Kurt Andersen
@kurtandersen.bsky.social
Novelist and historian: The Breakup (2026), Evil Geniuses, Fantasyland, Heyday, Turn of the Century, etc. Co-created Command Z (with Steven Soderbergh) and Studio 360, New Yorker writer, New York editor-in-chief, Spy co-founder https://www.kurtandersen.com
Reposted by Kurt Andersen
Keep filming these assholes. Keep making them famous.
A woman recording an ICE agent tells him "Shame on you."
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
The agent responds, "Have you all not learned from the past couple of days?"
"Learned what?" she asks
Then he knocks her phone out of her hand
January 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Keep filming these assholes. Keep making them famous.
As Trump and his people continue to brazenly, transparently lie about the murder of Renée Good by their ICE agent in Minneapolis, I’m reminded of my 2017 book Fantasyland. Especially the last chapter, “As Fantasyland Goes, So Goes the Nation,” and this passage from near the end.
January 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
As Trump and his people continue to brazenly, transparently lie about the murder of Renée Good by their ICE agent in Minneapolis, I’m reminded of my 2017 book Fantasyland. Especially the last chapter, “As Fantasyland Goes, So Goes the Nation,” and this passage from near the end.
From last Friday.
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
From last Friday.
5 Republican Senators voted today with Democrats to constrain Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela. 17 Republican House members voted today with Democrats to extend existing health insurance subsidies for three years.
His power is shrinking.
His power is shrinking.
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
5 Republican Senators voted today with Democrats to constrain Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela. 17 Republican House members voted today with Democrats to extend existing health insurance subsidies for three years.
His power is shrinking.
His power is shrinking.
Great story on my big question: why’s Trump for Maduro VP and lifelong left-winger and totally dismissed conservative opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as “a nice woman, but doesn't have the respect.”
Confirms my suspicion: he prefers a corrupt authoritarian deal-maker to a true democrat. 1/2
Confirms my suspicion: he prefers a corrupt authoritarian deal-maker to a true democrat. 1/2
January 4, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Great story on my big question: why’s Trump for Maduro VP and lifelong left-winger and totally dismissed conservative opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as “a nice woman, but doesn't have the respect.”
Confirms my suspicion: he prefers a corrupt authoritarian deal-maker to a true democrat. 1/2
Confirms my suspicion: he prefers a corrupt authoritarian deal-maker to a true democrat. 1/2
“Venezuela stole our oil. Unilaterally seized and sold American oil.”
No. The decent democratic pro-US governments of the 70s-80s-90s nationalized its oil industry, negotiating deals with foreign companies. The hateful Chavista regime, Trump-like, used its power to demand better and better deals.
No. The decent democratic pro-US governments of the 70s-80s-90s nationalized its oil industry, negotiating deals with foreign companies. The hateful Chavista regime, Trump-like, used its power to demand better and better deals.
January 4, 2026 at 3:43 PM
“Venezuela stole our oil. Unilaterally seized and sold American oil.”
No. The decent democratic pro-US governments of the 70s-80s-90s nationalized its oil industry, negotiating deals with foreign companies. The hateful Chavista regime, Trump-like, used its power to demand better and better deals.
No. The decent democratic pro-US governments of the 70s-80s-90s nationalized its oil industry, negotiating deals with foreign companies. The hateful Chavista regime, Trump-like, used its power to demand better and better deals.
I’m more curious than ever about why Trump pardoned the cocaine-trafficking Honduran President—the *timing*, a month ago, when planning for the capture of Maduro was well underway. Seems
rushed. As if the pardon would’ve seemed worse if it had happened *after* the Maduro snatch.
rushed. As if the pardon would’ve seemed worse if it had happened *after* the Maduro snatch.
January 4, 2026 at 12:32 AM
I’m more curious than ever about why Trump pardoned the cocaine-trafficking Honduran President—the *timing*, a month ago, when planning for the capture of Maduro was well underway. Seems
rushed. As if the pardon would’ve seemed worse if it had happened *after* the Maduro snatch.
rushed. As if the pardon would’ve seemed worse if it had happened *after* the Maduro snatch.
In 2017, about the invasion and long U.S. occupation of Iraq: "We should have kept the oil." www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7oT...
Donald Trump: 'We Should Have Kept The Oil' In Iraq | MSNBC
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:37 PM
In 2017, about the invasion and long U.S. occupation of Iraq: "We should have kept the oil." www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7oT...
Trump: "We're gonna be running the country. It's gonna be run right. By the people standing right behind me" -- the defense secretary, secretary of state, chairman of the joint chiefs. "We're not afraid of boots on the ground."
Secretary of State Colin Powell to George W. Bush in 2002 about a U.S. invasion of Iraq. (Venezuela’s population is 29 million.)
January 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Trump: "We're gonna be running the country. It's gonna be run right. By the people standing right behind me" -- the defense secretary, secretary of state, chairman of the joint chiefs. "We're not afraid of boots on the ground."
Secretary of State Colin Powell to George W. Bush in 2002 about a U.S. invasion of Iraq. (Venezuela’s population is 29 million.)
January 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Secretary of State Colin Powell to George W. Bush in 2002 about a U.S. invasion of Iraq. (Venezuela’s population is 29 million.)
I do wonder how much our Director of National Intelligence was in the loop on Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 4:27 PM
I do wonder how much our Director of National Intelligence was in the loop on Venezuela.
Next season on The Show! Russia-allied gangster-socialist Latin American dictator nabbed by CIA on orders of Russia-allied U.S. gangster dictator-wannabe goes on trial blocks from new democratic-socialist mayor’s City Hall. At a courthouse named for Daniel Moynihan, who wanted to abolish the CIA.
January 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Next season on The Show! Russia-allied gangster-socialist Latin American dictator nabbed by CIA on orders of Russia-allied U.S. gangster dictator-wannabe goes on trial blocks from new democratic-socialist mayor’s City Hall. At a courthouse named for Daniel Moynihan, who wanted to abolish the CIA.
Gangster-President Timeline
• 1/10/22 Hernández of Honduras parties with Maduro in Nicaragua at Ortega inauguration
• 4/21/22 Hernández extradited to US for cocaine- trafficking trial
• 12/1/25 Hernández pardoned by Trump
• 1/3/26 Putin ally Maduro taken by Putin ally Trump to US for cocaine trial
• 1/10/22 Hernández of Honduras parties with Maduro in Nicaragua at Ortega inauguration
• 4/21/22 Hernández extradited to US for cocaine- trafficking trial
• 12/1/25 Hernández pardoned by Trump
• 1/3/26 Putin ally Maduro taken by Putin ally Trump to US for cocaine trial
January 3, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Gangster-President Timeline
• 1/10/22 Hernández of Honduras parties with Maduro in Nicaragua at Ortega inauguration
• 4/21/22 Hernández extradited to US for cocaine- trafficking trial
• 12/1/25 Hernández pardoned by Trump
• 1/3/26 Putin ally Maduro taken by Putin ally Trump to US for cocaine trial
• 1/10/22 Hernández of Honduras parties with Maduro in Nicaragua at Ortega inauguration
• 4/21/22 Hernández extradited to US for cocaine- trafficking trial
• 12/1/25 Hernández pardoned by Trump
• 1/3/26 Putin ally Maduro taken by Putin ally Trump to US for cocaine trial
He's looking more and more like a wax figure or android version of himself, as his billionaire neo-fascist forerunner Silvio Berlusconi did in his final years.
January 2, 2026 at 1:30 PM
He's looking more and more like a wax figure or android version of himself, as his billionaire neo-fascist forerunner Silvio Berlusconi did in his final years.
In an otherwise fine essay about the revolt against conventional governing and legal processes, what a dopey bit of trend-inflation to lump “GLP-1 shortcuts for weight loss” in with DOGE, ICE raids, summary deportations and A.I. plagiarism in the first paragraph. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
January 1, 2026 at 3:27 AM
In an otherwise fine essay about the revolt against conventional governing and legal processes, what a dopey bit of trend-inflation to lump “GLP-1 shortcuts for weight loss” in with DOGE, ICE raids, summary deportations and A.I. plagiarism in the first paragraph. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
Uplifting glimmers of hope in this good reported piece.
And I decided I was OK with the lede’s highfalutin Yoda-ish anastrophe—“Shun retribution, murmur the war-weary, and think again.” Although would’ve been clearer with its first 2 & last 3 words italicized. Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/w...
And I decided I was OK with the lede’s highfalutin Yoda-ish anastrophe—“Shun retribution, murmur the war-weary, and think again.” Although would’ve been clearer with its first 2 & last 3 words italicized. Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/w...
Zero Hour for the Middle East
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Uplifting glimmers of hope in this good reported piece.
And I decided I was OK with the lede’s highfalutin Yoda-ish anastrophe—“Shun retribution, murmur the war-weary, and think again.” Although would’ve been clearer with its first 2 & last 3 words italicized. Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/w...
And I decided I was OK with the lede’s highfalutin Yoda-ish anastrophe—“Shun retribution, murmur the war-weary, and think again.” Although would’ve been clearer with its first 2 & last 3 words italicized. Gift: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/w...
Reposted by Kurt Andersen
Historians: Quibbling Over Exact Definition Of Concentration Camp Sign Of Healthy Society https://theonion.com/historians-quibbling-over-exact-definition-of-concentration-camp-sign-of-healthy-society/
December 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Historians: Quibbling Over Exact Definition Of Concentration Camp Sign Of Healthy Society https://theonion.com/historians-quibbling-over-exact-definition-of-concentration-camp-sign-of-healthy-society/
This story and especially its first line made me think of the book I wrote in 2017 when he first became president.
December 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This story and especially its first line made me think of the book I wrote in 2017 when he first became president.
When writing about Democratic politicians, so many journalists just haven’t caught up with the ideological state of play in 2025, style aside. They’re stuck in the old binary of 100% moderate vs 100% left. Not quite registering the ascendant hybrids, economically left and more moderate culturally.
December 27, 2025 at 3:28 PM
When writing about Democratic politicians, so many journalists just haven’t caught up with the ideological state of play in 2025, style aside. They’re stuck in the old binary of 100% moderate vs 100% left. Not quite registering the ascendant hybrids, economically left and more moderate culturally.
Do we still call it Late Capitalism? Because putting up thousands of huge unpeopled low-rise buildings in the rural vastness, each with racks of 100,000 computers consuming as much electricity as cities the size of Providence or Little Rock, does strike me as a very Late Capitalist fact and image.
December 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Do we still call it Late Capitalism? Because putting up thousands of huge unpeopled low-rise buildings in the rural vastness, each with racks of 100,000 computers consuming as much electricity as cities the size of Providence or Little Rock, does strike me as a very Late Capitalist fact and image.
To my surprise, I found this Peggy Noonan piece, woo-woo-ish and apolitical, to be pretty great. Gift link: www.wsj.com/opinion/has-...
Opinion | Has America Lost Its Melody?
Something changed in popular music around 2005. I suspect it reflects a change in the country.
www.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
To my surprise, I found this Peggy Noonan piece, woo-woo-ish and apolitical, to be pretty great. Gift link: www.wsj.com/opinion/has-...
A holiday tale I wrote a while back, audio-dramatized, 23 minutes long. It’s called “Human Intelligence.” Cheers! www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/stu...
"Human Intelligence: A Holiday Tale" | Studio 360 | WNYC Studios
This is what Kurt Andersen considers a holiday tale ... melting ice caps and extraterrestrial spies? Kurt's story, "Human Intelligence," was produced for radio by Jonathan Mitchel...
www.wnycstudios.org
December 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
A holiday tale I wrote a while back, audio-dramatized, 23 minutes long. It’s called “Human Intelligence.” Cheers! www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/stu...
The president are what? This White House don’t hire spokespeople who write correct.
December 24, 2025 at 3:25 AM
The president are what? This White House don’t hire spokespeople who write correct.
Temporary like the other emergency Supreme Court rulings on presidential powers this year, but a 6-3 majority, with 3 of the conservatives—Roberts, Barrett, Kavanaugh—joining the 3 liberals against Trump’s authoritarian overreach.
Good.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Good.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
December 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Temporary like the other emergency Supreme Court rulings on presidential powers this year, but a 6-3 majority, with 3 of the conservatives—Roberts, Barrett, Kavanaugh—joining the 3 liberals against Trump’s authoritarian overreach.
Good.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Good.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
As for understandable doubts about economic stats: seems impossible for Trump to rig them. GDP is reported by the 500-employee BEA, with a director appointed in 2022. Job-wage-inflation stats are from BLS, whose boss now was the #2 last 11 years, 2,000 employees. Both are career fed statisticians.
December 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
As for understandable doubts about economic stats: seems impossible for Trump to rig them. GDP is reported by the 500-employee BEA, with a director appointed in 2022. Job-wage-inflation stats are from BLS, whose boss now was the #2 last 11 years, 2,000 employees. Both are career fed statisticians.