Laura Bassett
@lebassett.bsky.social
Freelance journalist. Formerly: EIC at Jezebel, politics columnist at The Cut, senior reporter at HuffPost. Brooklyn via South Louisiana 🐊
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Laura Bassett
@lebassett.bsky.social
· Aug 21
Without USAID, Conservation and Tourism Projects Have Ground to a Halt
From the Colombian Amazon to Malawi's Liwonde National Park, grants from the US government have been ended leaving local development projects in the lurch.
www.cntraveler.com
My latest reporting in Conde Nast Traveler on how USAID cuts are throttling vital ecotourism, anti-deforestation and wildlife conservation efforts in the Colombian Amazon and around the globe: www.cntraveler.com/story/withou...
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Filling out a banking form that asks for my occupation, and in what I am choosing to consider as a sign of the times, "journalist" is not a selectable option, but "cryptocurrency" is
November 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Filling out a banking form that asks for my occupation, and in what I am choosing to consider as a sign of the times, "journalist" is not a selectable option, but "cryptocurrency" is
Reposted by Laura Bassett
every single week they're throwing this guy a special oval office love-in that appears to be the presidential equivalent of letting your dog scarf an entire big mac and fries before that last trip to the vet
Pirro: "Mr President, there is in this room a group of people who love you, who believe in you, and who are so proud to be in this Oval Office and to be part of this amazing day because you have changed the course of America."
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
every single week they're throwing this guy a special oval office love-in that appears to be the presidential equivalent of letting your dog scarf an entire big mac and fries before that last trip to the vet
Inspiring
Democratic Senator Shaheen says "Hopefully the Republicans may hear us."
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Inspiring
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Ms Rachel says The New York Times asked her if she’s funded by Hamas
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Ms Rachel says The New York Times asked her if she’s funded by Hamas
Reposted by Laura Bassett
MSNBC reported Schumer's office felt that the longer that shutdown went on, the more likely it was that people would start to blame the Dems.
My kingdom for Democrats that don't govern out of fear. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The American people are far braver than their reps.
My kingdom for Democrats that don't govern out of fear. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The American people are far braver than their reps.
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
MSNBC reported Schumer's office felt that the longer that shutdown went on, the more likely it was that people would start to blame the Dems.
My kingdom for Democrats that don't govern out of fear. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The American people are far braver than their reps.
My kingdom for Democrats that don't govern out of fear. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The American people are far braver than their reps.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
lol she got his ass and he knows it
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
lol she got his ass and he knows it
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Reposted by Laura Bassett
BREAKING: The Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court denied an attempt to challenge Obergefell v. Hodges, the case affirming marriage equality nationwide.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Our freedom to marry remains the law of the land.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
I'm convinced now that whatever we imagined Trump's involvement was, it was 10 times worse
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I'm convinced now that whatever we imagined Trump's involvement was, it was 10 times worse
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Well, yes Angus, it ceases to work at the point where you cease to do it too early
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Well, yes Angus, it ceases to work at the point where you cease to do it too early
Reposted by Laura Bassett
This is the message of a failed, feckless, and leaderless party. We need a party with backbone, and the only path to it is through a cleansing primary season. If your Dem is up for reelection, and you aren't damn sure they're fighting the fascists with everything they've got, primary the bastard.
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This is the message of a failed, feckless, and leaderless party. We need a party with backbone, and the only path to it is through a cleansing primary season. If your Dem is up for reelection, and you aren't damn sure they're fighting the fascists with everything they've got, primary the bastard.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
"The soldiers who agreed to talk confirmed the IDF’s routine use of human shields, contradicting official denials, and gave details of Israeli troops opening fire unprovoked on civilians racing to reach food handouts..." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Israeli soldiers speak out on killings of Gaza civilians
IDF soldiers tell documentary of opening fire unprovoked and arbitrary designations of who was an enemy
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
"The soldiers who agreed to talk confirmed the IDF’s routine use of human shields, contradicting official denials, and gave details of Israeli troops opening fire unprovoked on civilians racing to reach food handouts..." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Laura Bassett
This is not what they actually say. This is what they used to say, in the long ago before times when Shaheen learned to do politics. There is no kumbaya median voter anymore. The question you get knocking doors is not "why can't you all just work together?" it's "why didn't / will you fight harder?
Shaheen: "When I talk to my constituents in New Hampshire, you know what they say to me? They say, 'Why can't you all just work together to address the problems that are facing this country?'"
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 AM
This is not what they actually say. This is what they used to say, in the long ago before times when Shaheen learned to do politics. There is no kumbaya median voter anymore. The question you get knocking doors is not "why can't you all just work together?" it's "why didn't / will you fight harder?
Reposted by Laura Bassett
NEW: The First Circuit has denied the Trump Admin’s motion to stay in our SNAP case. This means that full benefits should be paid after the SCOTUS stay expires. The court does not mince words about what the government has done here. Congrats to our clients, co-counsel, and @democracyforward.org.
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 AM
NEW: The First Circuit has denied the Trump Admin’s motion to stay in our SNAP case. This means that full benefits should be paid after the SCOTUS stay expires. The court does not mince words about what the government has done here. Congrats to our clients, co-counsel, and @democracyforward.org.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
NEW: House Dems — left and center — are furious about the Senate deal.
"People are pissed," one told @axios.com
Another said there is "near universal frustration."
There's renewed chatter about backing Senate primary challengers — incl. against Schumer. www.axios.com/2025/11/10/d...
"People are pissed," one told @axios.com
Another said there is "near universal frustration."
There's renewed chatter about backing Senate primary challengers — incl. against Schumer. www.axios.com/2025/11/10/d...
Democrats go ballistic over Senate shutdown deal: "People need healthcare, damn it"
One House Democrat told Axios there is "near universal frustration."
www.axios.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
NEW: House Dems — left and center — are furious about the Senate deal.
"People are pissed," one told @axios.com
Another said there is "near universal frustration."
There's renewed chatter about backing Senate primary challengers — incl. against Schumer. www.axios.com/2025/11/10/d...
"People are pissed," one told @axios.com
Another said there is "near universal frustration."
There's renewed chatter about backing Senate primary challengers — incl. against Schumer. www.axios.com/2025/11/10/d...
Reposted by Laura Bassett
The arrogance of a Senator who is not even running again to take the lead in undermining the Caucus and the voters.
Shaheen: So let me be clear. No one in the senate chamber wants to extend the ACA tax credits more than I do.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The arrogance of a Senator who is not even running again to take the lead in undermining the Caucus and the voters.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
DC has the highest unemployment rate in the country because of him.
November 9, 2025 at 11:10 PM
DC has the highest unemployment rate in the country because of him.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
i don’t think the axios reporting is entirely off base if you have house members out here soft launching an abolish-the-senate position lmfao
I don't know what the Senate is going to do. But if they do in fact fold in exchange for nothing, they will be living up to past performance. To expect the Senate to carry out the will of the American people is to misunderstand why it was created in the first place.
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
i don’t think the axios reporting is entirely off base if you have house members out here soft launching an abolish-the-senate position lmfao
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Reposted by Laura Bassett
Regular reminder that Axios stories saying Dems are about to cave are likely sourced from GOP staffers trying to make it happen.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
November 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Regular reminder that Axios stories saying Dems are about to cave are likely sourced from GOP staffers trying to make it happen.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Reposted by Laura Bassett
They panic about fertility rates, say families need to be having more children, then they starve the kids and ensure health insurance is impossible to afford. Plus all the other things that would dissuade people from having kids: houses impossible to buy, diminishing middle class, ICE everywhere.
Breaking News: The Trump administration told states to undo any steps to provide full food stamp benefits to low-income families, threatening financial penalties if the states do not comply. It was unclear how that would affect the program.
Trump Live Updates: Airport and SNAP Benefit Disruptions Amid Shutdown
nyti.ms
November 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
They panic about fertility rates, say families need to be having more children, then they starve the kids and ensure health insurance is impossible to afford. Plus all the other things that would dissuade people from having kids: houses impossible to buy, diminishing middle class, ICE everywhere.