Perry Bacon
@perrybaconjr.bsky.social
Government and policy writer. Views are my own. pbacon@tnr.com
Reposted by Perry Bacon
yep, a hit dog will holler
An official NYT response means this is clearly a sore spot for them and people should keep hitting the target
NYT says a Trans News Network interview with ex-NYT editor Billie Jean Sweeney about NYT's gender identity coverage included "factually inaccurate criticisms" (The New York Times Company)
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Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink
January 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
yep, a hit dog will holler
Reposted by Perry Bacon
Instead check out @zeteo.com @propublica.org @flaminghydra.com @404media.co @wired.com @marisakabas.bsky.social and the like.
If you've got an independent site or individual journalist you love, add them to the replies here.
If you've got an independent site or individual journalist you love, add them to the replies here.
January 5, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Instead check out @zeteo.com @propublica.org @flaminghydra.com @404media.co @wired.com @marisakabas.bsky.social and the like.
If you've got an independent site or individual journalist you love, add them to the replies here.
If you've got an independent site or individual journalist you love, add them to the replies here.
Reposted by Perry Bacon
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
"There is this persistent idea that the U.S. invades countries for oil. And I think it was really not the case in Iraq ....Oil, there's too much of it right now for global demand. ...It doesn't strike me that it's enough to drive this," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 1:17 AM
"There is this persistent idea that the U.S. invades countries for oil. And I think it was really not the case in Iraq ....Oil, there's too much of it right now for global demand. ...It doesn't strike me that it's enough to drive this," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
"One of the similarities this has with the Iraq War is that there were a lot of people [Rubio, Trump, Miller, Hegseth] who supported it for a lot of different reasons. Everybody can kind of find their reason and get on board," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 1:07 AM
"One of the similarities this has with the Iraq War is that there were a lot of people [Rubio, Trump, Miller, Hegseth] who supported it for a lot of different reasons. Everybody can kind of find their reason and get on board," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
"You have to think of [the capture of Maduro] in the context of today, the decline of American democracy, the weakening of guardrails. ..This is playing with fire in a totally different setting than previous precedents," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 12:59 AM
"You have to think of [the capture of Maduro] in the context of today, the decline of American democracy, the weakening of guardrails. ..This is playing with fire in a totally different setting than previous precedents," says @profsaunders.bsky.social.
What Weiss and Adam O'Neal at the Post are really signaling is that nothing like the 1619 Project will be produced under their leadership. 1619 was not unpatriotic, but called for America to live up to its ideals, not its history and practices.
I also love America and believe in its stated values.
And I understand that this pronouncement lands very differently when it comes from an organization that has intentionally been overhauled in order to curry favor with a jingoistic proto-fascist who says his opponents hate the country.
And I understand that this pronouncement lands very differently when it comes from an organization that has intentionally been overhauled in order to curry favor with a jingoistic proto-fascist who says his opponents hate the country.
Incredible. CBS Evening News announces five new “simple values” — instead of their “38-page handbook” — as they roll out Tony Dokoupil is lead anchor.
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
One of those values is simply: “We love America and make no apologies for saying so.”
January 2, 2026 at 9:42 PM
What Weiss and Adam O'Neal at the Post are really signaling is that nothing like the 1619 Project will be produced under their leadership. 1619 was not unpatriotic, but called for America to live up to its ideals, not its history and practices.
The new CBS language echoes the Washington Post Opinion section right-wing takeover over the summer. The Bezos-installed new opinion director said the section would be ""unapologetically patriotic." Patriotism, it turns out, means defending Trump constantly. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/b...
January 2, 2026 at 9:40 PM
The new CBS language echoes the Washington Post Opinion section right-wing takeover over the summer. The Bezos-installed new opinion director said the section would be ""unapologetically patriotic." Patriotism, it turns out, means defending Trump constantly. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/b...
Worth reading the transgender/NYT piece in tandem with this excellent @donmoyn.bsky.social article that captures how the paper covers higher education. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
The NYT Recruiting Brochure for New College
A failing Ron DeSantis higher ed experiment gets a boost
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Worth reading the transgender/NYT piece in tandem with this excellent @donmoyn.bsky.social article that captures how the paper covers higher education. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
"The lie they’re telling you is that they’re going after the “worst of the worst,” but we must fight for everyone. The strategy of 'good' immigrant versus 'bad' immigrant ultimately targets all immigrants," says @silkys13.bsky.social. politicalresearch.org/2025/09/23/w...
“We Must Fight for Everyone” for Immigrant Justice
PRA Senior Research Analyst Ethan Fauré speaks with Silky Shah, author of Unbuild Walls: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition, to discuss how abolition is the key to a strategy for combating the Trum...
politicalresearch.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:34 PM
"The lie they’re telling you is that they’re going after the “worst of the worst,” but we must fight for everyone. The strategy of 'good' immigrant versus 'bad' immigrant ultimately targets all immigrants," says @silkys13.bsky.social. politicalresearch.org/2025/09/23/w...
"It's another thing for The New York Times to report this. I think they put a stamp of legitimacy on medical falsehoods. They also legitimized anti-trans hate, really." Very important comments from @billiejsweeney.bsky.social. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
'A directive from above': Former NYT editor lays out how the paper pushes anti-trans bigotry
In this in-depth interview, former New York Times editor Billie Jean Sweeney details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, how some staff tried to stop it, how it's directe...
transnews.network
January 2, 2026 at 2:31 PM
"It's another thing for The New York Times to report this. I think they put a stamp of legitimacy on medical falsehoods. They also legitimized anti-trans hate, really." Very important comments from @billiejsweeney.bsky.social. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
I suspect transgender rights and higher education are two issues where NYT leadership is as opposed to the progressive left's positions as the right's. So they lean into right-wing framing of those subjects to rebut broader liberal bias charges. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
'A directive from above': Former NYT editor lays out how the paper pushes anti-trans bigotry
In this in-depth interview, former New York Times editor Billie Jean Sweeney details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, how some staff tried to stop it, how it's directe...
transnews.network
January 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM
I suspect transgender rights and higher education are two issues where NYT leadership is as opposed to the progressive left's positions as the right's. So they lean into right-wing framing of those subjects to rebut broader liberal bias charges. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
Such an important article about the NYT's coverage of transgender issues and why it's so reactionary. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
'A directive from above': Former NYT editor lays out how the paper pushes anti-trans bigotry
In this in-depth interview, former New York Times editor Billie Jean Sweeney details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, how some staff tried to stop it, how it's directe...
transnews.network
January 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Such an important article about the NYT's coverage of transgender issues and why it's so reactionary. transnews.network/p/a-directiv...
Reposted by Perry Bacon
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
Reposted by Perry Bacon
Remembering this today hehehe
NYT Editorial board effectively endorses Andrew Cuomo today in the most weaselly possible way. “Don’t rank Mamdani, and it will probably be either him or Cuomo, sooo…”
January 1, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Remembering this today hehehe
Reposted by Perry Bacon
like I think Mamdani's success helped a lot of people think differently about the first wave of 2028 presidential contenders trying to make a name for themselves. it's proof we can want better for ourselves than the Gavin Newsoms
January 1, 2026 at 9:16 PM
like I think Mamdani's success helped a lot of people think differently about the first wave of 2028 presidential contenders trying to make a name for themselves. it's proof we can want better for ourselves than the Gavin Newsoms
Reposted by Perry Bacon
The biggest pressure must be applied to the Governor. She's already publicly opposed Mayor Mamdani's free bus plan, instead favoring subsidies.
She's an establishment Democrat (status quo) and moderates like her must be voted out.
She's an establishment Democrat (status quo) and moderates like her must be voted out.
January 1, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The biggest pressure must be applied to the Governor. She's already publicly opposed Mayor Mamdani's free bus plan, instead favoring subsidies.
She's an establishment Democrat (status quo) and moderates like her must be voted out.
She's an establishment Democrat (status quo) and moderates like her must be voted out.
Reposted by Perry Bacon
Yes and-ing this to say, I absolutely love that his speeches do not sound like he studied Barack Obama recordings as if they were the zapruder or game film. He talks good but does it in his own way.
Whew. That Mamdani has an exceptional speechwriter and is one of the most compelling politicians I’ve seen.
January 1, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Yes and-ing this to say, I absolutely love that his speeches do not sound like he studied Barack Obama recordings as if they were the zapruder or game film. He talks good but does it in his own way.
Reposted by Perry Bacon
The NYT editorial board members are wearing Black armbands while crying and vomiting today.
Tomorrow's Editorial: "Just because you won the election DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ACT LIKE YOU ARE THE MAYOR."
Tomorrow's Editorial: "Just because you won the election DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ACT LIKE YOU ARE THE MAYOR."
January 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
The NYT editorial board members are wearing Black armbands while crying and vomiting today.
Tomorrow's Editorial: "Just because you won the election DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ACT LIKE YOU ARE THE MAYOR."
Tomorrow's Editorial: "Just because you won the election DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ACT LIKE YOU ARE THE MAYOR."
Reposted by Perry Bacon
Despite what we are often told, this line from Mamdani’s inauguration speech is what true pragmatism actually looks like:
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
January 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Despite what we are often told, this line from Mamdani’s inauguration speech is what true pragmatism actually looks like:
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
Reposted by Perry Bacon
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
January 1, 2026 at 9:09 PM
As of today, I am a FULL professor. I do not care much for occupational status markers. Still, it is not lost on me that only 2% of full professors are Black women. This goes beyond personal accomplishment. It is a responsibility to do as much as I can for others. That is exactly what I aim to do.
Reposted by Perry Bacon
They spent months and months insisting he was an antisemite, with zero evidence, and then he chooses to get sworn in as mayor by America’s most famous and beloved Jewish politician.
His critics are a mix of liars and fools.
His critics are a mix of liars and fools.
January 1, 2026 at 11:40 PM
They spent months and months insisting he was an antisemite, with zero evidence, and then he chooses to get sworn in as mayor by America’s most famous and beloved Jewish politician.
His critics are a mix of liars and fools.
His critics are a mix of liars and fools.
"He appears to want a tent big enough for bigots but too small for critical race theorists." Excellent @victorerikray.bsky.social piece. www.liberalcurrents.com/a-tent-big-e...
A Tent Big Enough for Bigots but Too Small for Critical Race Theory
Like so many of critical race theory's detractors, Matthew Yglesias fails to engage with the actual scholarship.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM
"He appears to want a tent big enough for bigots but too small for critical race theorists." Excellent @victorerikray.bsky.social piece. www.liberalcurrents.com/a-tent-big-e...
"We are going to win against Donald Trump, but we have a much bigger victory that we need to be aiming for. We need to Reconstruct this country," writes @adamgurri.liberalcurrents.com. www.liberalcurrents.com/we-are-going...
We Are Going to Win
Trump's revolution will fail, but we still have a long and painful road ahead of us.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:25 PM
"We are going to win against Donald Trump, but we have a much bigger victory that we need to be aiming for. We need to Reconstruct this country," writes @adamgurri.liberalcurrents.com. www.liberalcurrents.com/we-are-going...
"The Guardian does not shape its coverage based on what is politically expedient. The Guardian is able – and, crucially, it is willing – to challenge the powerful," writes @moiradonegan.bsky.social. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...
As the US media floundered this year, I couldn’t help but think: ‘Thank God I’m at the Guardian’ | Moira Donegan
Other media outlets have asked their writers to compromise, but the Guardian has never – and would never – ask me to pull a punch The Guardian has no billionaire or big corporate owner: funded by read...
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:22 PM
"The Guardian does not shape its coverage based on what is politically expedient. The Guardian is able – and, crucially, it is willing – to challenge the powerful," writes @moiradonegan.bsky.social. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/d...