Steve Benen
@stevebenen.com
Rachel Maddow Show producer, MaddowBlog author, MS NOW contributor, and author of Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past
Why does Trump want Greenland? “National security.”
Why should Trump’s ballroom vanity project proceed? “National security.”
Why is Trump killing the wind energy industry? “National security.”
Why does Trump hate the New York Times? “National security.”
The pattern is ... not subtle.
Why should Trump’s ballroom vanity project proceed? “National security.”
Why is Trump killing the wind energy industry? “National security.”
Why does Trump hate the New York Times? “National security.”
The pattern is ... not subtle.
For the White House, ‘national security’ is becoming the answer to every question
Donald Trump and his team have a go-to tactic intended to shut down debate over their goals. It's not working.
www.ms.now
December 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Why does Trump want Greenland? “National security.”
Why should Trump’s ballroom vanity project proceed? “National security.”
Why is Trump killing the wind energy industry? “National security.”
Why does Trump hate the New York Times? “National security.”
The pattern is ... not subtle.
Why should Trump’s ballroom vanity project proceed? “National security.”
Why is Trump killing the wind energy industry? “National security.”
Why does Trump hate the New York Times? “National security.”
The pattern is ... not subtle.
The personalization of government is advancing at ridiculous speeds:
- Trump-class battleships
- Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center, Institute for Peace
- legal-tender coin featuring Trump’s face (on both sides)
- Trump Gold Cards
- Trump Accounts
- F-47 fighter jets
- 47-day ICE training
- Trump-class battleships
- Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center, Institute for Peace
- legal-tender coin featuring Trump’s face (on both sides)
- Trump Gold Cards
- Trump Accounts
- F-47 fighter jets
- 47-day ICE training
Trump names battleship class after himself, advancing his personalization crusade
Sticking his name on everything is especially difficult to defend as it so plainly does little to meet the nation’s needs.
www.ms.now
December 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The personalization of government is advancing at ridiculous speeds:
- Trump-class battleships
- Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center, Institute for Peace
- legal-tender coin featuring Trump’s face (on both sides)
- Trump Gold Cards
- Trump Accounts
- F-47 fighter jets
- 47-day ICE training
- Trump-class battleships
- Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center, Institute for Peace
- legal-tender coin featuring Trump’s face (on both sides)
- Trump Gold Cards
- Trump Accounts
- F-47 fighter jets
- 47-day ICE training
Mike Pence learned the lesson. So did Kevin McCarthy, Reince Priebus, and Ronna McDaniel.
Now, Elise Stefanik has learned the same lesson: Loyalty is something Trump expects to receive, not to bestow. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Now, Elise Stefanik has learned the same lesson: Loyalty is something Trump expects to receive, not to bestow. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Elise Stefanik learns a painful lesson on the limits of Trump’s loyalties
As the New York congresswoman came to realize, loyalty is something the president expects to receive, not to bestow.
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Mike Pence learned the lesson. So did Kevin McCarthy, Reince Priebus, and Ronna McDaniel.
Now, Elise Stefanik has learned the same lesson: Loyalty is something Trump expects to receive, not to bestow. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Now, Elise Stefanik has learned the same lesson: Loyalty is something Trump expects to receive, not to bestow. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Democrats keep accusing the White House of playing petty partisan games with federal disaster aid.
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
‘Political games’: Blue states see a pattern as Trump backs disaster aid for red states
Those who believe the White House has politicized disaster relief have ample evidence to work with.
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Democrats keep accusing the White House of playing petty partisan games with federal disaster aid.
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
JD Vance’s insistence that the U.S. is a “Christian nation” was ahistorical nonsense.
But just as notable is the sentiment behind the rhetoric: He wants non-Christians to know they might be tolerated under his vision, but they’ll still be relegated to second-class status. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But just as notable is the sentiment behind the rhetoric: He wants non-Christians to know they might be tolerated under his vision, but they’ll still be relegated to second-class status. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Why JD Vance’s ‘Christian nation’ claim is more than just ahistorical nonsense
The vice president's rhetoric was absurd, but just as notable was the sentiment behind the rhetoric.
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
JD Vance’s insistence that the U.S. is a “Christian nation” was ahistorical nonsense.
But just as notable is the sentiment behind the rhetoric: He wants non-Christians to know they might be tolerated under his vision, but they’ll still be relegated to second-class status. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But just as notable is the sentiment behind the rhetoric: He wants non-Christians to know they might be tolerated under his vision, but they’ll still be relegated to second-class status. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Dan Bongino’s embarrassing tenure at the FBI was a failed experiment in amateurism — but in this administration, it was only one in a series of failed experiments in amateurism.
December 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Dan Bongino’s embarrassing tenure at the FBI was a failed experiment in amateurism — but in this administration, it was only one in a series of failed experiments in amateurism.
Trump, Sept. 20, in reference to Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia: “He didn’t quit, I fired him!”
Trump’s deputy AG, three months later: Siebert wasn’t fired, he quit.
These guys keep assuming that we all have bad memories.
Trump’s deputy AG, three months later: Siebert wasn’t fired, he quit.
These guys keep assuming that we all have bad memories.
WELKER: Is the DOJ taking directions about who to prosecute from President Trump?
BLANCHE: No. Of course we're not. And also, Mr. Siebert wasn't fired because he refused to bring cases. He resigned.
BLANCHE: No. Of course we're not. And also, Mr. Siebert wasn't fired because he refused to bring cases. He resigned.
December 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Trump, Sept. 20, in reference to Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia: “He didn’t quit, I fired him!”
Trump’s deputy AG, three months later: Siebert wasn’t fired, he quit.
These guys keep assuming that we all have bad memories.
Trump’s deputy AG, three months later: Siebert wasn’t fired, he quit.
These guys keep assuming that we all have bad memories.
It’s worth describing what transpired at the Kennedy Center today accurately:
The president’s operation just vandalized one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The president’s operation just vandalized one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
One day later, officials scramble to add Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center
It’s worth describing what transpired at the Kennedy Center accurately: A group of people vandalized one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers.
www.ms.now
December 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It’s worth describing what transpired at the Kennedy Center today accurately:
The president’s operation just vandalized one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The president’s operation just vandalized one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Late 2024: Trump says the economy is in great shape, and he demands credit for Biden-era progress.
Late 2025: Trump pleads with Americans to forget how much better things were a year ago. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Late 2025: Trump pleads with Americans to forget how much better things were a year ago. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
White House is still trying to rewrite recent history about the Biden-era economy
Instead of smearing Biden, Trump owes his Democratic predecessor a thank-you note.
www.ms.now
December 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Late 2024: Trump says the economy is in great shape, and he demands credit for Biden-era progress.
Late 2025: Trump pleads with Americans to forget how much better things were a year ago. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Late 2025: Trump pleads with Americans to forget how much better things were a year ago. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If White House officials want a public discussion about private-sector job growth, that’s fine, but they may not like where the conversation ends up. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
December 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
If White House officials want a public discussion about private-sector job growth, that’s fine, but they may not like where the conversation ends up. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Last year, one-term Rep. Anthony D’Esposito lost after adding his mistress to his official payroll.
This year, Republicans made him the inspector general at the Dept of Labor, where he’ll be expected to investigate ethical lapses — despite his own ethical lapses. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
This year, Republicans made him the inspector general at the Dept of Labor, where he’ll be expected to investigate ethical lapses — despite his own ethical lapses. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Republicans confirm scandal-plagued former congressman to serve as an inspector general
Anthony D’Esposito will be expected to investigate ethical lapses, despite his own alleged ethical lapses.
www.ms.now
December 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Last year, one-term Rep. Anthony D’Esposito lost after adding his mistress to his official payroll.
This year, Republicans made him the inspector general at the Dept of Labor, where he’ll be expected to investigate ethical lapses — despite his own ethical lapses. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
This year, Republicans made him the inspector general at the Dept of Labor, where he’ll be expected to investigate ethical lapses — despite his own ethical lapses. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump’s attack on Raphael Warnock was tiresome and forgettable, except for one thing:
It showed Trump doesn’t understand the separation of church and state at a basic level. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It showed Trump doesn’t understand the separation of church and state at a basic level. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump flubs what ‘separation of church and state’ means in targeting Raphael Warnock
“Mr. President, my faith is not a weapon, it’s a bridge, and I invite you to Bible study,” the Georgia Democrat replied.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Trump’s attack on Raphael Warnock was tiresome and forgettable, except for one thing:
It showed Trump doesn’t understand the separation of church and state at a basic level. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It showed Trump doesn’t understand the separation of church and state at a basic level. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump said he was using tariff revenue to finance “warrior dividend” payments to U.S. troops.
Then the claim was discredited.
Then he said it again anyway. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Then the claim was discredited.
Then he said it again anyway. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As Trump touts ‘warrior dividend’ payments, be sure to read the fine print
The president said the payments for the troops were financed by tariff revenue. When the evidence proved otherwise, he doubled down on the falsehood.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Trump said he was using tariff revenue to finance “warrior dividend” payments to U.S. troops.
Then the claim was discredited.
Then he said it again anyway. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Then the claim was discredited.
Then he said it again anyway. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump wants the Kennedy Center to be named after him. And DC’s football stadium. And Dulles Airport. And the WH ballroom.
He also wants his face on both sides of a commemorative legal-tender coin, and his White House has made official inquiries into adding Trump to Mt. Rushmore.
Subtle it is not.
He also wants his face on both sides of a commemorative legal-tender coin, and his White House has made official inquiries into adding Trump to Mt. Rushmore.
Subtle it is not.
Handpicked Kennedy Center board members vote to rename the ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’
The president's obsession with self-aggrandizement and self-glorification is pitiful, and it’s getting worse.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Trump wants the Kennedy Center to be named after him. And DC’s football stadium. And Dulles Airport. And the WH ballroom.
He also wants his face on both sides of a commemorative legal-tender coin, and his White House has made official inquiries into adding Trump to Mt. Rushmore.
Subtle it is not.
He also wants his face on both sides of a commemorative legal-tender coin, and his White House has made official inquiries into adding Trump to Mt. Rushmore.
Subtle it is not.
House Speaker Mike Johnson doesn’t deny that 22 million to 24 million American health care consumers will soon suffer as a result of expiring ACA subsidies.
He just doesn’t think that’s a lot of people. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
He just doesn’t think that’s a lot of people. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Speaker Johnson makes a new pitch to downplay importance of expiring ACA subsidies
Up to 24 million consumers will soon struggle to afford coverage — “just” a “small subset” of people, in his estimate.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
House Speaker Mike Johnson doesn’t deny that 22 million to 24 million American health care consumers will soon suffer as a result of expiring ACA subsidies.
He just doesn’t think that’s a lot of people. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
He just doesn’t think that’s a lot of people. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The conversation about Trump’s White House renovations is important, but it’s worth expanding the discussion — to include a talk about Trump’s White House vandalism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump’s latest White House ‘renovations’ take a turn toward vandalism
The “Presidential Walk of Fame” was already a tacky mess, and one report suggests it’s now “even more stunningly stupid.”
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The conversation about Trump’s White House renovations is important, but it’s worth expanding the discussion — to include a talk about Trump’s White House vandalism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s worth appreciating Don Bongino’s FBI tenure for what it was:
the latest in a series of failed experiments in amateurism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
the latest in a series of failed experiments in amateurism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Dan Bongino, his FBI leadership post and a failed experiment in amateurism
What happens when the president puts a volatile podcast personality in charge at the FBI? Now we know the answer.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
It’s worth appreciating Don Bongino’s FBI tenure for what it was:
the latest in a series of failed experiments in amateurism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
the latest in a series of failed experiments in amateurism. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It was rather easy to come up with a top 10 list of Trump’s most brazen lies from his year-end prime-time address.
The greater challenge was trying to find something in his remarks that was true. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The greater challenge was trying to find something in his remarks that was true. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The top 10 most brazen lies from Trump’s year-end prime-time address
That the president felt compelled to lie incessantly through his speech says volumes about how awful the year has been.
www.ms.now
December 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
It was rather easy to come up with a top 10 list of Trump’s most brazen lies from his year-end prime-time address.
The greater challenge was trying to find something in his remarks that was true. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The greater challenge was trying to find something in his remarks that was true. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
After Trump filed a ridiculous defamation case against the Pulitzer Prize Board, its lawyers started demanding records as part of the discovery phase, including his
- tax returns
- medical records
- medications
- materials related to his “psychological health” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- tax returns
- medical records
- medications
- materials related to his “psychological health” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Pulitzer Board demands Trump tax returns, medical records as part of his defamation suit
After the president picked a fight with the Pulitzer Prize Board, its lawyers demanded info he'd prefer to keep under wraps.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 8:55 PM
After Trump filed a ridiculous defamation case against the Pulitzer Prize Board, its lawyers started demanding records as part of the discovery phase, including his
- tax returns
- medical records
- medications
- materials related to his “psychological health” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- tax returns
- medical records
- medications
- materials related to his “psychological health” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As the Dems’ ACA discharge petition picks up the GOP support it needed, Speaker Mike Johnson said, “I have not lost control of the House.”
The funny thing is, speakers in positions of strength don’t have to say, “I have not lost control of the House.” It’s supposed to be assumed.
The funny thing is, speakers in positions of strength don’t have to say, “I have not lost control of the House.” It’s supposed to be assumed.
Democrats’ ACA discharge petition picks up unexpected Republican support
The GOP seemed unlikely to endorse the effort to help health care consumers — until four Republicans crossed the aisle.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
As the Dems’ ACA discharge petition picks up the GOP support it needed, Speaker Mike Johnson said, “I have not lost control of the House.”
The funny thing is, speakers in positions of strength don’t have to say, “I have not lost control of the House.” It’s supposed to be assumed.
The funny thing is, speakers in positions of strength don’t have to say, “I have not lost control of the House.” It’s supposed to be assumed.
If Trump’s team looked at the latest jobs data and saw a “strong” report, that might help explain why he’s failing so spectacularly:
The White House doesn’t even know what economic success looks like. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The White House doesn’t even know what economic success looks like. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
December 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
If Trump’s team looked at the latest jobs data and saw a “strong” report, that might help explain why he’s failing so spectacularly:
The White House doesn’t even know what economic success looks like. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The White House doesn’t even know what economic success looks like. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Interestingly enough, the highest GDP on record came in 1942, when domestic production roared at the start of World War II, and growth reached nearly 19%.
Trump suggested last week that he could top that — because he doesn’t know anything about economic policy: tinyurl.com/2uzdsfk7
Trump suggested last week that he could top that — because he doesn’t know anything about economic policy: tinyurl.com/2uzdsfk7
QUINTANILLA: The president said the other day "why can't there be 25% GDP growth." What is the street supposed to do with that kind of number?
HASSETT: Heh heh heh. As an abstract thought, I don't know what the highest growth ever is, but I doubt it made it to 20%
HASSETT: Heh heh heh. As an abstract thought, I don't know what the highest growth ever is, but I doubt it made it to 20%
December 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Interestingly enough, the highest GDP on record came in 1942, when domestic production roared at the start of World War II, and growth reached nearly 19%.
Trump suggested last week that he could top that — because he doesn’t know anything about economic policy: tinyurl.com/2uzdsfk7
Trump suggested last week that he could top that — because he doesn’t know anything about economic policy: tinyurl.com/2uzdsfk7
Trump, last week: “When will I get credit for having created ... perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country?”
Reality, this week: The unemployment rate has reached a four-year high and 2025 is the worst year for job growth since the Great Recession. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Reality, this week: The unemployment rate has reached a four-year high and 2025 is the worst year for job growth since the Great Recession. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Unemployment rate reaches a four-year high as Trump’s economic woes continue
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” why has job growth slowed to a 15-year low?
www.ms.now
December 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Trump, last week: “When will I get credit for having created ... perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country?”
Reality, this week: The unemployment rate has reached a four-year high and 2025 is the worst year for job growth since the Great Recession. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Reality, this week: The unemployment rate has reached a four-year high and 2025 is the worst year for job growth since the Great Recession. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Tina Peters used someone else’s security badge to allow an activist to access election equipment to expose a conspiratorial plot that didn’t exist.
A jury found her guilty of, among other things, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and violation of duty.
A jury found her guilty of, among other things, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and violation of duty.
Trump defends election denier Tina Peters:
"Our wonderful Tina... They said she was cheating. She wasn't cheating. She looked at one of the election scams going on. And because she did that, they put her in jail for 9 years."
"Our wonderful Tina... They said she was cheating. She wasn't cheating. She looked at one of the election scams going on. And because she did that, they put her in jail for 9 years."
December 15, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Tina Peters used someone else’s security badge to allow an activist to access election equipment to expose a conspiratorial plot that didn’t exist.
A jury found her guilty of, among other things, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and violation of duty.
A jury found her guilty of, among other things, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, and violation of duty.
When Paul Pelosi was nearly murdered, and Trump responded with conspiracy theories and jokes, it reminded the world that Trump is a man devoid of grace and decency.
Targeting Rob Reiner, he did it again, digging a hole in the bottom of the barrel and falling even further.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Targeting Rob Reiner, he did it again, digging a hole in the bottom of the barrel and falling even further.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump responds to Rob Reiner’s death in the most Trumpian way possible
The president could have said nothing, but his worst instincts appeared to get the better of him.
www.ms.now
December 15, 2025 at 5:14 PM
When Paul Pelosi was nearly murdered, and Trump responded with conspiracy theories and jokes, it reminded the world that Trump is a man devoid of grace and decency.
Targeting Rob Reiner, he did it again, digging a hole in the bottom of the barrel and falling even further.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Targeting Rob Reiner, he did it again, digging a hole in the bottom of the barrel and falling even further.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...