Brendan Nyhan
LightNews LightNews
banner
brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan
@brendannyhan.bsky.social
110K followers 4.3K following 9.4K posts

Dartmouth political scientist and Bright Line Watch co-director. Previously Upshot NYT / CJR contributor, Spinsanity co-founder, All the President's Spin co-author.

https://sites.dartmouth.edu/nyhan/
http://brightlinewatch.org .. more

Videos

Brendan Nyhan is an American political scientist and professor at Dartmouth College. He is also a liberal to moderate political blogger, author, and political columnist. He was born in Mountain View, California and now lives in Hanover, New Hampshire. .. more

Political science 39%
Sociology 22%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 1d
My @nytimes.com op-ed: The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o... (gift link)

The key point: "The absence of young people from conventional protests is both a problem and a warning."
Opinion | The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

melissaryan.bsky.social
Melissa Ryan @melissaryan.bsky.social · 7h
Every day, Trump keeps escalating. He's showing us the power that he believes he has and how he'll wield it against all of us. It's on all of us to remind Trump that in America, we have no tyrants and no kings.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior'
The lawmakers, who released a video urging members of the military and the intelligence community not to follow illegal orders, accused Trump of trying to intimidate them.
www.nbcnews.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

charlesornstein.bsky.social
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 7h
Stunning. The Trump administration has claimed the police were slow to protect federal agents on Oct. 4, but videos and audio show that their rationale conflates hours of events involving a shooting, a protest, a car crash and a police radio call. @nytimes.com
Times Analysis Finds Errors in Trump’s Supreme Court Filing That Calls for National Guard in Chicago
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by David R. Miller

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 7h
How many foreign intelligence services have hacked into Witkoff's accounts and devices? How many schemes are underway to influence him?
peark.es George Pearkes @peark.es · 11h
This is really wild stuff tbh
During his call with Ushakov, Witkoff told his Russian counterpart that he had deep respect for Putin and that he had told Trump that it was his belief that Russia has always wanted a peace deal. The US envoy mentioned Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit and suggested that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting. “Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday,” Witkoff said. “I will go to that because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”  Ushakov asked Witkoff whether it would be “useful” for Putin to call Trump. Witkoff said it would. He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump for the Gaza peace deal, say that Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace. “From that, it’s going to be a really good call,” Witkoff said. Steve Witkoff “Here’s what I think would be amazing,” Witkoff then added. “Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we’re open to those sorts of things.” Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice on board. Putin “will congratulate” and will say “Mr Trump is a real peace man,” he said.

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 7h
The person with the most demanding job in the world should not be so old they get fatigued after a few hours. (It's been almost nine years since we had a president under 70.)

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Daniel W. Drezner, David R. Miller , and 2 more

jael.bsky.social
jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 7h
Republican senator now publicly defending Mark Kelly
Lisa Murkowski : Senator Kelly valiantly served our country as an aviator in the U.S. Navy before later completing four space shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut. To accuse him and other lawmakers of treason and sedition for rightfully pointing out that servicemembers can refuse illegal orders is reckless and flat-out wrong. The Department of Defense and FBI surely have more important priorities than this frivolous investigation.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller, David Darmofal

annabower.bsky.social
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 8h
So, a senior Justice Department official — along with several members of Congress — used the authority of their offices to boost an obviously dubious conspiracy theory accusing a federal employee of a horrific crime.

And now it’s clear the allegation was baseless.

www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
How an innocent woman's name was tied to the Jan. 6 pipe bombs
The FBI has ruled the woman out as a suspect in the 2021 plot, sources said, but only after her name circulated on social platforms and a conservative news site.
www.cbsnews.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

leedrutman.bsky.social
Lee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 8h
"The absence of young people from conventional protests is both a problem and a warning." -- @brendannyhan.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller, Scott A. Imberman , and 1 more

tomjoscelyn.bsky.social
Tom Joscelyn @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social · 9h
This should be a major scandal. The Blaze falsely reported that a former U.S. Capitol Police officer was the Jan. 6th pipe bomber. But it wasn’t just another miss by conservative media promoting conspiracies.

Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:

www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 10h
Lying to the Supreme Court... which will still probably rule in its favor
mjsdc.bsky.social Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 11h
This is the same playbook the Trump administration ran in Portland, where DHS officials falsely accused local police of failing to help them (or not arriving quickly enough). Strikes me as a problem that the government lies so freely to the Supreme Court now. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
The Trump administration made erroneous claims to the Supreme Court, mischaracterizing the responsiveness of local police and the actions of protesters in a filing asking the justices to sign off on the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago, a New York Times investigation found. The emergency request, filed by the solicitor general, D. John Sauer, which draws heavily from court declarations made by two Homeland Security officials, misstates what happened in the aftermath of a car crash and shooting on Oct. 4 in Chicago that involved Border Patrol agents. A Times analysis of hours of police radio and hundreds of videos posted to social media refutes the federal government’s claims that the Chicago Police Department didn’t respond quickly to the scene, leaving federal agents to fend for themselves during what they called a riot.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Nathan P. Kalmoe

mjsdc.bsky.social
Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 11h
This is the same playbook the Trump administration ran in Portland, where DHS officials falsely accused local police of failing to help them (or not arriving quickly enough). Strikes me as a problem that the government lies so freely to the Supreme Court now. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
The Trump administration made erroneous claims to the Supreme Court, mischaracterizing the responsiveness of local police and the actions of protesters in a filing asking the justices to sign off on the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago, a New York Times investigation found. The emergency request, filed by the solicitor general, D. John Sauer, which draws heavily from court declarations made by two Homeland Security officials, misstates what happened in the aftermath of a car crash and shooting on Oct. 4 in Chicago that involved Border Patrol agents. A Times analysis of hours of police radio and hundreds of videos posted to social media refutes the federal government’s claims that the Chicago Police Department didn’t respond quickly to the scene, leaving federal agents to fend for themselves during what they called a riot.

Reposted by Christopher Wright, David R. Miller, Kate Starbird

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 11h
Nothing to worry about, just a US official advising our nuclear-armed adversary how to manipulate the President of the United States, a notoriously weak-minded mark
peark.es George Pearkes @peark.es · 11h
This is really wild stuff tbh
During his call with Ushakov, Witkoff told his Russian counterpart that he had deep respect for Putin and that he had told Trump that it was his belief that Russia has always wanted a peace deal. The US envoy mentioned Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit and suggested that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting. “Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday,” Witkoff said. “I will go to that because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”  Ushakov asked Witkoff whether it would be “useful” for Putin to call Trump. Witkoff said it would. He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump for the Gaza peace deal, say that Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace. “From that, it’s going to be a really good call,” Witkoff said. Steve Witkoff “Here’s what I think would be amazing,” Witkoff then added. “Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we’re open to those sorts of things.” Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice on board. Putin “will congratulate” and will say “Mr Trump is a real peace man,” he said.

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller , and 1 more

peark.es
George Pearkes @peark.es · 11h
This is really wild stuff tbh
During his call with Ushakov, Witkoff told his Russian counterpart that he had deep respect for Putin and that he had told Trump that it was his belief that Russia has always wanted a peace deal. The US envoy mentioned Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit and suggested that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting. “Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday,” Witkoff said. “I will go to that because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”  Ushakov asked Witkoff whether it would be “useful” for Putin to call Trump. Witkoff said it would. He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump for the Gaza peace deal, say that Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace. “From that, it’s going to be a really good call,” Witkoff said. Steve Witkoff “Here’s what I think would be amazing,” Witkoff then added. “Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we’re open to those sorts of things.” Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice on board. Putin “will congratulate” and will say “Mr Trump is a real peace man,” he said.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

volts.wtf
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 12h
Biden commuted their death sentences, so Trump retaliated by making their lives living hell, putting them in the country's most brutal prison, where they "spend 22 to 24 hours a day locked alone inside concrete cells that are smaller than a standard parking space."

Pure, pointless cruelty.
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org

Reposted by Laurent Pech, David R. Miller

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 13h
What competitive authoritarianism looks like
rgoodlaw.bsky.social Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 13h
Abuse of power extending beyond Senator Kelly

"FBI has requested interviews with six Democratic U.S. lawmakers."

DOJ official "said the interviews were to determine 'if there's any wrongdoing and then go from there.'"

Note: For video accurately stating military law
www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi...

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 13h
So dangerous

Reposted by David R. Miller

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 13h
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!)
gregsargent.bsky.social Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 15h
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...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

dartmouthartsci.bsky.social
Dartmouth Arts and Sciences @dartmouthartsci.bsky.social · 13h
"The absence of young people in protests against Mr. Trump's authoritarianism matters, and not just for crowd counts.” #Dartmouth government professor @brendannyhan.bsky.social writes an opinion piece in the @nytimes.com about the age of people protesting President Donald Trump.
Opinion | The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Brendan Nyhan, David R. Miller , and 1 more

rgoodlaw.bsky.social
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 13h
Abuse of power extending beyond Senator Kelly

"FBI has requested interviews with six Democratic U.S. lawmakers."

DOJ official "said the interviews were to determine 'if there's any wrongdoing and then go from there.'"

Note: For video accurately stating military law
www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi...

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Stella M. Rouse, Brian Jm Quinn

mattbelloni.bsky.social
Matt Belloni @mattbelloni.bsky.social · 14h
I teased this last night in What I’m Hearing but now confirmed: Paramount WILL release Rush Hour 4 after prodding from Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner. Distribution deal. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar is lining up financing. Get ready for the dumbest possible state-controlled media.

brendannyhan.bsky.social
Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 15h
Weird dog that caught the car situation. Weiss started a very successful small media outlet that provides commentary for a niche audience about obscure culture war topics. She's just as out of step with the mainstream as the institutions she criticizes! No one cares about Alan Dershowitz!
pbump.com Philip Bump @pbump.com · 15h
I don’t understand why Weiss thinks the desired outcome of CBS News coverage is debate.

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Brooke Harrington

pbump.com
Philip Bump @pbump.com · 15h
I don’t understand why Weiss thinks the desired outcome of CBS News coverage is debate.

Reposted by Dorothy Bishop, Brendan Nyhan, John Horgan , and 8 more

gregsargent.bsky.social
Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 15h
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...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

jonsteinman.bsky.social
Jon Steinman @jonsteinman.bsky.social · 15h
It might look like he's creating the 3rd most garish steak house in the DC metro area but the signage suggests he just can't remember where his desk is

www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
What’s going on with Trump’s gold ‘Oval Office’ sign?
We asked design experts to read the writing on the White House wall and tell us what they see.
www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan

jlray.bsky.social
JLRay @jlray.bsky.social · 15h
Distinct from, but obviously correlated with, religiosity: just having a place to go to hang out with people once or twice a week is a good bulwark against loneliness!

www.ymrp.org/polling