Eduardo Porter
@eduardoelreportero.bsky.social
I write "Being There" on Substack and a column for The Guardian. Veteran of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Washington Post. Author of "The Price of Everything" and "American Poison." https://substack.com/@eduardoelreportero
Reposted by Eduardo Porter
Some may take comfort in Trump not being able (yet) to jail his enemies, but these attacks are costly and deter people from opposing him. In that way, they tilt the playing field even when the efforts at retribution are not fully successful. Precisely what competitive authoritarian regimes look like
NYT: “.. Trump is facing obstacles as he tries to use the Justice Department to investigate, prosecute and jail those he targets.”
But his appointees “are harnessing a range of departments .. and rarely used powers outside the Justice Department to inflict pain.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
But his appointees “are harnessing a range of departments .. and rarely used powers outside the Justice Department to inflict pain.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
November 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Some may take comfort in Trump not being able (yet) to jail his enemies, but these attacks are costly and deter people from opposing him. In that way, they tilt the playing field even when the efforts at retribution are not fully successful. Precisely what competitive authoritarian regimes look like
The US may be rich But it does a dismal job at distributing its riches. Check out my pre-Thanksgiving piece for “Being There.” eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/how-poorly...
How poorly does America Share its Riches?
Take a look
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The US may be rich But it does a dismal job at distributing its riches. Check out my pre-Thanksgiving piece for “Being There.” eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/how-poorly...
Trump can learn from Argentina about fudging economic data. It doesn't end well: eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/lying-abou...
Lying about the economy: What Trump can learn from Argentina.
It doesn't end well.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Trump can learn from Argentina about fudging economic data. It doesn't end well: eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/lying-abou...
From Prohibition through the War on Drugs, governments have tried time and again to stop the consumption of undesirable commodities by forbidding their supply.
They have failed.
Somebody should tell the folks in the environmental movement.
open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
They have failed.
Somebody should tell the folks in the environmental movement.
open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Why Climate Summits Keep Failing
The goal must be to encourage the use zero-carbon energy. Aiming to ban fossil fuels is a dead end.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
From Prohibition through the War on Drugs, governments have tried time and again to stop the consumption of undesirable commodities by forbidding their supply.
They have failed.
Somebody should tell the folks in the environmental movement.
open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
They have failed.
Somebody should tell the folks in the environmental movement.
open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
What environmental activists fail to understand is that cataclysmic though the prospect of climate change may be, most of the world’s people live in countries where the most critical priority is not reducing carbon emissions but accessing cheap energy.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/why-climat...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/why-climat...
Why Climate Summits Keep Failing
The goal must be to encourage the use zero-carbon energy. Aiming to ban fossil fuels is a dead end.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
What environmental activists fail to understand is that cataclysmic though the prospect of climate change may be, most of the world’s people live in countries where the most critical priority is not reducing carbon emissions but accessing cheap energy.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/why-climat...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/why-climat...
The U.S. is the world's most dynamic economy, right? Innovative and productive, it defines the technological frontier. So how come it has so many poor people? My latest in The Guardian www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
China has brought millions out of poverty. The US has not – by choice
Despite the US’s economic success, income inequality remains breathtaking. But this is no glitch – it’s the system
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The U.S. is the world's most dynamic economy, right? Innovative and productive, it defines the technological frontier. So how come it has so many poor people? My latest in The Guardian www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
There are holes in the argument that democracy delivers superior growth. One is China's stellar track record over the last few decades. The other is Latin America, which just doesn't grow. My Substack 👇 (apologies for typo 😬. Dunno how to fix it) eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/does-democ...
Democracy failed to deliver groth in Latin America
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM
There are holes in the argument that democracy delivers superior growth. One is China's stellar track record over the last few decades. The other is Latin America, which just doesn't grow. My Substack 👇 (apologies for typo 😬. Dunno how to fix it) eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/does-democ...
People, people, people! Beware of the guys building the AI future! eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
The guys building our AI future are dangerous.
Should we fear their sci-fi fantasies?
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
People, people, people! Beware of the guys building the AI future! eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
We should worry that the Silicon Valley technorati driving the Artificial Intelligence revolution are morally guided by some flavor of sci-fi. My new column on Substack.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
The guys building our AI future are dangerous.
Should we fear their sci-fi fantasies?
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We should worry that the Silicon Valley technorati driving the Artificial Intelligence revolution are morally guided by some flavor of sci-fi. My new column on Substack.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-guys-b...
Otherwise, the classification is to be expanded to include the now proscribed terms "diversity" "equity" "gender" and "happy holidays" wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Otherwise, the classification is to be expanded to include the now proscribed terms "diversity" "equity" "gender" and "happy holidays" wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
What does it mean to be a loyal American in Trump’s America? Am I American enough? Check out my new Substack 👉🏼https://eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/am-i-american-enough
Am I American enough?
What does loyalty to America mean in the age of Trump?
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What does it mean to be a loyal American in Trump’s America? Am I American enough? Check out my new Substack 👉🏼https://eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/am-i-american-enough
Trump thought pushing racial hostility was enough to maintain his grip on the electorate. It wasn't. He had to deliver on the economy, and he didn't. My latest in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Trump’s focus on race backfires as voters punish economic failings
The Maga base rallied on inflation and racial grievances, but stressing race over the economy is costing the US president
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Trump thought pushing racial hostility was enough to maintain his grip on the electorate. It wasn't. He had to deliver on the economy, and he didn't. My latest in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
The EU's carbon border tax is a great idea! The first step towards building an enforcement tool to get countries to trim carbon emissions. It must resist pressure by other countries to kill it. eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/lay-off-eu...
Europe's levy on carbon polluters is a good idea
CBAM is an essential tool to combate climate change. Other countries should replicate it, not atack it.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The EU's carbon border tax is a great idea! The first step towards building an enforcement tool to get countries to trim carbon emissions. It must resist pressure by other countries to kill it. eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/lay-off-eu...
Let the A.I. bubble pop! Maybe then we can design a more humane A.I.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-coming...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-coming...
The Coming A.I. Apocalypse
Here's me hoping this tech-fueled stock market bonanza turns out to be a bubble.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Let the A.I. bubble pop! Maybe then we can design a more humane A.I.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-coming...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/the-coming...
A reflection from Giuliano da Empoli on American politics: Democrats stopped trying to do the tough stuff. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Democrats stopped trying to do the tough stuff
Giuliano da Empoli on the transformation of American politics
substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A reflection from Giuliano da Empoli on American politics: Democrats stopped trying to do the tough stuff. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Eduardo Porter
Gringo, pay attention! Sharp words about the harsh reality that US digital nomads and joy-seekers in Mexico are ignoring, from @eduardoelreportero.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Gringo, pay attention! Sharp words about the harsh reality that US digital nomads and joy-seekers in Mexico are ignoring, from @eduardoelreportero.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Indeed! No better monument to commemorate contemporary America 👉 Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Indeed! No better monument to commemorate contemporary America 👉 Dying Shopping Malls Are the Roman Ruins of Our Civilization www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/m...
"Gringo go home!" There is something weird about all the young Americans partying in Mexico City while Mexicans are dying in the United States.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/gringo-pay...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/gringo-pay...
Gringo, pay attention!
Your government is killing Mexicans, as you sip your mehz-cahl-eetuh
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
"Gringo go home!" There is something weird about all the young Americans partying in Mexico City while Mexicans are dying in the United States.
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/gringo-pay...
eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/gringo-pay...
Reposted by Eduardo Porter
Kind of wild that while food assistance was withheld from millions of families, one Trump-supporting billionaire (Ellison) saw his net worth grow more this year than the entire SNAP budget. And the YTD gains of the other four richest men would’ve fully covered salaries for all 2M federal employees.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Kind of wild that while food assistance was withheld from millions of families, one Trump-supporting billionaire (Ellison) saw his net worth grow more this year than the entire SNAP budget. And the YTD gains of the other four richest men would’ve fully covered salaries for all 2M federal employees.
Message for all you people who bought carbon offsets to fly to the climate summit in Brazil: your personal carbon footprint is irrelevant. eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/forget-abo...
Our personal choices will not save the planet
It's a tool designed to get corporations off the hook
eduardoelreportero.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Message for all you people who bought carbon offsets to fly to the climate summit in Brazil: your personal carbon footprint is irrelevant. eduardoelreportero.substack.com/p/forget-abo...
Who gets hurt when Trump's crazy policymaking bumps the dollar from its perch as global reserve currency? My latest for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Trump’s dollar delusion: how trade war risks ending the US’s ‘exorbitant privilege’
Trump’s team flirts with weakening the dollar, threatening US influence, low borrowing costs and global stability
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Who gets hurt when Trump's crazy policymaking bumps the dollar from its perch as global reserve currency? My latest for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Trump believes he can win by constantly stoking the racial grievances of his predominantly White voting base. He is discovering it is not enough. open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Does Inflation Beat Racism?
Trump thinks he can win by stoking the racial grievances of his base. He is discovering it is not enough.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Trump believes he can win by constantly stoking the racial grievances of his predominantly White voting base. He is discovering it is not enough. open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Will We All Become Chinese Roadkill? My latest on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Will We All Become Chinese Roadkill?
You've heard about the "China Shock" to manufacturing workers in the U.S.? That’s nothing compared to the devastation China will unleash in much of the developing world
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Will We All Become Chinese Roadkill? My latest on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Liberal democracy is designed to deliver incremental change. Voters want a revolution. Check out my latest on Substack: Is liberal democracy past its sell-by date? open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Is liberal democracy past its sell-by date?
From MAGA America to Claudia Sheinbaum's Mexico, impatience with liberal democracy is cresting across the political spectrum
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Liberal democracy is designed to deliver incremental change. Voters want a revolution. Check out my latest on Substack: Is liberal democracy past its sell-by date? open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
How do we adjust to our new world order? Can we steer it in a less violent, authoritarian direction? I hope to take these themes on in my new Substack, Being There. Please join me there open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...
Welcome to "Being There"
A conversation about where the world is going.
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM
How do we adjust to our new world order? Can we steer it in a less violent, authoritarian direction? I hope to take these themes on in my new Substack, Being There. Please join me there open.substack.com/pub/eduardoe...