Ben Fenton
@benfenton.bsky.social
Media/politics(Washington Corr covered 2 US presidential elections); Fairness - Author of TO BE FAIR https://menschpublishing.com/books/to-be-fair/ Formerly: Chair, Orwell Journalism Prize; FT chief media corr; Telegraph Senior Reporter & DC correspondent
Pinned
Ben Fenton
@benfenton.bsky.social
· Dec 16
Luigi Mangione, folk hero
The man suspected of murdering the CEO of America’s largest healthcare company has been lionised because of a yearning for fairness
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
I wrote a thing about how the folk-hero-worship of Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of a health-insurance CEO, is a result of our profound instincts of fairness and unfairness.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...
Is the commerce secretary suggesting in the last line of this that somehow there were circumstances in which he might have actually left one of his children behind for Epstein to play with?
If it's a joke, it denotes a questionable sense of humour. If it isn't what did he mean?
If it's a joke, it denotes a questionable sense of humour. If it isn't what did he mean?
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 5:34 PM
Is the commerce secretary suggesting in the last line of this that somehow there were circumstances in which he might have actually left one of his children behind for Epstein to play with?
If it's a joke, it denotes a questionable sense of humour. If it isn't what did he mean?
If it's a joke, it denotes a questionable sense of humour. If it isn't what did he mean?
Reposted by Ben Fenton
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 3:02 PM
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
Reposted by Ben Fenton
This could be why Bitcoin is crashing. People are switching back to high yield tulips.
Tulips from Lincolnshire on sale in a cafe/deli around the corner from my office in London for... yes, **£50** a bunch 🌷🌷😬😲
February 6, 2026 at 8:45 AM
This could be why Bitcoin is crashing. People are switching back to high yield tulips.
OK, so I have studied American politics close up for a lot of years and my hoax antennae are as keen as anybody's, but things have now reached the stage where I can't tell if something is a hoax or not.
Trump promises Schumer funding for NY tunnel project — if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed after him (CNN)
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
Trump promises Schumer funding for NY tunnel project — if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed after him | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last month that he was finally prepared to drop his freeze on billions of dollars in funding for a major New York infrastructure projec...
www.cnn.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:27 AM
OK, so I have studied American politics close up for a lot of years and my hoax antennae are as keen as anybody's, but things have now reached the stage where I can't tell if something is a hoax or not.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Trump promises Schumer funding for NY tunnel project — if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed after him (CNN)
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
Trump promises Schumer funding for NY tunnel project — if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed after him | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last month that he was finally prepared to drop his freeze on billions of dollars in funding for a major New York infrastructure projec...
www.cnn.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Trump promises Schumer funding for NY tunnel project — if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed after him (CNN)
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/p...
Let's just imagine Vance's reaction if we sent the permsec of the FCO to brief "radical left lunatic" think tanks and charities in the US.
If the Brexiteeers who ruined our economy in pursuit of "sovereignty" don't stand up for it now, we know for certain that was not what they cared about.
If the Brexiteeers who ruined our economy in pursuit of "sovereignty" don't stand up for it now, we know for certain that was not what they cared about.
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
February 6, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Let's just imagine Vance's reaction if we sent the permsec of the FCO to brief "radical left lunatic" think tanks and charities in the US.
If the Brexiteeers who ruined our economy in pursuit of "sovereignty" don't stand up for it now, we know for certain that was not what they cared about.
If the Brexiteeers who ruined our economy in pursuit of "sovereignty" don't stand up for it now, we know for certain that was not what they cared about.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
February 6, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
Now it's the Washington Post-Truth
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security. n.pr/4qAlWBj
Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.
n.pr
February 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Now it's the Washington Post-Truth
Reposted by Ben Fenton
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security. n.pr/4qAlWBj
Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.
n.pr
February 4, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security. n.pr/4qAlWBj
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Exclusive: Morgan McSweeney sought official advice about whether Mandelson could be the UK's ambassador to the US on a part-time basis
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
McSweeney ‘asked if Mandelson US embassy role could be pa...
PM’s chief of staff sought advice on behalf of disgraced former Labour peer, senior government sources claim
observer.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Exclusive: Morgan McSweeney sought official advice about whether Mandelson could be the UK's ambassador to the US on a part-time basis
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Officials “had to explain that being His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington was a full time job… in Washington"
observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Ben Fenton
The Washington Post is expected to announce mass layoffs this morning, dealing another big blow to a storied media company and a newsroom that has reached a breaking point. We'll be posting updates here: www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
Washington Post tells staff to stay home today for a Zoom call about ‘significant actions’ | CNN Business
The Washington Post is expected to announce mass layoffs Wednesday morning, dealing a significant blow to a storied media company and a newsroom that has reached a breaking point.
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:18 PM
The Washington Post is expected to announce mass layoffs this morning, dealing another big blow to a storied media company and a newsroom that has reached a breaking point. We'll be posting updates here: www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Huge plaudits to @financialtimes.com which has led the way on exposing Mandelson and has also done great reporting on the corruption of Trump. What a contrast to @thetimes.com which did a soft interview with Mandy and has been hopeless on Trump
February 4, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Huge plaudits to @financialtimes.com which has led the way on exposing Mandelson and has also done great reporting on the corruption of Trump. What a contrast to @thetimes.com which did a soft interview with Mandy and has been hopeless on Trump
I am slightly worried for the producers of The Traitors that their next celebrity series will either have to have Mandy AND the Person Formerly Known As Prince Andrew in it or its ratings will be blown out of the water by the Six O'Clock News.
February 4, 2026 at 1:02 PM
I am slightly worried for the producers of The Traitors that their next celebrity series will either have to have Mandy AND the Person Formerly Known As Prince Andrew in it or its ratings will be blown out of the water by the Six O'Clock News.
Blurt - "My Mother Was A Friend Of An Enemy Of The People"
or
Pink Floyd - "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
or
Pink Floyd - "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
Deleted a post about “what’s your least favorite song” because the vibes are bad enough already.
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
February 4, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Blurt - "My Mother Was A Friend Of An Enemy Of The People"
or
Pink Floyd - "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
or
Pink Floyd - "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
Do we think that the release of the Epstein files has in any way distracted the United Kingdom from its concerns over Donald Trump's conduct as President of the United States?
February 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Do we think that the release of the Epstein files has in any way distracted the United Kingdom from its concerns over Donald Trump's conduct as President of the United States?
Much as I admire and indeed love Private Eye, I am inclined to think that it being named in the Epstein Files is not the most significant element of this extraordinary letter.
PRIVATE EYE NAMED IN EPSTEIN FILES
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
February 2, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Much as I admire and indeed love Private Eye, I am inclined to think that it being named in the Epstein Files is not the most significant element of this extraordinary letter.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
PRIVATE EYE NAMED IN EPSTEIN FILES
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
February 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
PRIVATE EYE NAMED IN EPSTEIN FILES
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
In the latest files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Justice Department, the Eye is denounced as “an absolute rag of a publication” by Epstein’s then lawyer, Paul Tweed…
🧵1/5
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Oh.
Definitely seems like they destroyed the country on purpose.
February 2, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Oh.
Time for one single piece of legislation: the creation of a category of peer "In Disgrace" which in conferred on bad 'uns following a supermajority vote of their, er, peers.
Since we’re talking again about expelling people from the House of Lords … the HL (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 allows the Lords, by resolution, to suspend or expel a member. The HL Reform Act 2014 allows a life peer to resign from the HL, and provides for expulsion for non-attendance or … /1
February 2, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Time for one single piece of legislation: the creation of a category of peer "In Disgrace" which in conferred on bad 'uns following a supermajority vote of their, er, peers.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
Since we’re talking again about expelling people from the House of Lords … the HL (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 allows the Lords, by resolution, to suspend or expel a member. The HL Reform Act 2014 allows a life peer to resign from the HL, and provides for expulsion for non-attendance or … /1
February 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Since we’re talking again about expelling people from the House of Lords … the HL (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 allows the Lords, by resolution, to suspend or expel a member. The HL Reform Act 2014 allows a life peer to resign from the HL, and provides for expulsion for non-attendance or … /1
I think this is known as "a whole different ballgame".
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein
Former ambassador forwarded memo from special adviser to Gordon Brown to late sex offender in 2009
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:56 AM
I think this is known as "a whole different ballgame".
Reposted by Ben Fenton
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Mandelson leaked sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein
Former ambassador forwarded memo from special adviser to Gordon Brown to late sex offender in 2009
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
BREAKING on ft website:
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
Lord Peter Mandelson leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans
www.ft.com/content/fdf7...
This is presented by Press Gazette as a problem, but I'm struggling to see why. The most cited source in these LLMs is the BBC. It's also (just) the most trusted and best-resourced news source in the UK and one of few with a regulated duty of impartiality.
Maybe AI knows something we don't.
Maybe AI knows something we don't.
AI answers from OpenAI, Google and Perplexity draw on a “narrow range” of the biggest publishers when responding to news queries, according to new research from UK thinktank IPPR pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/ai...
February 2, 2026 at 11:51 AM
This is presented by Press Gazette as a problem, but I'm struggling to see why. The most cited source in these LLMs is the BBC. It's also (just) the most trusted and best-resourced news source in the UK and one of few with a regulated duty of impartiality.
Maybe AI knows something we don't.
Maybe AI knows something we don't.
Reposted by Ben Fenton
AI answers from OpenAI, Google and Perplexity draw on a “narrow range” of the biggest publishers when responding to news queries, according to new research from UK thinktank IPPR pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/ai...
January 30, 2026 at 4:11 PM
AI answers from OpenAI, Google and Perplexity draw on a “narrow range” of the biggest publishers when responding to news queries, according to new research from UK thinktank IPPR pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/ai...