In light of the new Tara Reade story, reupping my coverage of the case at the time. Other reporters followed and the result was that her story did not hold up. I could not say that conclusively, with the resources I had. Thus the very careful tone.
Also, I was subjected to a lot of abuse from a certain crowd of too-online people at the time. But I voted for Sanders, not Biden, in the 2020 primary, so claims I was caping are simply wrong.
Though for most of that certain crowd, it was less about Sanders than it was about discrediting the #MeToo movement. A lot of faux-socialist types share the right's false view that victims were being believed without vetting. They should watch "She Said" to see how false that is.
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Why to read this 2 minute article past headlines: You've heard how Trump's letter makes no sense legally. I explain why it's an extralegal effort to intimidate.
Also, some analysis of why Trump is taking this route, instead of a smarter one.
"Instead, the strategy seems to be guided by Trump's belief that the only thing that matters is power and force, as it seeks extralegal means to keep Trump out of prison."
Morning! I asked to write about the DeSantis launch, and, friends, it was even better than I'd expected it to be.
No number of NY Times puff pieces can hide that DeSantis is bad at this. His terminal MAGA brain cannot be overcome. salon.com/2023/05/25/mea…
I did write these headlines and had fun with it. But you should read this 2 minute article past them! Because a) a lot more jokes and b) this whole event really encapsulates why DeSantis is bad at this.
Why to read this 2 minute article past the headlines: Yes, GOP women won't leave Trump no matter who he rapes. But he can't win with the MAGA base alone.
Plus, as usual: Context, baby. I put it in context.
"The outpouring of audience interest and public support for Carroll indicated that the women's anger that fueled the Women's March, the #MeToo movement and the backlash to Dobbs has not disappeared at all."
In my newsletter today, I argued that the threat from AI is tiny compared to the already existing and pervasive strategies the right uses for disinformation.
No doubt everyone has already seen this, but in case you haven't, here's the gist: A non-profit falsely told the NY Post that homeless vets were being kicked out of hotels to make room for migrants.
This wasn't an accident or a game of telephone, but looks like a straight-up hoax.
"Toney-Finch had recruited a group of homeless men from a nearby shelter to pretend they were the military veterans that had been displaced by migrants."
"As Carroll's attorney pointed out repeatedly, of the 9 jurors, 6 were men and only 2 even lived in the city, with 7 hailing from more conservative suburbs.
"Trump lost the case for the simple reason that he's extremely guilty."
Morning! Jim Comer promised a "whistleblower" who would expose the "Biden crime family." But when time came to produce this person, the "informant" went missing.
Funny, but also a chance to talk about why these antics never rattle the faith of MAGA. salon.com/2023/05/16/jam…
Why to read past headlines to enjoy this 2-minute article: First, some comedy at the expense of Maria Bartiromo and Jim Comer.
Then, tying it to Trump's CNN lies, psychological research, and why MAGA isn't just fine with GOP lies — they love GOP lies.
"In March, Comer bragged about flogging conspiracy theories to the New York Times by noting that Republican voters want to hear 'QAnon stuff' and arguing that 'the customer's always right.'"