The hottest Presidency Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Manifest Destiny Returns

Alex Danco's Newsletter • 252 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. American Exceptionalism means the U.S. sees its values as universal and acts with a moral purpose in the world. This belief makes it different from other nations that focus mainly on national interests.
  2. The idea of Manifest Destiny allowed America to expand its influence without feeling guilty about using power, framing it as if it were a domestic issue. This helps to justify aggressive policies while maintaining a sense of moral superiority.
  3. Recent tariffs on neighboring countries are seen as a strategy to strengthen America's negotiation power and unify its goals domestically. It treats trade policies as matters of national authority, boosting support from Americans who want to see stronger actions taken.
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The Art of the Deal: Trump defies past paradigms to secure better terms for America

The Dossier • 232 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Trump uses flexible and aggressive negotiating strategies, breaking past norms to get better deals for America. He believes in leveraging various tools like bluffing and urgency during negotiations.
  2. He does not shy away from using strong tactics, even against traditional allies, to ensure America gets a good deal. This includes imposing tariffs or making bold statements to create pressure.
  3. Trump's approach to foreign affairs is pragmatic and strategic, leaving his negotiating partners off-balance. He focuses on achieving the best outcome for the United States, regardless of previous political ideologies.

I’m Begging the Media to Start Unpacking the Word “We”

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Reporters should stop using vague "we" and clearly say which actor is doing something or benefiting — the government, a private company, or ordinary people.
  2. Political rhetoric and friendly coverage often blur governments, companies, and citizens, making it sound like the public will directly gain from deals when usually firms or foreign states do.
  3. Precise language matters for accountability and public understanding, so journalists should unpack who actually acts or profits even if it won’t sway the most partisan audiences.

America's First Black President Left A Legacy Of Slavery

Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey • 880 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. America's first black president left a legacy of slavery in Africa due to regime change in Libya.
  2. Obama's war power hypocrisy was evident in his actions in Libya, contrary to his earlier stance on military attacks.
  3. The intervention in Libya was based on false pretenses, such as claims of an imminent genocide in Benghazi, and served various ulterior motives.

Slouching Towards Trump

Silver Bulletin • 538 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Donald Trump is expected to win the Republican caucuses in Iowa.
  2. Despite early competition, Trump's main challengers like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley are struggling.
  3. People are not treating a potential Trump re-election as a high-stakes situation.

Who Will Be Our First Woman President?

Study Marry Kill • 117 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Kamala Harris, as the first woman elected vice president, opens up possibilities for the first woman president
  2. Women in fictional and real-life political scenarios challenge traditional presidential expectations
  3. The legacy of Gerald Ford reveals insight into the potential for a woman to become president

Trump's Colonial Adventure

Theory Matters • 7 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Reviving old imperial ideas like the Monroe Doctrine is a nostalgic 'second act' that doesn't match today's world and risks being ineffective or counterproductive.
  2. The push to intervene in places like Venezuela has no clear plan for what comes next and looks more like rhetoric and self-interest than a real strategy for building democracy.
  3. Earlier interventions at least had ideological justifications; today's approach feels like blunt bullying that ignores legitimacy, relies on proxies, and could repeat the mistakes that weakened past empires.

Politics Chat, February 24, 2026

Letters from an American • 1 implied HN point • 25 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. A politics-focused chat generated clear online engagement, showing people were paying attention.
  2. The combination of likes, comments, and shares suggests the conversation both reached a wide audience and prompted reactions.
  3. Audience response indicates the topic was timely and relevant, prompting quick public interest.

The Finnish Presidential Election 2024 - a short overview

Ahpocalypse Now • 58 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Presidency
  1. The Finnish Presidential Election involves nine candidates and may go to a second round if no one gets over 50% of the votes.
  2. The President of Finland serves as a moral leader, unifying figure, and representative in high-level international meetings.
  3. The top contenders in the election include Jussi Halla-aho, Pekka Haavisto, and Alexander Stubb, each with unique backgrounds and potential outcomes.

The Unluckiness of Jimmy Carter

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 148 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Jimmy Carter faced a lot of challenges during his presidency, like high inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. These tough situations made his time in office very difficult.
  2. After leaving the presidency, Carter did many good things like building homes for people and helping to fight diseases. He even won a Nobel Prize for his work in promoting peace and democracy.
  3. Despite the struggles he faced, Carter also accomplished significant things, like making peace between Egypt and Israel and focusing on human rights. Many people believe he was just unlucky during his presidency.

Trump's Rob Reiner Tweet Technically Could Have Been Worse

I Might Be Wrong • 8 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The apparent murder of Rob Reiner and his wife is horrific and tragic, and Reiner was a talented, well-loved filmmaker whose loss will be deeply felt.
  2. The president’s public message about the killings came off as callous, and the White House amplifying it suggested institutional approval that a communications team should have prevented.
  3. It’s plausible the posted message was a sanitized version of something far worse, highlighting a pattern of vindictiveness and a communications staff trying to limit damage.

The So-Called “Experts” Have Been “Right” About “Several Crucial Things” Recently

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Experts’ predictions have recently lined up with real outcomes, showing that their models and warnings were often right.
  2. Economists warned that tariffs would depress manufacturing, raise prices, and invite graft, and those negative effects are now visible.
  3. Strong public skepticism of experts exists on both the left and right, but recent events show expertise still matters and should be taken seriously.

"Jimmy Carter's Jewish Problem"

Michael Tracey • 106 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Jimmy Carter faced backlash for his book 'Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,' with critics accusing him of anti-Semitism without strong evidence from the book itself. Many of his statements seem more accepted today than they were in 2006.
  2. Carter's presidency was marked by efforts to achieve peace between Israel and Egypt, but many felt he didn't do enough for Palestinian self-determination during his time in office.
  3. After leaving office, Carter engaged in significant diplomatic work in the Israel-Palestine conflict, often acting as a mediator and seeking peace, which contrasted with some aspects of his presidency.

The Deep Humiliation of Watching My President Accept A Made-Up Major Award

I Might Be Wrong • 8 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The World Cup draw is mostly a dull, staged event that can’t naturally generate excitement.
  2. FIFA created and handed Trump a bogus "FIFA Peace Prize" as a transparent, manipulative bit of flattery.
  3. That stunt shows organizations will pander to powerful hosts and exposes an embarrassing shift in America’s standing and how it is courted internationally.

Bad Arguments and Good Historians

Thinking about... • 253 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The President of the United States is considered an officer of the United States under the Constitution
  2. Disqualifications under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment apply instantly, without requiring a conviction or special law from Congress
  3. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment is not limited to the 1860s and was created to prevent future insurrections

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTS WE ELECT

Seymour Hersh • 83 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Presidents can be surprising; it's hard to know if they will promote peace or conflict. Actions can differ from what they say during elections.
  2. Former presidents can influence current events, and new leaders may work together for peace despite their past differences.
  3. Historical examples show that popular figures may not always act in ways that align with their public personas. It's important to critically assess their actions.

Of course Biden's age is a legitimate voter concern

Silver Bulletin • 308 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. A large percentage of American adults believe Biden is too old to be effective for another four years.
  2. There is a significant age gap between Biden and Trump, which may impact their health and cognitive abilities in a second term.
  3. Voters are concerned about the age and health of presidential candidates, with notable implications for the upcoming election.

U.S. Supreme Court Chickens Out

Fake Noûs • 200 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump ineligible for the Presidency but the USSC overruled this decision, sparking discussion on why they did this
  2. The decision on whether Trump should appear on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado was contested between state and federal jurisdictions
  3. The article delves into the implications of the USSC overruling the Colorado Supreme Court decision

Law or Fear

Thinking about... • 208 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The Supreme Court is considering Trump's disqualification based on an insurrection and violation of oath.
  2. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment sets qualifications for presidential office, including not being an oath-breaking insurrectionist.
  3. Choosing between law and fear is highlighted in the context of enforcing constitutional principles like Section 3.

Politics Chat, February 10, 2026

Letters from an American • 1 implied HN point • 11 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. A politics-focused discussion took place on February 10, 2026. It centers on current political topics relevant to that date.
  2. The post drew measurable engagement, with hundreds of interactions and multiple reactions indicating reader interest.
  3. The conversation was shared publicly, showing people wanted to circulate and discuss the topic further.

The Cocoon Election

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 176 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The current presidential candidates are significantly older than the average age of past presidents and the average age of death for former presidents, raising concerns about capability for such a stressful role
  2. Polls show that Trump is consistently leading over Biden in national polls, suggesting a strong showing for Trump in the upcoming election
  3. Despite the dissatisfaction with current choices, there is a lack of viable alternatives in the current presidential election

Politics Chat, February 3, 2026

Letters from an American • 1 implied HN point • 04 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. A politics chat took place on February 3, 2026 and was published on February 4, 2026.
  2. Audience engagement is shown by the counts 321, 20, and 38, indicating measurable reader interaction.
  3. The title suggests a discussion-format update focused on current political topics, aimed at readers following politics.

The Presidency is not performance art

Unreported Truths • 48 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The idea of taking over Gaza and removing its people is considered insane and close to genocide. It's a dangerous move and goes against international laws.
  2. Trump's suggestion to handle Gaza raises concerns about U.S. involvement in more wars. Many people have criticized him for shifting away from previous views on military action.
  3. It's crucial for Republicans and other leaders to stand up against extreme proposals. Stability in the world is important, and reckless statements can lead to serious consequences.

Politics Chat, January 8, 2026

Letters from an American • 2 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. A Politics Chat is dated January 8, 2026 and appears to have been posted on January 9, 2026.
  2. Engagement numbers shown — 683, 81, and 134 — indicate measurable reader interaction and a fairly sizable audience.
  3. The repeated 'Share' label suggests the post was set up for social distribution and encouraged readers to spread the conversation.

The Biden Conundrum

The Ruffian • 159 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. Joe Biden trails Donald Trump in important swing states for 2024.
  2. Voters perceive Biden as too old to be an effective president.
  3. Biden's handling of crises like the Israel situation boosts his political strength.

Trump v. Anderson

Thinking about... • 114 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The post discusses Trump's disqualification from office under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
  2. Timothy Snyder provides eight essays on the topic on Substack.
  3. Key resources mentioned in the post include articles, briefs, and oral arguments related to Trump v. Anderson.

The idea that Trump will undermine NATO conflicts with everything Trump actually did while he was in office

Michael Tracey • 111 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The idea that Trump will undermine NATO conflicts with his actual actions while in office, such as expanding NATO and increasing funding for it, showing a more supportive stance towards the alliance.
  2. Focusing on Trump's actual policy record is more factual and rational than getting caught up in his campaign rhetoric or social media posts, helping provide a clearer picture of his presidency.
  3. Despite common assumptions, Trump's support for American hegemony, including through NATO, does not align with the belief that he would dismantle the alliance, as evidenced by his actions and policies.

WILL TRUMP SIDE WITH THE HARDLINERS ON RUSSIA?

Seymour Hersh • 30 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency
  1. The writer suggests that President Biden is showing signs of memory issues and confusion, which could impact his ability to serve. Many people close to him have observed his difficulties, making it a significant concern.
  2. Biden's poor performance in a debate against Trump highlighted his struggles and led to speculations about him not running for a second term. This decision seemed to come too late for a proper selection of a successor.
  3. There are questions about Trump's future decisions, especially regarding his stance on Russia, and whether he will align with more extreme views within his party. This could shape foreign policy in the coming years.