Watching a teenager fundamentally challenge Rubio’s talking points feels like watching a generation call B.S. on a whole form of politics. For years, Rubio’s weakness has always been inauthenticity, but no journalist (including this one) has evoked it as vividly.
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Evan Osnos
@eosnos
Staff Writer . Contributor . Fellow . Latest book: "WILDLAND: The Making of America's Fury." bit.ly/3DE5Fnr
Evan Osnos’s Tweets
The Flynn story is a reminder of a big truth: Journalism lives. And principled public servants who got the story out are hidden heroes.
Serious question: Where are Comey’s files right now? Who controls them? After Nixon fired special prosecutor, office was sealed. Important.
Uh, this looks fake but, alas, it’s our iPad today after 3-year-old tried (repeatedly) to unlock. Ideas?
The stolen-election fantasy is the new birtherism, right down to the racist incantations about “Philadelphia.”
Longtime aide to John McCain
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Words I thought I'd never say: the security of the United States might now depend on electing a Democratic Congress in 2018.
Wow. Epidemiologists estimate that if social distancing had started even one week earlier, it could have saved the lives of thirty-seven thousand people, sixty per cent of those expected to die.
Trump thinks goading China is like calling Cruz ‘lying Ted.’ Just fun, right? Not how China sees it. He won’t learn that until too late.
ICYMI on the Mueller indictment: "At the heart of the Russian fraud is an essential, embarrassing insight into American life: large numbers of Americans are ill-equipped to assess the credibility of the things they read." (by me)
Foreshadowing: In 1997, Sen. Joe Biden visited Moscow and concluded that it opposed NATO expansion not out of real security concerns but out a “deeper psychological problem…the loss of empire and a fear of Moscow’s being marginalized in the changed world of the 21st century.”
Wow. More children in New York state have lost parents to covid-19 than in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 4,200 kids lost a parent between March and July; an estimated 3,051 children lost a parent on 9/11.
washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09
Symbol of a failed presidency: This door into the US House, barricaded by armed security against a delusional mob, is the door that Presidents enter for the State of the Union.
This arrangement for a president's relative is totally normal in other places where I've worked, such as Beijing and Cairo.
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Ivanka is getting an office in the West Wing, security clearance, a gov’t communications device. But no real WH job. politico.com/story/2017/03/
If only a president had a department filled with people who could, say, study these place and then advise him before he makes phone calls.
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FT EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump risks major diplomatic dispute with China after speaking on phone with Taiwan's president on.ft.com/2fQ7G8W
Time to start looking for '08 tax return. That was the year Don Jr. said they were getting a "disproportionate" share from Russia etc.
I’m alive because my father, a Jewish refugee born en route from Poland, was allowed into America in 1944. My generation owns today’s shame.
If Obama’s foreign policy was leading from behind, Trump’s doctrine may come to be understood as retreating from the front. In this week, my story of how China learned to take advantage of the “strategic opportunity” afforded by Trump.
Corker is saying publicly what other GOP senators and bigwigs have been saying privately — for months. nyer.cm/OBGoD0C
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It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.
It's hard to overstate how happy Trump has made the Chinese govt in the past 2 weeks: NATO, Germany, now Paris. Leadership self-sabotage.
Anybody who asks whether Biden can confront the polarization in this country should listen to that speech. Nobody pretends it’s anything but massively difficult — but it’s a *choice* to assume it’s permanent. He is choosing not to.
Update on toddler-iPad-lock-out: Got it into DFU mode (don’t hold down the sleep/power button too long or you end up in recovery). Now restoring. Thanks to those who shared advice!
This is fascinating. She’s clearly speaking to Potus more than the audience, using the cloying compliments of a cop on a bullhorn, praising the frantic amateur to come out without hurting himself or the hostages.
If you’re wondering why it suddenly seems like there are tons of pizzagate-style conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden (laptop! China! human trafficking!) remember: this is a *declared* strategy of disinformation. In Bannon’s own words:
Trump has not a press conference since July. He releases a video to avoid questions. I recognize this approach from living in China/Egypt.
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Perhaps a new meeting will be set up with the @nytimes. In the meantime they continue to cover me inaccurately and with a nasty tone!
If keeps tweeting about the NFL instead helping his citizens, Puerto Rico will be his Katrina. It might already be. twitter.com/JeffreyGoldber
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For this week's issue , I wrote about GOP support for Trump in places that defy the stereotype. His rise is often told as a hostile takeover. In truth, it is something closer to a joint venture with some of America's most prosperous citizens.
U.S. intelligence has warned Jared Kushner that the Chinese government identified him as a target of an influence operation. My story with is out now.
Somewhere in this city, a WH staffer is running the #'s on how much he'd earn by being 1st to break ranks. Books, speeches, CNN, reputation.
Lucky to be able to say Ms. Bushell was my freshman English teacher. She's a legend.
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A retired English teacher evaluates Trump's meeting with the NYT in this pungent letter to the editor.
Story out now. I went to Pyongyang to meet the officials in charge of assessing Trump and America's intentions.
Not only does this column make must-read points about child poverty, it also heralds a post-Trump era in which political journalism can spend more time focusing on lives and impacts than on the narcissistic psychodrama around an emperor and his eunuchs.
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The most exciting part of @JoeBiden's "America Rescue Plan" may be one that gets little attention: It's the most serious effort to reduce child poverty in at least 50 years. It would cut America's disgraceful levels of child poverty by half. My column: nyti.ms/35MEjME
Replying to
Powerful, important thread by
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The more I hear about President Trump's covid treatment, the more I think about the late James Brooks, an 80-year-old black man who lived outside Detroit. He left Mississippi for Detroit and built a middle-class life for his family as a company man at Chrysler.
Trump promised to work with “only the best and most serious people.” In the this week, his struggle to hire top talent, the war on the “deep state,” and why the White House has stopped asking candidates for professional references. (by me)
Every Trump visit to Mar-a-Lago reportedly costs taxpayers $3+ million. If he keeps up current pace, public will pay $15+million by spring.
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Trump is planning to return to Mar-a-Lago (again) on February 17th, the 3rd straight weekend. Each visit costs taxpayers $3+ million. twitter.com/realDonaldTrum
Thanks to for a smart conversation about #Sessions, Russia, and the proper technique for groping an elephant.
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. has done the absolute best investigation I've ever read on how the NRA accrues and uses power in shaping American law. He got tons of internal emails that expose the playbook.
In the today, my profile of Mark Zuckerberg. The instincts that helped him build Facebook — look past critics, focus on growth, push the boundaries of privacy — exacerbate its problems now. Can he fix them? Visited him at home, office, etc.
A few months ago, I asked the WH a question about Kushner's meetings with Russian visitors. The answer was wrong.
In China, people are calling Trump a 钉子户 dingzi hu, (“the nail that can’t be pulled out”) which is usually reserved for real-estate disputes that end up like this:
In the this week, I write about the future of America’s contest with China. Went back and forth between Washington Beijing. I can't recall a project that was more sobering.
By removing the term limits on Xi Jinping, China is reentering a period in which the fortunes of a fifth of humanity hinge, to an extraordinary degree, on the visions, impulses, and insecurities of a solitary figure. (by me)
The FBI's investigation is most serious legal scandal to confront a sitting President in nearly 2 decades. (by me)
As Sessions becomes embroiled in the Russia investigation, several other questions are emerging. We lay them out.
In , I profile Dan Bongino, a conservative entrepreneur who tells 8.5 million radio listeners that masks are “face diapers” and 2020 was "rigged." I set out to find out: Does a guy like this really believe what he says or is it just business?
In days since we reported that Kushner met w Kislyak, Sessions has acknowledged that he did too. Who else and when? newyorker.com/magazine/2017/
Why yes, I would like to know a little more about this.
Thanks to and for tonight’s chat about Joe Biden, vote counts, and how many years we’ve aged in the last 24 hours.
Instead of extinguishing the Russia investigation, Trump's firing of Comey may be an accelerant on the fire. (by me)
The damage of decertifying the Iran deal is felt in Beijing, Pyongyang and beyond. In this week. newyorker.com/magazine/2017/
Donald Trump just made $15.8m sale to Chinese biz linked to military intelligence. Ethics adviser won't comment. motherjones.com/politics/2017/
Come to think of it, probably for the best that Trump didn’t have a dog in the White House.
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Turkmenistan leader unveils giant gold statue of his favourite dog
bbc.in/3knqmsP
Just to be clear: the nations highest law enforcement officer said (under oath) that he had no contact with Russians during the campaign
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Sessions spoke twice in 2016 w Russian ambassador. He didn't disclose this at his confirmation hearing to become AG wpo.st/JPde2
With China kicking out American journalists, the world loses a crucial window on the drivers of global health and global economy. Whatever you think of American media, this is bad for finance, pandemics, education, and national security worldwide, including for Chinese citizens.
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BREAKING: Beijing to oust US journalists from NYT, WashPo, Wall St Journal from China and bar them from work in Hong Kong hongkongfp.com/2020/03/18/bre
One of the most incisive conversations I’ve ever had about Joe Biden. It’s demoralizing to experience, firsthand, just how good an interviewer is. It’s not like I go lawyering in my spare time.
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Who is Joe Biden and what can we expect? On this first full day of the Biden administration, I ask @NewYorker staff writer (and Biden expert) @eosnos these questions and much more. Listen: applepodcasts.com/preet
The rhetorical pummeling of Marco Rubio at CNN's town hall on guns felt like an expression of collective American rage at the falseness of so much that happens in Washington. (by me)
“He worships himself, he has blind faith in himself, adores himself, he will take credit for every achievement, but blame others for his failures.”
--- Lin Biao’s notes about Mao h/t Frank Dikötter
Never miss an investigation by "While two hundred thousand dollars was being passed from Trump backers to Gaffney to Ginni Thomas, the Supreme Court agreed to hear legal challenges to Trump’s travel restrictions." newyorker.com/magazine/2022/
Years before I ever wrote for the , I was scouring the work of — one of the true masters of narrative. This week, almost the whole magazine belongs to his telling of the pandemic. The heir to John Hersey on the A-bomb. nyer.cm/zmAlS6y
In 2017, for the 100th anniversary of Spanish flu, historian John M. Barry wrote that “the most important lesson from 1918 is to tell the truth...[I]mplementation will depend on the character and leadership of the people in charge when a crisis erupts.”
Wow. Cover of next week is a picture worth 15,000 words. Barry Blitt’s “Eustace Vladimirovich Tilley” newyorker.com/magazine/2017/
Book news: Given the urgency, the publisher of my new book on Joe Biden has made the audiobook and e-book available 3 weeks early, i.e. today! (I refuse to use all-caps.)
E-book: simonandschuster.com/books/Joe-Bide
Audible: adbl.co/30rN6B3
Google Play: bit.ly/3jc32yu
Journalists should not use “alt-right” except in “call themselves” etc. It’s misleading. See below for their Nazi salute.
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This is worth watch for 1) Koppel's calmness and 2) Hannity's embarrassment.
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.@seanhannity: "You think I'm bad for America?"
The great Ted Koppel, to his face: "Yeah."
With Trump strong-arming press, putting out an Orwellian video, a Chinese friend in DC tells me "DC now feels like home"
A book starts somewhere in the neurons, it becomes electrons, and finally, one day, it shows up on your front stoop, as molecules — and that’s a total thrill.
Fascinating dynamic underway: By ignoring huge WH drama, Fox is actually becoming dull, and Fox viewers don’t like dull. Expect ratings woe.
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CNN & MSNBC: Trump departs amid "turmoil," "controversy." Fox News: Trump simply "departs"
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Good moment to mention that we’ll have Susan Rice and French Ambassador Gérard Araud () on stage Sunday at The New Yorker Festival. I’ll be talking to them about America’s place in the world #TNYfest Details/ticket: festival.newyorker.com/event/friend-o
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Me twitter.com/jrpsaki/status…
The Cuban missile crisis began 55 years ago today. Decertifying the Iran deal risks the asset described here: newyorker.com/magazine/2017/
This is a fascinating and bizarre story. Why were these civil servants fired without explanation? politico.com/story/2018/06/
We’re done here, people. Life can only go downhill from this.
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Great colors. Depth. Composition. Books. Art. Transom for the win. 10/10 @eosnos
“A Trump campaign official said the internal view was that it's essential to keep the race "optically" alive.” ........ The concept of “optically alive” is the “alternative facts” of 2020 .... Thanks axios.com/trump-official
A few months ago, Beyoncé played a big-money corporate gig in Dubai. I wondered how that business works. In this week, my story on the boom in “privates” (gigs off limits to the public). It starts with Flo Rida at a bar mitzvah.
This is nicely done. Once you see this technique spelled out, it cries out for a funny bit.
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Conway has a supernatural ability to derail tough interviews about Trump. Here's how she does it: bit.ly/2lfEbgb
"I started without a million $ loan from my father" Boom! Hot billionaire on billionaire action.
Pause to consider the full foolishness of this: For the short-term buzz of flying out on Air Force 1, with “YMCA” on the hi-fi, Trump squandered one of the world’s sweetest, gentlest gigs: The club of former US presidents. He erased himself before anyone else could.
More American civilians have died by gunfire in the past decade than all Americans killed in combat in World War II.
As a dedicated practitioner of the frumpy dad outfit, I want to distance my community from Cancun-gate. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn this misuse of the fleece half-zip.
If I read about this system in, say, Turkmenistan, I’d pity them.
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Chance of a Biden Electoral college win if he wins the popular vote by X points:
0-1 points: just 6%!
1-2 points: 22%
2-3 points: 46%
3-4 points: 74%
4-5 points: 89%
5-6 points: 98%
6-7 points: 99%
For , a profile of Joe Biden, starting at his home. (I brought a mask as thick as a diaper). w/ et al. Last profiled him in 2014 when he was VP, and Trump was on the Apprentice. Some things have changed.
Book news! When I returned to the US in 2013, I wanted to trace the roots of our political turmoil. So I started going back to 3 places I’ve lived and loved: Greenwich CT, Clarksburg WV, Chicago IL. Coming 9/14: “WILDLAND: The Making of America’s Fury.” Thanks to
This true British take x 4 = USA
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In any other situation a government whose overt, consistent negligence caused over 100,000 deaths would collapse under the weight of raw public fury. In this country we let them blame us, say they did their best and propose re-electing them.
In Beijing recently, I learned that China’s leaders don’t trust Kim Jong Un—but they trust President Trump even less
Powerful piece by “Trump is literally holding children hostage to get his unpopular border wall. He may think of it as leverage, but the rest of us should recognize it for what it is. It is a tragedy, born of a lie.”
This photo. The first morning without Apple Daily in Hong Kong. The void speaks volumes.
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What’s especially wonderful about the Fear Seasons story, on this day, is that it’s no longer embarrassing for all Americans. It’s just embarrassing for *them.*
On this anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, worth reading Trump’s 1990 appraisal of it, including “That shows you the power of strength.”
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In 1990 Playboy interview, Trump talked about the Tiananmen Square massacre: thecorporateculture.com/2015/playboy-i
WH acknowledges it kept Flynn in national sec briefings for *weeks* after DOJ warned that he was compromised. What did Potus know, and when?
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“That makes no sense.” @MLauer to @KellyannePolls while discussing Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn
Book news: I first wrote about for in 2011, when he visited Yao Ji Stewed Liver restaurant in Beijing. Over the years, interviewed him on Air Force Two, at the White House, and at home during Covid. I’ve adapted my work for a new book, out Oct 27.
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.@NewYorker staff writer & @nationalbook Award-winning author @eosnos will publish Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now with Scribner on October 27 spr.ly/6013GSFlb
Holy smokes. Powerful ad.
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The Biden campaign had Brayden Harrington, the boy who bonded with Joe over stuttering, record a closing campaign ad and now I am crying
Remember: 17 US intel agencies agree Russia attacked the US election. Our new investigation of why, how, and who: newyorker.com/magazine/2017/
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Russia talk is FAKE NEWS put out by the Dems, and played up by the media, in order to mask the big election defeat and the illegal leaks!
The 1918 flu arrived at a diabolical moment in the history of political propaganda. Woodrow Wilson had criminalized "disloyal" speech; a political appointee promised to "nip the epidemic in the bud." (by me) newyorker.com/news/daily-com via
Reminds me of Kim Jong il’s greatness on the golf course: He scored holes in one. And when Putin plays hockey, teammates ensure a hat trick.
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VP Pence says of Prez Trump he's never met anyone who was "a greater strategic thinker" on national security.
Somewhere, Xi Jinping is watching this American president and truly can’t believe China’s good fortune.
Days after getting banned from YouTube, Bongino lost another source of revenue today. "Google dealt a major blow to conservative media personality and Fox News Channel host Dan Bongino on Friday, pulling Google ad services from his website. nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news
Bart has written more on secrecy/intel/law than anyone. Read this thread to make sense of what USG could/should disclose.
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1/ US intelligence does keep some secrets. Here are two hypotheticals. One is that the FBI has identified specific Russian perpetrators...
This may be an inauguration unlike others we've ever seen. The Gathering Storm of Protest Against Trump
Intrepid correspondent traveled to nearly every corner of China. After 9+ years on the ground, he concludes, "History teaches us about an inevitable dialectic: Power creates resistance." Take note. A Chinese Empire Reborn nyti.ms/2E9pK5B