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thejesc.bsky.social
jesse
@thejesc.bsky.social
senior editor, audience | the atlantic
thoughts + opinions my own
reposts ≠ endorsements
SCOOP: Kamala Harris writes in her upcoming book that Pete Buttigieg was her "first choice" for a running mate—but that she decided that he would be too risky. Via @jonlemire.bsky.social:
The Running Mate Kamala Harris Didn’t Dare Choose
“I love Pete,” she writes in her new book. But picking a gay man would have been too risky.
www.theatlantic.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
"The summit about nothing."
Donald Trump, who had once promised to bring the war in Ukraine to a close within 24 hours, left the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin empty-handed, @jonlemire.bsky.social reports:
Trump Leaves Alaska Empty-Handed
The president rolled out the red carpet for Putin but didn’t make a deal.
bit.ly
August 16, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Chilling.
On Tuesday afternoon, ChatGPT encouraged me to cut my wrists. Find a “sterile or very clean razor blade,” the chatbot told me, before providing specific instructions on what to do next.

My latest for @theatlantic.com:

www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
ChatGPT Gave Instructions for Murder, Self-Mutilation, and Devil Worship
OpenAI’s chatbot also said “Hail Satan.”
www.theatlantic.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
At no point did I know where this headline was going to go.

Read Julia Jacobo's story about it at ABC News: abcnews.go.com/US/hammerhea...
June 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Always double check you're in the right GC before hitting send on that text...
American war planning usually takes place in highly secure facilities. But the Trump administration planned its strikes on the Houthis using a group chat—and accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor in chief:
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.
www.theatlantic.com
March 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In the hours since the fiery argument in the Oval Office, where Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy was repeatedly asked whether he said "thank you" to Pres. Trump for aid, he has been individually tweeting "thank you" to every single world leader who has publicly expressed support.
February 28, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova was seen facepalming as Pres. Trump and Vice Pres. Vance sparred with Pres. Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House.

Read live updates: abcnews.link/GcRTAEE
February 28, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Pres. Trump, Vice Pres. Vance and Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy openly sparred in the Oval Office before the press pool over the Ukraine-Russia war.

WATCH that exchange here: youtu.be/iXIJBf8eeTg
Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy spar in Oval Office over Ukraine-Russia war
YouTube video by ABC News
youtu.be
February 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
INBOX: Senators Schumer and Gillibrand sign a letter urging HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to intervene on Trump administration cuts to CDC personnel that could hamstring the World Trade Center Health Program.
February 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
We can't keep letting this groundhog get away with this.
February 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Sen. Bernie Sanders: "I happen to believe that climate change is real, it's an existential threat and it is a health care issue ... in your judgement, is climate change a hoax, or is it real?"

RFK Jr.: "President Trump and I, from our first meeting, agreed to disagree on that issue."
January 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
WATCH LIVE: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. grilled by lawmakers at his confirmation hearing for health secretary.
youtube.com/live/WxxLcIN...
LIVE: RFK Jr. Senate confirmation hearing for health secretary
YouTube video by ABC News
youtube.com
January 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Pres. Trump at the House Republican Members Conference Dinner: "I've raised a lot of money for the next race that I assume I can't use for myself, but I'm not 100 percent sure."
January 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
My review of "Heretic."

"Boy, this isn't 'Notting Hill.'"
January 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Hot take: Let's stop expecting social media companies do things they'll never do and instead ignore them and let's hit the bar and hang out and talk about your favorite art.
January 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Here are some ways you can help people who have been impacted by the fires: abcnews.visitlink.me/463mSL

- California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund
- Wildfire Recovery Fund
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
- Mercy Chefs

...and more
January 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
BY THE NUMBERS: Los Angeles county and surrounding areas are still battling a half-dozen wildfires now that the Hughes Fire has started raging in the Castaic area.

Dozens have died and tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate.

Follow live updates on the fires: abcnews.visitlink.me/5EV4FG
January 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
PSA: If you've found that you're "suddenly" following Donald Trump and/or JD Vance on your social media — check if you were following POTUS or VPOTUS accounts prior.

These accounts are not personal. They rotate with each administration.

More from @juliareinstein.bsky.social on ABC News.
Here's why you might be automatically following Trump on Instagram, Facebook
In the days since Donald Trump assumed office, many people online have begun expressing alarm to find they were unwittingly following Trump on Instagram and Facebook.
abcnews.go.com
January 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
INBOX: wow. very bureaucracy. such website. wow.

doge.gov, the official website for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, has officially gone live.

A flurry of litigation was levied against the department and Musk after Trump was sworn into office.

Read more: abcnews.link/TRB7Ps8
January 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM