Kevin Elliott
@kjephd.bsky.social
Political theorist studying democracy, ethics, & institutions. Author of Democracy for Busy People (https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo194847654.html); more at kevinjelliott.net. Generally poasting my way through this thing
Pinned
Kevin Elliott
@kjephd.bsky.social
· Jun 24
New article out from me, in which I consider: what if I'm wrong about everything re: what's important for a flourishing democracy?
I use a recent book attacking institutions & advocating disintermediated localism to explore the limits of my view.
Get it free here: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
I use a recent book attacking institutions & advocating disintermediated localism to explore the limits of my view.
Get it free here: academic.oup.com/psq/advance-...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Grok becoming a mass mainstream nudify app with baked-in viral distribution was entirely predictable; the only surprise is how long it took.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
January 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Grok becoming a mass mainstream nudify app with baked-in viral distribution was entirely predictable; the only surprise is how long it took.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration,” the North Carolina Republican Party's communications director wrote in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration,” the North Carolina Republican Party's communications director wrote in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.”
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
We didn't. #ICYMI, read the story that he wanted dropped:
Can we take a minute to appreciate the transformation in the discourse that's elevated "affordability" into the preeminent issue in American politics?
It's a version of 'the economy,' but without favoring Republicans & conservative economics. It's also the kind of thing govt can do something about
It's a version of 'the economy,' but without favoring Republicans & conservative economics. It's also the kind of thing govt can do something about
January 2, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Can we take a minute to appreciate the transformation in the discourse that's elevated "affordability" into the preeminent issue in American politics?
It's a version of 'the economy,' but without favoring Republicans & conservative economics. It's also the kind of thing govt can do something about
It's a version of 'the economy,' but without favoring Republicans & conservative economics. It's also the kind of thing govt can do something about
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
As should social democratic and other left parties in Europe…
And I think liberals should stop taking the bait and ceding ground on immigration.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
January 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
As should social democratic and other left parties in Europe…
January 2, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
i am losing my mind over this listing that staged a condemned philly trap house with AI
December 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
i am losing my mind over this listing that staged a condemned philly trap house with AI
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 2:26 AM
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
To be specific: W Bush was so world-historically terrible as president he discredited the entire Republican Party as it had existed since its ideological transformation between Goldwater & Reagan, weakening its leadership elite so badly the party could be taken over by a malevolent clown like Trump
W was better than Trump but also essential to getting us here, so that’s not a compliment at least not when I say it
Hundreds of thousands of dead people in Afghanistan and Iraq, Gen Z is struggling with reading comprehension, and we live in a surveillance state started by Bush, who also created ICE, but hey at least he’s not Donald Trump
January 2, 2026 at 3:29 AM
To be specific: W Bush was so world-historically terrible as president he discredited the entire Republican Party as it had existed since its ideological transformation between Goldwater & Reagan, weakening its leadership elite so badly the party could be taken over by a malevolent clown like Trump
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
“it is illegal for you not to like me”
This is the logical and inevitable conclusion of the last decade of elite media "free speech" discourse.
December 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM
“it is illegal for you not to like me”
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Start Bondi impeachment hearings immediately
Gill on Epstein Files: I reached out to sources and they say that not only did New York send over everything they had in March, but that the entire review process—using roughly a thousand analysts from the FBI’s Information Management Division—was specifically to review the files from New York
January 2, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Start Bondi impeachment hearings immediately
Look, I resisted being attracted to any of the blue cat people in Avatars 1 & 2, but then in the new one they went ahead and made one goth
January 2, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Look, I resisted being attracted to any of the blue cat people in Avatars 1 & 2, but then in the new one they went ahead and made one goth
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Tinpot Dome
DHS reportedly fast-tracked a contract worth almost $1 billion to a company led by a donor to a pro-Trump nonprofit group where one of the officials overseeing the deal previously worked.
That raises serious ethics concerns.
That raises serious ethics concerns.
DHS fast-tracked $1 billion contract to pro-Trump donor’s company
A DHS official leading the process previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump nonprofit where the contractor’s CEO was a donor.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Tinpot Dome
Y'know what's a terrible time to shop for discounts on running shoes? Around the New Year. These sellers know exactly what they're doing
January 2, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Y'know what's a terrible time to shop for discounts on running shoes? Around the New Year. These sellers know exactly what they're doing
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
This maniac is trying to turn us into the best parts of Europe!
“I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
— New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his inaugural address
— New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his inaugural address
Zohran Mamdani on Welcoming Bernie Sanders for a “Bread and Roses” Inaugural Celebration
In an exclusive interview with The Nation, the incoming democratic socialist mayor discusses making New York a “showcase of light” through the political darkness.
www.thenation.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:14 AM
This maniac is trying to turn us into the best parts of Europe!
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
You love to see it
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 AM
You love to see it
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
when i say that democrats have got to stop worrying about what republicans will to do us and make republicans worry about what we will do to them, this is what i am talking about
www.liberalcurrents.com/democrats-mu...
www.liberalcurrents.com/democrats-mu...
January 2, 2026 at 12:02 AM
when i say that democrats have got to stop worrying about what republicans will to do us and make republicans worry about what we will do to them, this is what i am talking about
www.liberalcurrents.com/democrats-mu...
www.liberalcurrents.com/democrats-mu...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Also our Girl Scout just informed us she wants to go to Girl Scout sleep away camp for the first time this summer so the cookie sale goal just went way up: digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/clara8...
Order your Faves on my Digital Cookie Site Today
That's right! You can order your favorite Girl Scout Cookies from me online, all while helping my troop and I do great things in our community and beyond! Check it out.
digitalcookie.girlscouts.org
January 1, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Also our Girl Scout just informed us she wants to go to Girl Scout sleep away camp for the first time this summer so the cookie sale goal just went way up: digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/clara8...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
The Trump regime and its Very Online spokespeople/supporters are trying to meme their way to consolidated authoritarianism, because they can't make it happen with state force.
They're doing atrocious things, but still not meeting Stephen Miller's quotas. Resistance has proven very far from futile.
They're doing atrocious things, but still not meeting Stephen Miller's quotas. Resistance has proven very far from futile.
January 1, 2026 at 4:43 PM
The Trump regime and its Very Online spokespeople/supporters are trying to meme their way to consolidated authoritarianism, because they can't make it happen with state force.
They're doing atrocious things, but still not meeting Stephen Miller's quotas. Resistance has proven very far from futile.
They're doing atrocious things, but still not meeting Stephen Miller's quotas. Resistance has proven very far from futile.
Amazing levels of "so you hate waffles?" going on with this post
Another good practice for the New Year would be for all the non-fascists in America who want to opine about politics to really begin believing that urban America is Real America & that its denizens are The Authentic People. Get some self-respect & drop the volkish nationalist view that they're not
And I think liberals should stop taking the bait and ceding ground on immigration.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
Immigration is good. Multiculturalism is good. Free trade is good. Stop being embarrassed to say so.
January 1, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Amazing levels of "so you hate waffles?" going on with this post
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Walking Around (via ebike, [yes, it counts]), Fellowship (riding ebike with my kid, playing foozball with her too), Enthrallment (reading Walter Lippmann), and Deliciousness (french onion hummus, yum).
And it's only 5pm
And it's only 5pm
January 1, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Walking Around (via ebike, [yes, it counts]), Fellowship (riding ebike with my kid, playing foozball with her too), Enthrallment (reading Walter Lippmann), and Deliciousness (french onion hummus, yum).
And it's only 5pm
And it's only 5pm
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
1/ WSJ reports that Trump is always dozing off, struggles to hear, refuses to wear compression socks, get adequate sleep, or follow medical advice, relying intead on his “good genetics” to keep him alive. www.wsj.com/us-news/as-s...
Exclusive | As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance
In an interview, President Trump—the oldest man to assume the office—said he has eschewed some advice from his doctors and regrets getting advanced imaging.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:34 PM
1/ WSJ reports that Trump is always dozing off, struggles to hear, refuses to wear compression socks, get adequate sleep, or follow medical advice, relying intead on his “good genetics” to keep him alive. www.wsj.com/us-news/as-s...
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
This would be so popular at the national level if centrist Democrats let us use those words in that order
Mamdani: "The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few"
January 1, 2026 at 8:04 PM
This would be so popular at the national level if centrist Democrats let us use those words in that order
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Finally, Trump's diet! Oh my god. The piece closes with RNC Chair Joe Gruters saying he was "shocked" to witness Trump eat "french fries, a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger, a Big Mac and a Filet-O-Fish" in one sitting (5/6)
January 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Finally, Trump's diet! Oh my god. The piece closes with RNC Chair Joe Gruters saying he was "shocked" to witness Trump eat "french fries, a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger, a Big Mac and a Filet-O-Fish" in one sitting (5/6)
Reposted by Kevin Elliott
Oh my goodness, this Wall Street Journal piece about Trump's ailing health that includes an interview with him (gift link). There are a number of ridiculous details in it and I'll put a few of them in this thread. (1/6)
Exclusive | As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance
In an interview, President Trump—the oldest man to assume the office—said he has eschewed some advice from his doctors and regrets getting advanced imaging.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Oh my goodness, this Wall Street Journal piece about Trump's ailing health that includes an interview with him (gift link). There are a number of ridiculous details in it and I'll put a few of them in this thread. (1/6)