The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The Rich Get Richer and the Deplorables Pay for the Bailout

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2299 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Policy Government Inflation Bailout
  1. Rich hedge fund managers and venture capitalists are profiting while the Deplorables in MAGA Land suffer economically.
  2. Biden's regime is bailing out the US banking sector, burdening the Deplorables with trillions in debt and fueling inflation.
  3. Biden's policies, such as canceling pipelines and excessive government spending, are contributing to cost-push and demand-pull inflation, creating stagflationary forces.

Uri Berliner: What Congress Should Ask NPR’s Chief

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2837 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Policy Public Broadcasting Political Trust Journalism Ethics Congress Oversight
  1. Public radio needs to address its decline in trust among listeners, as many feel it has become biased and focused too much on specific issues.
  2. There have been missteps in covering important stories, such as dismissing the lab leak theory and overlooking the Hunter Biden laptop story.
  3. If NPR wants continued support from taxpayers, leaders should be ready to answer some tough questions about their approach to news coverage.

Financial Big Brother is Watching You

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8813 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Financial regulation Free speech
  1. Financial institutions are using transaction data to monitor for 'extremism indicators' like certain purchases or travel patterns.
  2. Financial surveillance, enhanced by AI, allows institutions to create detailed profiles of individuals and potentially restrict their access to financial services.
  3. The rise of 'political credit scores' may lead to non-illegal behaviors being punished effectively, similar to how speech is censored.

On the open-borders insanity of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show

Unreported Truths • 56 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Media Culture war Public Opinion Identity politics Entertainment
  1. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was overtly political, pushing a pro-immigration message and using deliberately provocative imagery that went farther than past NFL protests.
  2. Much of the mainstream media downplayed or mischaracterized the performance as simply joyful entertainment, failing to acknowledge its clear political content.
  3. The intentionally provocative nature of the show could alienate viewers and energize critics, potentially worsening public sentiment against open-borders advocates.
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Chartbook 349 Scholasticides

Chartbook • 2846 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Cultural Issues International relations
  1. Cultural genocide is often part of larger genocidal plans. To erase a culture, you have to destroy its education and learning systems.
  2. Scholasticide, which targets educational institutions, can both support genocide and stand alone as an attack on a society's future.
  3. In conflicts like those in Gaza and Sudan, education systems face extreme challenges. The destruction in Gaza is unmatched, impacting universities and severing communication for students and educators.

As Duncan Black Says, Time for Another WebLogger Ethics Panel!

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 184 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Ethics Elites Corruption Political culture Journalism
  1. Many elites who promote meritocracy often display poor ethical standards, which undermines the idea that society is run by merit.
  2. Journalists and public intellectuals who hide or downplay personal ties to controversial figures damage their credibility and make conspiracy thinking more likely.
  3. Secretive elite gatherings and destroyed or concealed guest lists help normalize problematic people and shield powerful actors from accountability.

📉 🔙 Another terrible degrowth argument

Faster, Please! • 1188 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Capitalism Environmental Policy Inequality
  1. Many argue that growth in capitalism leads to exploitation, using resources without paying their true costs. This means companies benefit from cheap labor and the environment while ignoring the environmental harm they cause.
  2. Some believe the solution is to reduce production and consumption, especially in wealthy nations, to help the planet and reduce inequality. They suggest changing how we measure success to include ecological and social factors, not just money.
  3. Critics think this view misunderstands how economies grow and improve over time. They argue that real progress comes from understanding the benefits of growth rather than seeing it as harmful.

“Senator, Saying It Doesn't Make It True”

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Insurance Issues Political Discourse Government Accountability
  1. The health insurance industry often uses certain lawmakers to protect their profits when faced with regulatory changes. This means politicians sometimes reinforce misleading talking points to serve big insurance companies.
  2. Senator Kennedy challenged Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra with claims about Medicare Advantage savings that are based on questionable research. These figures have been promoted by the insurance industry to create a positive image of their plans.
  3. Becerra pushed back against Kennedy's claims, stating that funding for Medicare Advantage has increased, countering the argument that the administration is cutting funds. This highlights the ongoing debate over the true costs and benefits of these healthcare plans.

Odds and ends

The Watch • 366 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Legal issues Criminal Justice Podcasts Media influence
  1. The investigation into Jordan Silverman was recognized by the Columbia Journalism Review and sparked discussions in online forums, leading to some apologies.
  2. New episodes of the podcast 'Collateral Damage' cover significant cases of wrongful deaths due to drug war policies, showing their ongoing relevance today.
  3. The latest episode highlights the tragic story of Veronica and Charity Bowers, connecting past events to current issues with drug policy and government actions.

I Can’t Believe Calling Him Hitler Didn’t Work

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4091 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Commentary Public Opinion Political History Campaign strategies
  1. People are surprised that calling someone 'Hitler' doesn't always change opinions. This shows that extreme labeling may not impact how others vote or think.
  2. Some fear that Americans might elect a controversial or criminal figure as president. This reflects concerns about the current political climate and choices.
  3. The situation highlights a deeper debate about political tactics and their effectiveness. Some tactics may backfire or become less relatable in real-life decision-making.

America still needs Canadian oil. Here's why

Material World • 2899 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Energy Policy International relations Oil industry
  1. The US relies heavily on Canadian oil, with Canada providing around 61% of its oil imports. This shows that even though the US produces a lot of oil, it still needs oil from other countries like Canada.
  2. American refineries are designed to process heavy oil, which is mostly sourced from Canada. This creates a unique situation where even though the US is an oil producer, it still heavily imports due to refinery needs.
  3. If tariffs on Canadian oil increase, the US might have to look for heavy oil from countries like Venezuela or Russia, which could lead to more complicated geopolitical issues.

How the 'Epstein Class' Fails to the Top | The Chris Hedges Report (w/ Anand Giridharadas)

The Chris Hedges Report • 172 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elites Inequality Corporate Power Philanthropy Government Regulation Corruption
  1. A powerful elite has recast itself as the solution to social problems, using philanthropy, tech and conferences to claim moral authority while protecting the existing system and their own power.
  2. The rise of consulting and finance mindsets treats efficiency as everything, stripping human connection and hollowing out public institutions so people suffer while profits rise.
  3. A tight global network of elites trades access and inside information and routinely looks away from harm, prioritizing its permanence and members over accountability or the common good.

A Mom Asked for Public School Board Records. They Charged Her $33 Million.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3426 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Transparency Public Policy Legal issues Civil Rights
  1. Parents are increasingly suing schools to find out what their children are learning. This shows a demand for transparency in education.
  2. Some schools are responding by suing parents to silence them. This creates a conflict between parents' rights to know and schools' desire to keep information private.
  3. A mom was quoted a shocking amount of over $33 million to access public school records. This highlights how expensive and complicated it can be to get information from schools.

How New York Became a Hotbed of Chinese Meddling

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 222 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign influence State Politics National Security Campaigns Political parties
  1. Rep. Elise Stefanik says Governor Kathy Hochul has allowed the Chinese Communist Party to gain widespread political influence in New York, and she escalated the claim by co-writing a formal letter with Rep. Jim Jordan.
  2. Lawmakers allege New York has become a national epicenter for CCP election interference, political intimidation, and systematic violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and other federal laws.
  3. They argue growing evidence means state and federal authorities must take aggressive, coordinated action, and the dispute has intensified as officials prepare for the upcoming governor’s race.

Affirmative Action's Demise and Higher Education

Glenn’s Substack • 2260 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Higher education Supreme Court Diversity
  1. The Supreme Court ruling against Harvard and UNC impacts diversity and affirmative action practices in higher education.
  2. The Court previously deferred to universities on the compelling interest of diversity, but now requires limits within the constitution.
  3. Higher education's declining reputation may lead to less favorable treatment in the judiciary system.

The New Issue Of JOHNSTONE: A Stark Raving Mad Society

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 973 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Media Critique Activism Social Issues Public Opinion
  1. The latest issue of JOHNSTONE focuses on the madness of today's society, highlighting hypocrisy and social issues. It encourages readers to think critically about what they're being told.
  2. Piers Morgan is criticized for his approach to controversial topics and the way he frames discussions on important issues. The article suggests that his style adds to societal problems.
  3. There's a call to recognize the severity of situations like the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the need for humility and awareness among those who may have misunderstood the issues before.

America This Week, Friday, November 8th, 2024 Livestream: Election Week Postmortem, 10 am ET

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 3952 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Political Commentary Media Current Events
  1. There will be a live discussion about the recent elections on November 8, 2024. It's a chance to go over what happened during the election week.
  2. The show is hosted by Walter Kirn and Matt Taibbi. Viewers can tune in to hear their insights and analysis.
  3. The livestream is open to everyone and will take place at 10 am ET. People are encouraged to join for this special event.

Deb's petition against the NZ Midwifery Council’s dog of a revised Scope of Practice gets presented to Parliament.

A B’Old Woman • 639 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Trans issues Political Activism
  1. Deb Hayes has presented a petition to Parliament against changes made by the NZ Midwifery Council. She wants to investigate why the words 'woman' and 'baby' were removed from important documents.
  2. Two MPs supported Deb during her petition presentation, showing they are willing to engage with controversial topics. This kind of support is pretty rare these days.
  3. The Midwifery Council quickly updated their Scope of Practice document after learning about the petition. This raised concerns about transparency and the process used to create such documents.

Britain still isn't moving fast enough

Odds and Ends of History • 1474 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Government Democracy Transport Policy
  1. Building infrastructure in Britain is taking way too long, with projects like HS2 getting pushed back to 2036 or later. This is frustrating for people who want improvements now.
  2. Despite the government announcing plans to speed things up, the actual timelines for construction are still disheartening. Many projects won't be finished until 2040 or later.
  3. There's a disconnect between politicians making infrastructure decisions and seeing real changes in communities. Voters deserve to see results during their elected leaders' terms.

Bill Maher Humiliates Himself In Effort To Defend Climate Change Policies

Unmasked • 39 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Climate Policy Media Critique Partisan Politics Public Opinion Political elites
  1. He often plays a contrarian voice on the left, criticizing the Democratic Party and inviting guests from across the political spectrum.
  2. He loudly rejects "woke" ideas and calls out issues like allowing males to compete in women’s sports.
  3. Despite those positions, he displays a self-serving sense of superiority and seems to struggle when defending climate change policy, treating it like a personal obsession.

Of course it’s a coup

Thinking about... • 2652 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Coup Government Power Digital Rights
  1. A coup can be digital, not just physical. Instead of armed men storming buildings, a group can gain power through technology and access to government systems.
  2. When someone who isn't elected, like Elon Musk, gains control over important government functions, it threatens democracy. It undermines our rights and makes our votes irrelevant.
  3. Recognizing and resisting this type of coup is crucial. It's important to defend our democratic systems against any form of control that chips away at our rights.

Donald Trump Is The Empire Unmasked

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2947 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Government Presidency Foreign Policy Public Opinion
  1. Trump openly talks about the U.S. being an empire run by wealthy elites. He doesn't shy away from admitting the truth about America's global ambitions.
  2. Unlike other politicians, Trump openly reveals the darker side of U.S. foreign policy. This makes it harder for the government to hide its intentions.
  3. The more people see the real actions of the empire, the less they believe the propaganda. This awareness could potentially lead to positive change in society.

Corporate media is catching up: Trump is weak, economy is strong

The Signorile Report • 1418 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Economy Republican party Political Analysis
  1. Corporate media is acknowledging Trump's weakness and the strong economy in contrast to earlier narratives.
  2. Trump's representation as an incumbent, not a newcomer, is highlighted by media reports which could impact the 2024 election.
  3. Beltway reporters are recognizing positive feelings about the economy and how it could influence the election narrative.

Welcome to Hamassachusetts

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2652 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antisemitism Education Legislation Activism Public Policy
  1. There is a growing concern about antisemitism in Massachusetts public schools. Lawmakers are highlighting this issue during discussions and hearings.
  2. A recent event featured a state representative showing a folded dollar bill as a symbol of antisemitism, sparking reactions from teachers and union leaders.
  3. The leader of the Massachusetts Teachers Association did not make a judgment when asked if that imagery was antisemitic, reflecting a complex conversation around these topics.

The Hamas Mafia

Diane Francis • 1738 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Terrorism Corruption International relations Middle East
  1. Hamas leaders live a lavish lifestyle far from the conflict, while they exploit the people of Gaza for their own wealth. They collect taxes on smuggled goods and skim donations meant for the needy.
  2. The unemployment rate in Gaza is extremely high, and most people live in poverty. Despite winning elections in 2007, Hamas has not delivered on promises of better living conditions, but instead, they persist in conflict.
  3. Hamas operates like a criminal organization, focusing on financial gain through warfare and corruption. Their actions harm the very people they claim to represent, and the global community needs to take action against these corrupt regimes.

Indifference to Woke Isn't Enough

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3950 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political trends Party Dynamics Election Strategies Activism
  1. Democrats need to actively confront woke activists, not just ignore them, to gain people's trust on social issues. Simply being indifferent won't work.
  2. Many voters are concerned about wokeness impacting Democratic policies, especially around identity issues like sports and affirmative action. This shows that people connect these views with the party as a whole.
  3. Political parties are made up of different groups, and changing one leader's image won't change the party's values overnight. The overall coalition matters more in the long run.

EXCLUSIVE: New Files Show Brazil’s Supreme Court Illegally Used Social Media Posts To Frame Pro-Bolsonaro Protesters As Insurrectionists

Michael Shellenberger • 905 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial Power Political speech Civil Liberties Election Integrity
  1. Brazil's Supreme Court used social media posts to label pro-Bolsonaro protesters as insurrectionists. This raises serious questions about the fairness of these actions.
  2. Leaked documents show that many individuals were imprisoned based on their political beliefs or expressions, rather than any violent actions. This suggests political motives behind their arrests.
  3. The investigation into the January 8 events was marked by favoritism and a lack of proper legal procedures, undermining the rule of law and civil liberties in Brazil.

The Elon-Trump Bromance Crashes and Burns

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1474 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political alliances Government Relations Elections
  1. Elon Musk and Donald Trump's friendship has ended after Musk criticized a spending bill, showing how quickly political alliances can change.
  2. Musk's goal to cut waste and fraud in government often clashed with Trump's administration, leading to conflicts and dissatisfaction.
  3. Musk's interests in areas like immigration and economic policy never fully matched Trump’s platform, making their partnership difficult from the start.

Facebook’s Fact-Checkers Changed the Way I See Tech—and Speech—Forever

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3093 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Big Tech Media influence Censorship Social media
  1. Fact-checking on social media can drastically affect the visibility of certain stories. Sometimes, a story can go viral and then suddenly lose all traction because it's flagged as misinformation.
  2. There are alternative theories about major events, like Covid's origins, that may be dismissed initially but can gain credibility over time. It's important to keep an open mind to different viewpoints.
  3. The way tech companies manage information can shape public discourse and control which narratives are heard. This raises questions about free speech and the power of online platforms.

Institutionalists and Brokenists, Continued

In My Tribe • 911 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Political parties Activism Electoral Politics
  1. There are two main groups discussing the state of institutions: Institutionalists, who want to improve flawed systems, and Brokenists, who think radical changes are necessary. The Institutionalists believe that though there are issues, destroying everything isn't the answer.
  2. The center-left is struggling to appeal to both traditional voters and more extreme activists. They face challenges in balancing their party's direction and keeping support from both groups as they feel tensions rising.
  3. Social justice movements have caused fractures in various sectors, including education and media, leading to distrust in these institutions. Some believe these issues can only be resolved with significant changes, like shifting education to focus on merit rather than entitlement.

Poster Children of Gaza’s Hunger Crisis Are Actually Suffering from Other Illnesses. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 867 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics News & Media Foreign affairs Health Policy Social Issues Political Commentary
  1. Some kids in Gaza shown in the news as starving actually have serious health issues, not just hunger. This shows how reports can sometimes mix facts and feelings.
  2. A monk's backlash against Egypt is highlighting issues for Christians in the region. It suggests their struggles are part of a bigger pattern of religious tension.
  3. People are discussing sperm donation more openly now, as the industry needs changes to better serve those looking to start families.

The Canadians Who Say: ‘Trump, Take My Country—Please!’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3227 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Opinion International relations National Identity Elections Media
  1. Some Canadians feel so frustrated with their country that they joke about wanting to become part of the United States. They believe life has become stagnant and see more opportunities in America.
  2. People like Ryan Hemsley express a longing for change and believe that becoming the 51st state could bring a fresh start and revitalization.
  3. Discontent with the current political leadership in Canada is leading some to fantasize about a different kind of future under the U.S. government.

ACX Local Voting Guides

Astral Codex Ten • 4198 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Local Politics Political parties
  1. Local voting guides are available for various cities, helping voters understand their options. Each city offers unique insights and recommendations based on local issues.
  2. Cities like Austin and Boston have put a lot of thought into their guides, even discussing candidates who may not fit typical party lines. This can help voters make better choices.
  3. Voting decisions can be influenced by community discussions and guides, highlighting important issues and candidate positions in a way that's easy to digest.

Sex Ratios, Rioting, Marijuana

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1401 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Drug policy Civil Unrest Gender Studies
  1. Women with stay-at-home husbands tend to feel less happy than when their husbands work full-time. Men losing jobs might make them face a higher risk of divorce compared to women.
  2. Attractiveness can help social scientists earn more from speaking engagements, while unattractiveness may actually work in favor of natural scientists because people think they do better work.
  3. Some claims suggest that legal marijuana would lower opioid use. However, recent reviews indicate it might actually increase the rates of opioid-related deaths instead.

Pardon the Corruption

Can We Still Govern? • 254 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Criminal Justice Corruption Electoral Politics Foreign Policy Rule of Law
  1. Pardons are being doled out for loyalty, money, and political favors instead of following normal DOJ criteria, with a partisan political appointee running the pardon office.
  2. The effect is a two-tier justice system where the rich and connected escape punishment, victims lose restitution, and prosecutions and investigations are weakened or dropped.
  3. This creates impunity and hypocrisy: the administration uses law enforcement aggressively against opponents while shielding allies, turning the law into a tool for corruption.

They Call It Unconstitutional, But Don't Impeach

husseini • 1257 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Impeachment Congress Foreign Policy War Powers
  1. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have called Biden's bombing of Yemen unconstitutional, but no one is pursuing impeachment.
  2. Impeachment is a significant legal remedy that can be used by Congress to address presidential actions that are unconstitutional.
  3. Even with just one member of Congress, introducing an impeachment resolution can have a significant impact on the conversation and uphold the rule of law.