Joseph McCombs
@popargot.bsky.social
Writer, editor, pop culture vulture, music trivia maven, mal vivant
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
this is the world's most confusing day for centrist Democrats who just voted to condemn socialism and tried to sink Mamdani's campaign for months
Trump on Mamdani: "I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
this is the world's most confusing day for centrist Democrats who just voted to condemn socialism and tried to sink Mamdani's campaign for months
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Guess they’re gonna have to tear down all those New Deal buildings and artworks.
For those who don’t study history, we’ve had socialism in America before, it was in response to unbridled wealth hoarding, and it directly led to one of the most prosperous periods the country has ever experienced.
For those who don’t study history, we’ve had socialism in America before, it was in response to unbridled wealth hoarding, and it directly led to one of the most prosperous periods the country has ever experienced.
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Guess they’re gonna have to tear down all those New Deal buildings and artworks.
For those who don’t study history, we’ve had socialism in America before, it was in response to unbridled wealth hoarding, and it directly led to one of the most prosperous periods the country has ever experienced.
For those who don’t study history, we’ve had socialism in America before, it was in response to unbridled wealth hoarding, and it directly led to one of the most prosperous periods the country has ever experienced.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Not that he cares about facts, but 92% of Medicaid recipients are working or fall within an exempt category, and thanks to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (🤮), immigrants generally have to wait 5 years to enroll in Medicaid.
RFK Jr. is making shit up.
RFK Jr. is making shit up.
Secretary Kennedy, speaking to a bipartisan group of governors, has mixed up Medicare and Medicaid, and implied the people who will lose the latter are either unauthorized immigrants, dual eligible, or people who “don’t want to get a job.”
November 21, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Not that he cares about facts, but 92% of Medicaid recipients are working or fall within an exempt category, and thanks to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (🤮), immigrants generally have to wait 5 years to enroll in Medicaid.
RFK Jr. is making shit up.
RFK Jr. is making shit up.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
If a man points in a woman's face and says "Quiet piggy" you say something about it... You stand up and you say "What the fuck did you just say?" www.welcometohellworld.com/the-love-we-...
November 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
If a man points in a woman's face and says "Quiet piggy" you say something about it... You stand up and you say "What the fuck did you just say?" www.welcometohellworld.com/the-love-we-...
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from the Broadview ICE Detention Center has been "irretrievably destroyed" and cannot be produced as evidence in a lawsuit against the government over abhorrent conditions there:
www.404media.co/two-weeks-of...
www.404media.co/two-weeks-of...
Two Weeks of Surveillance Footage From ICE Detention Center ‘Irretrievably Destroyed’
"Defendants have indicated that some video between October 19, 2025 and October 31, 2025 has been irretrievably destroyed and therefore cannot be produced on an expedited basis or at all."
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from the Broadview ICE Detention Center has been "irretrievably destroyed" and cannot be produced as evidence in a lawsuit against the government over abhorrent conditions there:
www.404media.co/two-weeks-of...
www.404media.co/two-weeks-of...
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
hey remember when the Washington Post editorial board was all set to endorse Kamala Harris and then the Washington Post's owner ordered it not to do so and then he Trump one million dollars for his inauguration
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
hey remember when the Washington Post editorial board was all set to endorse Kamala Harris and then the Washington Post's owner ordered it not to do so and then he Trump one million dollars for his inauguration
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
THIS IS BIG
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
Per CNN, Elizabeth Warren is calling on Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers after Jeffrey Epstein's emails released last week by House Dems featured Summers making sexist comments + asking for Epstein’s romantic advice.
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
THIS IS BIG
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
this would have been a month-long scandal in 2011
President Trump walking past the flag at the Whitehouse which has fallen to the ground
November 18, 2025 at 12:38 AM
this would have been a month-long scandal in 2011
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...
Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs
www.gofundme.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
One reason you need a public editor, representing the readers and their rights.
The question everyone is asking right now is this: NYT had deep access into all of this in real time and reported none of it. Why? In consequence, no NYT reporting on this subject is trustworthy.
After Trump Split, Epstein Said He Could ‘Take Him Down’
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 AM
One reason you need a public editor, representing the readers and their rights.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
The New York Times **HAD EMAILS IN ITS POSSESSION** tying Donald Trump directly to Jeffrey Epstein's global elite pedophile cabal conspiracy –– in the middle of a 2016 election where a global elite pedophile cabal conspiracy was a HUGE topic –– and they didn't publish one word it for a decade.
Congrats again, everyone
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The New York Times **HAD EMAILS IN ITS POSSESSION** tying Donald Trump directly to Jeffrey Epstein's global elite pedophile cabal conspiracy –– in the middle of a 2016 election where a global elite pedophile cabal conspiracy was a HUGE topic –– and they didn't publish one word it for a decade.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Epstein: ken, would take a stab at the article for the law journal. ? thx
Ken Starr: "In the spirit of the bedrock American belief in second chances, that unhappy chapter in Jeffrey's otherwise-magnificent life should be allowed to close once and for all."
Ken Starr: "In the spirit of the bedrock American belief in second chances, that unhappy chapter in Jeffrey's otherwise-magnificent life should be allowed to close once and for all."
![From:
Sent:
To:
CC:
Subject:
Matthew Hiltzik,
12/15/2018 6:40:52 PM
Michael Wolff I
Jeffrey Epstein [jeevacation@gmail.com]; Kathy Ruemmler
Re:
Darren Indyke
Also think there should be a line in there somewhere which clearly confirms that JE understands and recognizes that he did something wrong
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 15, 2018, at 12:03 PM, Michael Wolff <
> wrote:
Seems very good. Is there reason or opportunity here to evoke JE's Clinton connection? He had been publicly connected to the former President and became a proxy for the considerable anger at high levels of the Federal government that still surrounded Clinton. Likewise now, one reason to revive the story is that it is a way to tar a Trump administration official, who, in the normal course of his duties, happened to deal with the case.
On Sat, Dec 15, 2018 at 11:28 AM J <jeevacation@,gmail.com> wrote: thoughts.
- Forwarded message ---
From: Ken Starr <
Date: Sat, Dec 15, 2018 at 11:24 AM
Subject: Re:
To: J< <jeevacation@gmail.com>
Cc: Alan Dershowitz <
Here goes:
"Sweetheart deal! " So goes the critique of the resolution of a long-ago case involving our former client -- and now-friend -- Jeffrey Epstein. The critique is profoundly misplaced, supported neither by the law or the facts, nor by the structure of our constitutional republic. To the contrary, Jeffrey was subjected to an unprecedented federal intrusion into a quintessentially local criminal matter in south Florida. His offense to the social order --involving sex for hire -- was entirely a matter entrusted to laws of the several States, not the federal government. His conduct - a classic state offense --was being treated exactly that way by able, honest prosecutors in Palm Beach County, but the overweening federal government intruded where it did not belong. And now, over ten years after the fact, the current assault on federal decision-makers at the time, including now-Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta (then the United States Attorney in south Flo…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tsveacqzpqosfuahoqgsfu4a/bafkreifar5zmwmxqu4mpkceln5rninlk2kficvndbnp6muhraqfnqtgtm4@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Epstein: ken, would take a stab at the article for the law journal. ? thx
Ken Starr: "In the spirit of the bedrock American belief in second chances, that unhappy chapter in Jeffrey's otherwise-magnificent life should be allowed to close once and for all."
Ken Starr: "In the spirit of the bedrock American belief in second chances, that unhappy chapter in Jeffrey's otherwise-magnificent life should be allowed to close once and for all."
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Perfect example of political media operating under the post-truth standard that (1) distorts the facts until the parties look approximately equal, and (2) holds “do MAGA voters care?” as a higher standard than “is it true?” or “is it important for the public to know about this?”
Wild to watch playbook run cover for this particular Trump scandal
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Perfect example of political media operating under the post-truth standard that (1) distorts the facts until the parties look approximately equal, and (2) holds “do MAGA voters care?” as a higher standard than “is it true?” or “is it important for the public to know about this?”
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
I don't say this to "work the refs" or whatever but to open your eyes into the way the decision-makers in the media have not been and are not on our side, the side of truth and integrity etc. They like Trump and want him to win. Situation now is dramatically worse than in 2016.
November 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I don't say this to "work the refs" or whatever but to open your eyes into the way the decision-makers in the media have not been and are not on our side, the side of truth and integrity etc. They like Trump and want him to win. Situation now is dramatically worse than in 2016.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Ken Starr signed an email to Jeffery Epstein with "hugs"
![From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Starr, Ken
8/22/2018 7:17:35 PM
jeffrey E. [jeevacation@gmail.com]
Re: Jed Rubenfeld
Importance: High
Wise counsel. The!
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 22, 2018, at 1:49 PM, jefirey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:
I think scholarly but not too much so. no one above the law.. we began leaving a kingdom. . unlikely to give king like powers to a president. on one above the law.
I would like lunch pail joe to come away and
think, this guy is smart. I understood. lets see what he writes about the clintons. someone suggested that trump could shoot someone on fifth avenue and not lose a vote. that is true, but would make little sense for him not to suffer an immediate consequence. the allowed civil depo setting precedent for criminal process, is a lawyers outline I might think of dumbing it down, again, and suggesting that you can sue your neighbor, even if you neighbor is the president. makes little sense that the you can be indicted for assaulting him but he cannot if he assaults you.
low bar for civil higher bar for criminal. . at
some point on your book tour I might point out how disappointed you were that the clinton and betty curries' trashean story, was reopened. .
On Wed, Aug 22, 2018 at 2:08 PM, jeffrey E. < jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:
i vote yes as it makes you relevant to today rather than merely re- reciting an old tale. :) or tail?
On Wed, Aug 22, 2018 at 12:07 PM, Starr, Ken < Can you talk? Impt.
WrOte:
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 17, 2018, at 9:18 AM, jeftrey E. -jeevacation@gmail.com› wrote:
tha
On Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 10:14 AM, Starr, Ken
wrote:
Good morning!
Jed teaches crim law at Yale. Outspokenly strong on the need for procedural fairness in campus adjudicatory proceedings. Relevant to your friend's unhappy situation? If so, happy to make the connection.
Hugs, Ken
Sent from my iPhone
-please note](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tsveacqzpqosfuahoqgsfu4a/bafkreidq67itktllrlck6owlssjq3rsqnzc2gk7e7bbiq2dsggua3drt2y@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Ken Starr signed an email to Jeffery Epstein with "hugs"
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
this is the part of trump you only see in feeds like aarons and the rest of the mainstream media like ny times, nbc, cnn, etc wipes out of existence like it doesnt happen nearly every day
Pirro: "Mr President, there is in this room a group of people who love you, who believe in you, and who are so proud to be in this Oval Office and to be part of this amazing day because you have changed the course of America."
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
this is the part of trump you only see in feeds like aarons and the rest of the mainstream media like ny times, nbc, cnn, etc wipes out of existence like it doesnt happen nearly every day
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
🧵20 TERRIBLE TAKES OF THE TRUMP ERA: A THREAD🧵
Donald Trump in 2015:
“[John McCain is] not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
(We could fill all 20 spots with Trump quotes, but we won’t, I promise. Moving on …)
Donald Trump in 2015:
“[John McCain is] not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
(We could fill all 20 spots with Trump quotes, but we won’t, I promise. Moving on …)
Trump: "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured" (C-SPAN)
YouTube video by C-SPAN
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
🧵20 TERRIBLE TAKES OF THE TRUMP ERA: A THREAD🧵
Donald Trump in 2015:
“[John McCain is] not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
(We could fill all 20 spots with Trump quotes, but we won’t, I promise. Moving on …)
Donald Trump in 2015:
“[John McCain is] not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
(We could fill all 20 spots with Trump quotes, but we won’t, I promise. Moving on …)
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Ross Douthat, NY Times columnist, in October 2020:
“There Will Be No Trump Coup. A final pre-election case for understanding the president as a noisy weakling, not a budding autocrat.”
(Runners-up from Douthat: “Why Jan. 6 Wasn’t an Insurrection” and “Did Women Ruin the Workplace?”) 🧵 8/20
“There Will Be No Trump Coup. A final pre-election case for understanding the president as a noisy weakling, not a budding autocrat.”
(Runners-up from Douthat: “Why Jan. 6 Wasn’t an Insurrection” and “Did Women Ruin the Workplace?”) 🧵 8/20
Opinion | There Will Be No Trump Coup (Published 2020)
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Ross Douthat, NY Times columnist, in October 2020:
“There Will Be No Trump Coup. A final pre-election case for understanding the president as a noisy weakling, not a budding autocrat.”
(Runners-up from Douthat: “Why Jan. 6 Wasn’t an Insurrection” and “Did Women Ruin the Workplace?”) 🧵 8/20
“There Will Be No Trump Coup. A final pre-election case for understanding the president as a noisy weakling, not a budding autocrat.”
(Runners-up from Douthat: “Why Jan. 6 Wasn’t an Insurrection” and “Did Women Ruin the Workplace?”) 🧵 8/20
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Welcome to “justice” in Donald Trump’s America.
November 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Welcome to “justice” in Donald Trump’s America.
Reposted by Joseph McCombs
Yes really — the “we asked this guy. He doesn’t actually know jack shit but he’s rich” model of reportage really needs to go
theres a whole category of newstertainment thats gotta go. and its "ask a really rich freak who is also evil and directly stealing from you what hes seen on the computer lately that has made him feel bad." the only -- ONLY -- story about this guy worth exploring is: he is getting rich spying on you
November 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Yes really — the “we asked this guy. He doesn’t actually know jack shit but he’s rich” model of reportage really needs to go