Steve Benen
@stevebenen.com
Rachel Maddow Show producer, MaddowBlog author, MS NOW contributor, and author of Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past
After Russia invaded Ukraine, trade between Moscow and the West stopped, not just to punish Putin, but also to deny him the resources needed to help fuel the deadliest conflict in Europe since WWII.
Trump now claims he’s struck a deal to buy Russian fuel, which needs to be seen as a real scandal.
Trump now claims he’s struck a deal to buy Russian fuel, which needs to be seen as a real scandal.
Trump claims he’s reached a deal with Putin to buy Russian diesel
The president has created a scandalous dynamic in which the administration will provide resources to both sides of an ongoing and devastating war.
www.ms.now
October 9, 2026 at 7:39 PM
After Russia invaded Ukraine, trade between Moscow and the West stopped, not just to punish Putin, but also to deny him the resources needed to help fuel the deadliest conflict in Europe since WWII.
Trump now claims he’s struck a deal to buy Russian fuel, which needs to be seen as a real scandal.
Trump now claims he’s struck a deal to buy Russian fuel, which needs to be seen as a real scandal.
“His words are dangerous and incite hostility” seems like it’d more applicable to Trump calling on Minnesotans to “fight back” against their Somali-American neighbors.
"His words are dangerous and incite hostility" -- Markwayne Mullin is holding a news conference right now to attack Mayor Mamdani in the wake of an ICE shooting in NYC
October 9, 2026 at 1:37 PM
“His words are dangerous and incite hostility” seems like it’d more applicable to Trump calling on Minnesotans to “fight back” against their Somali-American neighbors.
Dear White House, if you’re going to base your entire election-season messaging around the words “socialism” and “communism,” you should at least have some basic understanding of their meaning.
Right now, you don’t.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Right now, you don’t.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
JD Vance tried to define ‘socialism.’ It did not go well.
“I don’t know what the term means anymore,” the vice president said, before proceeding to give it a try anyway.
www.ms.now
October 8, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Dear White House, if you’re going to base your entire election-season messaging around the words “socialism” and “communism,” you should at least have some basic understanding of their meaning.
Right now, you don’t.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Right now, you don’t.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump keeps claiming that, out of his deep and abiding concerns about propriety, he deliberately decided not to go after Obama, Biden, and Hillary Clinton.
He’s asking us to pretend we didn’t see the recent history that played out before our eyes.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
He’s asking us to pretend we didn’t see the recent history that played out before our eyes.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump scrambles to rewrite recent history on his efforts against Obama, Biden and Clinton
The president might be eager to brag about his perceived magnanimity, but he’s asking us to forget what we all saw with our own eyes.
www.ms.now
October 8, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Trump keeps claiming that, out of his deep and abiding concerns about propriety, he deliberately decided not to go after Obama, Biden, and Hillary Clinton.
He’s asking us to pretend we didn’t see the recent history that played out before our eyes.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
He’s asking us to pretend we didn’t see the recent history that played out before our eyes.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump is increasingly brazen in politicizing federal disaster relief, explicitly tying approvals to campaign endorsements and elections.
It’s one of the underappreciated scandals of his second term.
Or as one governor put it yesterday, it’s “complete and total bulls---.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s one of the underappreciated scandals of his second term.
Or as one governor put it yesterday, it’s “complete and total bulls---.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Ahead of the midterms, Trump isn’t even being subtle about politicizing disaster aid
The president’s latest move was so brazen that the governor of Wisconsin called Trump’s announcement “complete and total bulls---.”
www.ms.now
October 8, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Trump is increasingly brazen in politicizing federal disaster relief, explicitly tying approvals to campaign endorsements and elections.
It’s one of the underappreciated scandals of his second term.
Or as one governor put it yesterday, it’s “complete and total bulls---.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s one of the underappreciated scandals of his second term.
Or as one governor put it yesterday, it’s “complete and total bulls---.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If Pete Hegseth looks at what transpired aboard the USS Lincoln and thinks the real problem is with “a few folks in the media,” his relationship with reality is badly broken.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Even now, Hegseth tries to blame news organizations for the USS Lincoln scandal
If the secretary looks at what transpired aboard the carrier and thinks the real problem was “the media,” his relationship with reality is badly broken.
www.ms.now
October 8, 2026 at 1:57 PM
If Pete Hegseth looks at what transpired aboard the USS Lincoln and thinks the real problem is with “a few folks in the media,” his relationship with reality is badly broken.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
For years, even Democrats who liked Medicare for All assumed it was too unpopular to endorse.
It’s time for them to reassess: The latest KFF poll found 66% public support for Medicare for All, an all-time high. (It’s even increasingly popular among Republicans)
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s time for them to reassess: The latest KFF poll found 66% public support for Medicare for All, an all-time high. (It’s even increasingly popular among Republicans)
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
National poll shows unprecedented public support for Medicare for All
For years, Democrats feared that the reform lacked public support. A new survey suggests it’s time to reassess those assumptions.
www.ms.now
October 7, 2026 at 6:20 PM
For years, even Democrats who liked Medicare for All assumed it was too unpopular to endorse.
It’s time for them to reassess: The latest KFF poll found 66% public support for Medicare for All, an all-time high. (It’s even increasingly popular among Republicans)
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s time for them to reassess: The latest KFF poll found 66% public support for Medicare for All, an all-time high. (It’s even increasingly popular among Republicans)
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Team Trump is effectively saying it misappropriated $11.5 million in taxpayer money, but they're promising not to misuse any *additional* funds.
That’s nice, but there’s still the matter of the money that the White House already (and illegally) took from us.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
That’s nice, but there’s still the matter of the money that the White House already (and illegally) took from us.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
White House rejects calls for reimbursements on publicly funded campaign ads
Democrats Team Trump’s gambit as the “theft of public resources,” which comes with the expectations that the money must be paid back.
www.ms.now
October 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Team Trump is effectively saying it misappropriated $11.5 million in taxpayer money, but they're promising not to misuse any *additional* funds.
That’s nice, but there’s still the matter of the money that the White House already (and illegally) took from us.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
That’s nice, but there’s still the matter of the money that the White House already (and illegally) took from us.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Time will tell what, if anything, comes of Russia’s public-health threat, but the issue offers a timely reminder:
Putting the U.S. system in the hands of unqualified cranks and charlatans who’ve decimated our public-health infrastructure really wasn’t a smart idea.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Putting the U.S. system in the hands of unqualified cranks and charlatans who’ve decimated our public-health infrastructure really wasn’t a smart idea.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As Russia confronts a new public health threat, Team Trump doesn’t inspire confidence
We’re suddenly reminded why it’s unwise to put a nation’s public health infrastructure in the hands of those who cannot manage it responsibly.
www.ms.now
October 6, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Time will tell what, if anything, comes of Russia’s public-health threat, but the issue offers a timely reminder:
Putting the U.S. system in the hands of unqualified cranks and charlatans who’ve decimated our public-health infrastructure really wasn’t a smart idea.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Putting the U.S. system in the hands of unqualified cranks and charlatans who’ve decimated our public-health infrastructure really wasn’t a smart idea.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The White House said Trump’s super PAC will start paying for its propagandistic campaign ads “moving forward.”
But what about the millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been misused? Where’s the refund?
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But what about the millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been misused? Where’s the refund?
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Why Trump unexpectedly reversed course on taxpayer-funded campaign ads
The president is taking a step toward resolving an ongoing election-season scandal, but there are plenty of unanswered questions that need answers.
www.ms.now
October 6, 2026 at 1:02 PM
The White House said Trump’s super PAC will start paying for its propagandistic campaign ads “moving forward.”
But what about the millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been misused? Where’s the refund?
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But what about the millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been misused? Where’s the refund?
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If Trump’s approach to self-soothing involves lying about crowd sizes, so be it.
But when he declares publicly that journalists “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country,” I find it tough to shrug and look away.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But when he declares publicly that journalists “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country,” I find it tough to shrug and look away.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump says some journalists ‘should be arrested,’ escalating attack on free press
If the president wants to lie about crowd sizes, that’s pitiful. But when he talks about arresting reporters without cause, don’t look away.
www.ms.now
October 5, 2026 at 7:41 PM
If Trump’s approach to self-soothing involves lying about crowd sizes, so be it.
But when he declares publicly that journalists “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country,” I find it tough to shrug and look away.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But when he declares publicly that journalists “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country,” I find it tough to shrug and look away.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
On the economy, Trump spent last week arguing that he has little more than a “public relations” problem.
The latest job numbers make clear: He actually has a reality problem.
The latest job numbers make clear: He actually has a reality problem.
Job creation numbers:
"The blue columns point to Biden’s presidency, while the red columns point to Trump’s..."
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
"The blue columns point to Biden’s presidency, while the red columns point to Trump’s..."
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
October 5, 2026 at 6:29 PM
On the economy, Trump spent last week arguing that he has little more than a “public relations” problem.
The latest job numbers make clear: He actually has a reality problem.
The latest job numbers make clear: He actually has a reality problem.
Pressed on the latest awful job numbers, the White House’s Kevin Hassett said it’s unfair to emphasize one month’s data too much.
Fine. Let’s talk about the bigger picture — and just how ugly US job creation has been since Trump returned to office.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Fine. Let’s talk about the bigger picture — and just how ugly US job creation has been since Trump returned to office.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
October 5, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Pressed on the latest awful job numbers, the White House’s Kevin Hassett said it’s unfair to emphasize one month’s data too much.
Fine. Let’s talk about the bigger picture — and just how ugly US job creation has been since Trump returned to office.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Fine. Let’s talk about the bigger picture — and just how ugly US job creation has been since Trump returned to office.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
When Trump tried to bully Tom Cotton into submission by giving out his cell number, he offered timely evidence of a broader problem:
Nearly six years into his presidency, this guy still has no idea how to work with Congress or advance legislative priorities.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Nearly six years into his presidency, this guy still has no idea how to work with Congress or advance legislative priorities.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
With offensive against Tom Cotton, Trump picks the wrong fight at the wrong time
Eleven years into his political career, and nearly six years into his presidency, Trump still has no idea how to work with Congress.
www.ms.now
October 5, 2026 at 12:02 PM
When Trump tried to bully Tom Cotton into submission by giving out his cell number, he offered timely evidence of a broader problem:
Nearly six years into his presidency, this guy still has no idea how to work with Congress or advance legislative priorities.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Nearly six years into his presidency, this guy still has no idea how to work with Congress or advance legislative priorities.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Reposted by Steve Benen
The writers are not subtle
Just over the last few months:
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Decades later, Trump’s DOJ to review whether Nixon was mistreated during Watergate scandal
The DOJ is taking a fresh look at whether Nixon was some kind of victim — developments that would’ve seemed unthinkable a half-century ago.
www.ms.now
October 1, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The writers are not subtle
Remember yesterday when Trump announced a massive South Korean investment in Alaska, which the WH said was great news for Dan Sullivan?
A day later, South Korea “lodged a strong protest” with the admin, saying Trump’s announcement “went far beyond what was agreed.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
A day later, South Korea “lodged a strong protest” with the admin, saying Trump’s announcement “went far beyond what was agreed.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
South Korea pushes back against Trump’s claims about Alaska investments
The White House announced a Korean investment in an Alaskan pipeline project. The boast unraveled less than a day later.
www.ms.now
October 1, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Remember yesterday when Trump announced a massive South Korean investment in Alaska, which the WH said was great news for Dan Sullivan?
A day later, South Korea “lodged a strong protest” with the admin, saying Trump’s announcement “went far beyond what was agreed.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
A day later, South Korea “lodged a strong protest” with the admin, saying Trump’s announcement “went far beyond what was agreed.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
History in the making: Before launching military strikes abroad, Trump consulted ... a megadonor’s AI chatbot.
Of course, Trump didn’t need AI; he needed the patience to sit through a foreign policy meeting without falling asleep.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Of course, Trump didn’t need AI; he needed the patience to sit through a foreign policy meeting without falling asleep.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump reportedly sought input from Musk’s AI chatbot on military strikes
This was almost certainly the first time in U.S. history that a president consulted an AI chatbot about a provocative foreign policy gambit.
www.ms.now
October 1, 2026 at 7:46 PM
History in the making: Before launching military strikes abroad, Trump consulted ... a megadonor’s AI chatbot.
Of course, Trump didn’t need AI; he needed the patience to sit through a foreign policy meeting without falling asleep.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Of course, Trump didn’t need AI; he needed the patience to sit through a foreign policy meeting without falling asleep.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Just over the last few months:
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Decades later, Trump’s DOJ to review whether Nixon was mistreated during Watergate scandal
The DOJ is taking a fresh look at whether Nixon was some kind of victim — developments that would’ve seemed unthinkable a half-century ago.
www.ms.now
October 1, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Just over the last few months:
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- DOJ begins review of whether Nixon was a victim
- WH pardon attorney says Watergate was a CIA “hoax”
- WH chief of protocol says Nixon was the “target of a Deep State hoax”
- Vance celebrates Nixon “renaissance,” dismisses Watergate
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
When Time asked Trump whether he’d rule out declaring a state of emergency in the runup to the midterms, he should’ve said, “Of course that won't happen.”
Instead, he hedged.
Given the broader pattern, I find it tough to shrug off stuff like this.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Instead, he hedged.
Given the broader pattern, I find it tough to shrug off stuff like this.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump hedges when asked about using the Insurrection Act ahead of midterms
In light of his track record, it’s tough to shrug when he dodges a question about possibly declaring a state of emergency ahead of the elections.
www.ms.now
October 1, 2026 at 2:07 PM
When Time asked Trump whether he’d rule out declaring a state of emergency in the runup to the midterms, he should’ve said, “Of course that won't happen.”
Instead, he hedged.
Given the broader pattern, I find it tough to shrug off stuff like this.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Instead, he hedged.
Given the broader pattern, I find it tough to shrug off stuff like this.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Remember when Trump insisted that the Fed renovations were illegal? And sicced the DOJ on Jerome Powell?
First, a federal judge said this was nonsense — and then an inspector general investigation came to the same conclusion.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
First, a federal judge said this was nonsense — and then an inspector general investigation came to the same conclusion.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Inspector general investigation discredits Trump’s claims about Federal Reserve renovations
The findings concluded that investigators “did not identify administrative misconduct” or any “reasonable grounds” to think a crime had occurred.
www.ms.now
September 30, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Remember when Trump insisted that the Fed renovations were illegal? And sicced the DOJ on Jerome Powell?
First, a federal judge said this was nonsense — and then an inspector general investigation came to the same conclusion.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
First, a federal judge said this was nonsense — and then an inspector general investigation came to the same conclusion.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
After Trump used taxpayer money to air one of his literal campaign ads, FCC Chair Brendan Carr shrugged off the scandal, saying the propaganda was just a “normal PSA.”
It’s ridiculous to the point of being insulting. It’s as if these guys think Americans are idiots.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s ridiculous to the point of being insulting. It’s as if these guys think Americans are idiots.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
FCC’s Carr brushes off concerns about Trump’s taxpayer-paid election ads
To see literal campaign propaganda as “normal PSAs” is obviously preposterous — except to Trump’s FCC chair.
www.ms.now
September 30, 2026 at 8:15 PM
After Trump used taxpayer money to air one of his literal campaign ads, FCC Chair Brendan Carr shrugged off the scandal, saying the propaganda was just a “normal PSA.”
It’s ridiculous to the point of being insulting. It’s as if these guys think Americans are idiots.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
It’s ridiculous to the point of being insulting. It’s as if these guys think Americans are idiots.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The Democrats’ midterm message: Republicans are offering more of the same.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s midterm message: Yep, pretty much.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Speaker Mike Johnson’s midterm message: Yep, pretty much.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Democrats and Speaker Johnson agree: Republicans are offering voters more of the same
“What we would do in the next two years is exactly what we have been doing already,” the Louisiana Republican said, doing the GOP no favors.
www.ms.now
September 30, 2026 at 6:54 PM
The Democrats’ midterm message: Republicans are offering more of the same.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s midterm message: Yep, pretty much.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Speaker Mike Johnson’s midterm message: Yep, pretty much.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Was it funny to see the new White House AI chatbot, on its first day of operations, presenting the public with facts that completely contradicted Trump’s alternate reality and brazen lies?
Actually, yes, it was.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Actually, yes, it was.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
On its first day, the White House’s new AI chatbot causes embarrassing troubles for Trump
America.gov, which the president described as “damn good,” presented the public with facts that were wholly at odds with Trump’s alternate reality.
www.ms.now
September 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Was it funny to see the new White House AI chatbot, on its first day of operations, presenting the public with facts that completely contradicted Trump’s alternate reality and brazen lies?
Actually, yes, it was.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Actually, yes, it was.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Sept 29, 2015: Then-Rep. Jason Chaffetz hatches a “gotcha” plot against then-Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, humiliates himself, quickly moves on
Sept 29, 2026: Eric Schmitt hatches a “gotcha” plot against Jack Smith, humiliates himself, and doubles down
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Sept 29, 2026: Eric Schmitt hatches a “gotcha” plot against Jack Smith, humiliates himself, and doubles down
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
GOP’s Eric Schmitt keeps digging after falling into a ditch of his own making
There was a time when a senator in this situation would simply fess up and express some regret. The Missouri Republican chose a different path.
www.ms.now
September 30, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Sept 29, 2015: Then-Rep. Jason Chaffetz hatches a “gotcha” plot against then-Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, humiliates himself, quickly moves on
Sept 29, 2026: Eric Schmitt hatches a “gotcha” plot against Jack Smith, humiliates himself, and doubles down
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Sept 29, 2026: Eric Schmitt hatches a “gotcha” plot against Jack Smith, humiliates himself, and doubles down
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The last 2 weeks at FBI HQ:
- deputy director resigns in frustration
- veteran FBI counterterrorism supervisors demoted
- massive data hack
- Patel snubs FBI’s Canadian counterpart
- Patel struggles to explain lower professional standards
- Trump attacks FBI’s Butler probe
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- deputy director resigns in frustration
- veteran FBI counterterrorism supervisors demoted
- massive data hack
- Patel snubs FBI’s Canadian counterpart
- Patel struggles to explain lower professional standards
- Trump attacks FBI’s Butler probe
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As another deputy director resigns, Kash Patel’s FBI confronts even more chaos
The FBI will hopefully someday become a normal law enforcement institution again. That day, however, is not close.
www.ms.now
September 29, 2026 at 8:50 PM
The last 2 weeks at FBI HQ:
- deputy director resigns in frustration
- veteran FBI counterterrorism supervisors demoted
- massive data hack
- Patel snubs FBI’s Canadian counterpart
- Patel struggles to explain lower professional standards
- Trump attacks FBI’s Butler probe
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- deputy director resigns in frustration
- veteran FBI counterterrorism supervisors demoted
- massive data hack
- Patel snubs FBI’s Canadian counterpart
- Patel struggles to explain lower professional standards
- Trump attacks FBI’s Butler probe
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...