Media

A still from the doomed McDonald's AI-generated holiday ad.

The Slop of Things to Come The Slop of Things to Come

This past week boasted many overhyped AI breakthroughs, but the healthiest one was the fierce repudiation of a contemptuous McDonald’s ad.

Dec 12, 2025 / Matt Alston

Chris Packham addresses the audience at a National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crisis, at Central Hall Westminster on November 27, 2025, in London, England.

The UK’s Climate National Emergency Briefing Should Be a Wake-Up Call to Everyone The UK’s Climate National Emergency Briefing Should Be a Wake-Up Call to Everyone

The briefing was a rare coordinated effort to make sure the media reflects the science: Humanity’s planetary house is on fire, but we have the tools to put that fire out.

Dec 11, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard

My Search for Barbie’s Aryan Predecessor

My Search for Barbie’s Aryan Predecessor My Search for Barbie’s Aryan Predecessor

The original doll was not made by Mattel but by a business that perfected its practice making plaster casts of Hitler.

Dec 6, 2025 / Tarpley Hitt

Are Most Americans Even Paying Attention?

Are Most Americans Even Paying Attention? Are Most Americans Even Paying Attention?

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent digs into the latest legal news, Trump news, and Nuzzi news—along with a look at how few people actually ...

Dec 5, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Olivia Nuzzi at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, DC, in 2023, when she was Washington correspondent for New York magazine.

I Still Feel a Tiny Bit Sorry for Olivia Nuzzi I Still Feel a Tiny Bit Sorry for Olivia Nuzzi

She violated every journalism ethics code. But her childhood set her up to fall for a string of incompetent daddy-figures too lame to protect her.

Dec 2, 2025 / Joan Walsh

The White House Press Tracker Is a Parody of Media Criticism

The White House Press Tracker Is a Parody of Media Criticism The White House Press Tracker Is a Parody of Media Criticism

With his approval number plummeting, Trump turns to a familiar strategy: launch a culture war against journalists.

Dec 2, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

Reporter Olivia Nuzzi arrives for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, April 29, 2023.

The Nuzzi Seizure of Power The Nuzzi Seizure of Power

The journalist’s rise and fall and rise again looks like a performance of tabloid drama. But really, it’s Beltway access reporting taken to its natural extreme.

Nov 25, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment

The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent digs into some of the failures of the fourth estate—along with a new gerrymandering case, Larry Summers, and more.

Nov 21, 2025 / Elie Mystal

President Donald Trump hosts Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch and Skydance backer Larry Ellison at the Oval Office.

Trump’s Quest for Total Media Control Trump’s Quest for Total Media Control

Look beyond the petty celebrity feuds, and you'll see a plan to transform American media companies into outlets for MAGA agitprop.

Nov 21, 2025 / Ben Schwartz

In Defending Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sinks to a New Low

In Defending Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sinks to a New Low In Defending Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sinks to a New Low

Trump was incandescent with anger that journalists would have the temerity to question his wealthy “guest” with the bottomless wallet.

Nov 21, 2025 / Sasha Abramsky

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