Danielle Kurtzleben
@titonka.bsky.social
NPR White House correspondent. Former Vox, US News and World Report. Tariff explainer. Masculinity politics expert. Native Iowan. Battle-axe. Jesus freak. Real piece of work.
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
Pinned
Danielle Kurtzleben
@titonka.bsky.social
· Sep 10
When "authenticity" means "dudes"
As 2026 approaches, can we political reporters please not forget every damn thing we learned just last year for the love of God
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
The oyster-shucking, baseball-playing, hands-working-with men have arrived on the 2026 political scene, and I have thoughts.
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com/p/when-authe...
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com/p/when-authe...
Five years ago. My God.
January 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Five years ago. My God.
Reposted by Danielle Kurtzleben
“I hope you know how safe you made me feel, like I could always be myself and never say anything wrong,” one note to her said. Another: “I wish you could feel the love in this space, for you, right now.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
At Middlebury, She Hoped to Start Fresh. In Trump’s America, It Seemed Impossible.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 AM
“I hope you know how safe you made me feel, like I could always be myself and never say anything wrong,” one note to her said. Another: “I wish you could feel the love in this space, for you, right now.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/u...
JAMELLE GETS IT, PEOPLE.
kind of darkly funny that "gender studies" is the stereotypical "useless degree" because gender studies will help you understand a large and important chunk of the current psychosis in american life
January 6, 2026 at 2:29 AM
JAMELLE GETS IT, PEOPLE.
The dem Regular-Blue-Collar-Dude 2026 contingent grows!
I’m Sam Forstag - I’m a smokejumper, a union leader, and I’m running for Congress because for too long, Montanans have been breaking their backs just to fall further behind. Together, we can build an economy that works for working people.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHia...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHia...
All Of Us | Sam for Montana
YouTube video by Sam Forstag
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
The dem Regular-Blue-Collar-Dude 2026 contingent grows!
Reposted by Danielle Kurtzleben
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 5:37 PM
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
Following The Big Picture's selection of Social Network as best movie of this century, I have 4 observations:
1) It definitely has the best score
2) I only gave it 4/5 stars on Letterboxd...
3) ...because I deducted 2 stars, because women. Because WTF Brenda Song's character.
1/
1) It definitely has the best score
2) I only gave it 4/5 stars on Letterboxd...
3) ...because I deducted 2 stars, because women. Because WTF Brenda Song's character.
1/
January 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Following The Big Picture's selection of Social Network as best movie of this century, I have 4 observations:
1) It definitely has the best score
2) I only gave it 4/5 stars on Letterboxd...
3) ...because I deducted 2 stars, because women. Because WTF Brenda Song's character.
1/
1) It definitely has the best score
2) I only gave it 4/5 stars on Letterboxd...
3) ...because I deducted 2 stars, because women. Because WTF Brenda Song's character.
1/
[pumps fists wildly] FUCK YESSSS
Amy Madigan has won Best Supporting Actress for ‘WEAPONS’ at the Critics Choice Awards.
January 5, 2026 at 2:35 AM
[pumps fists wildly] FUCK YESSSS
Ok seriously dc folk let’s do a karaoke night that’s ONLY THESE SONGS.
Cmon. Cmon let’s do it.
Cmon. Cmon let’s do it.
The Billboard Modern Rock tracks from 30 years ago
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
January 5, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Ok seriously dc folk let’s do a karaoke night that’s ONLY THESE SONGS.
Cmon. Cmon let’s do it.
Cmon. Cmon let’s do it.
Reposted by Danielle Kurtzleben
NYT:
At least 40 people were killed in the US attack on Venezuela, including military personnel and civilians.
At least 40 people were killed in the US attack on Venezuela, including military personnel and civilians.
January 3, 2026 at 11:25 PM
NYT:
At least 40 people were killed in the US attack on Venezuela, including military personnel and civilians.
At least 40 people were killed in the US attack on Venezuela, including military personnel and civilians.
Never really thought I’d be considering whether I could get a hold of Paul Wolfowitz but here we are.
January 3, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Never really thought I’d be considering whether I could get a hold of Paul Wolfowitz but here we are.
Reposted by Danielle Kurtzleben
RU has been calling Zelenskyy “illegitimate” since he “canceled elections” (he didn’t, Putin’s war did); China has been also stating Taiwan is “theirs”, hence their president isn’t “legal”.. so if US/Venezuela is OK-ed by international community, this will kick off a wild phrase.
January 3, 2026 at 11:40 AM
RU has been calling Zelenskyy “illegitimate” since he “canceled elections” (he didn’t, Putin’s war did); China has been also stating Taiwan is “theirs”, hence their president isn’t “legal”.. so if US/Venezuela is OK-ed by international community, this will kick off a wild phrase.
Wait wait guys wait wait oh man
You do realize the next season of The Morning Show has to have a Bari Weiss plotline right?
This is going to be outstanding* TV.
*horrible but wildly watchable
You do realize the next season of The Morning Show has to have a Bari Weiss plotline right?
This is going to be outstanding* TV.
*horrible but wildly watchable
January 3, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Wait wait guys wait wait oh man
You do realize the next season of The Morning Show has to have a Bari Weiss plotline right?
This is going to be outstanding* TV.
*horrible but wildly watchable
You do realize the next season of The Morning Show has to have a Bari Weiss plotline right?
This is going to be outstanding* TV.
*horrible but wildly watchable
First newsletter of the new year. Let’s do this shit.
My 2026 prediction: Progressive Christians get Loud. daniellekurtzleben.substack.com/p/my-2026-pr...
MY 2026 PREDICTION: Revenge of the Progressive Christians
Today's newsletter is best enjoyed while playing DC Talk's "Jesus Freak" on repeat. Preferably mid-40-hour-famine. (Real ones know.)
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
First newsletter of the new year. Let’s do this shit.
My 2026 prediction: Progressive Christians get Loud. daniellekurtzleben.substack.com/p/my-2026-pr...
MY 2026 PREDICTION: Revenge of the Progressive Christians
Today's newsletter is best enjoyed while playing DC Talk's "Jesus Freak" on repeat. Preferably mid-40-hour-famine. (Real ones know.)
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
My 2026 prediction: Progressive Christians get Loud. daniellekurtzleben.substack.com/p/my-2026-pr...
Important question that will help me with future newsletters: what early-internet sites/videos/phenomena brought you the most joy? I'm talking ebaumsworld, homestarrunner, etc.
January 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Important question that will help me with future newsletters: what early-internet sites/videos/phenomena brought you the most joy? I'm talking ebaumsworld, homestarrunner, etc.
Is it bad that I want to retire mainly so I don’t have to look at my fucking phone all the time
January 2, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Is it bad that I want to retire mainly so I don’t have to look at my fucking phone all the time
The dragon porch goose is the energy I’m bringing into 2026, and I invite you to join me.
January 1, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The dragon porch goose is the energy I’m bringing into 2026, and I invite you to join me.
Identify your most insufferably superior friend by showing them this one chart:
NEW: How many books did you read this year? If it was more than 2, congrats: you read more than the median American.
Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/
Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/
December 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Identify your most insufferably superior friend by showing them this one chart:
Reading a Star Wars book the child picked up at the library and are you people aware there’s a character named COUNT DOOKU
December 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reading a Star Wars book the child picked up at the library and are you people aware there’s a character named COUNT DOOKU
I know everyone is dunking on this but this story says they followed these people over 18 months. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/u...
I'm not a Times apologist but they're not hiding the ball here.
I'm not a Times apologist but they're not hiding the ball here.
December 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I know everyone is dunking on this but this story says they followed these people over 18 months. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/u...
I'm not a Times apologist but they're not hiding the ball here.
I'm not a Times apologist but they're not hiding the ball here.
Real talk: this was a rough, rough year for a variety of reasons. A thing that kept me afloat mentally was my newsletter.
Consider subscribing and reading all my stuff! The smart/insane posting will continue in 2026!
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
Consider subscribing and reading all my stuff! The smart/insane posting will continue in 2026!
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
Very Professional Journalizing | Danielle Kurtzleben | Substack
Mostly, this newsletter is about politics, especially gender politics, and especially especially masculinity. But then, there are also personal essays and humor pieces. Often, both at the same time. S...
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Real talk: this was a rough, rough year for a variety of reasons. A thing that kept me afloat mentally was my newsletter.
Consider subscribing and reading all my stuff! The smart/insane posting will continue in 2026!
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
Consider subscribing and reading all my stuff! The smart/insane posting will continue in 2026!
daniellekurtzleben.substack.com
Holy shit is this movie just early American Beauty
It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic film about a man who has a good job, lives in a house, has a really hot wife and adorable children and is mad about it
December 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Holy shit is this movie just early American Beauty
Reposted by Danielle Kurtzleben
