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:09 PM
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... In weakening alliances, frittering away our moral authority, aligning himself with international dictators, trashing multilateral organizations, hollowing out the State Department and acting as feckless, corrupt bully, he demolished US standing around the world
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-worst-... No president has understood less about what makes America great than Donald Trump; none has been more ignorant of the post-WWII international framework that allowed America to remain the premier superpower.
The Worst Foreign Policy Blunders of 2025
And the competition was fierce...
contrarian.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:05 PM
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-worst-... No president has understood less about what makes America great than Donald Trump; none has been more ignorant of the post-WWII international framework that allowed America to remain the premier superpower.
What an uplifting, joyous and proudly New York speech from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 AM
What an uplifting, joyous and proudly New York speech from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
Thanks to Frank Bruni and David Litt for 1st of best sentences of 2025! From The Contrarian: "One CBS article about his immigration crackdown said Trump ‘invoked muscular presidential powers,’ which is a bit like saying Jeffrey Dahmer ‘displayed omnivorous taste.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/o...
Opinion | The Best Sentences of 2025
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Thanks to Frank Bruni and David Litt for 1st of best sentences of 2025! From The Contrarian: "One CBS article about his immigration crackdown said Trump ‘invoked muscular presidential powers,’ which is a bit like saying Jeffrey Dahmer ‘displayed omnivorous taste.’” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/o...
wtf do they have a bigot on the air?
CNN anchor Abby Phillip called out MAGA panelist Scott Jennings after he mocked a hijab on air while discussing a high-profile Minneapolis fraud investigation.
CNN Host Calls Out MAGA Panelist in Heated Clash: ‘Just Don’t Do It!’
Abby Phillip intervened after Scott Jennings after he mocked a hijab in a fight over Minnesota fraud claims.
trib.al
December 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
wtf do they have a bigot on the air?
If IQ or public accomplishment determined the winner, former Senator Doug Jones (D) would smoke former football coach Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who many Democrats say is the dimmest bulb in the U.S. Senate—a particularly competitive field this term.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Most Exciting Races are Underway
These battles will be exciting
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
If IQ or public accomplishment determined the winner, former Senator Doug Jones (D) would smoke former football coach Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who many Democrats say is the dimmest bulb in the U.S. Senate—a particularly competitive field this term.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Year in Protest Signs... the best of the signs... you'll love 'em open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Year in Protest Signs
Americans turned out again and again with homemade signs to protest the Trump regime and its harmful policies.
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The Year in Protest Signs... the best of the signs... you'll love 'em open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
which mayors and govs, which ballot advocates stood out
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
The Best from Cities and States
Democracy outside of D.C. is in good hands
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
which mayors and govs, which ballot advocates stood out
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-best-o... 10 of the best
The Best of the Congress
Real leadership is present, if you know where to look
contrarian.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
contrarian.substack.com/p/the-best-o... 10 of the best
12 Artists Who Showed Some Spine in 2025... just wonderful and read to the byline/description at the end! open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
12 Artists Who Showed Some Spine in 2025
In a year when too many of our pop culture favorites let us down, these creative people were willing to take a stand (and pull no punches)
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM
12 Artists Who Showed Some Spine in 2025... just wonderful and read to the byline/description at the end! open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... Pro-democracy forces will not shame or argue MAGA Republicans into capitulation or retreat. With a helping hand from diligent lower courts, an organized electorate can end the authoritarian nightmare. Everything rests on the midterms.
Lessons from 2025
What will guide us going forward?
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:33 PM
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... Pro-democracy forces will not shame or argue MAGA Republicans into capitulation or retreat. With a helping hand from diligent lower courts, an organized electorate can end the authoritarian nightmare. Everything rests on the midterms.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... Politiciansa don’t lead… the S Ct is beyond shaming .. and other lessons from 2025
Lessons from 2025
What will guide us going forward?
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
open.substack.com/pub/contrari... Politiciansa don’t lead… the S Ct is beyond shaming .. and other lessons from 2025