Randall Stephens
@randalljstephens.bsky.social
American historian, religion, environment, pop culture, the South. Author: The Devil's Music (Harvard, 2018). Prof of Am & Brit Studies, Univ of Oslo. Fulbright alumnus.
Promises to run it like one of his several bankrupted casinos
January 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Promises to run it like one of his several bankrupted casinos
Authoritarianism makes him so sleepy
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Authoritarianism makes him so sleepy
I’m sure the millions of Americans losing their healthcare will be heartened by this.
The president unilaterally decided to attack a sovereign nation and kidnap its leader, and now he says he's just going to run that county himself for a while too.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Trump on Venezuela: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition"
January 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM
I’m sure the millions of Americans losing their healthcare will be heartened by this.
What a Trump speech. We are one minute away from hearing about his golf trophies.
January 3, 2026 at 4:54 PM
What a Trump speech. We are one minute away from hearing about his golf trophies.
Your slurring emperor has some words about. It will be a “jujicious” transition.
January 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Your slurring emperor has some words about. It will be a “jujicious” transition.
Reposted by Randall Stephens
Specifically, a protest song about how the sons of the rich were able to avoid fighting, like fighting-age Donald Trump who got four deferments for being in college and another for bone spurs.
Trump posts footage of the Maduro raid set to "Fortunate Son" -- a protest song about the Vietnam War draft
January 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Specifically, a protest song about how the sons of the rich were able to avoid fighting, like fighting-age Donald Trump who got four deferments for being in college and another for bone spurs.
In Norway, our frooted loops are not neon colored
January 3, 2026 at 3:31 PM
In Norway, our frooted loops are not neon colored
Republican senators: “Well, I haven’t been following that.”
January 3, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Republican senators: “Well, I haven’t been following that.”
Oslo from above yesterday afternoon
January 3, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Oslo from above yesterday afternoon
Probably thinking, “Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen.”
January 3, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Probably thinking, “Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen.”
“…not even the most prescient Trump-watcher could claim to have fully predicted: gutting cancer research in the name of expurgating diversity programs….Shutting the door to refugees….Empowering the world’s richest man to cut off funding for the world’s poorest children.”
Donald Trump’s Golden Age of Awful
A damage assessment of the President’s first year back in the White House.
www.newyorker.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:07 PM
“…not even the most prescient Trump-watcher could claim to have fully predicted: gutting cancer research in the name of expurgating diversity programs….Shutting the door to refugees….Empowering the world’s richest man to cut off funding for the world’s poorest children.”
“Out, damned spot.” Herblock, June 1967.
January 2, 2026 at 10:39 AM
“Out, damned spot.” Herblock, June 1967.
Herblock going after the NRA in 1967
January 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Herblock going after the NRA in 1967
New hairstyle trend for 2026
January 1, 2026 at 10:38 PM
New hairstyle trend for 2026
And, verily, in accordance with the scriptures…
Trump rings in 2026 at Mar-a-Lago with $2.75m auction of Jesus painting
President auctioned off freshly painted portrait and said his new year’s resolution was ‘peace on Earth’
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:20 PM
And, verily, in accordance with the scriptures…
The 3D mural at the Philly airport has a real Epcot Spaceship Earth vibe.
January 1, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The 3D mural at the Philly airport has a real Epcot Spaceship Earth vibe.
New year, new name: Zebulon Eustace Turnbuckle.
January 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM
New year, new name: Zebulon Eustace Turnbuckle.
Over Philadelphia last night
January 1, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Over Philadelphia last night
“I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
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 3:44 PM
“I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
Always loved to see this guy walk into Marvin’s Music City.
January 1, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Always loved to see this guy walk into Marvin’s Music City.
A sobering sight at the ACME grocery
January 1, 2026 at 1:15 PM
A sobering sight at the ACME grocery
Plummeting US vaccination rates. www.washingtonpost.com/health/inter...
December 31, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Plummeting US vaccination rates. www.washingtonpost.com/health/inter...
Of all times to be arriving at the KC airport... www.kctv5.com/2025/12/31/k...
Kansas City law enforcement, FBI investigate threat at KCI
Airport officials evacuated Kansas City International Airport on Wednesday morning.
www.kctv5.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Of all times to be arriving at the KC airport... www.kctv5.com/2025/12/31/k...
“I have given into thy hand the King of Ai…” Altman?
December 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
“I have given into thy hand the King of Ai…” Altman?
“The year has been a good one for the Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things. This year our members have put more things on top of other things than ever before. But, I should warn you, this is no time for complacency…“
December 31, 2025 at 1:30 AM
“The year has been a good one for the Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things. This year our members have put more things on top of other things than ever before. But, I should warn you, this is no time for complacency…“