Jonathan L. Fischer
@jonfischer.bsky.social
Was WaPo's arts + entertainment editor and Slate's biz + tech editor. Still the proprietor of hedswillroll.tumblr.com.
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
New newsletter from my new life
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THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE
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THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE
The message I took from last night’s BAD BUNNY performance: we continue
open.substack.com/pub/thefutur...
open.substack.com/pub/thefutur...
An end zone dance in the shape of infinity
Notes on Bad Bunny’s halftime show in the middle of a national crisis
open.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:58 PM
New newsletter from my new life
First piece
Subscribe for free
Thank you
THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE
First piece
Subscribe for free
Thank you
THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE
The final Sunday arts section I worked on. (It’s a lovely one.)
February 8, 2026 at 6:47 PM
The final Sunday arts section I worked on. (It’s a lovely one.)
Proud to see my team still doing the work. Fire and beauty from @philipkennicott.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Column | At a broken Kennedy Center, the National Symphony begins a new journey
The NSO is losing its home — after becoming a world-class orchestra.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Proud to see my team still doing the work. Fire and beauty from @philipkennicott.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
I consider 2025 my finest professional year. The Post just laid me off.
February 4, 2026 at 3:06 PM
I consider 2025 my finest professional year. The Post just laid me off.
KenCen workers are worried about layoffs and attempts to weaken unions following Trump’s announcement of plans close it down for renovations. At one point last year, they said, new execs offered free parking to everyone on staff who wasn’t in a union. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Kennedy Center workers still in the dark as orchestra scouts other venues
The center’s unions, leaders of the National Symphony Orchestra and lawmakers across the aisle reacted Tuesday to President Donald Trump’s planned closure of the center.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:02 PM
KenCen workers are worried about layoffs and attempts to weaken unions following Trump’s announcement of plans close it down for renovations. At one point last year, they said, new execs offered free parking to everyone on staff who wasn’t in a union. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
A two-year closure could be existential for the Kennedy Center, and it's unnecessary for the repairs proposed. Is there a larger agenda, including repurposing the memorial to the 35th President to serve the needs of the 47th? www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Column | The grave risk of Trump’s Kennedy Center shutdown
Even in the best-case scenario, the president’s plan will only strain the performing arts ecosystem required for the center to thrive.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
A two-year closure could be existential for the Kennedy Center, and it's unnecessary for the repairs proposed. Is there a larger agenda, including repurposing the memorial to the 35th President to serve the needs of the 47th? www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
"Crisis." "Catastrophe." "Chaos." Just three words people used to describe the state of the Kennedy Center after Trump's announcement that he wants to close it for two years for construction.
Our latest: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Our latest: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center
The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A letter obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:35 PM
"Crisis." "Catastrophe." "Chaos." Just three words people used to describe the state of the Kennedy Center after Trump's announcement that he wants to close it for two years for construction.
Our latest: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Our latest: www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
NEWS: The Trump plan to close down the Kennedy Center caught the staff, artists and members of the board by surprise. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center
The president’s announcement shocked artists and staff. A letter obtained by The Washington Post brought the National Symphony Orchestra’s future into focus.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:21 PM
NEWS: The Trump plan to close down the Kennedy Center caught the staff, artists and members of the board by surprise. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
Column: Politics are often treated like radioactive material on Grammy night — divisive complications that the healing power of pop can neutralize.
But at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, the world outside had become too loud to ignore.
But at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, the world outside had become too loud to ignore.
Column | The most important sound at this year’s Grammys? Free speech.
With trophies in hand, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and SZA spoke out against ICE during an awards show where the musical performances felt secondary.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Column: Politics are often treated like radioactive material on Grammy night — divisive complications that the healing power of pop can neutralize.
But at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, the world outside had become too loud to ignore.
But at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, the world outside had become too loud to ignore.
Our Sunday section.
February 2, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Our Sunday section.
Our report on tonight's shocking news from Trump about the Kennedy Center www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Trump plans to close Kennedy Center for about two years, starting in July
Under a proposal by President Donald Trump, the closure could begin July 4, with construction beginning immediately.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Our report on tonight's shocking news from Trump about the Kennedy Center www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
HESSE on MELANIA www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Column | What if there is no ‘behind the scenes’ for Melania Trump?
“Melania,” the new Amazon documentary about the enigmatic first lady Melania Trump, mostly celebrates her zealous dedication to her external presentation.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:27 PM
HESSE on MELANIA www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial
The president is eying a plot of land near Memorial Bridge. The art critic who proposed the idea called for a smaller arch or for Trump to pick a new site.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Catherine O'Hara was originally supposed to receive the Mark Twain Prize from the Kennedy Center in 2025. (She declined just after the 2024 election, citing a conflict.) www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
It’s Conan O’Brien’s big night — at Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center
At this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony honoring Conan O’Brien, a tribute to comedy may compete with the drama in the building.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Catherine O'Hara was originally supposed to receive the Mark Twain Prize from the Kennedy Center in 2025. (She declined just after the 2024 election, citing a conflict.) www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
The Washington Post's International, Immigration, National Security and Climate journalists – reporters, writers, editors, photographers, videographers – work in concert to produce independent, revelatory reporting that holds power to account wherever in the world it is wielded
go.bsky.app/M6MFQsC
go.bsky.app/M6MFQsC
January 29, 2026 at 4:10 AM
The Washington Post's International, Immigration, National Security and Climate journalists – reporters, writers, editors, photographers, videographers – work in concert to produce independent, revelatory reporting that holds power to account wherever in the world it is wielded
go.bsky.app/M6MFQsC
go.bsky.app/M6MFQsC
Kennedy Center’s new programming head resigns days after hire was announced www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Kennedy Center’s new programming head resigns days after hire was announced
Kevin Couch, appointed the Kennedy Center’s senior vice president of artistic programming, resigned less than two weeks after his hire was announced.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Kennedy Center’s new programming head resigns days after hire was announced www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
The government moves to sell the Old Post Office, former home of the Trump hotel: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Government moves to sell Old Post Office, once home to Trump hotel
The building’s tower, offering sweeping city views, is closed to the public as the effort to shrink the federal footprint in D.C. is underway.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The government moves to sell the Old Post Office, former home of the Trump hotel: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
NEWS: Philip Glass pulled a world-premiere symphony from the Kennedy Center. "Lincoln" was set to be performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in June. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center
The pioneering composer announced that “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message” of his Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln.”
www.washingtonpost.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM
NEWS: Philip Glass pulled a world-premiere symphony from the Kennedy Center. "Lincoln" was set to be performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in June. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
America’s oldest warship, the Philadelphia, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover www.washingtonpost.com/history/2026...
America’s oldest warship, sunk in 1776, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover
Sunk by the British in 1776, raised in 1935 as a tourist attraction, the “Philadelphia” -- the oldest intact American warship -- is readied for a birthday.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:07 PM
America’s oldest warship, the Philadelphia, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover www.washingtonpost.com/history/2026...
More history exhibits pulled from nationals parks, including Grand Canyon www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
More history exhibits pulled from national parks, including Grand Canyon
A new wave of takedown orders from Trump officials targets signs about climate and Native Americans at several national parks, including Big Bend and Glacier.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
More history exhibits pulled from nationals parks, including Grand Canyon www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Our Sunday section is a heart-warmer (perhaps the thing you need this weekend).
January 26, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Our Sunday section is a heart-warmer (perhaps the thing you need this weekend).
In our pages, from Amy Kaufman: Nick Reiner's life of privilege, pills and pain. www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Inside Nick Reiner’s life of privilege, pills and pain
Friends say Reiner bounced constantly between rehab centers and his family’s Los Angeles mansion, where he is accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michele.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:07 PM
In our pages, from Amy Kaufman: Nick Reiner's life of privilege, pills and pain. www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Reposted by Jonathan L. Fischer
Philip Kennicott using the tools of visual arts criticism to dissect ICE’s immorality. Incredible piece.
Column | The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICE
An image like this could once change history. Can one still?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Philip Kennicott using the tools of visual arts criticism to dissect ICE’s immorality. Incredible piece.
Read @philipkennicott.bsky.social on the photograph of a 5-year-old in ICE custody, and the moral revulsion images like this used to inspire www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Column | The abhorrent power of the photograph of a 5-year-old held by ICE
An image like this could once change history. Can one still?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Read @philipkennicott.bsky.social on the photograph of a 5-year-old in ICE custody, and the moral revulsion images like this used to inspire www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...
Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia
Park staff dismantled an exhibit about George Washington’s slave ownership amid a wider push to remove information on racism, sexism and climate change.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Park Service removes slavery exhibit at Independence Park in Philadelphia www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...