jonathan friedman
@jonathanfriedman.com
Media strategist and producer. Culture, news, and tech nerd. Semafor, Bad Robot, CAA, Obama White House, The Verge alum. USC Marshall, NYU Gallatin grad. Recovering tweeter @jonfriedman
Pinned
jonathan friedman
@jonathanfriedman.com
· Jun 30
NEW: The Supreme Court just delivered the most consequential campaign-finance decision since Citizens United.
And it is going to deliver a crucial financial edge to Republicans in the 2026 midterms.
The backstory, the decision, the fallout —>
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/u...
And it is going to deliver a crucial financial edge to Republicans in the 2026 midterms.
The backstory, the decision, the fallout —>
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/u...
The Supreme Court Just Gave the G.O.P. a New Midterm Edge
www.nytimes.com
Ban dark money
Ban unlimited political spending
Ban AI video and deep-fakes in political ads
Ban gerrymandering
Ban unlimited political spending
Ban AI video and deep-fakes in political ads
Ban gerrymandering
Reposted by jonathan friedman
They're holding up a major escalation in Iran and a crackdown on abortion until after the midterms to limit political damage.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
SCOOP: White House officials, led by Susie Wiles, have told DOJ to delay any abortion-related action until after the midterms
Wiles suggested to Todd Blanche that an aggressive approach on abortion would be negative for the GOP in November
@washingtonsun.com
www.washingtonsun.com/campaigns/ab...
Wiles suggested to Todd Blanche that an aggressive approach on abortion would be negative for the GOP in November
@washingtonsun.com
www.washingtonsun.com/campaigns/ab...
White House Officials Told the DOJ to Delay Action on Abortion Ahead of the Midterms
Attorney General Todd Blanche has moved slowly in abortion pill litigation and department officials have told advocates to wait until after the election.
www.washingtonsun.com
October 2, 2026 at 1:20 PM
They're holding up a major escalation in Iran and a crackdown on abortion until after the midterms to limit political damage.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
Reposted by jonathan friedman
CNN on the last jobs report before the midterms: "It came in cold -- surprisingly cold. Job growth weaker than expected, unemployment unexpectedly went up, and paychecks aren't keeping up with prices. This was disappointing all around."
October 2, 2026 at 12:57 PM
CNN on the last jobs report before the midterms: "It came in cold -- surprisingly cold. Job growth weaker than expected, unemployment unexpectedly went up, and paychecks aren't keeping up with prices. This was disappointing all around."
Reposted by jonathan friedman
Voter registration deadlines are SUNDAY in Alaska, Rhode Island, South Carolina.
And MONDAY in: Arizona, Arkansas Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and *Texas*.
If you live in these states, verify your registration now, literally.
And MONDAY in: Arizona, Arkansas Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and *Texas*.
If you live in these states, verify your registration now, literally.
October 2, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Voter registration deadlines are SUNDAY in Alaska, Rhode Island, South Carolina.
And MONDAY in: Arizona, Arkansas Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and *Texas*.
If you live in these states, verify your registration now, literally.
And MONDAY in: Arizona, Arkansas Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and *Texas*.
If you live in these states, verify your registration now, literally.
Reposted by jonathan friedman
actually relevant updates on station screens? announcements you're able to clearly hear and understand??? a brave new world awaits the MTA, @timdonnelly.com reports nygroove.nyc/the-mta-is-a...
The MTA is actually looking at using those screens for more than advertising
The agency sent out a call for 'next-generation' tech that would make it easier to update riders
nygroove.nyc
October 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM
actually relevant updates on station screens? announcements you're able to clearly hear and understand??? a brave new world awaits the MTA, @timdonnelly.com reports nygroove.nyc/the-mta-is-a...
Reposted by jonathan friedman
I wrote about the campus sexual assault crisis that never went away despite the public moving on after the Obama era; the material ways SA punishes victims the rest of their lives while assailants are systematically rewarded; and just tried to put to words what I think is going unsaid right now:
The Campus Sexual Assault Crisis Never Went Away
At Cornell, a district attorney dismissed an alleged rape case without ever speaking to Jane Doe—and her story is all too common.
www.currentaffairs.org
October 2, 2026 at 12:02 AM
I wrote about the campus sexual assault crisis that never went away despite the public moving on after the Obama era; the material ways SA punishes victims the rest of their lives while assailants are systematically rewarded; and just tried to put to words what I think is going unsaid right now:
Very brief but good write-up on the history and various meanings of “Zionism” — aka why using it ad a catch-all is probably a bad idea
Excellent article by @dovwaxman.bsky.social on the many meanings of Zionism, as used by different people, in different times
theconversation.com/what-is-zion...
theconversation.com/what-is-zion...
What is Zionism? The different meanings of a contested term
Zionism’s definition may seem simple, but it’s been debated for more than a century. In reality, there are multiple ‘Zionisms,’ not just one.
theconversation.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Very brief but good write-up on the history and various meanings of “Zionism” — aka why using it ad a catch-all is probably a bad idea
To say this w his whole chest while LeBron takes millions and does ads for Polymarket… respect
Need more morals like this, less cash grabs
Need more morals like this, less cash grabs
In a stance that puts him at odds with other notable NBA stars, Victor Wembanyama says he would never lend his name to FanDuel, Polymarket or any other sports betting site.
“Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it,” he said.
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
“Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it,” he said.
www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...
Would Victor Wembanyama ever endorse FanDuel or Polymarket? Don't bet on it
In a stance that puts him at odds with other NBA stars, the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama says he would never lend his name to a sports betting site
www.expressnews.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:08 AM
To say this w his whole chest while LeBron takes millions and does ads for Polymarket… respect
Need more morals like this, less cash grabs
Need more morals like this, less cash grabs
Reposted by jonathan friedman
because it's a facially and formally neutral rule that nevertheless does racism
he means black people with shaving waivers, because black folks physically can't do the clean shaven thing the way white people can without skin irritation. at least some portion of the time.
why this is important to him is unclear.
why this is important to him is unclear.
October 2, 2026 at 12:42 AM
because it's a facially and formally neutral rule that nevertheless does racism
Reposted by jonathan friedman
it continues to absolutely boggle my mind how few people realize that refineries in the US Rockies, Plains, Midwest/Great Lakes rely so heavily on millions of barrels of Canadian crude oil *every day* and have since the 1950s
October 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
it continues to absolutely boggle my mind how few people realize that refineries in the US Rockies, Plains, Midwest/Great Lakes rely so heavily on millions of barrels of Canadian crude oil *every day* and have since the 1950s
Reposted by jonathan friedman
In July, I led several Senators in a request to the Secretary of the Air Force to disclose how much money is being stolen from taxpayers to pay for Trump’s luxury Qatari jet.
Today I got a reply. 100 words. Telling Congress to screw off.
Can’t wait for a Democratic Senate!
Today I got a reply. 100 words. Telling Congress to screw off.
Can’t wait for a Democratic Senate!
October 1, 2026 at 8:26 PM
In July, I led several Senators in a request to the Secretary of the Air Force to disclose how much money is being stolen from taxpayers to pay for Trump’s luxury Qatari jet.
Today I got a reply. 100 words. Telling Congress to screw off.
Can’t wait for a Democratic Senate!
Today I got a reply. 100 words. Telling Congress to screw off.
Can’t wait for a Democratic Senate!
Worst part about this jackass being president and leader of one of our two national parties is we can’t tackle real problems
Trump on global warming: "That didn't work out because the planet got cooler. In fact, you know the ice that was melting? It right now just set a record. It's the biggest ice cube that's ever been in the history of the world ... they're doing the scam with data centers, by the way."
October 2, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Worst part about this jackass being president and leader of one of our two national parties is we can’t tackle real problems
Reposted by jonathan friedman
AP-NORC poll: 71% of U.S. adults disapprove of how Trump is handling Iran. 69% say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting.
October 1, 2026 at 11:50 PM
AP-NORC poll: 71% of U.S. adults disapprove of how Trump is handling Iran. 69% say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting.
El-Sayed is very good at this
I'd rather have an economy that makes 1,000 millionaires than 1 billionaire.
October 2, 2026 at 7:58 AM
El-Sayed is very good at this
Nobody wants this
October 2, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Nobody wants this
Reposted by jonathan friedman
these are our pianos, not theirs! I know this stuff can feel secondary with all of the immediate pain this admin causes, but in the face of such personalism, it also feels important to assert the democratic principle that these cultural inheritances don't belong to the president, they belong to us
Y'all I just caught the Kennedy Center claiming it isn't closing while telling vendors it's closing and now they're selling all of their Steinway pianos
www.alternet.org/alternet-exc...
www.alternet.org/alternet-exc...
Kennedy Center moves to sell all of its Steinway pianos
Photos show piano movers rolling massive Steinway grand pianos through the red-carpeted halls of the Kennedy Center this week.
www.alternet.org
October 1, 2026 at 8:20 PM
these are our pianos, not theirs! I know this stuff can feel secondary with all of the immediate pain this admin causes, but in the face of such personalism, it also feels important to assert the democratic principle that these cultural inheritances don't belong to the president, they belong to us
Reposted by jonathan friedman
CSPAN: “We should mention that Senator Schmitt was supposed to appear on this program with Sen. Coons but he pulled out the day after that hearing.”
October 1, 2026 at 11:31 PM
CSPAN: “We should mention that Senator Schmitt was supposed to appear on this program with Sen. Coons but he pulled out the day after that hearing.”
Reposted by jonathan friedman
Legal folks, how is this "defying Democrats" and not "illegally misappropriating funds"?
October 2, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Legal folks, how is this "defying Democrats" and not "illegally misappropriating funds"?
Reposted by jonathan friedman
News: Studio chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are out at Warner Bros. No, it wasn't just DIGGER. Details in tonight's
@puck.news What I'm Hearing... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-mike-and...
@puck.news What I'm Hearing... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-mike-and...
The Mike & Pam Era at Warner Bros. Is Ending
Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have run Warner Bros.’ film division with a big-swing mentality that brought artistic highs, a punishing 2026, and… Digger. With the 103-year-old studio set to merge with Paramount, and David Ellison’s debt load to manage, the pair, sources say, won’t be running the show.
puck.news
October 2, 2026 at 4:47 AM
News: Studio chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are out at Warner Bros. No, it wasn't just DIGGER. Details in tonight's
@puck.news What I'm Hearing... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-mike-and...
@puck.news What I'm Hearing... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-mike-and...
Today in smart campaigning… @nithyaforthecity.bsky.social doing @lucasshaw.bsky.social’s Screentime conference
Watch Nithya Raman on Plan for Jobs in Hollywood - Bloomberg
Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman discusses her plans for Hollywood and the city’s creative economy with Bloomberg’s Sarah McGregor at Bloomberg Screentime 2026 in Los Angeles
www.bloomberg.com
October 1, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Today in smart campaigning… @nithyaforthecity.bsky.social doing @lucasshaw.bsky.social’s Screentime conference
Reposted by jonathan friedman
Love being ruled by these people
"He's gonna fix it. Believe in him ... all the abortion, it's evil ... I want to see 2 people -- Trump & Jesus...we do not want Muslims taking over...I have horrible thoughts. I don't think they should be here. This isn't their country...they need to pack up & go back where they came from."
October 1, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Love being ruled by these people
Reposted by jonathan friedman
And what real man wants to be on a platform filled with GIRLS?!?! EW GROSS
October 1, 2026 at 8:01 PM
And what real man wants to be on a platform filled with GIRLS?!?! EW GROSS
Reposted by jonathan friedman
i also just have to say that pointing at a falling down barn while bragging about how fewer people are coming to america is about the perfect encapsulation of how MAGA believes in making america smaller and weaker
When the US State Department is doing such great work to project a friendly American face to the world, it’s a total mystery why fewer people are choosing to visit.
October 1, 2026 at 12:58 PM
i also just have to say that pointing at a falling down barn while bragging about how fewer people are coming to america is about the perfect encapsulation of how MAGA believes in making america smaller and weaker
Reposted by jonathan friedman
Voters will be glad to see Trump laser-focused on issues of affordability as stratospheric gas prices continue to hit consumers walle— … wait, what?
“.. The department is reviewing whether the special prosecutor’s office that investigated the famed Watergate break-in committed misconduct ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
October 1, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Voters will be glad to see Trump laser-focused on issues of affordability as stratospheric gas prices continue to hit consumers walle— … wait, what?
Reminder that on almost all big issues, the bipartisan majority position is the Democrat position
Latest WSJ poll:
"63% want to pause AI development
61% want a billionaire wealth tax
59% want Medicare for All
57% want a $20 minimum wage
58% want to end U.S. military aid to Israel"
This is the center of the country politically. it is time all adjust to this political spectrum, esp. media.
"63% want to pause AI development
61% want a billionaire wealth tax
59% want Medicare for All
57% want a $20 minimum wage
58% want to end U.S. military aid to Israel"
This is the center of the country politically. it is time all adjust to this political spectrum, esp. media.
October 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Reminder that on almost all big issues, the bipartisan majority position is the Democrat position
Reposted by jonathan friedman
Man, imagine you're minding your own business, getting kind of drunk with your friends at a picturesque brewery in Maine, when suddenly John Roberts walks by and you get to start heckling him. Must have felt incredible. That's the dream. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
October 1, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Man, imagine you're minding your own business, getting kind of drunk with your friends at a picturesque brewery in Maine, when suddenly John Roberts walks by and you get to start heckling him. Must have felt incredible. That's the dream. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...