String Of Resignations May Threaten Plans To Take Trump’s Truth Social Public: Report
The departures add to a company’s struggles to finalize the deal.
Today's Liberal News
Criminal referral for insurrection is very likely on deck for Donald Trump
When the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol meets on Monday, the panel will reportedly ask the Justice Department to pursue no less than three criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. Chief among those charges? Insurrection.
RELATED STORY: Jan.
A grift. A cover up. And the fallout after MAGA cultists call out Trump’s con
Donald Trump’s ‘major announcement’ Thursday truly exceeded the already exceedingly low expectations.
Trump digital trading cards! Priced to sell at just $99! An exclusive series of ‘really incredible artwork’ (i.e. hilarious parody) depicting, for instance, Trump as a strapping superhero bearing his sculpted chest, as a cowboy brandishing an American flag atop a white horse, and as an aviator-clad astronaut.
Ukraine update: Russian forces around Bakhmut forced to surrender ground as assault falters
UPDATE: Friday, Dec 16, 2022 · 6:45:17 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
From the White House press pool coverage:
POTUS boarded AF1 at 1:03 p.m. He responded to a question about sending air support to Ukraine and said: “You’ll hear in a few minutes.
Musk bans journalists, lies about the reason, and storms off in snit during Thursday Night Ass-acre
UPDATE: Friday, Dec 16, 2022 · 8:08:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
It’s not over.
Overnight, at least nine journalists were banned from Twitter in a vivid demonstration that new owner Elon Musk views the idea of consistent, fair rules for everyone with nothing but contempt. Some of the journalists involved had been reporting on the earlier suspension of the ElonJet account, which posted already public information about the flight plans of his personal jet.
A ‘Woke Army’? Republicans turn final House hearing on far-right violence into a clown show
One of the unfortunate realities of the Republican assumption of control of the House in 2023 is that congressional committees’ power to investigate far-right terrorism and insurrection will functionally evaporate, because the GOP has zero interest in pursuing the matter.
Sen. Susan Collins Moves To Block Stricter Rules Protecting Endangered Whales
In a draft provision obtained by HuffPost, the Maine Republican will ask Congress to void a judge’s order for stronger protections for North Atlantic right whales.
Qatar Won
This is an edition of The Great Game, a newsletter about the 2022 World Cup—and how soccer explains the world. Sign up here.“The thing with the royal family is that for most of the time, it’s just a slightly tawdry soap opera,” a friend of mine reflected when we met up in the days after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth earlier this year. “But then, occasionally, it rises to become pure opera.
The Joy of Morocco
This is an edition of The Great Game, a newsletter about the 2022 World Cup—and how soccer explains the world. Sign up here.There is a video from the World Cup that I can’t stop watching.It’s not of Christian Pulisic’s self-sacrificial goal against Iran that sent the United States into the round of 16, or Lionel Messi dancing past a Croatian defender before providing the assist that sealed Argentina’s place in the final.
The Childish Drama of Elon Musk
This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Updated at 9:00 p.m. ET on December 16, 2022For the past few days, Elon Musk has been throwing a gigantic temper tantrum on his platform, Twitter.
No One Wins in Elon Musk’s Battle With Journalists
Last night, several well-known journalists, including Ryan Mac of The New York Times and Drew Harwell of The Washington Post, were suspended from Twitter.The suspensions were ostensibly related to the journalists’ reporting on an account—@ElonJet, operated by the 20-year-old Jack Sweeney—which was dedicated to publishing the location of Elon Musk’s private jet based on public data.
What a Famous Writer’s Early Work Can Teach Us About Failure
Reading the early works of established, revered writers always reminds me of looking at a baby’s face: how it seems impossible to know the ways that visage will sharpen and emerge, how mushy it is, sometimes indistinguishable from others—but also, when looking back at photos once the baby is grown, how difficult it is to imagine that face turning into anything other than what it has become.
Biden, Like Trump Before Him, Derails Effort to End U.S. Support for Saudi War in Yemen
A new UNICEF report finds that over 11,000 children have been killed or injured in the U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war in Yemen since 2015. A six-month ceasefire between warring parties expired in October. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders withdrew a Senate resolution Tuesday that would have ended U.S. support for the war, following pressure from the White House. Sanders said he would bring the resolution back if they could not reach an agreement.
A 21st Century Resource War: Emira Woods on How Racism, Extraction & Militarism Are Devastating Africa
President Biden has pledged $55 billion to Africa over the next three years, announced during a three-day summit in Washington with leaders from 49 African nations. The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit was held as the United States is trying to counter the growing influence of China and Russia across the continent.
A Massacre in Peru: Death Toll Tops 17 as Protests Mount After Ouster & Jailing of President Castillo
Mass protests are intensifying in Peru following the ouster and jailing of President Pedro Castillo, who was impeached on December 7 after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. At least 17 protesters have been killed in the unrest as police have attacked crowds with tear gas and live ammunition.
CDC says long Covid has contributed to thousands of U.S. deaths
The agency’s report comes as Congress is considering whether to fund research and treatment.
‘The situation in the hospitals is grim’: States face brutal virus fallout
Nearly 30,000 people currently in the hospital have tested positive for Covid-19, up 30 percent since Thanksgiving.
U.S. inflation slowed sharply to 7.1 percent over past 12 months
Even with last month’s further easing of inflation, the Federal Reserve plans to keep raising interest rates.
Fed jacks up rates again but Powell hints it might slow down
Inflation has cooled only slightly and job growth remains strong.
Voters remain gloomy despite recent economic gains
A new POLITICO-Morning Consult poll suggests voters’ views of the economy are baked in.
U.S. economy returned to growth last quarter, expanding 2.6 percent
Housing investment, though, plunged at a 26 percent annual pace, hammered by surging mortgage rates.
Mumia Should Be Freed: A Sitting Trial Judge in Arkansas Appeals to Philly Judge to Drop Charges
This Friday, Mumia Abu-Jamal faces what could be his last chance for a new trial to consider newly discovered evidence that casts doubt on his 1982 conviction for murder. The journalist and former Black Panther has spent 41 years in prison for the death of police officer Daniel Faulkner, for which he has always maintained his innocence.
Slash the Pentagon Budget in Half & Abolish ICBMs: Dan Ellsberg on How to Avoid Nuclear Armageddon
As tension rises between the United States and Russia over Ukraine, we speak with Daniel Ellsberg, the famed Pentagon Papers whistleblower, who worked for years during the Cold War on nuclear war strategy within the U.S. national security establishment. He says the threat of a catastrophic nuclear war is intolerable, with intercontinental ballistic missiles posing the highest risk.
Nancy Pelosi Dings Donald Trump With Delicious 1-Liner During Meal Interview With CNN
The outgoing House Speaker also suggested there was “a need for an intervention” with the former president.
New York Post Tears Into ‘Con Artist’ Donald Trump… Again
“Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us 1,438 times, and it may finally be too much,” wrote the editorial board of the previously pro-Trump tabloid.
41 House Democrats Introduce Bill To Bar ‘Insurrectionist’ Trump From Presidency
The Constitution already bans any official who has violated their oath to defend the government or given aid to “enemies” from holding federal office again.
Republican Governor Says It’s Time To Leave Trump In The Rearview Mirror
“He’s done his time, he’s done his service, we’re moving on,” said New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.
Rep. Kinzinger Slams GOP For Sheltering ‘The Racist’ In Explosive House Farewell
The departing Republican lawmaker criticized the Republican National Committee’s vote to censure him over his participation in the Jan. 6 committee.
Thursday Night Massacre: Elon Musk indulges in a personal purge of journalists from Twitter
UPDATE: Friday, Dec 16, 2022 · 3:47:56 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
So far, nothing from @bariweiss or @mtaibbi on the banning of journalists from Twitter.— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) December 16, 2022
UPDATE: Friday, Dec 16, 2022 · 3:33:44 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Musk is now claiming that the journalists involved “posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates.
The entire internet is laughing at Trump’s ‘major’ announcement
Honestly, I was ready to get out my bowl of popcorn and relax when I learned that former President Donald Trump was making a “MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT.