T. J. Stiles
@tj-stiles.bsky.social
American historian and biographer.
Pulitzer Prize for History for "Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America"
Pulitzer Prize for Biography & National Book Award for Nonfiction for "The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt”
Pulitzer Prize for History for "Custer's Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America"
Pulitzer Prize for Biography & National Book Award for Nonfiction for "The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt”
Pinned
“But are there not many Fascists in your country?”
”There are many who do not know they are Fascists, but will find it out when the time comes.”
—Ernest Hemingway, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
”There are many who do not know they are Fascists, but will find it out when the time comes.”
—Ernest Hemingway, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Excellent thread. Trumpism is a patchwork of the worst ideas—Putin-style
personal rule, Russ Vought hostility to an effective & beneficial state, anti-science crackpotism, etc. At bottom it is white Christian nationalism—even though it's bad for business as well as workers and consumers.
personal rule, Russ Vought hostility to an effective & beneficial state, anti-science crackpotism, etc. At bottom it is white Christian nationalism—even though it's bad for business as well as workers and consumers.
The real news here is Peter Navarro saying lower jobs numbers *are good* because they (supposedly) indicate fewer immigrants are working in the US. Trump-MAGA ideology values sheer numbers of removals over pretty much all else because their top priority is ethnic reengineering.
Peter Navarro: "The jobs report comes out tomorrow. We have to revise our expectations down significantly for what a monthly job number should look like ... Wall Street has to adjust for the fact that we're deporting millions of illegals out of the job market."
February 10, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Excellent thread. Trumpism is a patchwork of the worst ideas—Putin-style
personal rule, Russ Vought hostility to an effective & beneficial state, anti-science crackpotism, etc. At bottom it is white Christian nationalism—even though it's bad for business as well as workers and consumers.
personal rule, Russ Vought hostility to an effective & beneficial state, anti-science crackpotism, etc. At bottom it is white Christian nationalism—even though it's bad for business as well as workers and consumers.
"...and then I said to my wife, 'OK, this guy is creepy! I mean still. He's still creepy, like all the other times I interacted with him. And invested with him. But this time FOR SURE I'm going to have nothing to do with him. AND ALL MY CHILDREN!' Because I have four children. In sum, innocent."
VAN HOLLEN: Did you in fact make the visit to Epstein's private island?
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
February 10, 2026 at 6:07 PM
"...and then I said to my wife, 'OK, this guy is creepy! I mean still. He's still creepy, like all the other times I interacted with him. And invested with him. But this time FOR SURE I'm going to have nothing to do with him. AND ALL MY CHILDREN!' Because I have four children. In sum, innocent."
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record.
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
ICE's Masks Are All a Lie
Working for ICE is actually less dangerous than being an elementary school student in America.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 10, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record.
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
Oh, and accusing Democrats of trying to shut down FEMA: chef’s-kiss level chutzpah.
February 10, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Oh, and accusing Democrats of trying to shut down FEMA: chef’s-kiss level chutzpah.
Wait till she finds out that, according to the Trump administration itself, 86% of immigration arrests under Trump were of people who hadn’t even been suspected of a violent crime.
But if we’re going to talk about a convicted felon that an entire party is protecting, have I got a name for you.
But if we’re going to talk about a convicted felon that an entire party is protecting, have I got a name for you.
February 10, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Wait till she finds out that, according to the Trump administration itself, 86% of immigration arrests under Trump were of people who hadn’t even been suspected of a violent crime.
But if we’re going to talk about a convicted felon that an entire party is protecting, have I got a name for you.
But if we’re going to talk about a convicted felon that an entire party is protecting, have I got a name for you.
We should talk more about how Trump’s retribution against blue states is a Constitutional crisis.
one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5680...
one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5680...
February 10, 2026 at 4:46 PM
We should talk more about how Trump’s retribution against blue states is a Constitutional crisis.
one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5680...
one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5680...
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
"If the government may simply seize *someone* without due process, there is no check on its ability to seize *anyone*."
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
BONUS RULING: Judge Thomas Johnston, a George W. Bush appoiintee in West Virginia, used a recent ruling to warn of the dangers of defying due process for immigrants because of what it could also mean for Americans. It's worth a read.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
"If the government may simply seize *someone* without due process, there is no check on its ability to seize *anyone*."
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Perhaps the most fundamental check against tyranny. And it is gravely threatened.
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
A lot of people made fun of Bush dancing with the West African Dance Company—and sure, it's funny—but this was good.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
a man in a suit and tie is dancing in front of a group of flags
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is dancing in front of a group of flags
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:18 PM
A lot of people made fun of Bush dancing with the West African Dance Company—and sure, it's funny—but this was good.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
Trump & Noem's masked ICE agents aren't going after the worst of the worst—they're randomly targeting innocent people, detaining children, trampling Americans' basic rights, and killing U.S. citizens.
This is not even remotely acceptable. ICE & CBP must be reined in.
This is not even remotely acceptable. ICE & CBP must be reined in.
Less than 14% of those arrested by ICE in Trump's 1st year back in office had violent criminal records, document shows
The official DHS statistics, which had not been previously reported, provide the most detailed look yet into who ICE has arrested during the Trump administration's crackdown.
www.cbsnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Trump & Noem's masked ICE agents aren't going after the worst of the worst—they're randomly targeting innocent people, detaining children, trampling Americans' basic rights, and killing U.S. citizens.
This is not even remotely acceptable. ICE & CBP must be reined in.
This is not even remotely acceptable. ICE & CBP must be reined in.
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
Aside from all the other reasons not to believe these people, every one of the “vehicle attacks” I’ve seen scrutinized were either totally phony -like Renee Goods. Or ones where like an ice agent rammed the purported assailant. Like that woman in Chicago
Ricketts: "No face masks -- we're seen a huge increase in attacks on our ICE agents. There's been 180 vehicle attacks. Overall attacks on DHS are up 8,000%. There's many so many doxxings of officers they've had to set up a tip line. This is very very serious."
February 10, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Aside from all the other reasons not to believe these people, every one of the “vehicle attacks” I’ve seen scrutinized were either totally phony -like Renee Goods. Or ones where like an ice agent rammed the purported assailant. Like that woman in Chicago
Newly Unbound, Trump Weighs More Nuclear Arms and Underground Tests
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
The worst people in the world doing evil and stupid things.
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:48 AM
The worst people in the world doing evil and stupid things.
That is insanely great.
February 10, 2026 at 6:29 AM
That is insanely great.
Oh well then I take back everything I said about him. This is a very normal thing for a skilled diplomat and absolutely not an unstable, ignorant egomaniac to say.
Trump, in the middle of his latest unhinged Truth Social screed, claims that if Canada makes a trade deal with China, "the first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup."
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Oh well then I take back everything I said about him. This is a very normal thing for a skilled diplomat and absolutely not an unstable, ignorant egomaniac to say.
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 AM
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
I once met Peter Gabriel. I said, "You're Peter Gabriel!" He cheerfully replied, "Balder and fatter!"
February 9, 2026 at 9:11 PM
I once met Peter Gabriel. I said, "You're Peter Gabriel!" He cheerfully replied, "Balder and fatter!"
Post a banger that isn't in English.
youtu.be/odijGokxnoU?...
youtu.be/odijGokxnoU?...
February 9, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Post a banger that isn't in English.
youtu.be/odijGokxnoU?...
youtu.be/odijGokxnoU?...
Draconian, unpredictable tariffs and forced population loss will surely fix this.
February 9, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Draconian, unpredictable tariffs and forced population loss will surely fix this.
Good. Trump’s police state is hurting Texas too.
It’s worth reading this in light of today’s “The Daily” podcast. We need to legalize the undocumented and make lawful immigration easier beyond asylum-seeking—because, as this story shows yet again, we need immigrants.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
It’s worth reading this in light of today’s “The Daily” podcast. We need to legalize the undocumented and make lawful immigration easier beyond asylum-seeking—because, as this story shows yet again, we need immigrants.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Immigration Raids in South Texas Are Starting to Hit the Economy
Trade groups are raising alarms about aggressive immigration enforcement hurting businesses in the region.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Good. Trump’s police state is hurting Texas too.
It’s worth reading this in light of today’s “The Daily” podcast. We need to legalize the undocumented and make lawful immigration easier beyond asylum-seeking—because, as this story shows yet again, we need immigrants.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
It’s worth reading this in light of today’s “The Daily” podcast. We need to legalize the undocumented and make lawful immigration easier beyond asylum-seeking—because, as this story shows yet again, we need immigrants.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
I feel like just this alone will say so much about this period to posterity. I mean, what it says is baffling, but it's pretty representative of life during Trumptime.
Doocy: "The new face of RealFood .gov is Mike Tyson. How did you settle on someone who was most famous for eating Evander Holyfield's ear?"
RFK Jr.: "Brett Ratner who helped produce the ad had a lifelong friendship with him."
RFK Jr.: "Brett Ratner who helped produce the ad had a lifelong friendship with him."
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM
I feel like just this alone will say so much about this period to posterity. I mean, what it says is baffling, but it's pretty representative of life during Trumptime.
Yes, I know, and I heartily apologize to everyone who suffers from it except for the arrogant crank who is doing his best to kill all the Americans he can in the time he has left.
February 8, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Yes, I know, and I heartily apologize to everyone who suffers from it except for the arrogant crank who is doing his best to kill all the Americans he can in the time he has left.
And I wonder why he sounds like a garbage disposal with a spoon in it.
RFK Jr on what he'll eat during the Super Bowl: "I am on a carnivore diet so I just eat meat and ferments, and I'm very happy with that. So I'm probably going to have yogurt."
February 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM
And I wonder why he sounds like a garbage disposal with a spoon in it.
There is nothing I can add to make this more perfect.
In 1979, the “New York Times” asked Isaac Bashevis Singer if he planned to watch the Super Bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 10:19 PM
There is nothing I can add to make this more perfect.
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
Here’s the situation in the Twin Cities:
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
February 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Here’s the situation in the Twin Cities:
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Reposted by T. J. Stiles
So Trump fired a Cuban-American secretary of the Navy and replaced him with a white guy on the Epstein list. That tracks.
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
So Trump fired a Cuban-American secretary of the Navy and replaced him with a white guy on the Epstein list. That tracks.