Tom Nichols
@radiofreetom.bsky.social
Staff writer at The Atlantic. Cat guy, democracy defender. Actor for a day on Succession, Jeopardy champ. New Englander and curmudgeon.
Pinned
Pete Hegseth Should Sit This One Out
By inserting himself into the situation in Minnesota, the secretary of defense is only making things worse.
www.theatlantic.com
"Pete Hegseth might consider adding another task to his many duties, one that would be of immense help to the nation and to the armed forces: He should shut up."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Seems like it was a good career move. Authoritarianism can be quite profitable for accommodating elites.
How Niall Ferguson went from a respected historian and Trump critic to a Trump booster—he even now chalks up January 6th to pandemic craziness and believes Trump genuinely believes he won in 2020—handpicked by Bari Weiss for a CBS pundit gig.
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-niall-...
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-niall-...
How Niall Ferguson Learned to Love Trump
… and snagged a pundit slot at CBS News in the Bari Weiss makeover.
www.thebulwark.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Seems like it was a good career move. Authoritarianism can be quite profitable for accommodating elites.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Jesus, its not even "Fascist Friday" yet 🤷♂️😆
January 29, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Jesus, its not even "Fascist Friday" yet 🤷♂️😆
Reposted by Tom Nichols
This poll is the worst high-quality poll for Trump that I’ve seen this term.
Pew has Trump's approval at 37%. And:
"Only about a quarter of Americans today (27%) say they support all or most of Trump’s policies and plans, down from 35% when he returned to office last year. That change has come entirely among Republicans."
www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
"Only about a quarter of Americans today (27%) say they support all or most of Trump’s policies and plans, down from 35% when he returned to office last year. That change has come entirely among Republicans."
www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
Confidence in Trump Dips, and Fewer Now Say They Support His Policies and Plans
Only 27% of Americans say they support all or most of Trump's policies – down since last year, with the change coming entirely among Republicans.
www.pewresearch.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:40 PM
This poll is the worst high-quality poll for Trump that I’ve seen this term.
I checked in the Encyclopedia of Very Online Phrases, and there it is, an article by Bert S.
Christian Fascism.
That’s where we are.
Look it up.
That’s where we are.
Look it up.
January 29, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I checked in the Encyclopedia of Very Online Phrases, and there it is, an article by Bert S.
"Russia is listed as a democracy?" By whom?
I was a strong supporter of calling Russia a democracy years ago, and even *I* haven't said that in decades.
I was a strong supporter of calling Russia a democracy years ago, and even *I* haven't said that in decades.
There is no hard line in the sand on these things. I mean, Russia is listed as a democracy. Would you agree with that? By definition it is because they hold elections. But nobody is going to claim they are a free people with weight behind their votes.
January 29, 2026 at 8:25 PM
"Russia is listed as a democracy?" By whom?
I was a strong supporter of calling Russia a democracy years ago, and even *I* haven't said that in decades.
I was a strong supporter of calling Russia a democracy years ago, and even *I* haven't said that in decades.
When I saw the trailer, I thought it was AI slop created by some Resistance wag with a video program. I did not believe anyone would make this movie, and make it look the way the previews make it look.
Believe I saw that there were offers of $50 and free tickets to attend Melania: The Documentary. Might be a good way to pocket $50 ($100 take your wife?) and have a nice 2hour nap. Also, the one liners about attendance at the movie and the reviews are alone worth it having been made. LOL.
January 29, 2026 at 8:22 PM
When I saw the trailer, I thought it was AI slop created by some Resistance wag with a video program. I did not believe anyone would make this movie, and make it look the way the previews make it look.
People have suggested that if you're in a car headed to Los Angeles, it's reasonable to ask if you're there yet.
I'd say: You have a kook trying to carjack you, saying "Take me to LA," and while you're scared, everyone in the car so far is saying "no"
Except one guy who thinks we're already in LA.
I'd say: You have a kook trying to carjack you, saying "Take me to LA," and while you're scared, everyone in the car so far is saying "no"
Except one guy who thinks we're already in LA.
Eh, it's more of a journey than a destination. We're not there, but where we are isn't good either.
Looking forward to Charlie Five Buckets' next sternly worded letter to propose things that already exist but simply aren't enforced.
Looking forward to Charlie Five Buckets' next sternly worded letter to propose things that already exist but simply aren't enforced.
January 29, 2026 at 8:21 PM
People have suggested that if you're in a car headed to Los Angeles, it's reasonable to ask if you're there yet.
I'd say: You have a kook trying to carjack you, saying "Take me to LA," and while you're scared, everyone in the car so far is saying "no"
Except one guy who thinks we're already in LA.
I'd say: You have a kook trying to carjack you, saying "Take me to LA," and while you're scared, everyone in the car so far is saying "no"
Except one guy who thinks we're already in LA.
We're many, many steps from that.
Mussolini's fascism was also minimized in the beginning stages. It was too late by the time the assassinations started. We're only one step away from that now.
January 29, 2026 at 8:19 PM
We're many, many steps from that.
Also true. And they'd wear clearly marked uniforms as a sign of power and authority instead.
If we lived in a fascist state, ICE agents wouldn’t wear masks. They wouldn’t be afraid to show their faces.
January 29, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Also true. And they'd wear clearly marked uniforms as a sign of power and authority instead.
I'm only mildly joking when I say that if America were already a fascist state, the theaters would be full coast-to-coast for the opening of MELANIA. Because they'd have to be.
January 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM
I'm only mildly joking when I say that if America were already a fascist state, the theaters would be full coast-to-coast for the opening of MELANIA. Because they'd have to be.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
As @legal-alien-nyc.bsky.social said: More people have seen the Epstein Files than Melania.
January 29, 2026 at 4:15 PM
As @legal-alien-nyc.bsky.social said: More people have seen the Epstein Files than Melania.
I'm trying to work, but when Lynn goes out, Needy Velcro Cat zeroes in on me
January 29, 2026 at 4:36 PM
I'm trying to work, but when Lynn goes out, Needy Velcro Cat zeroes in on me
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Customer: "What time does the Melania movie start?"
Theater: "What time can you get here?"
Theater: "What time can you get here?"
January 29, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Customer: "What time does the Melania movie start?"
Theater: "What time can you get here?"
Theater: "What time can you get here?"
Not yet! But I promise I’ll let you know.
@radiofreetom.bsky.social So we fascist yet or nah?
January 29, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Not yet! But I promise I’ll let you know.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Maine Senator Susan Collins said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed her that ICE will end the immigration enforcement surge in the state.
ICE ending Maine surge, Senator Collins says - The Boston Globe
Collins said in a statement that she had pushed Noem and other Trump administration officials to have ICE “reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement in the state.”
trib.al
January 29, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Maine Senator Susan Collins said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed her that ICE will end the immigration enforcement surge in the state.
Reposted by Tom Nichols
It's 410 CE, and I'm your podcast host, Rossus Douthaticus. I'm here with Alaric the Visigoth, who recently sacked the Eternal City.
Alaric, why do you think people have lost faith in Rome? Is it a crisis of liberalism? Is it because of the feminization of the workplace?
Alaric, why do you think people have lost faith in Rome? Is it a crisis of liberalism? Is it because of the feminization of the workplace?
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
It's 410 CE, and I'm your podcast host, Rossus Douthaticus. I'm here with Alaric the Visigoth, who recently sacked the Eternal City.
Alaric, why do you think people have lost faith in Rome? Is it a crisis of liberalism? Is it because of the feminization of the workplace?
Alaric, why do you think people have lost faith in Rome? Is it a crisis of liberalism? Is it because of the feminization of the workplace?
Reposted by Tom Nichols
*John Mearsheimer Voice*
I would argue that has Putin has good, rational reasons to burn up half a million of his own people.
I would argue that has Putin has good, rational reasons to burn up half a million of his own people.
Russia's at 1.2 million casualties, and then there's this:
"After seizing the initiative in 2024, Russian forces have advanced at an average rate of between 15 and 70 meters per day in their most prominent offensives, slower than almost any major offensive campaign in any war in the last century."
"After seizing the initiative in 2024, Russian forces have advanced at an average rate of between 15 and 70 meters per day in their most prominent offensives, slower than almost any major offensive campaign in any war in the last century."
January 29, 2026 at 2:56 PM
*John Mearsheimer Voice*
I would argue that has Putin has good, rational reasons to burn up half a million of his own people.
I would argue that has Putin has good, rational reasons to burn up half a million of his own people.
Maybe the ticket price can be like that in an old Soviet joke about someone selling the collected works of Lenin: "Best offer or will give away"
"Must remain in seats for entirety of film."
It's the new TikTok challenge, all the kids are trying it -- can you endure a documentary about the world's most boring evil woman?
It's the new TikTok challenge, all the kids are trying it -- can you endure a documentary about the world's most boring evil woman?
January 29, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Maybe the ticket price can be like that in an old Soviet joke about someone selling the collected works of Lenin: "Best offer or will give away"
You're all telling me how awesome Walton Goggins is, but this isn't Walton Goggins. It's Johnny Pemberton, who's really funny in a supporting role.
Fallout season two just gets better and better, but I really enjoy this guy in particular
January 29, 2026 at 3:13 PM
You're all telling me how awesome Walton Goggins is, but this isn't Walton Goggins. It's Johnny Pemberton, who's really funny in a supporting role.
Fallout season two just gets better and better, but I really enjoy this guy in particular
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Fallout season two just gets better and better, but I really enjoy this guy in particular
So, Michele is my friend and we argue this all the time. But gonna say this again: "They control a media ecosystem and are better at messaging" is not enough. Complaining about the other guy's strengths isn't a strategy. You must counter those strengths./1
No, but "ignoring the huge imbalance in the info space and hoping no Dem councilman in San Franciso never says anything that Fox and Twitter can run with"
isn't a strategy, either.
I haven't seen ANY strategy opinion pieces that tackle the "much bigger megaphone" problem. That's the one we need.
isn't a strategy, either.
I haven't seen ANY strategy opinion pieces that tackle the "much bigger megaphone" problem. That's the one we need.
January 29, 2026 at 3:18 AM
So, Michele is my friend and we argue this all the time. But gonna say this again: "They control a media ecosystem and are better at messaging" is not enough. Complaining about the other guy's strengths isn't a strategy. You must counter those strengths./1
Reposted by Tom Nichols
Governor Tim Walz warns of a national unraveling in an interview with @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social. “It’s worse than you think,” Walz says of the situation in Minnesota.
Tim Walz Fears a Fort Sumter Moment in Minneapolis
The Minnesota governor warns of a national unraveling.
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Governor Tim Walz warns of a national unraveling in an interview with @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social. “It’s worse than you think,” Walz says of the situation in Minnesota.
This is a long piece and the first responses to it came in under 60 seconds because why not
Tom Edsall: "If Democrats are to succeed in excising the Trump malignancy from the body politic, their party faces a major hurdle: public distrust, if not downright animosity."
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
Opinion | ‘I Wouldn’t Say the Democrats Are in Good Shape’
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:41 PM
This is a long piece and the first responses to it came in under 60 seconds because why not
Tom Edsall: "If Democrats are to succeed in excising the Trump malignancy from the body politic, their party faces a major hurdle: public distrust, if not downright animosity."
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
Opinion | ‘I Wouldn’t Say the Democrats Are in Good Shape’
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Tom Edsall: "If Democrats are to succeed in excising the Trump malignancy from the body politic, their party faces a major hurdle: public distrust, if not downright animosity."
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...
A warning about coalition-building.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/o...