Winston Wells
@wwells.bsky.social
Findley Family Professor of International Affairs, Illinois College. Comparative Politics, IR, and African Studies. UCLA PhD. All opinions mine and mine alone.
Reposted by Winston Wells
"Trump's post is deranged, pathologically narcissistic, crude, stupid, and cruel. No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Psych-Ward Presidency
The president has no moral core. And, according to his own chief of staff, he’s surrounded by amateurs, opportunists, and drug users.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
"Trump's post is deranged, pathologically narcissistic, crude, stupid, and cruel. No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Today in Pyongyang-on-Potomac
TRUMP: PROBLEM THAT PARAMOUNT LET CBS AIR GREENE INTERVIEW
December 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Today in Pyongyang-on-Potomac
Reposted by Winston Wells
1) Impose massive tariffs on China
2) China retaliates by ending its soybean imports
3) Cut deal w/ China so they'll buy our soybeans
4) China buys only 20%, so far, of what it agreed to purchase
5) Offer $12 billion to US farmers so they don't go bankrupt
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
2) China retaliates by ending its soybean imports
3) Cut deal w/ China so they'll buy our soybeans
4) China buys only 20%, so far, of what it agreed to purchase
5) Offer $12 billion to US farmers so they don't go bankrupt
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump to Unveil $12 Billion Bailout for Farmers
The financial aid comes as the agriculture sector grapples with the fallout from the president’s tariffs.
www.wsj.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
1) Impose massive tariffs on China
2) China retaliates by ending its soybean imports
3) Cut deal w/ China so they'll buy our soybeans
4) China buys only 20%, so far, of what it agreed to purchase
5) Offer $12 billion to US farmers so they don't go bankrupt
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
2) China retaliates by ending its soybean imports
3) Cut deal w/ China so they'll buy our soybeans
4) China buys only 20%, so far, of what it agreed to purchase
5) Offer $12 billion to US farmers so they don't go bankrupt
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Rarely have I felt so embarrassed by my alma mater. Straight up extortion
Northwestern University has agreed to pay $75 million as a part of a deal with the Trump administration to restore hundreds of millions in federal funding www.justice.gov/opa/pr/unite...
November 29, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Rarely have I felt so embarrassed by my alma mater. Straight up extortion
Reposted by Winston Wells
If they ever get around to building this thing, it should be bulldozed on Day 1 of a new administration. No messing around, no hemming and hawing about procedure or costs. Order heavy equipment in and start knocking it down immediately, as surely as an overthrown tyrant's statues would be torn down.
Even the architect Trump hired to build his massive addition to the White House objects to the president's vision. The two have argued about the size of the 90,000-sq-foot project that would dwarf the mansion. @jonathanreports.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump wants a bigger White House ballroom. His architect disagrees.
The president and James McCrery had argued in recent weeks over the project’s size, with Trump pushing him to expand the ballroom.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:56 PM
If they ever get around to building this thing, it should be bulldozed on Day 1 of a new administration. No messing around, no hemming and hawing about procedure or costs. Order heavy equipment in and start knocking it down immediately, as surely as an overthrown tyrant's statues would be torn down.
Delicious
Breaking News: A jury found a man not guilty of assault for throwing a sandwich at a federal agent in Washington.
Jurors Find Sandwich Hurler Not Guilty of Assault
The verdict on a misdemeanor charge came after seven hours of deliberation, and after prosecutors had previously failed to secure a felony indictment.
nyti.ms
November 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Delicious
End impunity now. From NYT:
Feared Sudanese Warlord Is Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
Feared Sudanese Warlord Is Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
Feared Sudanese Warlord Is Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:25 AM
End impunity now. From NYT:
Feared Sudanese Warlord Is Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
Feared Sudanese Warlord Is Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/w...
Reposted by Winston Wells
Democrats should become the anti-corruption party. 72% of voters think a member of Congress would likely accept a bribe if offered one. 80% say donors run DC. The solution isn’t left vs right, it’s clean vs corrupt. But first, Democrats must reform themselves and reject big money.
The Democrats' Path Forward: Become the Anti-Corruption Party
But to reform the system they first need to reform the Democratic Party.
open.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Democrats should become the anti-corruption party. 72% of voters think a member of Congress would likely accept a bribe if offered one. 80% say donors run DC. The solution isn’t left vs right, it’s clean vs corrupt. But first, Democrats must reform themselves and reject big money.
Reposted by Winston Wells
A landmark opinion from the United Nations International Court of Justice has ruled that rising sea levels caused by climate change do not require countries to redraw their maritime borders.
Small island nations, among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, are hailing the decision as a victory.
Small island nations, among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, are hailing the decision as a victory.
Rising seas won’t reduce ocean borders of small island nations, UN court rules
A landmark opinion from the United Nations International Court of Justice has ruled that rising sea levels caused by climate change do not require countries to redraw their maritime borders. Small…
news.mongabay.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A landmark opinion from the United Nations International Court of Justice has ruled that rising sea levels caused by climate change do not require countries to redraw their maritime borders.
Small island nations, among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, are hailing the decision as a victory.
Small island nations, among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, are hailing the decision as a victory.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Most. Corrupt. Administration. Ever.
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.
Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.
The FBI and Justice officials closed the investigation, which a Justice Department appointee had called a “deep state” probe in early 2025.
www.msnbc.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Most. Corrupt. Administration. Ever.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Nothing is inevitable. In either direction. Hope and work.
“52% of all autocratization episodes become U-Turns, which increases to 73% when focusing on the last 30 years. The vast majority of U-Turns (90%) lead to restored or even improved levels of democracy”
V-Dem data
V-Dem data
When autocratization is reversed: episodes of U-Turns since 1900
The world is in a “wave of autocratization.” Yet, recent events in Brazil, the Maldives, and Zambia demonstrate that autocratization can be halted and reversed. This article introduces “U-Turn” as ...
www.tandfonline.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Nothing is inevitable. In either direction. Hope and work.
Reposted by Winston Wells
BREAKING: Federal judge tosses out Trump's lawsuit against the New York Times, Penguin Random House, & journalists, finding that the complaint violated court pleading rules due to its expansive, over-the-top, "tedious" use of language.
An amended complaint can be filed without all of the BS in it.
An amended complaint can be filed without all of the BS in it.
September 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge tosses out Trump's lawsuit against the New York Times, Penguin Random House, & journalists, finding that the complaint violated court pleading rules due to its expansive, over-the-top, "tedious" use of language.
An amended complaint can be filed without all of the BS in it.
An amended complaint can be filed without all of the BS in it.
Reposted by Winston Wells
This is the biggest story in America right now.
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Grocery prices rise at the fastest pace since 2022 as Trump tariffs bite
On the campaign trail, Trump promised lower grocery prices.
www.axios.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This is the biggest story in America right now.
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Coffee up 20.9% year-over-year
Steaks up 16.6%
Apples up 9.6%
Bananas, 6.6%.
www.axios.com/2025/09/11/t...
Reposted by Winston Wells
"We are watching and we are taking names."
This is where Pritzker has leveled up over his fellow Dems, by promising a future of accountability and retribution for the destruction Trump and his minions are doing to the constitutional order and our individual freedoms.
newrepublic.com/post/199800/...
This is where Pritzker has leveled up over his fellow Dems, by promising a future of accountability and retribution for the destruction Trump and his minions are doing to the constitutional order and our individual freedoms.
newrepublic.com/post/199800/...
JB Pritzker Just Set Himself Apart From All Other Democrats
This week, the Illinois governor suggested that he’s ready to take the fight against Trump much further than his party colleagues.
newrepublic.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
"We are watching and we are taking names."
This is where Pritzker has leveled up over his fellow Dems, by promising a future of accountability and retribution for the destruction Trump and his minions are doing to the constitutional order and our individual freedoms.
newrepublic.com/post/199800/...
This is where Pritzker has leveled up over his fellow Dems, by promising a future of accountability and retribution for the destruction Trump and his minions are doing to the constitutional order and our individual freedoms.
newrepublic.com/post/199800/...
Reposted by Winston Wells
Breaking News: A federal appeals court ruled that many of President Trump’s most punishing tariffs are illegal. But the judges delayed the implementation of their order until October to grant the administration time to seek review by the Supreme Court.
Appeals Court Rules Against Many Trump Tariffs
The decision is a big blow to President Trump’s trade policies, but the judges left the duties in place for now to allow time for a likely appeal to the Supreme Court.
nyti.ms
August 29, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Breaking News: A federal appeals court ruled that many of President Trump’s most punishing tariffs are illegal. But the judges delayed the implementation of their order until October to grant the administration time to seek review by the Supreme Court.
Reposted by Winston Wells
Dearest Martha,
The National Guard stand solemn watch at the Krispy Kreme tonight. I cannot tell if they defend the people from the donuts, or the donuts from the people. Powdered sugar hangs in the air like cannon smoke. Jensen took a hot coffee to the face, he may never recover.
Yours in glaze,
The National Guard stand solemn watch at the Krispy Kreme tonight. I cannot tell if they defend the people from the donuts, or the donuts from the people. Powdered sugar hangs in the air like cannon smoke. Jensen took a hot coffee to the face, he may never recover.
Yours in glaze,
August 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Dearest Martha,
The National Guard stand solemn watch at the Krispy Kreme tonight. I cannot tell if they defend the people from the donuts, or the donuts from the people. Powdered sugar hangs in the air like cannon smoke. Jensen took a hot coffee to the face, he may never recover.
Yours in glaze,
The National Guard stand solemn watch at the Krispy Kreme tonight. I cannot tell if they defend the people from the donuts, or the donuts from the people. Powdered sugar hangs in the air like cannon smoke. Jensen took a hot coffee to the face, he may never recover.
Yours in glaze,
Reposted by Winston Wells
Trump's Presidencies have so far involved numerous Saturday Night Massacres, dozens of Watergates, and a never ending parade of Tea Pot Dome scandals. I worry that we're about to enter the "dozens of Kent State's" portion of the story.
National Guard troops in DC will be armed from this evening, ABC reports.
And the Pentagon confirmed plans are being drawn up for the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago.
And the Pentagon confirmed plans are being drawn up for the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago.
August 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Trump's Presidencies have so far involved numerous Saturday Night Massacres, dozens of Watergates, and a never ending parade of Tea Pot Dome scandals. I worry that we're about to enter the "dozens of Kent State's" portion of the story.
Reposted by Winston Wells
The worst single-day crime spree in modern Washington history, of course, took place on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump issued no order to the National Guard to intervene -- Mike Pence did -- and later pardoned the perpetrators.
Citing a nonexistent crime crisis, Trump plans to take over the Washington DC police and put troops in the streets of the nation's capital. Contrary to his claims, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low. @katierogersnyt.bsky.social Campbell Robertson Chris Cameron www.nytimes.com/live/2025/08...
Here’s the latest.
www.nytimes.com
August 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The worst single-day crime spree in modern Washington history, of course, took place on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump issued no order to the National Guard to intervene -- Mike Pence did -- and later pardoned the perpetrators.
From NYT: Our President Is Economically Illiterate www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/o...
Opinion | Our President Is Economically Illiterate
www.nytimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
From NYT: Our President Is Economically Illiterate www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/o...
The Tariffs Kicked In. The Sky Didn’t Fall. Were the Economists Wrong? www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/o...
Opinion | The Tariffs Kicked In. The Sky Didn’t Fall. Were the Economists Wrong?
www.nytimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The Tariffs Kicked In. The Sky Didn’t Fall. Were the Economists Wrong? www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/o...
Reposted by Winston Wells
NEW from me. In today's Washington Post, I show that the Trump White House's promise of $6 to $7 trillion in ten-year tariff revenue is fantasyland math.
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Tariffs will pay for tax cuts? The White House can’t be serious.
Trump officials say trillions of dollars in tariff revenue will pay for their tax cuts. Don’t hold your breath.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
NEW from me. In today's Washington Post, I show that the Trump White House's promise of $6 to $7 trillion in ten-year tariff revenue is fantasyland math.
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/b...
He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List.
www.nytimes.com
July 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/b...
Mob boss stuff here - utterly shameful on both parties. From NYT:
Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/n...
Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/n...
Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Mob boss stuff here - utterly shameful on both parties. From NYT:
Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/n...
Columbia Agrees to $200 Million Fine to Settle Fight With Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/n...