James Fallows
@jfallows.bsky.social
Reporter and writer: https://fallows.substack.com/ and https://www.ourtownsfoundation.org/ One-time speechwriter, long-time pilot, longer-time husband of linguist/writer Deborah Fallows. Note same wristwatch in the two photos, more than 50 years apart.
Sixty years ago this week, Ralph Nader, then age 31, changed corporate and civic culture with his book 'Unsafe at Any Speed.'
What he is doing at age 91:
www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/p/unsafe-at-...
What he is doing at age 91:
www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/p/unsafe-at-...
Unsafe At Any Speed - Sixtieth Anniversary (1965-2025)
On the 60th anniversary of Unsafe at Any Speed we are asking those who want a stronger democracy to solve current crises to join with us in launching a new and enduring era of activism.
www.ralphnaderradiohour.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Sixty years ago this week, Ralph Nader, then age 31, changed corporate and civic culture with his book 'Unsafe at Any Speed.'
What he is doing at age 91:
www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/p/unsafe-at-...
What he is doing at age 91:
www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/p/unsafe-at-...
Deb Fallows, on some of the reasons to be thankful for one another these days — and some more examples of people standing up, standing together, standing strong.
(On my substack, no paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
(On my substack, no paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
Thankful for One Another.
Keeping sight of the encouraging examples, in discouraging times. (Including a guest post.)
fallows.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Deb Fallows, on some of the reasons to be thankful for one another these days — and some more examples of people standing up, standing together, standing strong.
(On my substack, no paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
(On my substack, no paywall.)
fallows.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
Well deserved. An important, and gripping, book about our times.
This one means a lot: just woke up to find that THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US has been named a New York Times Notable Book of 2025.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Well deserved. An important, and gripping, book about our times.
This seems a significantly worse "tell" of derangement
-Sen Kelly has flown nearly 40 *combat missions* as a pilot.
-He's done 375+ carrier landings (Jeesh!)
-He's been in space as astronaut.
-He's flown 50+ different kinds of aircraft
And Hegseth and Trump are picking fight about valor with him?
-Sen Kelly has flown nearly 40 *combat missions* as a pilot.
-He's done 375+ carrier landings (Jeesh!)
-He's been in space as astronaut.
-He's flown 50+ different kinds of aircraft
And Hegseth and Trump are picking fight about valor with him?
The Department of Defense announces it's considering "court-martial proceedings or administrative measures" against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This seems a significantly worse "tell" of derangement
-Sen Kelly has flown nearly 40 *combat missions* as a pilot.
-He's done 375+ carrier landings (Jeesh!)
-He's been in space as astronaut.
-He's flown 50+ different kinds of aircraft
And Hegseth and Trump are picking fight about valor with him?
-Sen Kelly has flown nearly 40 *combat missions* as a pilot.
-He's done 375+ carrier landings (Jeesh!)
-He's been in space as astronaut.
-He's flown 50+ different kinds of aircraft
And Hegseth and Trump are picking fight about valor with him?
Reposted by James Fallows
the trump admin wants to pick a fight about the military code with a guy who has this resume?
cool. lets go.
cool. lets go.
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
the trump admin wants to pick a fight about the military code with a guy who has this resume?
cool. lets go.
cool. lets go.
Having often given NYT headline-writers a hard time, let me be sure to congratulate whoever decided on "Tosses" for this breaking news.
Nicely done! Keep it up.
Nicely done! Keep it up.
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Having often given NYT headline-writers a hard time, let me be sure to congratulate whoever decided on "Tosses" for this breaking news.
Nicely done! Keep it up.
Nicely done! Keep it up.
These Sunday shows....
This Sunday show in particular.
This Sunday show in particular.
He's the mayor-elect of America's largest city and financial capital. What kind of a question is this?
November 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
These Sunday shows....
This Sunday show in particular.
This Sunday show in particular.
Reposted by James Fallows
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter reut.rs/4abeTdx
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures, but it was impossible for outside financial experts to verify that because the unit did not provide detailed public accounting of its work.
reut.rs
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Student Journalists (Again) Showing Us How dept:
—@theharvardcrimson.bsky.social plays latest 'Harvard about to cave' story the way it should. Ie, as another MAGA claim. (Left image)
—Gives "well, actually...." context missing from most MSM reports. (Right)
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
—@theharvardcrimson.bsky.social plays latest 'Harvard about to cave' story the way it should. Ie, as another MAGA claim. (Left image)
—Gives "well, actually...." context missing from most MSM reports. (Right)
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Student Journalists (Again) Showing Us How dept:
—@theharvardcrimson.bsky.social plays latest 'Harvard about to cave' story the way it should. Ie, as another MAGA claim. (Left image)
—Gives "well, actually...." context missing from most MSM reports. (Right)
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
—@theharvardcrimson.bsky.social plays latest 'Harvard about to cave' story the way it should. Ie, as another MAGA claim. (Left image)
—Gives "well, actually...." context missing from most MSM reports. (Right)
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
If you were wondering how Fox is playing Mamdani/Trump:
Hannity (paraphrase): "This scene is profoundly disturbing to Democrat leftists. Here is their Communist hero, shaking hands with the man he has denounced as a despot. The left doesn't know what to think.'
Hannity (paraphrase): "This scene is profoundly disturbing to Democrat leftists. Here is their Communist hero, shaking hands with the man he has denounced as a despot. The left doesn't know what to think.'
November 22, 2025 at 3:13 AM
If you were wondering how Fox is playing Mamdani/Trump:
Hannity (paraphrase): "This scene is profoundly disturbing to Democrat leftists. Here is their Communist hero, shaking hands with the man he has denounced as a despot. The left doesn't know what to think.'
Hannity (paraphrase): "This scene is profoundly disturbing to Democrat leftists. Here is their Communist hero, shaking hands with the man he has denounced as a despot. The left doesn't know what to think.'
Sorry to repeat it but:
Having seen a lot of person-to-person showdowns w elected leaders, don't think I've ever seen as complete an "own" as Mamdani does w Trump here.
JDV should be furious
Cuckolded Republicans should be furious
Trump's actual kids should be furious
Trump will be furious—tomorrow
Having seen a lot of person-to-person showdowns w elected leaders, don't think I've ever seen as complete an "own" as Mamdani does w Trump here.
JDV should be furious
Cuckolded Republicans should be furious
Trump's actual kids should be furious
Trump will be furious—tomorrow
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Sorry to repeat it but:
Having seen a lot of person-to-person showdowns w elected leaders, don't think I've ever seen as complete an "own" as Mamdani does w Trump here.
JDV should be furious
Cuckolded Republicans should be furious
Trump's actual kids should be furious
Trump will be furious—tomorrow
Having seen a lot of person-to-person showdowns w elected leaders, don't think I've ever seen as complete an "own" as Mamdani does w Trump here.
JDV should be furious
Cuckolded Republicans should be furious
Trump's actual kids should be furious
Trump will be furious—tomorrow
Two realities to keep in mind
1) Mamdani CANNOT run for prez. Born in Uganda, no joke. That is huge blessing: means that his message and style can be judged on their own terms, not 'What does this mean for Iowa caucuses?'
2) Trump is weak and getting weaker, old and getting older. Supporters know
1) Mamdani CANNOT run for prez. Born in Uganda, no joke. That is huge blessing: means that his message and style can be judged on their own terms, not 'What does this mean for Iowa caucuses?'
2) Trump is weak and getting weaker, old and getting older. Supporters know
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Two realities to keep in mind
1) Mamdani CANNOT run for prez. Born in Uganda, no joke. That is huge blessing: means that his message and style can be judged on their own terms, not 'What does this mean for Iowa caucuses?'
2) Trump is weak and getting weaker, old and getting older. Supporters know
1) Mamdani CANNOT run for prez. Born in Uganda, no joke. That is huge blessing: means that his message and style can be judged on their own terms, not 'What does this mean for Iowa caucuses?'
2) Trump is weak and getting weaker, old and getting older. Supporters know
I've seen in-person politics since the time Jimmy Carter charmed Hunter S Thompson. Which really mattered, then.
Nothing matches the way Mamdani made Trump into his little fan-boy today.
Maybe tomorrow, Trump will realize this and go berserk. But for this moment—it's like when I saw Sandy Koufax.
Nothing matches the way Mamdani made Trump into his little fan-boy today.
Maybe tomorrow, Trump will realize this and go berserk. But for this moment—it's like when I saw Sandy Koufax.
Holy shiz Mamdabi turned Trump into a chump on Trump's home field. Skillz.
www.youtube.com/live/fD9h8xI...
www.youtube.com/live/fD9h8xI...
President Trump Meets with Zohran Mamdani, Mayor-Elect, New York City
YouTube video by The White House
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I've seen in-person politics since the time Jimmy Carter charmed Hunter S Thompson. Which really mattered, then.
Nothing matches the way Mamdani made Trump into his little fan-boy today.
Maybe tomorrow, Trump will realize this and go berserk. But for this moment—it's like when I saw Sandy Koufax.
Nothing matches the way Mamdani made Trump into his little fan-boy today.
Maybe tomorrow, Trump will realize this and go berserk. But for this moment—it's like when I saw Sandy Koufax.
This is a genuine problem/ challenge.
Turning off intrusive AI features, from Gmail, also turns off useful anti-spam and related features.
(Sort of like Trump using the govt shutdown as excuse to end all SNAP benefits. Google didn't have to do this.)
Turning off intrusive AI features, from Gmail, also turns off useful anti-spam and related features.
(Sort of like Trump using the govt shutdown as excuse to end all SNAP benefits. Google didn't have to do this.)
November 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is a genuine problem/ challenge.
Turning off intrusive AI features, from Gmail, also turns off useful anti-spam and related features.
(Sort of like Trump using the govt shutdown as excuse to end all SNAP benefits. Google didn't have to do this.)
Turning off intrusive AI features, from Gmail, also turns off useful anti-spam and related features.
(Sort of like Trump using the govt shutdown as excuse to end all SNAP benefits. Google didn't have to do this.)
Trump is weak.
People who bowed down to him (Paul Weiss / Columbia / WaPo / Lindsey Graham / Mike Johnson downward) are even weaker.
Already starting a tally of people who stood up. Mamdani can't run for prez, but he can set an example.
People who bowed down to him (Paul Weiss / Columbia / WaPo / Lindsey Graham / Mike Johnson downward) are even weaker.
Already starting a tally of people who stood up. Mamdani can't run for prez, but he can set an example.
Find yourself someone who looks at you the way 🍊 looks at Mamdani.
Picture is worth a thousand words and you couldn't pay for copy as good as this
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Trump is weak.
People who bowed down to him (Paul Weiss / Columbia / WaPo / Lindsey Graham / Mike Johnson downward) are even weaker.
Already starting a tally of people who stood up. Mamdani can't run for prez, but he can set an example.
People who bowed down to him (Paul Weiss / Columbia / WaPo / Lindsey Graham / Mike Johnson downward) are even weaker.
Already starting a tally of people who stood up. Mamdani can't run for prez, but he can set an example.
Reposted by James Fallows
Picture is worth a thousand words and you couldn't pay for copy as good as this
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Picture is worth a thousand words and you couldn't pay for copy as good as this
It is actually very useful for Dems that Mamdani *cannot* be part of "Dems in 2028" fray. Unlike Obama, he was for-real born in East Africa.
Therefore the skills he shows, and example he sets, in the special circumstance of NYC, can be un-threatening examples and lessons for other Dems elsewhere.
Therefore the skills he shows, and example he sets, in the special circumstance of NYC, can be un-threatening examples and lessons for other Dems elsewhere.
November 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
It is actually very useful for Dems that Mamdani *cannot* be part of "Dems in 2028" fray. Unlike Obama, he was for-real born in East Africa.
Therefore the skills he shows, and example he sets, in the special circumstance of NYC, can be un-threatening examples and lessons for other Dems elsewhere.
Therefore the skills he shows, and example he sets, in the special circumstance of NYC, can be un-threatening examples and lessons for other Dems elsewhere.
Look, we've seen that Mamdani is really skilled at retail politics.
He has just shown how skilled he is at five-dimensional-chess national politics.
Getting Trump to eat out of his hand. (Until whatever comes into Trump's mind tomorrow.)
He has just shown how skilled he is at five-dimensional-chess national politics.
Getting Trump to eat out of his hand. (Until whatever comes into Trump's mind tomorrow.)
November 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Look, we've seen that Mamdani is really skilled at retail politics.
He has just shown how skilled he is at five-dimensional-chess national politics.
Getting Trump to eat out of his hand. (Until whatever comes into Trump's mind tomorrow.)
He has just shown how skilled he is at five-dimensional-chess national politics.
Getting Trump to eat out of his hand. (Until whatever comes into Trump's mind tomorrow.)
Reposted by James Fallows
everyone correctly noting that any time you put Trump in a room with someone charismatic he becomes extremely complimentary until someone reminds him he hates that person, take a bow
he’ll be posting unhinged shit about Zohran again by tomorrow
he’ll be posting unhinged shit about Zohran again by tomorrow
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 8:56 PM
everyone correctly noting that any time you put Trump in a room with someone charismatic he becomes extremely complimentary until someone reminds him he hates that person, take a bow
he’ll be posting unhinged shit about Zohran again by tomorrow
he’ll be posting unhinged shit about Zohran again by tomorrow
Trump is **so** vulnerable to people who will flatter him to his face.
Yesterday, Mamdani was second coming of Karl Marx.
Now, his best friend!
(Have the Chinese figured this out? Duh..... )
Yesterday, Mamdani was second coming of Karl Marx.
Now, his best friend!
(Have the Chinese figured this out? Duh..... )
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Trump is **so** vulnerable to people who will flatter him to his face.
Yesterday, Mamdani was second coming of Karl Marx.
Now, his best friend!
(Have the Chinese figured this out? Duh..... )
Yesterday, Mamdani was second coming of Karl Marx.
Now, his best friend!
(Have the Chinese figured this out? Duh..... )
Great new @bloomberg.com piece by Jessica Stolzberg on ongoing struggle against stupidest and most harmful part of current 'Conspicuous Consumption' yard hygiene.
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What It Takes to Defeat the Leaf Blowers
To end the use of gas-powered blowers, advocates in one New Jersey town focused on public health and made their case directly to local elected leaders.
www.bloomberg.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Great new @bloomberg.com piece by Jessica Stolzberg on ongoing struggle against stupidest and most harmful part of current 'Conspicuous Consumption' yard hygiene.
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The diff this has made in DC is ... incredible.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Jack DeGioia is wonderful person and was superb prez of Georgetown U
His successor, Eduardo Peñalver, is legal-academic leader, Rhodes scholar, former clerk to JP Stevens—and like Stevens, an active pilot! G'town announcement shows him at controls of a Cirrus www.georgetown.edu/news/49th-pr...
His successor, Eduardo Peñalver, is legal-academic leader, Rhodes scholar, former clerk to JP Stevens—and like Stevens, an active pilot! G'town announcement shows him at controls of a Cirrus www.georgetown.edu/news/49th-pr...
November 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Jack DeGioia is wonderful person and was superb prez of Georgetown U
His successor, Eduardo Peñalver, is legal-academic leader, Rhodes scholar, former clerk to JP Stevens—and like Stevens, an active pilot! G'town announcement shows him at controls of a Cirrus www.georgetown.edu/news/49th-pr...
His successor, Eduardo Peñalver, is legal-academic leader, Rhodes scholar, former clerk to JP Stevens—and like Stevens, an active pilot! G'town announcement shows him at controls of a Cirrus www.georgetown.edu/news/49th-pr...
Sadly, the "absent such..." conditions have prevailed for quite a while.
"Sir, did you just abuse and insult a journalist for asking a question? And did you publicly call a woman a piggie? Is this the way a U.S. President behaves?"
A reporter who so spoke loses WH credentials, maybe his job if his agency is gutless. But absent such, the entire WHPC is without honor.
A reporter who so spoke loses WH credentials, maybe his job if his agency is gutless. But absent such, the entire WHPC is without honor.
November 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Sadly, the "absent such..." conditions have prevailed for quite a while.
This month we drove from one side of S Dakota to the other. Spearfish, on far western border w Wyoming, to Vermillion, on far eastern border w Iowa
Had a great time! From Black Hills State Univ, to U of South Dakota. Around 500 miles.
Did not see *even one* Trump sign. Could have missed it, but...
Had a great time! From Black Hills State Univ, to U of South Dakota. Around 500 miles.
Did not see *even one* Trump sign. Could have missed it, but...
I don’t know if this reflects what others have seen in rural areas, but it has been a noticeable glimmer to me the last couple of times I was really out in the sticks.
Definitely fair, but also my anecdata in driving around rural Maryland is that there’s a bit fewer Trump signs and the occasional “fuck Trump” (not in those words exactly) sign. Not the absolute numbers but the movement.
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
This month we drove from one side of S Dakota to the other. Spearfish, on far western border w Wyoming, to Vermillion, on far eastern border w Iowa
Had a great time! From Black Hills State Univ, to U of South Dakota. Around 500 miles.
Did not see *even one* Trump sign. Could have missed it, but...
Had a great time! From Black Hills State Univ, to U of South Dakota. Around 500 miles.
Did not see *even one* Trump sign. Could have missed it, but...
Reposted by James Fallows
I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane, been shot at dozens of times by anti-aircraft fire, and launched into orbit — all for my country. I never thought I'd see a President call for my execution.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane, been shot at dozens of times by anti-aircraft fire, and launched into orbit — all for my country. I never thought I'd see a President call for my execution.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.
Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it.