Jeff Lazarus
@jlazarus.bsky.social
On here way too much. Political scientist at Georgia State University. Congress & elections. My feed is mostly politics but you’ll get some sports takes and terrible dad jokes along the way.
Pinned
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
"Is the president openly monetizing the presidency?" is functionally equivalent to "Did the sun rise this morning in the East?" or "Does water have both adhesive & cohesive properties?" It is a settled piece of empirical reality based on hundreds, if not thousands, of observed data points.
If you are on BBC live, you know what to do
(I don't even think this statement would be controversial among experts. He's openly monetizing the office and making literally billions of dollars!)
(I don't even think this statement would be controversial among experts. He's openly monetizing the office and making literally billions of dollars!)
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
November 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"Is the president openly monetizing the presidency?" is functionally equivalent to "Did the sun rise this morning in the East?" or "Does water have both adhesive & cohesive properties?" It is a settled piece of empirical reality based on hundreds, if not thousands, of observed data points.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth chastised Sen. Mark Kelly for incorrectly displaying his military uniform medals, not comprehending that photographs reverse images from left to right. Here’s what that says about Joe Biden’s cognitive state.
November 25, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth chastised Sen. Mark Kelly for incorrectly displaying his military uniform medals, not comprehending that photographs reverse images from left to right. Here’s what that says about Joe Biden’s cognitive state.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
A third infant has died in Kentucky, KYDPH adds:
“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”
s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”
s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
6-3 landlords have the constitutional right to collude in setting prices even if they meet in person and do it while slowly stoking the cats in their laps and monologung about James Bonds’ demise.
Landlords could no longer rely on rent-pricing software to quietly track each other's moves and push rents higher using confidential data, under a settlement between RealPage Inc. and federal prosecutors. n.pr/3XiBDAJ
New limits for rent algorithm that prosecutors say lets landlords drive up prices
Landlords could no longer rely on rent-pricing software to quietly track each other's moves and push rents higher using confidential data, under a settlement between RealPage Inc. and federal prosecutors.
n.pr
November 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
6-3 landlords have the constitutional right to collude in setting prices even if they meet in person and do it while slowly stoking the cats in their laps and monologung about James Bonds’ demise.
Time for the annual reupping of my hottest Thanksgiving take, which is that the Cheers food fight is superior to the WKRP in Cincinnati turkey drop.
November 25, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Time for the annual reupping of my hottest Thanksgiving take, which is that the Cheers food fight is superior to the WKRP in Cincinnati turkey drop.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Real Victims
More than her fiancé, or fellow female journalists, the public will pay the price for these misdeeds. RFK Jr. will see to that.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
For a yr, I've been working on a series for The New Atlantis about the vast systems that underlie our lives. Our ancestors built them up over decades to fend off hunger, thirst, darkness and disease. But too few of us know about them—and they're all at risk. The conclusion is now available online:
Why We Are Better Off Than a Century Ago
Our ancestors built grand public systems to conquer hunger, thirst, darkness, and squalor. That progress can be lost if we forget it.
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Before marrying V.O. Key, Cora Luella Gettys was one of the first women to receive a PhD in political science. In addition to publications in her own name, she was an RA to many political scientists in the "Chicago School" in the 20s & 30s, and edited without authorship VO's most influential books.
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Before marrying V.O. Key, Cora Luella Gettys was one of the first women to receive a PhD in political science. In addition to publications in her own name, she was an RA to many political scientists in the "Chicago School" in the 20s & 30s, and edited without authorship VO's most influential books.
I'm not a historian but I am a political scientist and in my professional opinion saying Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt president in American history is less controversial than saying 2+2=4 or Victor Wembanyama is tall.
LESS controversial.
LESS controversial.
Does the BBC think it's improper for a speaker to state their opinion that Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt president in American history?
Because I think almost all historians would readily agree that Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt president in American history.
Because I think almost all historians would readily agree that Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt president in American history.
BBC censors a lecture removing author’s remarks on Trump that refer to him a the most openly corrupt American president.
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm not a historian but I am a political scientist and in my professional opinion saying Donald Trump is the most openly corrupt president in American history is less controversial than saying 2+2=4 or Victor Wembanyama is tall.
LESS controversial.
LESS controversial.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
American people are convinced that every historical fact of fascism is actually how socialism worked
"The Trump administration is trading billions of dollars of taxpayer money for ownership stakes in companies. The unusual practice shows no sign of slowing." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Anti-socialism update:
Anti-socialism update:
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
American people are convinced that every historical fact of fascism is actually how socialism worked
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Members of Congress cannot be active duty officers so recalling Sen. Kelly is impossible and prosecution for civilian political speech violates the First Amendment. They are just flailing about and it’s all nonsense.
November 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Members of Congress cannot be active duty officers so recalling Sen. Kelly is impossible and prosecution for civilian political speech violates the First Amendment. They are just flailing about and it’s all nonsense.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
“I like footnotes. They make me feel cool” is a real thing my daughter just said, in case you’re wondering how far the apple falls from the tree.
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
“I like footnotes. They make me feel cool” is a real thing my daughter just said, in case you’re wondering how far the apple falls from the tree.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Targeting Kelly is one of those “this is why we’ll win” moments, bc it shows how politically impetuous this admin is.
There’s clearly no adult in the room to say “wait, maybe don’t go after the charismatic war hero turned literal astronaut who ran after his wife was a victim of political violence.”
There’s clearly no adult in the room to say “wait, maybe don’t go after the charismatic war hero turned literal astronaut who ran after his wife was a victim of political violence.”
Mark Kelly: "My wife, Gabby Giffords, meeting with her constituents, shot in the head. Six people killed around her, a horrific thing. She spent six months in the hospital. We know what political violence is and we know what causes it too, The statements that Donald Trump made incites others."
November 25, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Targeting Kelly is one of those “this is why we’ll win” moments, bc it shows how politically impetuous this admin is.
There’s clearly no adult in the room to say “wait, maybe don’t go after the charismatic war hero turned literal astronaut who ran after his wife was a victim of political violence.”
There’s clearly no adult in the room to say “wait, maybe don’t go after the charismatic war hero turned literal astronaut who ran after his wife was a victim of political violence.”
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Worth reiterating that what Trump tried to pull off with Halligan would, if successful, neutralize the Constitution’s appointments clause and allow him to install an endless series of insane and unqualified prosecutors without a single Senate vote. slate.com/news-and-pol...
It Turns Out Lindsey Halligan Was a Fake Prosecutor All Along
This fight is not over.
slate.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Worth reiterating that what Trump tried to pull off with Halligan would, if successful, neutralize the Constitution’s appointments clause and allow him to install an endless series of insane and unqualified prosecutors without a single Senate vote. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Remember folks, your typos are harmless mistakes. My typos are shameful reminders of every insecurity and inadequacy I’ve ever had, dating to the earliest memories of my childhood.
Goddamn did I mess up the typing of this one but it’s already been reposted so I guess it stays as is.
November 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Remember folks, your typos are harmless mistakes. My typos are shameful reminders of every insecurity and inadequacy I’ve ever had, dating to the earliest memories of my childhood.
Hegseth obviously has no idea what the Streisand Effect is and I for sincerely hopes no one tells him.
Hegseth is now threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active duty in order to court martial him.
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Hegseth obviously has no idea what the Streisand Effect is and I for sincerely hopes no one tells him.
When you’re at a restaurant at what point when you’re waiting for your food does it stop being a meal and become a hostage situation?
Asking for me.
Asking for me.
November 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
When you’re at a restaurant at what point when you’re waiting for your food does it stop being a meal and become a hostage situation?
Asking for me.
Asking for me.
The movie listed at #1 is so incredibly misplaced that it calls into question the veracity of the entire list. It belongs on the list, yes, but SO MUCH further down. An absolute, credibility-wrecking flub. Boo, @variety.com! Boo!
variety.com/lists/best-c...
variety.com/lists/best-c...
The 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Variety's list of the 100 best comedy movies of all time includes 'Annie Hall,' 'Pretty Woman,' 'Waiting for Guffman' and 'Young Frankenstein.'
variety.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Then this today in Punchbowl. Republicans are angry that the White House is "treating them like garbage". You can't act like you aren't worthy of any respect and then complain that you don't get respected. They are reaping what they sowed. (2/2)
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Then this today in Punchbowl. Republicans are angry that the White House is "treating them like garbage". You can't act like you aren't worthy of any respect and then complain that you don't get respected. They are reaping what they sowed. (2/2)
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
A story in two parts. At the start of the Trump administration I heard from Republican Senators that they knew the outlandish people Trump was sending up for confirmation were tests of the "if you roll on this, you'll roll on everything" variety. And they rolled (1/2)
TAPPER: Dr Cassidy, RFK Jr lied to you
CASSIDY: First let me say what's most important -- vaccines are safe.
CASSIDY: First let me say what's most important -- vaccines are safe.
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
A story in two parts. At the start of the Trump administration I heard from Republican Senators that they knew the outlandish people Trump was sending up for confirmation were tests of the "if you roll on this, you'll roll on everything" variety. And they rolled (1/2)
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
Noah Smith is not a serious person. www.politico.com/story/2010/1...
November 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Noah Smith is not a serious person. www.politico.com/story/2010/1...
Sinema has always been for sale to the highest bidder. From day 1.
“‘We are in this magical, unique time,’ Sinema said of Trump’s health department, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.”
Kyrsten Sinema Is Ready for Her MAHA Turn
In a new interview, the one-time Democrat says the movement for psychedelic medicine should capitalize on the Trump administration.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Sinema has always been for sale to the highest bidder. From day 1.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
SIGH
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
SIGH
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
I personally date the fall of the post-Civil Rights constitutional order 2013 & Shelby County v Holder. When a reactionary SCOTUS could knock out the keystone of equal voting rights, & everyone agreed that was valid, it was an epochal change. It meant democracy was itself now a partisan issue.
Reposted by Jeff Lazarus
he and Trump enjoy a form of omerta. The media does not saturate coverage with all of the bizarre and depraved things they do, in large part because the people who now own it have either passively or actively aligned themselves with Musk and Trump…..however in spite of softball, both are unpopular
It's really stupid, but it just really pisses me off that he says shit like this every day and the media won't report on it. You would really think "World's Richest Man is a Nazi" would be generate clicks.
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 AM
he and Trump enjoy a form of omerta. The media does not saturate coverage with all of the bizarre and depraved things they do, in large part because the people who now own it have either passively or actively aligned themselves with Musk and Trump…..however in spite of softball, both are unpopular