The hottest Public Opinion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Cheap Dates

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1338 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Some Republicans who dislike Trump are unintentionally helping him gain support. Their strong opposition makes it easier for Trump to rally his base.
  2. Kamala Harris's campaign did not feel the need to change or soften its views because of the intense dislike for Trump. They relied on attacking rather than convincing people.
  3. A group of former Republicans believes they know better than others and are frustrated when people challenge their views. This attitude could contribute to Trump's return.

Chartbook 435: All perversions have their acting out. Reading Baudrillard on the weekend of the attack on Iran.

Chartbook • 2532 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion
  1. Mass media turns real events into consumable signs and spectacles, so people get the dizzy thrill of catastrophe at a safe distance instead of actually engaging with history or violence.
  2. Private everyday life uses those media signs to justify passivity and security, craving dramatized violence so inaction feels morally acceptable and emotionally thrilling.
  3. There is a tension today: some military actions are driven by real geopolitical aims but occur without public preparation or legitimation, which raises the question of whether the media‑spectacle framework still fully explains contemporary war‑making.

Resistance is necessary, but it's not enough

Noahpinion • 26353 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Opposing authoritarian actions is essential, but resistance alone won't win long-term political change.
  2. Public backlash is growing against aggressive immigration enforcement and other heavy‑handed tactics, yet the broader movement supporting those tactics hasn't fully collapsed.
  3. Liberals need a clear, principled movement and a concrete plan for governing to turn public outrage into durable electoral victories.

The Press Covers for Harris Again

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 2557 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The media often protects certain politicians, like Kamala Harris, and downplays their mistakes. This makes many people distrust the press.
  2. There are significant discrepancies in how the media covers stories about politicians from different parties. Some issues are treated as major scandals for Republicans but barely mentioned for Democrats.
  3. Many reporters seem to have a bias towards the left and don't show much interest in understanding or presenting views outside their own beliefs.

Nasty, Brutish, and Long.

Breaking the News • 2103 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The speech will probably be old news quickly but still matters as a sign that the Republican Party is deeply servile to the president and as a moment future historians will point to.
  2. It combined awkward, poorly delivered scripted passages with long, recycled rally riffs — the prepared parts sounded wooden and the rest was narcissistic blame-gaming that drew rapturous GOP applause.
  3. The act is losing its novelty and energy; what used to be unpredictable and compelling now felt boring and low‑energy, weakening its ability to hold or grow a broad audience.
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War Propaganda and Iran: The Exact Script Used for Every Failed US War Is Hauled Out Again

Glenn Greenwald • 4749 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Governments and media keep recycling the same discredited propaganda to sell new wars, claiming humanitarian motives while hiding strategic or political aims.
  2. Friendly exiles and lurid atrocity stories are staged and amplified to portray targets as uniquely evil and eager for liberation, even when those claims are unreliable or false.
  3. Critics of proposed wars are routinely smeared as enemy sympathizers, which suppresses dissent, ignores public opinion, and allows destructive conflicts to proceed with little accountability.

What Iranians Really Think About the War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1321 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion
  1. People are terrified and exhausted by heavy bombing, but many feel they've lived under state terror for decades.
  2. The state appears to be unraveling and many hope the conflict might end the regime, though past brutal crackdowns make people wary of what comes next.
  3. The war is causing real civilian suffering and uncertainty, with strikes aimed at regime sites but still killing children and making daily life dominated by explosions and rumors.

Against Against Boomers

Astral Codex Ten • 40814 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Public Opinion
  1. Anti-Boomer anger is trendy but overbroad, and real differences between generations on many issues are smaller than the rhetoric suggests.
  2. Claims that Boomers are selfishly “plundering” younger people miss important context: per-person benefits haven’t grown dramatically, and higher public spending largely reflects demographics and rising healthcare costs.
  3. Turning policy debates into Boomer-vs-younger identity politics is unhelpful and short-sighted, because it obscures actual welfare trade-offs and risks the same tribalism when today’s critics age.

BREAKING: The race is OFFICIALLY tied!

COVID Reason • 456 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The race between Harris and Trump is officially tied, with both having equal support in recent polls.
  2. Polls show that results can vary slightly in different states but overall it's a close competition.
  3. As the election approaches, these numbers highlight a very competitive environment for both candidates.

Tiffany Trump's Big Moment: Finally!

Vicky Ward Investigates • 459 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Tiffany Trump's pregnancy is seen as a strategic move for Donald Trump to connect with Arab American voters in Michigan. This could help him gain support in a key swing state.
  2. Michael Boulos, Tiffany's husband, has a Lebanese background which adds a new dimension to Trump's political outreach. Trump's comments show an attempt to appeal to the Arab community while maintaining his stance on foreign policy.
  3. The influence of Michael's father, Massad Boulos, is growing. He is actively lobbying for Trump's campaign and could play a significant role in future political dynamics.

Supply your own title

Disaffected Newsletter • 2697 implied HN points • 16 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Things are getting tougher in America, and it's making many people feel anxious and on edge. There's a sense that society is becoming more chaotic and unhealthy.
  2. The way the media handled the news about the second assassination attempt on Trump showed a lot of manipulation. They downplayed the seriousness and later shifted the blame onto Trump instead of acknowledging the threat against him.
  3. There are deep issues surrounding how men and women are treated in society, particularly regarding how some women can get away with harmful behavior. It's important to see these patterns not just as personal attacks but as a reflection of broader societal problems.

Activism, Uncensored: The War In Iran

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1634 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The U.S.-Israeli strikes sparked immediate, opposing public reactions with both protests and celebrations happening within hours.
  2. Left-wing groups quickly organized emergency protests in multiple cities, with demonstrators directing anger at Israel and President Trump.
  3. The announcement that Iran’s supreme leader had been killed intensified the response, leading to on-the-ground celebrations and follow-up rallies.

The literal enshittification of The United States

Marcus on AI • 5691 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The United States feels like it’s sliding into decline as institutions, platforms, and public life get noticeably worse and more absurd.
  2. Technology can amplify that decline: a supposedly helpful chatbot gave a grotesque nutrition recommendation, showing how AI can produce dangerous or ridiculous advice.
  3. Outrageous content spreads fast and is often shared without context or critique, which lets harmful or stupid things gain attention instead of being caught and corrected.

The Colorado GOP Sounds the Alarm on Speaker Mike Johnson

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 3352 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The Colorado GOP is worried about Speaker Mike Johnson and thinks there's a plan to control the party in Colorado. They sent a letter to Tucker Carlson about it.
  2. A group of 77 anti-Trumpers tried to have an illegal meeting to replace the Colorado GOP chairman. They didn't have enough people to make it a valid meeting.
  3. There are questions about why Speaker Mike Johnson is still seen with Trump despite the controversy. The Colorado GOP seems unsure if Tucker Carlson has read their letter yet.

The Current Thing

In My Tribe • 668 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The U.S. decided to fight Iran now to confront a regime that has long attacked America and to prevent further nuclear and missile advances, so the real choice was timing rather than peace versus war.
  2. Iran’s leadership looks unwilling to surrender peacefully, so the approach should be to keep removing regime leaders until they accept terms while sparing the general population from massive suffering.
  3. The war will deepen domestic political splits — with vocal anti-American and pro-Iran voices on the left and blame-shifting on the right — even though most Americans may ultimately support ousting the regime.

THE SHOW NOTES: Live From Texas, Trump Roasts Kamala, & The Pennsylvania Problem

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1019 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Trump roasted Kamala Harris and other Democrats at a charity dinner, making fun of their comments and actions. This showed his confidence and humor during the campaign.
  2. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, is distancing himself from Biden by supporting fracking. This suggests that he thinks Trump might win in Pennsylvania, which is crucial for the election.
  3. Yahya Sinwar, a key Hamas leader, was killed by Israeli forces. His death highlights ongoing tensions in the region and reflects the serious threats involved.

The Third Trump Assa$$ination Attempt & Domestic Terrorists in NC - an Attempted False Flag?

Tom Renz’s Newsletter • 1547 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. There was an alleged third assassination attempt on Trump that raised many questions, particularly regarding the timing and details of the reports.
  2. Some believe that reporting on 'white males' threatening FEMA officials might be part of a larger narrative, possibly aimed at stirring unrest.
  3. It's important to stand against political opponents peacefully and lawfully, without letting oneself be provoked into violence.

Putting on Ayers!

Vicky Ward Investigates • 119 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Nick Ayers, who used to work for Mike Pence, criticized Pence and General Kelly on television. This shows some tension in their relationships.
  2. The interview with Ayers was aired on Fox News, highlighting his perspective on current political dynamics.
  3. Ayers' comments might surprise many, as they come from someone who was close to Pence during his time in office. It raises questions about loyalty and political alliances.

The low-down on Japan's elections

The Global Jigsaw • 99 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's Prime Minister, recently lost an election shortly after taking office, similar to Liz Truss in the UK. This reflects the political instability and frequent leadership changes in Japan.
  2. For many years, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has dominated Japanese politics, and voting for them has almost become a habit for citizens. People often feel there is no strong alternative party to vote for.
  3. Corruption and a struggling economy have turned voters against the LDP, leading to a significant election upset. This may change the political landscape if the opposition can unite and take advantage of the situation.

March 20, 2026

Letters from an American • 27 implied HN points • 21 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Attacks have escalated to hit major Gulf energy infrastructure like the South Pars gas field, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and forcing countries to declare force majeure on oil exports.
  2. The U.S. appears to have coordinated strikes and is preparing to send thousands of troops and possibly seize key oil facilities, while congressional Republicans are largely avoiding public oversight and the White House is packaging the war with entertainment-style messaging.
  3. The war is driving up oil prices and inflation, hurting markets and adding huge economic costs, and most Americans disapprove of the military action, especially if it raises gas prices.

This Is CBS News

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1758 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. CBS News faced criticism for how it handled an interview with an author who made antisemitic comments. Instead of supporting the interviewer, they punished him for not following their editorial line.
  2. There are concerns about CBS's stance on the status of Jerusalem, as employees were told not to refer to it as being in Israel, highlighting a perceived bias in their reporting.
  3. The network has a history of fact-checking certain politicians against their agreements, suggesting a possible agenda in their news coverage.

Does Kamala Harris Want To Win?

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1518 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Kamala Harris's campaign schedule is not what you'd expect from someone who wants to win a presidential election. She's not doing enough events in key areas.
  2. Donald Trump is using a smart strategy by focusing on important issues that matter to everyday voters. This could help him gain more political power.
  3. The Harris team may not fully realize how serious the competition is against Trump. They need to step up their game to stay relevant.

CBS News Brings In a Racist to Help Its Employees

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 2058 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. CBS News is getting help from a controversial figure to discuss a sensitive interview that upset some employees. This choice has sparked debates about who should lead such discussions.
  2. The network is facing backlash for how it handled a challenging interview about anti-Semitic views. Employees feel that management is avoiding the issue instead of addressing it directly.
  3. Critics believe that bringing in this figure undermines the credibility of CBS News. They argue that this is a poor decision for a major news organization.

Kamala Is Losing At the Moment

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1978 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Kamala Harris is struggling in her campaign against Trump even though many Americans dislike him. Being tied with him is not a good sign for her as the presumed incumbent.
  2. Harris is focusing on safe topics and friendly interviews, while Trump is actively engaging with voters on hot issues like inflation and housing costs. This could lead to problems for her in gaining support.
  3. Democratic leaders have doubts about Harris's ability to win and have discussed the possibility of Biden needing to step down. Harris's past decisions and strategy may not resonate well with voters right now.

I love AI. Why doesn't everyone?

Noahpinion • 28000 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Public Opinion
  1. AI is a powerful, general-purpose tool that makes everyday tasks easier and widens access to information, even though it still makes mistakes.
  2. Public fear of AI—especially in the U.S.—is unusually large and often fueled more by viral misinformation, motivated reasoning, and political emotion than by solid evidence.
  3. Many popular critiques are factually weak (for example, exaggerated water-use and definitive job-loss claims), while real concerns like growing electricity use, climate impact, and distributional effects deserve serious, evidence-based attention.

New York’s First Lady Liked Post Calling October 7 Rapes a ‘Mass Hoax’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 811 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The First Lady liked an Instagram post calling the October 7 sexual violence a "mass rape hoax," appearing to endorse claims that dispute reported sexual assaults.
  2. She liked more than 70 posts strongly critical of Israel, including ones calling it a "vile land grab," praising protesters, and urging the ICC to seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
  3. The pattern of likes also included attacks on U.S. leadership and shows a consistent alignment with extreme anti-Israel rhetoric, which is notable given her public role.

Gas prices are set to go vertical

Silver Bulletin • 781 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Gas prices are likely to spike sharply soon because oil production and shipping in the Gulf are being disrupted, and short-term forecasts put U.S. pump prices possibly in the $4.50–$5.00 range or higher.
  2. A rapid, large increase in gas prices could hurt the president politically, since voters punish inflation and he campaigned on lower fuel costs; his casual response may amplify the damage.
  3. Even though Iran alone isn’t the biggest oil producer, attacks on other Gulf producers and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz threaten about 30% of global oil supply, creating a big supply shock and major uncertainty.

This Made Me Uncomfortable

Magic + Loss • 795 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Kamala Harris had a strong performance during her interview on Fox News, showing confidence despite the challenging setting.
  2. The interviewer, Bret Baier, often interrupted her and used a less formal way of addressing her, which some found disrespectful.
  3. It's important to avoid both-sidesing in journalism and recognize when one side is being unfairly treated in a conversation.

Will Iran break MAGA?

Silver Bulletin • 486 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Republican voters remain largely loyal to Trump and, so far, strongly support the Iran war; surprisingly, self-identified MAGA Republicans are even more pro-war than other GOP voters.
  2. The Republican elite is deeply split: traditional hawks and major donors back military action while prominent MAGA media figures and some lawmakers condemn it, creating an internal party clash.
  3. That elite split could reshape mass opinion over time — as Trump becomes a lame duck and younger or new GOP leaders push isolationism, elite views may trickle down and erode support, especially if the war brings US casualties or higher gas prices.

Trump is now running scared of the media. Where are the headlines?

The Signorile Report • 1638 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Trump has been avoiding mainstream media interviews, while Vice President Harris has been actively engaging with various media platforms. It's surprising because he usually loves the spotlight.
  2. Despite criticism, Harris has been doing interviews on major shows, reaching out to different audiences. The media seems to overlook her efforts, focusing instead on her supposed media avoidance.
  3. Trump's cancellation of an interview on '60 Minutes' raises questions about what he might be hiding. If Harris is criticized for her choices, why isn't there similar scrutiny on Trump for avoiding tougher interviews?

There Is No MAGA Split on Iran

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 370 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Major outlets are claiming there's a split in the MAGA movement over the Iran war, pointing to anti-war figures like Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly.
  2. The piece argues that this narrative is driven by a handful of high-profile commentators and commentators’ platforms, not a broad base rebellion.
  3. Polling shows there isn’t a large MAGA split on Iran, which contradicts much of the media coverage.

Weekend Report: What's going on?

The Signorile Report • 1099 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Trump is struggling to raise small donations and is upset that Harris is outpacing him in fundraising. This has made him focus more on aggressive immigration policies.
  2. Kamala Harris shared her medical report showing she is in great health, which puts pressure on Trump to release his own health information.
  3. JD Vance has been inconsistent about acknowledging Biden's 2020 election win, raising questions about his honesty after saying both that Trump won and that Biden did.

The Discourse is Getting Both Smarter and Dumber

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 6144 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Public political discourse is polarizing: the very top of the conversation is getting sharper while a much larger slice of popular discourse has grown dumber as gatekeepers vanish.
  2. Many high-quality thinkers have adopted better heuristics — they understand polling uncertainty and correlated errors, are wary of overinterpreting single studies after the replication crisis, and see cultural attitudes as stronger drivers of voting than narrow self-interest; they also increasingly accept long-term human progress as real.
  3. This has created a rising human-capital divide in politics, with one side trending toward lower average intellectual standards, which opens short-term opportunities for savvy actors but risks longer-term dominance by anti-rational forces, even as well-informed coalitions can still push useful policies.

The Politics of Neither

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5537 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Both major parties are losing the public's trust and support, with independent studies and polls showing broad defections from Democrats and Republicans alike.
  2. Hardline Republican rhetoric and rapid, escalatory responses to events are provoking internal criticism and may be costing the party support on core issues like immigration.
  3. A growing bloc of neither-aligned voters—especially younger people—are moving away from both parties and seem more interested in ending the culture war than in winning it, which could reshape future politics.

Why the World Is Drawing a Line on Social Media for Kids

After Babel • 2383 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion
  1. Governments are rapidly moving to set minimum ages (about 16) for social‑media accounts, with several countries already passing or planning laws that limit kids’ access. This shift is quickly reshaping how societies regulate children’s online life.
  2. Two things made the change happen: platforms showed age limits can be enforced without disaster, and widespread public outrage and concern—especially after high‑profile harms—created strong political support. That combination turned private worries into collective momentum.
  3. The recommended approach favors 16 as a pragmatic protective age and rejects parental‑consent loopholes, arguing that stronger, fast action is needed to shield adolescents during sensitive brain development periods.

Why the Media Moves in Unison

Yascha Mounk • 3936 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Journalists often follow the same views not because they get orders, but because they want to fit in with their social circles. They care a lot about their reputation and what others think of them.
  2. When journalists are slow to recognize new evidence, it can create distrust among the public. People often think there must be some secret agreement behind the scenes when opinions suddenly change.
  3. Social pressure plays a huge role in shaping what becomes accepted or taboo in the media. When one journalist breaks ranks, it can open the floodgates for others to express what they really believe.

J.D. Vance’s Iran Dilemma

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 783 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. The Iran war is splitting the MAGA coalition and forcing Vice President J.D. Vance to pick sides between anti-war voices like Tucker Carlson and President Trump.
  2. Vance was unusually quiet over the weekend, then said Trump authorized Operation Epic Fury to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon rather than to launch an endless war.
  3. The MAGA coalition includes many conflicting factions — hawks, neo-isolationists, evangelicals, and online hardliners — and the Iran fight threatens the movement's unity.

Election games

SuperJoost Playlist • 178 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Political campaigning is changing. People are getting annoyed with traditional ads and want more genuine connections, like those created through gaming and streaming.
  2. European game companies are restructuring because they overexpanded too quickly. Now, they're focusing on being more efficient rather than just getting bigger.
  3. Netflix's gaming efforts are struggling. They are shifting focus to more casual, mobile games instead of big titles, as most subscribers aren't interested in gaming content.

THE SHOW NOTES: Harris is Imploding, Milton Surges, & The Crumbling Blue Wall

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1099 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Kamala Harris is struggling with support among working-class voters in key states like Michigan, which is causing concern for her campaign.
  2. Democrats want Harris to focus more on economic issues to better connect with blue-collar workers and union members.
  3. The ongoing violence in the Middle East is causing Arab American voters in Michigan to feel disconnected from the Democratic Party.

THE SHOW NOTES: Hurricane Milton, DeSantis Blasts Harris, & Kamala's Economic Problem

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 899 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion
  1. Hurricane Milton hit Florida and caused power outages for over 3 million people, but the damage was less severe than expected.
  2. The economy is the biggest concern for voters, with many preferring Donald Trump over Kamala Harris for handling economic issues.
  3. Inflation is rising, with food and shelter costs playing a big role, creating more challenges for Harris as the election approaches.