Nostr notes by Amanda Marcotte

In MAGA, parental estrangement is a big issue — and parents are ...

2026-10-23T11:03:21Z

In MAGA, parental estrangement is a big issue — and parents are held out as blameless victims.

I suspect that's one reason why Vivek Ramaswamy ran an ad celebrating Amy Acton's vile mother.

And why MAGA — including Vance and Trump — are backing him.

https://www.salon.com/2026/10/23/ramaswamys-ad-exposes-magas-obsession-with-parental-estrangement/

Trump and MAGA's obsession with Ilhan Omar reveals an ...

2026-10-16T11:01:08Z

Trump and MAGA's obsession with Ilhan Omar reveals an important truth about racism: it's rooted in jealousy and insecurity.

They're not afraid Black immigrants are ruining America.

They're scared Black immigrants will work hard and excel.

https://www.salon.com/2026/10/16/the-real-reason-maga-fears-ilhan-omar/

It was hard, especially as a survivor, but I dug through the ...

2026-10-02T11:11:01Z

It was hard, especially as a survivor, but I dug through the court documents and the right-wing reaction to the Cornell case.

What I've learned is the backlash to #MeToo did its job, reinscribing hatred of survivors.

We need more #MeToo, not less.

https://www.salon.com/2026/10/02/cornell-assault-case-shows-metoo-didnt-go-far-enough/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about Eric ...

2026-10-01T13:51:01Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about Eric Schmitt's epic self-own.

Read and subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/p/eric-schmitt-forgets-the-first-rule-of-conspiracy-theories

Music by Fat Dog.

Trump's taxpayer-funded ad campaign and false promises that ...

2026-09-30T12:48:05Z

Trump's taxpayer-funded ad campaign and false promises that he'll write everyone a $5,000 check are transparently desperate.

These tactics have sadly worked for him in the past.

Finally, polls show Americans are wising up to his idiotic con job.

https://www.salon.com/2026/09/30/trump-cant-trick-americans-into-loving-him/

Desperate Christian women are turning to "wife school" ...

2026-09-28T11:08:57Z

Desperate Christian women are turning to "wife school" and similar courses, hoping they can save their marriages.

But there is no hope, ladies.

The only fix is to divorce your MAGA husband.

https://www.salon.com/2026/09/28/wife-school-cant-fix-maga-husbands/

The recent arrest of Clavicular on rape charges shows that ...

2026-09-25T11:16:17Z

The recent arrest of Clavicular on rape charges shows that misogynist beliefs become misogynist actions.

This *should* be obvious, but in the world of "cancel culture" hysteria, it's not.

Unsurprisingly, MAGA is painting him as the real victim.

https://www.salon.com/2026/09/25/claviculars-charges-shows-the-real-danger-of-maga-manhood/

The Natalie Harp story started off as a joke, a sign of how ...

2026-09-23T13:00:41Z

The Natalie Harp story started off as a joke, a sign of how pathetic Trump has become.

But the latest revelations show that she's really quite dangerous.

She knows how to manipulate the doddering narcissist, and it's scary.

https://www.salon.com/2026/09/23/natalie-harp-isnt-a-joke-she-is-trumps-dangerous-enabler/

Win or lose, James Talarico's campaign is a major threat to ...

2026-09-21T11:04:19Z

Win or lose, James Talarico's campaign is a major threat to the GOP, especially in the long term.

Many evangelicals don't even know "liberal Christian" is a possibility. He is showing that it is.

And the Christian right is *freaking out*.

https://www.salon.com/2026/09/21/james-talaricos-campaign-could-do-lasting-damage-to-the-gop/

Beef. Gas guzzling. Giant houses. Whiskey. Beer. Being a MAGA man ...

2026-08-28T11:14:17Z

Beef. Gas guzzling. Giant houses. Whiskey. Beer.

Being a MAGA man is about conspicuous consumption — especially if it's anti-environmental.

But Trump has made these totems of masculinity too expensive. You can't afford to drive your oversized pickup around.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/28/the-high-cost-of-maga-manhood/

Don't laugh! It's tempting to dismiss the thrice-married ...

2026-08-24T11:05:57Z

Don't laugh! It's tempting to dismiss the thrice-married adulterer whose only experience was TV...... oh shit.

Seriously, Hegseth could consolidate the white evangelical vote for the GOP nomination.

He's got a blunt racism and sexism that they adore.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/24/pete-hegseths-path-to-the-2028-gop-nomination-isnt-a-joke/

ICE buying electric torture gloves is terrifying. They will hurt ...

2026-08-21T11:07:07Z

ICE buying electric torture gloves is terrifying. They will hurt and likely kill people with these things.

It's also a sign that of Trump's weakness. He can't win in the courts, so he's desperately looking for way to punish people without due process.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/21/ice-gloves-reveal-how-trumps-revenge-agenda-is-failing/

My crack at Natalie Harp mania. She's obviously a stone cold ...

2026-08-19T10:59:47Z

My crack at Natalie Harp mania. She's obviously a stone cold weirdo, but what's more telling is how the White House is hyper-defensive about she clings to Trump like a barnacle.

Having a full-time babysitter draws attention to Trump's age.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/19/trump-aide-natalie-harp-nurses-his-decline/

The USS Lincoln disaster is the latest reminder of why Pete ...

2026-08-17T10:59:08Z

The USS Lincoln disaster is the latest reminder of why Pete Hegseth still has a job.

He is laser-focused on flattering Trump's ego, instead of running the military.

Trump's ego is why that ship has been deployed so long. My analysis as to why.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/17/pete-hegseth-is-trumps-favorite-kind-of-failure/

Ariana Grande may want privacy, but unfortunately, the dangers of ...

2026-08-05T11:35:39Z

Ariana Grande may want privacy, but unfortunately, the dangers of her alarming thinness are worse than ever.

As I lay out here, MAGA influencers demand women be starved and frail.

This isn't just personal. It's political.

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/05/how-ariana-grandes-body-became-political/

A prediction, but also analysis about what's going on. ...

2026-08-03T11:14:07Z

A prediction, but also analysis about what's going on.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but you can't be surprised when there's obviously a cover-up here — and one we've seen variations of before. (And continuing, with Trump.)

https://www.salon.com/2026/08/03/mitch-mcconnell-is-never-coming-back-to-the-senate/

Andrew Tate is whining about how hard it is to be in jail. ...

2026-07-31T14:02:32Z

Andrew Tate is whining about how hard it is to be in jail.

Boo-hoo, mofo. At least they aren't forcing him to do sex work, like he is literally accused of doing to his victims.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ebPYku0XAZU?si=26oInbAlerFY7EAD

Todd Blanche is as corrupt as his boss. He know how rich this ...

2026-07-31T11:04:17Z

Todd Blanche is as corrupt as his boss.

He know how rich this slush fund would make right-wing lawyers like himself.

It would also fund far-right legal orgs like Alliance Defending Freedom to do things like ban contraception or overturn Obergefell.

https://www.salon.com/2026/07/31/the-real-reason-todd-blanche-wont-drop-trumps-slush-fund/

I got back from vacation and my producer said, "Guess who had ...

2026-07-27T21:19:21Z

I got back from vacation and my producer said, "Guess who had a sit down interview with Ukraine's president?"

The answer is....Trump's weirdest traveling companion, Laura Loomer.

Here's my short reaction to this insanity.

https://youtube.com/shorts/SF-c14waXlI?si=wjeDtOZybvCktk-Y

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: I don't think ...

2026-07-16T14:31:24Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: I don't think Todd Blanche is going to face any Republican opposition.

Prove me wrong, John Cornyn!

Subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/p/there-are-no-good-republicans

Music by the Viagra Boys.

Graham Platner's out and MAGA is swarming. A number of ...

2026-07-15T11:05:30Z

Graham Platner's out and MAGA is swarming.

A number of influencers see their chance to recruit embittered male supporters — and claw back voters Trump has lost.

https://www.salon.com/2026/07/15/maga-influencers-exploit-graham-platner-scandal-to-win-back-men/

Markwayne Mullin was rolled out as a "course correction" ...

2026-07-13T11:06:03Z

Markwayne Mullin was rolled out as a "course correction" from Kristi Noem.

You, savvy, know that was a lie.

But this recent shooting in Houston shows how Mullin, like Noem, weaponizes the incompetence of the yokels they hire for ICE.

https://www.salon.com/2026/07/13/new-ice-boss-same-old-lies/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about why the ...

2026-07-10T13:54:42Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about why the communist panic, which was a joke when I was a kid, is not the electoral gold Trump thinks.

Read and subscribe! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/p/trump-yells-about-the-commies

Going nostalgic with music from Say She She.

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about bullshit ...

2026-06-26T13:52:09Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about bullshit freakout over James Talarico perfectly normal belief that God doesn't have a gender.

Subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com

Music by Ariana Grande, natch.

Reports that Tucker Carlson is leaving the GOP are greatly ...

2026-06-26T10:57:43Z

Reports that Tucker Carlson is leaving the GOP are greatly exaggerated.

He isn't really hiding that the goal is to take it over.

Worse, he wants to make it even more radical than it is.

An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/26/tucker-carlson-is-not-leaving-the-gop-he-wants-to-take-it-over/

Trump's lies about the Reflecting Pool are too silly for ...

2026-06-24T11:05:49Z

Trump's lies about the Reflecting Pool are too silly for anyone to believe. MAGA repeats them anyway.

It's not just that they're that stupid. (Though they are.)

They would like to arrest people for laughing at them.

It also exposes their desperation.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/24/why-maga-buys-trumps-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-hoax/

Trump ran for president to erase Obama's legacy. Instead, the ...

2026-06-19T11:10:02Z

Trump ran for president to erase Obama's legacy.

Instead, the Obama center opening yesterday showed how Trump only amplified nostalgia for the Obama years.

One of these men will be remembered fondly for decades to come.

It won't be Trump.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/19/the-new-obama-presidential-center-ramps-up-trumps-jealousy/

The UFC fight at the White House was meant to make Trump and his ...

2026-06-17T10:55:26Z

The UFC fight at the White House was meant to make Trump and his Cabinet look tough through proximity.

Instead, it highlighted how frail Trump is. But beyond that, it showed how MAGA masculinity itself is weak.

Especially while losing the Iran war.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/17/ufc-fight-cant-hide-maga-male-weakness/

JD Vance's presidential campaign really begins with the book ...

2026-06-15T11:17:35Z

JD Vance's presidential campaign really begins with the book tour for "Communion," his weird-sounding book about converting to Catholicism, which comes out tomorrow.

So far, his book tour is flailing. And it shows why his 2028 hopes are fading.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/15/jd-vances-sad-book-tour-shows-why-his-2028-hopes-are-fading/

Hegseth refusing — and continuing to refuse — to call Mormons ...

2026-06-10T11:05:45Z

Hegseth refusing — and continuing to refuse — to call Mormons "Christian" is a real leopards-eating-faces moment.

But it's a lot more than that. Christian nationalists depend on the myth of Christian unity.

Hegseth exploded that myth.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/10/pete-hegseths-mormon-diss-explodes-a-maga-myth/

Long day and I almost forgot! But today's excerpt from ...

2026-06-05T19:56:56Z

Long day and I almost forgot! But today's excerpt from Standing Room Only is about how James Talarico is getting MAGA men to show their asses.

Subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/

Music by Library Card.

JD Vance and Stephen Miller have decided that fake stories of ...

2026-06-05T11:06:50Z

JD Vance and Stephen Miller have decided that fake stories of "immigrant fraud" are the future of MAGA.

It's an especially rich move when they work for the biggest fraudster of all.

They are functionally admitting this is about race, not crime.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/05/jd-vance-goes-all-in-on-immigrant-fraud-hoax/

Trump had a total meltdown after losing his name on the Kennedy ...

2026-06-03T11:08:39Z

Trump had a total meltdown after losing his name on the Kennedy Center and the Freedom 250 artists quitting.

It's not just about his ego. He mirrors the frustration MAGA feels about being so deeply uncool.

Their attempt to conquer the arts backfired.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/03/maga-fails-to-conquer-arts-and-music/

The notion Trump has "perfect" health is an obvious lie ...

2026-06-01T10:59:33Z

The notion Trump has "perfect" health is an obvious lie to anyone with two eyes and basic sense.

And yet, he pushes it because MAGA eats it up.

It's not just that theyr'e stupid. (Though there is that.)

It's because they need to believe he's a god.

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/01/why-maga-buys-trumps-perfect-health-lie/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: My plea to ...

2026-05-29T14:10:01Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: My plea to mainstream journalists to stop indulging the moral panic over birth rates. Women don't owe you more babies.

Read and subscribe today! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/

Music by Gina Birch.

It's upsetting to see the DOJ open a phony ...

2026-05-29T10:56:34Z

It's upsetting to see the DOJ open a phony "investigation" into 82-year-old E. Jean Carroll.

But it is also an important reminder that #MeToo still matters. The forces of misogyny wouldn't go so hard after survivors if they weren't scared.

https://www.salon.com/2026/05/29/e-jean-carroll-still-terrifies-trump/

Nearly half of Americans buy into the theory that one or more of ...

2026-05-13T12:48:45Z

Nearly half of Americans buy into the theory that one or more of the assassination attempts against Trump were staged.

This is, as with most things, his fault. But for reasons deeper than just "he made bullshit socially acceptable."

An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2026/05/13/assassination-conspiracy-theories-blame-trump/

New "Standing Room Only!" This week, I take on the ...

2026-04-24T13:53:52Z

New "Standing Room Only!" This week, I take on the dreaded topic: the male loneliness crisis.

I don't blame women. Or video games. No, I think the problem is young men listening to right wing influencers.

But we have a lot of laughs, especiallly since we have to talk about, um, gooning.

https://youtu.be/ir2VRzyowzY?si=o0OqMsA2wk-Ae7Yk

Kash Patel will be liked — or else. In an administration full ...

2026-04-24T11:11:15Z

Kash Patel will be liked — or else.

In an administration full of narcissists, Patel stands out as especially thirsty. It seems to drive everything he does.

A deep dive into this sad man and how his attempts to be popular backfire.

https://www.salon.com/2026/04/24/kash-patels-futile-quest-for-validation/

DoorDash Grandma isn't a paid plant. (For that, you need to ...

2026-04-17T13:33:51Z

DoorDash Grandma isn't a paid plant. (For that, you need to be paid!) Instead, her story is far worse.

She's a depressing example of how MAGA cultists have internalized the lies that justify their own oppression.

An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2026/04/17/trumps-doordash-grandma-isnt-a-plant-the-truth-is-much-darker/

In this week's clip, I talk with journalist @kylietcheung ...

2026-04-17T10:56:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…j8pj
_________________________

In this week's clip, I talk with journalist @kylietcheung about how Republicans are starting to glorify teen pregnancy.

This isn't just idle chatter. They're also cutting back services to prevent high school girls from getting pregnant.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8eQDcy729Ec?si=mRl9XRcEeMI1fg_X

New "Standing Room Only!" This week, I debunk the myth ...

2026-04-17T10:52:26Z

New "Standing Room Only!" This week, I debunk the myth that Gen Z wants to be tradwives. We have a lot of laughs.

But what's scary is that Republicans are so radicalized, they're even starting to argue that high school girls should be having babies.

https://youtu.be/rdNgo4Gavv4?si=iBMXeC7qk05CXkaC

The right's pitch for women's submission is that it will ...

2026-04-08T11:37:55Z

The right's pitch for women's submission is that it will cause men to provide, protect, and cherish women.

Turns out the opposite is true. Research shows conservative men see tradwives as lazy parasites. They loathe them.

https://www.salon.com/2026/04/08/why-maga-men-actually-loathe-tradwives/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about why Iran is ...

2026-03-31T14:02:16Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about why Iran is winning this war.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Panik Deluxe.

Melania Trump's robot stunt was unsettling, but here reason ...

2026-03-30T11:07:00Z

Melania Trump's robot stunt was unsettling, but here reason is worse: to promote replacing human teachers with robots.

This is no one-off. It's the newest front in the GOP war on education.

Conservatives hate kids learning to think for themselves.

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/30/why-maga-fears-human-teachers/

ICE is not at airports to "help." If you actually listen ...

2026-03-25T11:55:32Z

ICE is not at airports to "help."

If you actually listen to Trump and his allies, it's clear the goal is to make a bad situation worse.

The good news? It's already backfiring.

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/25/ice-at-airports-trumps-troll-move-backfires/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Trump just hates ...

2026-03-24T14:08:34Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Trump just hates Americans, even his own voters.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Theatre of Hate.

Gen Z Republican men are obsessed with "gooning," slang ...

2026-03-20T14:02:20Z

Gen Z Republican men are obsessed with "gooning," slang for obsessive masturbation.

Why the fixation? Well, because their misogyny is poisoning their ability to date like normal people.

Gooning isn't about fun. It's got an undercurrent of anger.

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/20/for-gen-z-republican-men-sex-is-solitary/

New "Standing Room Only!" This one is a banger, ...

2026-03-20T11:03:52Z

New "Standing Room Only!" This one is a banger, y'all! Pete Hegseth is such a clown that we had trouble narrowing down what dumb clips of him to show.

But it's not all laughs. His failed macho act is killing real people.

https://youtu.be/nTi9aBHI1wc?si=fXa4AvqJdbSdMTEC

If advancing conservative causes were the goal, then Republican ...

2026-03-04T13:07:06Z

If advancing conservative causes were the goal, then Republican voters should have backed John Cornyn overwhelmingly.

Instead, it's basically a tie between him and Ken Paxton, who is so odious he could turn Texas blue.

I explain how this happened.

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/04/texas-primary-shows-that-maga-loves-a-villain/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how Trump is ...

2026-03-03T15:22:29Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how Trump is using doublethink to hide the truth about the Iran War from his base.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by the Artful Dodger.

Premiering now! Yep, we're covering the rumored affair ...

2026-02-26T21:58:40Z

Premiering now! Yep, we're covering the rumored affair between Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski at "Standing Room Only."

But my interest isn't just in sex jokes. (Though we have plenty.)

These two clowns expose the biggest lie of the MAGA movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2IoUwR-OY

When shameless liar Tricia McLaughlin stepped down, many ...

2026-02-23T12:05:01Z

When shameless liar Tricia McLaughlin stepped down, many rejoiced. There was hope this was a sign that Kristi Noem was dialing it back.

But nah, her replacement is even worse. (Hard to believe, but true!)

Noem ain't changing. She doesn't know how.

https://www.salon.com/2026/02/23/dhs-spokeswoman-tricia-mclaughlins-replacement-is-even-worse/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Women are turning on ...

2026-02-03T15:00:32Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Women are turning on ICE in shocking numbers.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Bikini Kill.

Doing a little historial re-examination this morning! Looking ...

2026-02-02T11:59:23Z

Doing a little historial re-examination this morning! Looking back to when Jon Stewart calling Tucker Carlson a "dick" on "Crossfire."

It was treated as a triumph at the time.

But Tucker eventually learned to double, triple, and quadruple down.

https://www.salon.com/2026/02/02/how-jon-stewart-created-tucker-carlson/

Last week, MAGA was claiming they're the real victims ...

2026-01-26T11:53:32Z

Last week, MAGA was claiming they're the *real* victims because some protesters called out a church who has an ICE agent pastor.

They're both babies and liars. But I also dug into the church.

It's the church that declared empathy is a "sin." Analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2026/01/26/pro-ice-churches-should-be-shamed/

New polling data shows that it's getting increasingly ...

2026-01-19T17:21:18Z

New polling data shows that it's getting increasingly embarrassing to identify as a Republican, and so Trump voters are slinking away and pretending it never happened.

https://www.salon.com/2026/01/19/some-trump-voters-are-sneaking-away/

I've been planning to write for a long time about how ICE and ...

2026-01-09T12:15:22Z

I've been planning to write for a long time about how ICE and their allies sure are a bunch of whiny bitches, for all they talk about how tough they are.

I'm sad that this is the occasion.

But by god, these "tough" guys are pathetic cowards.

https://www.salon.com/2026/01/09/ice-is-not-the-victim/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Does Trump know that ...

2026-01-06T14:37:32Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Does Trump know that he's not the president of Venezuela?

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Plastics.

I've been tracking right-wing sexual dysfunction for years, ...

2025-12-31T11:57:27Z

I've been tracking right-wing sexual dysfunction for years, and I'm going to cautiously say 2025 is the year the madness broke onto normal people's radars.

Are we hitting peak incel? Maybe! Looking at the year in Mar-a-Lago face and Elon's IVF babies.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/31/the-right-hit-peak-incel-in-2025/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: A little hope for ...

2025-12-30T14:50:53Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: A little hope for 2026.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Black Market Karma.

MAGA uses conspiracy theories and false accusations of ...

2025-12-29T11:57:21Z

MAGA uses conspiracy theories and false accusations of "groomer" to spin a tale where they're the heroes and liberals are villains.

In 2025, the Epstein files revealed the truth: they are, as MAGA voters always were, supporters of sexual violence.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/29/in-2025-epstein-showed-maga-who-they-really-are/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Mike Johnson is ...

2025-12-23T14:55:06Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Mike Johnson is sincere in his misogyny, as Republican women are learning.

Subscribe today: salon.com/newsletter

Music by Coach Party.

The NY Times headline reads “Vance Refuses to Take Sides in ...

2025-12-23T12:05:51Z

The NY Times headline reads “Vance Refuses to Take Sides in G.O.P. Fight Over Bigotry."

This is false. He took a side: that of neo-Nazis and other assorted bigots and nuts.

I think he thinks it's strategic. An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/23/jd-vances-2028-strategy-be-even-worse-than-trump/

Trump's all-purpose excuse to avoid answering questions used ...

2025-12-22T12:10:47Z

Trump's all-purpose excuse to avoid answering questions used to be "we'll have it in two weeks."

In 2025, that shifted. Now it's just "I don't know."

To hear Trump talk, he knows absolutely nothing.

I analyze what this shift means.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/22/trumps-favorite-excuse-in-2025-i-dont-know/

It's a risk, but a prediction: The White House ballroom will ...

2025-12-19T14:35:53Z

It's a risk, but a prediction: The White House ballroom will never be built.

Every red flag for a bunk project is waving. Yes, it's symbolic.

It's why Trump is grasping at cheap ploys like renaming the Kennedy Center. He can't build stuff, just steal.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/19/the-white-house-ballroom-will-never-be-built/

The simplest explanation for why Susie Wiles was so honest about ...

2025-12-17T12:32:06Z

The simplest explanation for why Susie Wiles was so honest about Trump to Vanity Fair: like most Republicans, she's focused on post-Trump plans.

Like the rest of us, Republicans are just waiting for him to die, so we can all move on.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/17/republicans-are-quiet-quitting-on-trump/

Republicans successfully goaded Jasmine Crockett into running for ...

2025-12-12T14:35:07Z

Republicans successfully goaded Jasmine Crockett into running for Senate in Texas.

They think they're playing 3D chess, but they are underestimating how chaotic the voters are feeling right now.

Whether she wins or loses, I bet they regret this.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/12/gop-will-regret-pushing-jasmine-crockett-to-run-for-the-senate/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is a reminder that ...

2025-12-09T15:19:49Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is a reminder that fascists are as small as they are evil.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Chloe Slater.

When I first saw that "rage bait" is the Oxford Word of ...

2025-12-05T14:34:17Z

When I first saw that "rage bait" is the Oxford Word of the Year, I thought, "what a sad commentary on how broken things are."

But the more I thought about it, the more hope it gave me. Having a name for MAGA's addiction is the first step to a solution.

https://www.salon.com/2025/12/05/rage-bait-as-word-of-the-year-its-a-reason-for-hope/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how ...

2025-12-02T15:07:02Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how Democrats just keep not getting why they're so unpopular with voters.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by JR JR.

Special "Standing Room Only!" We're experimenting ...

2025-11-26T17:20:40Z

Special "Standing Room Only!" We're experimenting with reaction content. Let me know what you think!

My colleague Russell Payne and I watch clips of Fox News trying to hype Charlie Kirk as a martyr.

We explain, based on reporting, why it's not true.

https://youtu.be/am1pBfSs2mQ?si=snrzFVkVFVD3Zq72

The excuse for Usha Vance's missing wedding ring is bizarre ...

2025-11-26T12:03:17Z

The excuse for Usha Vance's missing wedding ring is bizarre and preposterous. Look, she doesn't do dishes, so why pretend otherwise?

But this bullshit claim tells us a lot about how JD Vance is trying to humble his wife in public.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/26/usha-vance-doesnt-do-dishes-so-why-the-wedding-ring-excuse/

When Charlie Kirk died, MAGA leaders promised it would unify the ...

2025-11-24T12:00:59Z

When Charlie Kirk died, MAGA leaders promised it would unify the base, while rallying millions of previous skeptics to the fascist cause.

Neither has happened.

Even better, Kirk's death is causing MAGA infighting that is tearing at the seams.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/24/charlie-kirks-death-is-tearing-maga-apart/

New "Standing Room Only" is a special one, based on ...

2025-11-21T11:24:41Z

New "Standing Room Only" is a special one, based on original reporting from yours truly.

Most people haven't heard of "Whatever," but you have probably seen the clips, which are ubiquitous.

It's a misogyny factory. And it's radicalizing young men.

https://youtu.be/p-d0ZEWm4PM?si=ht_Ewh6iY6wbITp-

People have a good reason to resist acknowledging the male ...

2025-11-17T13:49:50Z

People have a good reason to resist acknowledging the male loneliness crisis. They correctly perceive that women are being blamed and told to fix it.

But the real cause is predatory capitalists who profit on keeping men isolated and online.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/17/dont-blame-women-for-mens-loneliness-blame-capitalism/

Nancy Mace keeps insisting Trump "protects" women, even ...

2025-11-14T14:09:07Z

Nancy Mace keeps insisting Trump "protects" women, even as she voted to release the Epstein files.

This is incoherent, but her nonsense reflects a deeper dilemma facing all Republican women: keeping up their delusions about Trump.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/14/sorry-nancy-mace-donald-trump-hasnt-protected-women/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how to find ...

2025-11-11T14:20:36Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about how to find hope after Democrats caved so massively on health care.

Subscribe today! To mine, if you haven't, but we also have a new one that is a daily Salon round-up! salon.com/newsletter

Music by the Diodes.

People gossiped about JD Vance and Erika Kirk. Then, inevitably, ...

2025-11-10T14:17:26Z

People gossiped about JD Vance and Erika Kirk. Then, inevitably, came the "don't gossip" scoldings.

Screw it! Let's defend wild speculation. First, these two deserve it.

Second, the gossip tells us a lot about JD Vance's political future. An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/10/why-jd-vance-and-erika-kirks-hug-made-tongues-wag/

New Standing Room Only today! Today's elections are a ...

2025-11-04T14:27:33Z

New Standing Room Only today! Today's elections are a referendum on whether the consultant class is right that the goal of campaigns should be to fundraise to pay consultants.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Monjola.

The Democratic establishment's ugly reaction to Zohran ...

2025-11-03T14:00:39Z

The Democratic establishment's ugly reaction to Zohran Mamdani reveals an unpleasant truth.

They would rather lose elections than change.

The addiction to rich donors and consultants is killing the party. But Mamdani shows a path out. An analysis.

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/03/zohran-mamdani-knows-how-to-win/

If the Texas lawsuit against Tylenol seems a little out of the ...

2025-10-29T11:29:53Z

If the Texas lawsuit against Tylenol seems a little out of the blue, well, it's because Ken Paxton's motives have nothing to do with pregnant women or children.

It's because he's losing his primary race. And he desperately wants Trump's endorsement.

https://www.salon.com/2025/10/29/texas-sues-tylenol-for-the-dumbest-reason/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about Trump's ...

2025-10-21T13:32:11Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is about Trump's poopy reaction to #NoKings.

Read and subscribe! https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/p/may-a-million-frog-suits-bloom

Music by Ray Charles.

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: how MAGA's Bad ...

2025-10-07T13:59:01Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: how MAGA's Bad Bunny panic is them revealing their full ass.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by MJ Cole & Freya Ridings.

JD Vance's Big Lie about undocumented immigrants and health ...

2025-10-03T12:57:46Z

JD Vance's Big Lie about undocumented immigrants and health care has been debunked a million times in a week.

I unpack the deeper message of this lie.

Vance is betting MAGA would rather lose their own health care than see a single immigrant get it.

https://www.salon.com/2025/10/03/jd-vances-shutdown-bet-maga-loves-racism-more-than-health-care/

Ghislaine Maxwell is a liar and sex criminal. But MAGA is using ...

2025-08-27T12:44:32Z

Ghislaine Maxwell is a liar and sex criminal. But MAGA is using her gender to lull people into thinking she's trustworthy.

Notably, this is the same scam she ran on her and Epstein's victims: Make them think she's "safe" because she's a woman.

https://www.salon.com/2025/08/27/ghislaine-maxwell-serves-trump-like-she-served-jeffrey-epstein/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Trump wants you to ...

2025-06-17T13:11:44Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt: Trump wants you to believe he's "strong," but this situation in the Middle East only shows how weak he is.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Poolside and Satin Jackets.

The bodies weren't even cold before MAGA spun up a conspiracy ...

2025-06-16T10:17:22Z

The bodies weren't even cold before MAGA spun up a conspiracy theory, deflecting blame for the Minnesota shooting and saying no, it was actually Democrats who did it. To themselves.

It makes no logical sense. But it does encourage more MAGA violence.

https://www.salon.com/2025/06/16/conspiracy-theories-about-minnesota-shooter-arent-just-deflection-theyre/

The new episode of "Standing Room Only" is the best yet! ...

2025-06-13T13:03:42Z

The new episode of "Standing Room Only" is the best yet! We have laugh-out-loud moments and smart discussion about how pop culture is being used to radicalize young people.

Yes, it's not mocking Noem's plastic surgery, but I promise it's just as good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyMlLGiqDVM

Gavin Newsom didn't choose this fight, but now that he's ...

2025-06-13T10:21:44Z

Gavin Newsom didn't choose this fight, but now that he's in it, he's relearning an important lesson: fighting MAGA is a good look.

More Democrats should pay attention.

https://www.salon.com/2025/06/13/gavin-newsom-rediscovers-fighting-maga-is-popular/

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is how Gavin ...

2025-06-10T13:01:46Z

New Standing Room Only! Today's excerpt is how Gavin Newsom's efforts to make nice with MAGA blew up in his face.

Subscribe today! salon.com/newsletter

Music by Sloan.

Morning! Big thinkpiece for a Monday is about narcissism, which ...

2025-06-09T10:24:31Z

Morning! Big thinkpiece for a Monday is about narcissism, which used to be a little-discussed disorder. Why has it been such a hot topic for the past decade?

Yes, it's Trump. But more than Trump, or he wouldn't have won twice.

https://www.salon.com/2025/06/09/how-everyone-became-a-narcissist/

I wrote about yesterday's hilarious Battle of the Terminal ...

2025-06-06T10:14:23Z

I wrote about yesterday's hilarious Battle of the Terminal Narcissists. I had been losing hope that this would happen!

But this isn't just about two very disturbed people fighting.

This reveals deeper rifts in the MAGA coalition that can be exploited.

https://www.salon.com/2025/06/06/fight-with-musk-reveals-magas-biggest-delusion/

Hey folks! I'm aware Standing Room Only didn't reach your ...

2025-06-03T13:05:46Z

Hey folks! I'm aware Standing Room Only didn't reach your email boxes. We're working on it.

But it is online: https://salon-standingroomonly.beehiiv.com/p/how-to-keep-a-secret-from-putin-d1454df745832347

Today's music is by Nation of Language.

The press continues to credulously report that Elon Musk is ...

2025-05-30T10:25:18Z

The press continues to credulously report that Elon Musk is "leaving" the White House.

The first rule of writing about Musk: His words are meaningless.

There are 20 years of Musk's broken promises. Be skeptical, folks.

https://www.salon.com/2025/05/30/elon-musk-claims-hes-leaving--no-one-should-believe-him/

Premiering now! Episode 3 of Standing Room Only, about how a ...

2025-05-29T21:10:47Z

Premiering now! Episode 3 of Standing Room Only, about how a stupid rumor about kids using litter boxes went from Joe Rogan's show to becoming a bill in the Texas state legislature.

My guest is Imara Jones from Translash Media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGEr3F0uP1k

Right-wing media is hyping it and it's spreading on MAGA ...

2025-05-28T11:12:43Z

Right-wing media is hyping it and it's spreading on MAGA social media while the mainstream media ignores the story.

Tulsi Gabbard is pushing a dangerous new conspiracy theory: that Biden labeled Republican voters as "terrorists" for opposing vaccines.

https://www.salon.com/2025/05/28/tulsi-gabbard-grows-to-become-donald-most-dog/

RFK is using his family name as cover, but make no mistake: the ...

2025-05-27T10:13:56Z

RFK is using his family name as cover, but make no mistake: the MAHA movement is class warfare against working people.

The restrictions on the COVID-19 vaccine make sure only well-resourced people can get it. Busy working people will just get sick.

https://www.salon.com/2025/05/27/the-hidden-elitism-of-rfks-maha-movement-is-making-america-more-unhealthy/

There was a lot of mockery of Kristi Noem for not knowing what ...

2025-05-23T10:20:00Z

There was a lot of mockery of Kristi Noem for not knowing what "habeas corpus" means. But I was struck by how little she seemed to give a shit.

That's because Noem is part of a tradition that really emerged with Sarah Palin: The proud MAGA bimbo.

https://www.salon.com/2025/05/23/kristi-noems-proud-maga-bimbo-act-builds-on-the-legacy-of-sarah-palin/

With SCOTUS fuckery back in the news, it was a delight to speak ...

2025-05-16T12:47:37Z

With SCOTUS fuckery back in the news, it was a delight to speak with Leah Litman about her new book.

She argues that the 6 Republican justices have abandoned legal principles in favor of conspiracy theory-driven grievance.

https://www.salon.com/2025/05/16/a-captured-by-far-right-conspiracy-theories-how-the-drove-the-off-a-cliff/