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Claire Bond Potter

@clairepotter.com
2.2K followers 373 following 2.3K posts

Opinion writer, reviewer & essayist | Emeritus History prof | podcaster | clairepotter.substack.com | antifascist | NYC & Northampton, MA | Repped by Roz Foster, Francis Goldin Literary Agency

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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 25/09/2026
Seriously: you can ask him anything!
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 25/09/2026
On this week's podcast, Neil and I talk about how Trump and the GOP squandered their governing trifecta (you can subscribe on YouTube or the Political Junkie Substack!) youtu.be/XRu8mQ3DbTQ
youtu.be
How To Lose An Election
YouTube video by Political Junkie Substack
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Reposted by Claire Bond Potter
Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Oh. Oh my.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 21/09/2026
I love it when people ask Eagles QB1 Jalen Hurts what allows him to "stay so poised" in the final 90 seconds with the game on the line. Would anyone ask a cardiac surgeon what allows them to "stay so poised" in an emergency surgery? If you can't stay poised, you shouldn't do the damn job. #GoBirds
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 20/09/2026
Heartbreaking and brave. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/m...
nytimes.com
In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?
A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter’s education that I hoped would challenge New York City’s separate and unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 19/09/2026
What's the best way to get my podcast without filling your inbox with more annoying newsletters? Subscribe on Apple iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube (where you get to actually see @neiljyoung.bsky.social and me being adorable.) Until then, try this one on Trumpian corruption! youtu.be/IWzbpq_Tgps
youtu.be
Casino Politics
YouTube video by Political Junkie Substack
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 17/09/2026
Which means seniors actually don't get to retire? Why not just send us all to concentration camps to do factory work and be done with it, John?
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 16/09/2026
Instead of the abortion that would have saved her life, Texas doctors told her she was crazy and let her die--and that was legal. Her family is suing @KenPaxtonTX, and people should take pictures of her to every Paxton campaign event. www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-a...
cbsnews.com
Family blames Texas' "merciless" abortion ban for woman's death, files lawsuit targeting Paxton, doctors
The family of 37-year-old Tierra Walker filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and others, saying she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 14/09/2026
Surprised to learn that ICE actually has standards.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 12/09/2026
This piece @ the @chronicle.com about the Arday scandal reflects my thinking: why is it that, for many, he shared none of the blame, not just for the dismantling of his reputation, but for the media attention that he actively courted and that exposed his many lies? www.chronicle.com/article/jaso...
chronicle.com
Opinion | Jason Arday and the Corruption of Science
An editorial in “Nature” chooses progressive ideology over basic honesty.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 11/09/2026
Claire and @neiljyoung.bsky.social launch a new season with a discussion about the feminists we lost this summer—Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem, and Robin Morgan—and their legacies clairepotter.substack.com/p/remember-t...
clairepotter.substack.com
Remember the Women
Claire and Neil launch a new season with a discussion about the feminists we lost this summer—Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem, and Robin Morgan—and their legacies
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The Editorial Board @editorialboard.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
1. For about a fortnight, I have been offering readers a variation on a theme of insanity. www.editorialboard.com/trump-make/
editorialboard.com
So the most powerful person in the world is insane. Now what?
The lesson? Never put a mad man in the White House.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 07/09/2026
There's been much NYT coverage of the island lately--why I am not sure. But this story is by far the best. At first I thought: well the water isn't *that* cold (I too swim every morning here, rain or shine) and then I learned that they stay in for two hours! www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/s...
nytimes.com
The Black Polar Bears of Martha’s Vineyard (Gift Article)
For 80 summers, vacationers on the island have waded into bracing water to satisfy a desire for fellowship and light cardio.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 06/09/2026
Robin Morgan, Voice of Radical Feminism, Dies at 85 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/05/u...
nytimes.com
Robin Morgan, Voice of Radical Feminism, Dies at 85
She edited the landmark 1970 anthology “Sisterhood Is Powerful,” led Ms. magazine and helped build the institutions of the modern feminist movement.
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Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 04/09/2024
4 yrs ago today, a family member managed a truly spectacular own goal, splintered his domestic bliss, & in the process, united the world for a day. On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 03/09/2026
They really should give credit where credit is do to teachers who are doing surgery under such primitive conditions.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 03/09/2026
@paulgoldberger.bsky.social on decisions made—and not made—at Ground Zero www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | What Ground Zero Should Have Been
25 years on, some regrets.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 03/09/2026
Something not mentioned in this obit: she was so kind to young people . www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/u...
nytimes.com
Gloria Steinem, Personification of the Women’s Movement, Dies at 92
She challenged sexist assumptions, helping women develop a sense of self-worth and gain a measure of equality at work, at home and in society at large.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 02/09/2026
@rachelcleves.bsky.social Hope Cleves wrote the book about a lesbian marriage in Early America; then, a decade later, Vermont cartoonist Tillie Walden wrote it again. clairepotter.substack.com/p/who-owns-h...
clairepotter.substack.com
Who Owns History?
Rachel Hope Cleves wrote a pathbreaking book about a lesbian marriage in Early America: now, cartoonist Tillie Walden has written and illustrated a similar book, graced with the same title
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 02/09/2026
My instinct is also that Natalie Harp has been ill, but she did not have cancer. But this person really dug into it. rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/is-natalie...
rasmussenretorts.substack.com
Is Natalie Harp Faking Cancer?
“Right to Lie” Beneficiary
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 02/09/2026
Under Trump's watch, Pete Hegseth is destroying the military in real-time. It is only by the grace of God we have not ended up in a hot war provoked by opportunists.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 01/09/2026
"When people have strong moral identities, they view unethical behavior as a violation — not just of the rules but also of their own values. They anticipate more guilt at the thought of wrongdoing and more pride at the prospect of doing the right thing." www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | There’s Really Only One Way to Stop Students From Cheating
Blue-book exams are fine, but we need to address the issue at its root.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 29/08/2026
Dear god, the man is an idiot.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 28/08/2026
I know it is a slow news month, but still: www.cbsnews.com/news/milo-yi...
cbsnews.com
Milo Yiannopoulos is in ICE custody facing a final removal order, sources say
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Milo Yiannopoulos "chose to overstay his welcome."
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Before Europeans arrived, these were some of the names for The Great Lakes: Superior: gichi-gami (great sea) Erie: erielhonan (long tail) Michigan: michigami (long body of water) Ontario: Ontarí'io\kanadario (great lake\beautiful water) Huron: karegnondi (fresh water sea)
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Roz Foster @rozfoster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Historian and podcaster extraordinaire @clairepotter.com interviews Dolly Parton biographer @marthaackmann.bsky.social in this episode of Political Junkie, “What would Dolly do?” www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btlc...
youtube.com
In Dolly, We Trust
Dolly Parton was non-partisan, but a powerful political figure all the same https://clairepotter.substack.com/p/in-dolly-we-trust?utm_source=youtube
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 27/08/2026
I stumbled upon yet another, more oblique, attempt to force the American Historical Association to take a position condemning Israel. Let me just say: the organization calling itself Historians for Palestine has no names on its website. Do not sign a document whose authorship is anonymous.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 26/08/2026
"Dolly and Carl’s long marriage, much like the decades-long partnership between Loretta Lynn and her husband Oliver (known as Doolittle, Doo or Mooney), may have exactly depended on allowing the non-performing, male, partner to have his own life." clairepotter.substack.com/p/in-dolly-w...
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 26/08/2026
It is not a first amendment right to record someone without their permission
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 25/08/2026
Many of us out here are devastated to lose Dolly: she was one of the kindest, and most decent, people of her generation. Here's a conversation I had with her biographer, Martha Ackman, for my podcast: clairepotter.substack.com/p/what-would...
clairepotter.substack.com
What Would Dolly Do?
Claire talks to historian Martha Ackman about the queen of country music and her new biography, "Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton."
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 24/08/2026
When a Republican loses the editors of the Wall Street Journal www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Dumbest Trade War Revisited
Trump’s decision to escalate a tariff brawl with Canada makes no economic or political sense.
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Elisa Davis @elisa515.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
An excellent read from @clairepotter.com. Trump’s Most Special Assistant clairepotter.substack.com/p/trumps-mos...
clairepotter.substack.com
Trump’s Most Special Assistant
When Democrat Jon Ossoff took a swipe at Natalie Harp, Republicans behaved as though those around the President have not been pulling their hair out over the President’s special friend
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 23/08/2026
“But it was the MAGA megaphone that did in Natalie. The White House was clearly rattled by the allusion to the close relationship between Trump and his 35-year-old, $150,000-a-year social media helper. Melania even made a rare appearance to show the conjugal flag.” www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Natalie’s Magnificent Obsession (Gift Article)
This human printer runs — but not out of ink.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 21/08/2026
Does anyone else think that the Trump White House just failed the Br'er Rabbit Challenge?
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 20/08/2026
Harry left every friend he had behind in England. And, while they made a lot of money, they spent a lot of money too, and security costs millions every year. My guess is that the King offered to pay for security and that that H will become a working royal again. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/w...
nytimes.com
Prince Harry and Meghan Will Move Back to U.K. After 6 Years in U.S.
The prince and his wife, whose relations with King Charles and the rest of the royal family have long been strained, will remain non-working royals, according to a person familiar with the decision.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 19/08/2026
"Harp’s job is not only to make sure that Donald Trump is insulated from whatever remnants of dissent or debate might still exist in the executive branch, but also to amplify and fulfill his every need." clairepotter.substack.com/p/trumps-mos...
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 19/08/2026
Impressive. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/u...
nytimes.com
The Left Notches Another Win With This Secret Weapon: Old-Fashioned Organizing
State Representative Angie Nixon scored a stunning upset on Tuesday in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary. Now comes the hard part: running as a progressive firebrand in a red state.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 19/08/2026
Goodbye, shitbag www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/u...
nytimes.com
Cory Mills Loses Republican Primary Amid Assault Allegations and Ethics Investigation
Mr. Mills, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and has faced allegations of assault and threatening behavior toward women, lost to Ryan Elijah, a former TV news anchor.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 17/08/2026
Love this piece. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | To Save Higher Ed, Professors Need to Get a Little Weird (Gift Article)
Teachers need to model the passion they want to see.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 16/08/2026
Can we stop with the apples and oranges posts about Jason Arday? It's a terribly tragic story, but let's stop with the "white people get away with this all the time" bullshit. It's ignorant and untrue.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 15/08/2026
Here's hoping everyone who made Jason Arday the poster child for DEI abuses is happy now. www.cnn.com/2026/08/14/e...
cnn.com
Former Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism found dead | CNN
Jason Arday, a former University of Cambridge professor, was found dead in London on Friday, just days after resigning over questions surrounding his career.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 13/08/2026
My Karoline Leavitt post was picked up by The National Memo. Enjoy! The headline is superb. www.nationalmemo.com/karoline-lea...
nationalmemo.com
Left To Perish On Trump's Death Plane, Leavitt Gives Notice As Press Secretary
The political news cycle becomes glacial and petty in August, and I am here for it.Why? Because, with the exception of this week’s primaries (farewell for now, Francesca Hong!), which continue to fuel...
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 13/08/2026
“At 26, Leavitt was the youngest PressSec in history, and if anyone had the stamina to simultaneously mother two children under two and Donald Trump, it was her.” clairepotter.substack.com/p/dont-let-t...
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 13/08/2026
M. Gessen's terrific investigative reporting on the persecution of trans people in Kansas. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | What’s Happening in Kansas Should Alarm Us All
Is Kansas just the beginning?
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Jason Bailey @jasondashbailey.com · 12/08/2026
Thrilled to share the cover and pub date for my next book!

 YIPPEE KI-YAY: "DIE HARD," BRUCE WILLIS, AND THE REINVENTION OF THE ACTION MOVIE — an in-depth look at the origin, production, and legacy of the original 1988 classic, as well as its various sequels and rip-offs — is out 5/11/27!
The cover for YIPPEE KI-YAY is red with black and white type, and an abstract but cool silhouette of a figure in free-fall while attached to a fire hose.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 12/08/2026
What a fair number of people are missing in this @theatlantic.com essay: www.theatlantic.com/press-releas... 1/3
theatlantic.com
The Atlantic’s September Cover: Tyler Austin Harper’s “Confessions of a Token Black Professor”
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 12/08/2026
And in fact, we have gone from "it will cost $250 million and will be paid for by donors" to "It will cost $900 million and be paid for with your tax dollars." www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
washingtonpost.com
Trump administration set to spend at least $900 million on White House construction
The price tag is much larger than what has been previously reported, according to a Post review of confidential contracts, and taxpayers would cover most of it.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 12/08/2026
Smart piece by Michael Greenberg in the NYRB about why Democratic Socialists are doing so well in this primary season--and why the Democratic Party should get on board: www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
nybooks.com
Whose Party? | Michael Greenberg
As Democratic Socialists rack up primary victories, the moderate wing of the Democratic Party looks increasingly out of touch.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 11/08/2026
@nataliapetrzela.bsky.social: "Ignorance provides antisemitism, an insidious shapeshifter that infects and unifies the otherwise polarized political right and left, with a powerful accelerant." forward.com/opinion/8442...
forward.com
Antisemitism flourishes amid cultural and historical illiteracy. Classrooms should be a cure.
The post-Oct. 7 Hidden Voices project helping educators teach Jewish stories provides a necessary corrective to conspiracy theories and stereotypes.
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Claire Bond Potter @clairepotter.com · 10/08/2026
As in grandma saying "Timothy Eugene, you have ti get married or folks will think you are a nancy boy."
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