Maggie MacDonald
@nymaggie01.bsky.social
wife, mother, nana, reader, political junkie, artist, love tennis, mahjong, concerned citizen
@katiecouric.bsky.social @matthewjdowd.bsky.social Just listened to a great podcast on YouTube of Katie interviewing Matthew about what happened when he was fired from MSNBC. I found it interesting and he shared step by step what happened. Bring Matthew Dowd back! Miss his analysis.
September 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
@katiecouric.bsky.social @matthewjdowd.bsky.social Just listened to a great podcast on YouTube of Katie interviewing Matthew about what happened when he was fired from MSNBC. I found it interesting and he shared step by step what happened. Bring Matthew Dowd back! Miss his analysis.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
September 22, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Two things are true:
1. Trump has amassed extraordinary power in the presidency—thanks to a compliant Congress and a pro-executive Supreme Court.
2. Trump is increasingly unpopular.
These twin dynamics will define U.S. politics through the 2026 midterms.
Buckle up.
1. Trump has amassed extraordinary power in the presidency—thanks to a compliant Congress and a pro-executive Supreme Court.
2. Trump is increasingly unpopular.
These twin dynamics will define U.S. politics through the 2026 midterms.
Buckle up.
September 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Two things are true:
1. Trump has amassed extraordinary power in the presidency—thanks to a compliant Congress and a pro-executive Supreme Court.
2. Trump is increasingly unpopular.
These twin dynamics will define U.S. politics through the 2026 midterms.
Buckle up.
1. Trump has amassed extraordinary power in the presidency—thanks to a compliant Congress and a pro-executive Supreme Court.
2. Trump is increasingly unpopular.
These twin dynamics will define U.S. politics through the 2026 midterms.
Buckle up.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
“What we’re seeing is an unprecedented attempt to silence disfavored speech by the government,” said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. “Donald Trump is trying to dictate what Americans can say.” https://to.pbs.org/46AYg7U
Trump's moves against media outlets mirror authoritarian approaches to silencing dissent
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has waged an aggressive campaign against the media unlike any in modern U.S. history, making moves similar to those of authoritarian leaders that...
to.pbs.org
September 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
“What we’re seeing is an unprecedented attempt to silence disfavored speech by the government,” said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. “Donald Trump is trying to dictate what Americans can say.” https://to.pbs.org/46AYg7U
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Sen. Lankford should know this about his own state.
September 3, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Sen. Lankford should know this about his own state.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Still, the bottom right for the next 3.5 years is going to be rough
August 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Still, the bottom right for the next 3.5 years is going to be rough
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
4) Coordinating opposition is hard, but when it happens it can be rapid (see Ukraine in 2013-2014, Color Revolutions)
5) America's federal system is messy, which makes it hard to fully control
5) America's federal system is messy, which makes it hard to fully control
August 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
4) Coordinating opposition is hard, but when it happens it can be rapid (see Ukraine in 2013-2014, Color Revolutions)
5) America's federal system is messy, which makes it hard to fully control
5) America's federal system is messy, which makes it hard to fully control
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
I'm a cautious optimist by nature, so here's a few things I tell myself that I believe are true:
1) He's unpopular
2) It's a personalist regime and movement built around a charismatic leader which makes it brittle
3) They aren't that patient, they're more interested in breaking things
1) He's unpopular
2) It's a personalist regime and movement built around a charismatic leader which makes it brittle
3) They aren't that patient, they're more interested in breaking things
August 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
I'm a cautious optimist by nature, so here's a few things I tell myself that I believe are true:
1) He's unpopular
2) It's a personalist regime and movement built around a charismatic leader which makes it brittle
3) They aren't that patient, they're more interested in breaking things
1) He's unpopular
2) It's a personalist regime and movement built around a charismatic leader which makes it brittle
3) They aren't that patient, they're more interested in breaking things
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
I'm not a fan of structural explanations—and recent events are no exception.
America's authoritarian turn is happening during a period of no major foreign war, no widespread unrest, no pandemic, and relatively good economic conditions.
There are an awful lot of *choices* being made.
America's authoritarian turn is happening during a period of no major foreign war, no widespread unrest, no pandemic, and relatively good economic conditions.
There are an awful lot of *choices* being made.
August 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I'm not a fan of structural explanations—and recent events are no exception.
America's authoritarian turn is happening during a period of no major foreign war, no widespread unrest, no pandemic, and relatively good economic conditions.
There are an awful lot of *choices* being made.
America's authoritarian turn is happening during a period of no major foreign war, no widespread unrest, no pandemic, and relatively good economic conditions.
There are an awful lot of *choices* being made.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
The “worst-case scenario of famine” is currently taking place in the Gaza Strip, according to an alert issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed initiative.
‘Worst-case scenario of famine’ is unfolding in Gaza, UN-backed food security initiative says | CNN
The “worst-case scenario of famine” is currently taking place in the Gaza Strip, according to an alert issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed initia...
www.cnn.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The “worst-case scenario of famine” is currently taking place in the Gaza Strip, according to an alert issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations-backed initiative.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Thrilled to share the cover of my upcoming book, out February 2026 from @oxfordacademic.bsky.social
NO OPTION BUT SABOTAGE
The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
NO OPTION BUT SABOTAGE
The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
July 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Thrilled to share the cover of my upcoming book, out February 2026 from @oxfordacademic.bsky.social
NO OPTION BUT SABOTAGE
The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
NO OPTION BUT SABOTAGE
The Radical Environmental Movement and the Climate Crisis
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
"One of the most important, and most overlooked, functions of protest is to prevent the dreaded 'spiral of silence,' which can begin when people wrongly believe that their own point of view is not widely shared," Betsy Levy Paluck writes:
The Most Overlooked Value of Political Protest
Small acts of staying quiet may seem merely polite or indifferent, but they can easily spiral.
bit.ly
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 AM
"One of the most important, and most overlooked, functions of protest is to prevent the dreaded 'spiral of silence,' which can begin when people wrongly believe that their own point of view is not widely shared," Betsy Levy Paluck writes:
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Trump isn’t especially popular. And neither is the kind of repression he’s been using in LA.
But that creates a perverse incentive: to escalate, provoke, and polarize further.
It’s clear the Trump admin thinks this is a winning issue.
It’s going to be a long and dangerous summer.
But that creates a perverse incentive: to escalate, provoke, and polarize further.
It’s clear the Trump admin thinks this is a winning issue.
It’s going to be a long and dangerous summer.
June 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Trump isn’t especially popular. And neither is the kind of repression he’s been using in LA.
But that creates a perverse incentive: to escalate, provoke, and polarize further.
It’s clear the Trump admin thinks this is a winning issue.
It’s going to be a long and dangerous summer.
But that creates a perverse incentive: to escalate, provoke, and polarize further.
It’s clear the Trump admin thinks this is a winning issue.
It’s going to be a long and dangerous summer.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Democrats don’t control many levers of institutional power in Washington.
This means we’re likely to see them turn to disruptive tactics—like boycotts, walkouts—to signal to voters that things aren’t OK.
This means we’re likely to see them turn to disruptive tactics—like boycotts, walkouts—to signal to voters that things aren’t OK.
June 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Democrats don’t control many levers of institutional power in Washington.
This means we’re likely to see them turn to disruptive tactics—like boycotts, walkouts—to signal to voters that things aren’t OK.
This means we’re likely to see them turn to disruptive tactics—like boycotts, walkouts—to signal to voters that things aren’t OK.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
A few observations about where we are right now:
The Trump administration is clearly targeting Democratic politicians through arrests and repression.
This rightfully scares academics like myself who have seen this movie play out in other countries (Ukraine, Turkey, etc.). It doesn’t end well.
The Trump administration is clearly targeting Democratic politicians through arrests and repression.
This rightfully scares academics like myself who have seen this movie play out in other countries (Ukraine, Turkey, etc.). It doesn’t end well.
June 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
A few observations about where we are right now:
The Trump administration is clearly targeting Democratic politicians through arrests and repression.
This rightfully scares academics like myself who have seen this movie play out in other countries (Ukraine, Turkey, etc.). It doesn’t end well.
The Trump administration is clearly targeting Democratic politicians through arrests and repression.
This rightfully scares academics like myself who have seen this movie play out in other countries (Ukraine, Turkey, etc.). It doesn’t end well.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
A lot of people exercising their 1st amendment right in suburban Maryland today—great turnout too!
June 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A lot of people exercising their 1st amendment right in suburban Maryland today—great turnout too!
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Want to understand peak U.S. soft power?
I’ve got one word for you: “Smooth.”
As in Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas’s irresistible 1999 hit that was blasting in every car, mall, and Best Buy.
It was loud, polished, and undeniable because it was just “so smooth.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whg...
I’ve got one word for you: “Smooth.”
As in Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas’s irresistible 1999 hit that was blasting in every car, mall, and Best Buy.
It was loud, polished, and undeniable because it was just “so smooth.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whg...
Santana - Smooth (Stereo) ft. Rob Thomas
YouTube video by SantanaVEVO
m.youtube.com
June 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Want to understand peak U.S. soft power?
I’ve got one word for you: “Smooth.”
As in Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas’s irresistible 1999 hit that was blasting in every car, mall, and Best Buy.
It was loud, polished, and undeniable because it was just “so smooth.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whg...
I’ve got one word for you: “Smooth.”
As in Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas’s irresistible 1999 hit that was blasting in every car, mall, and Best Buy.
It was loud, polished, and undeniable because it was just “so smooth.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Whg...
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
As someone who wrote a book on “nasty politics”—why politicians insult and threaten their opponents—here are 4 observations about the Musk-Trump fissure.
June 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
As someone who wrote a book on “nasty politics”—why politicians insult and threaten their opponents—here are 4 observations about the Musk-Trump fissure.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
4 (cont’d). The fact that our political and economic fortunes revolve around the whims of 2 narcissistic elites is a massive democratic failure.
See what happened in pre-Maidan Ukraine kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukra...
or is happening in Georgia currently www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
See what happened in pre-Maidan Ukraine kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukra...
or is happening in Georgia currently www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili, the shadowy billionaire behind Georgia’s pivot to Russia?
Country’s wealthiest and most influential figure has guided shift away from the west while cultivating an air of mystery
www.theguardian.com
June 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
4 (cont’d). The fact that our political and economic fortunes revolve around the whims of 2 narcissistic elites is a massive democratic failure.
See what happened in pre-Maidan Ukraine kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukra...
or is happening in Georgia currently www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
See what happened in pre-Maidan Ukraine kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukra...
or is happening in Georgia currently www.theguardian.com/world/2024/o...
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
As an indication of the upside-down we are now living in, a Ukrainian friend who lives in Kyiv under the daily threat of aerial bombardment reached out to me today:
“Are you doing OK? I’ve been following the news about American universities and it sounds bad.” 🙃
“Are you doing OK? I’ve been following the news about American universities and it sounds bad.” 🙃
June 2, 2025 at 12:59 AM
As an indication of the upside-down we are now living in, a Ukrainian friend who lives in Kyiv under the daily threat of aerial bombardment reached out to me today:
“Are you doing OK? I’ve been following the news about American universities and it sounds bad.” 🙃
“Are you doing OK? I’ve been following the news about American universities and it sounds bad.” 🙃
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
Lately I’ve been keeping a list of things to repair in the U.S.—if and when we get through the next 3.6 years:
Not hard
-Tariffs
Medium hard
-Corruption
-Politicized law enforcement
-Clean energy transition
Very hard
-Higher ed & scientific research
-State capacity & expertise
-Supreme Court
Not hard
-Tariffs
Medium hard
-Corruption
-Politicized law enforcement
-Clean energy transition
Very hard
-Higher ed & scientific research
-State capacity & expertise
-Supreme Court
May 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Lately I’ve been keeping a list of things to repair in the U.S.—if and when we get through the next 3.6 years:
Not hard
-Tariffs
Medium hard
-Corruption
-Politicized law enforcement
-Clean energy transition
Very hard
-Higher ed & scientific research
-State capacity & expertise
-Supreme Court
Not hard
-Tariffs
Medium hard
-Corruption
-Politicized law enforcement
-Clean energy transition
Very hard
-Higher ed & scientific research
-State capacity & expertise
-Supreme Court
I feel sorry for Canadian PM Carney having to listen to Trump’s stream of conscious hit parade of “hates” ( Biden, Obama, Newsom) and lies…
May 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I feel sorry for Canadian PM Carney having to listen to Trump’s stream of conscious hit parade of “hates” ( Biden, Obama, Newsom) and lies…
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
There’s a lot of chaos right now, but I keep coming back to this report: Big Banks are quietly preparing for catastrophic climate change.
These risks aren’t distant or abstract—they’re now part of mainstream financial planning.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-...
These risks aren’t distant or abstract—they’re now part of mainstream financial planning.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-...
April 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
There’s a lot of chaos right now, but I keep coming back to this report: Big Banks are quietly preparing for catastrophic climate change.
These risks aren’t distant or abstract—they’re now part of mainstream financial planning.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-...
These risks aren’t distant or abstract—they’re now part of mainstream financial planning.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/big-...
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
From a pro-democracy perspective, Trump’s falling approval ratings are a good thing.
But today’s arrest of a Wisconsin judge is a stark reminder: declining popularity often brings rising repression.
But today’s arrest of a Wisconsin judge is a stark reminder: declining popularity often brings rising repression.
April 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
From a pro-democracy perspective, Trump’s falling approval ratings are a good thing.
But today’s arrest of a Wisconsin judge is a stark reminder: declining popularity often brings rising repression.
But today’s arrest of a Wisconsin judge is a stark reminder: declining popularity often brings rising repression.
Reposted by Maggie MacDonald
April 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM