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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth

@drsfarnsworth.bsky.social
447 followers 626 following 116 posts

Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Mary Washington, focusing on the mass media, the presidency and US & VA politics. sfarnswo@umw.edu Web: stephenfarnsworth.net RT ≠…

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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Had a great time today checking out the modern Egyptian art exhibit at the Middle East Institute, located near Dupont Circle in DC.
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 01/10/2026
Trump becomes only object on Earth exempt from Canadian urge to apologize
thebeaverton.com
Trump becomes only object on Earth exempt from Canadian urge to apologize
"Canadians will say they’re sorry, in that particular Canadian pronunciation, to literally anything, but they won’t say it to Donald Trump."
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Had a wonderful time at Lady Shri Ram College of the University of Delhi on a Fulbright Specialist program. What an amazing collection of conversations with students, faculty, and some of the leaders of India's diplomatic service!
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Amanda Marcotte @amandamarcotte.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It's the one-year anniversary of Jimmy Kimmel returning to late night after Donald Trump attempted to censor him. Not to jinx it, but I think that moment marks the beginning of the end for MAGA. www.salon.com/2025/09/24/t...
salon.com
“That backfired bigly”: Kimmel’s return is a defeat for Project 2025
Resistance through humor and public outrage still carries weight
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
On NPR Morning Edition today talking about Trump TV and the president's continuing efforts to control the narrative. www.npr.org/2026/09/22/n...
npr.org
White House launches 'Trump TV' after ban on major news outlets
Days after President Trump barred reporters from three major news outlets from the White House, the administration has launched a 24/7 YouTube channel promising to put its "biggest moments all in one ...
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Not a good sign for the future of the housing market, among other things.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
In the NY Times talking about Virginia's Second Congressional District, a purple district focused on military issues. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/u...
nytimes.com
In Virginia’s Navy Country, the Iran War Tests a G.O.P. Incumbent
The conflict with Iran is uniquely salient to the Virginia Beach voters deciding which party will win a critical House contest.
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Friends don't let friends give assignments that are AI-cheatable
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Saw the fascinating "Blacklisted: An American Story" exhibit over the weekend at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. It runs through Monday, Sept. 7.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
In the Fredericksburg Advance talking about Virginia's August primaries. www.fxbgadvance.com/p/virginia-p...
fxbgadvance.com
Virginia Primaries in August? Republicans Won’t Want to do that Again
THE FXBG ADVANCE THURSDAY 8/20/26 MORNING READ
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
My column on why Virginia should start off the Democratic Presidential 2028 Primary Calendar has been published by FXBG Advance. open.substack.com/pub/fxbgadva...
open.substack.com
Virginia Belongs at the Front of the Democratic Presidential Primary Line
THE FXBG ADVANCE TUESDAY 8/4/26 MORNING READ
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Notes from Poland @notesfrompoland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Poland has celebrated its Armed Forces Day - which marks the anniversary of the victory over Soviet Russia in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw - with a parade on land, at sea, and in the air. At the main event in Warsaw, around 2,000 troops, including from allied countries, took part.
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WTVR CBS 6 News Richmond, Virginia @cbs6-richmond.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
About 300,000 Virginians are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage under new federal requirements tied to the state's Obamacare expansion.
wtvr.com
Around 300,000 Virginians on Medicaid expansion could lose coverage under new federal work requirements
About 300,000 Virginians are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage under new federal requirements tied to the state's Obamacare expansion.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
On NBC4 TV DC looking ahead to the general election in Virginia. www.nbcwashington.com/video/decisi...
nbcwashington.com
Assessing the impact of Virginia's primary
Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus at the University of Mary Washington, spoke with Northern Virginia reporter Drew Wilder about the results of the commonwealth’s primary.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
My column on why Virginia should start off the Democratic Presidential 2028 Primary Calendar has been published by FXBG Advance. open.substack.com/pub/fxbgadva...
open.substack.com
Virginia Belongs at the Front of the Democratic Presidential Primary Line
THE FXBG ADVANCE TUESDAY 8/4/26 MORNING READ
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
On CTV News Canada talking about President Trump's efforts to secure a much-needed political win by obtaining a better deal for the US over the yet-to-open Gordie Howe bridge. www.ctvnews.ca/video/2026/0...
ctvnews.ca
President Trump 'really needs a win' in American public opinion: analyst
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth breaks down what Trump was able to secure for the U.S. by delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge.
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NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Graham Platner’s history of sexual assault proves he does not belong in the US Senate. He belongs on the Supreme Court. by Susan Collins
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
My analysis of the long-running disagreements among Virginia Democrats has been published in the FXBG Advance. www.fxbgadvance.com/p/dont-expec...
fxbgadvance.com
Don’t Expect Virginia Democratic Disputes to Cool Off Any Time Soon
THE MIDDAY READ. FXBG Advance, Monday, July 6, 2026
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Talking with WVTF public radio about the Virginia budget compromise. www.wvtf.org/news/2026-06...
wvtf.org
Legislators, advocates on Virginia’s new data center tax and regulation scheme: ‘A good first step’
"It's important to recognize compromises don't lead to happiness, but they do lead to relief."
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Thanks to Jonathan Hunley, who recognized my retirement from Mary Washington in his Fredericksburg Free Press column today. www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2026/06/15/c...
fredericksburgfreepress.com
COLUMN: Thank you to the professor who has been taking my calls for almost 30 years | Fredericksburg Free Press
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Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🧵 The students are right to be confused. So are the professors, who are being told by presidents & chancellors that AI is the most important thing at the university & the teaching center tells us students should do things like illegally record our lectures & use those recordings to make AI notes.
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Vermont Public @vermontpublic.org · 08/06/2026
“Although it’s military history, it’s also women's history, and she was on the front lines with the Green Mountain Boys,” said Tom Hughes, leader of the Friends of Ann Story.
vermontpublic.org
New roadside marker celebrates Ann Story, 'Mother of the Green Mountain Boys'
Vermonters gathered at the Ann Story cabin in Salisbury to celebrate the Revolutionary War heroine.
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Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 08/06/2026
who among us has not leased a late night timeslot from CBS for $15 million in order to air unfunny slop nobody wants
thedailybeast.com
Colbert’s Replacement Pushes Back After Ratings Disaster
The new CBS host addressed his show’s 85% decline in viewership following Colbert’s exit.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Had a great time at El Sabor de Wheaton yesterday. Great food and music! #lovedc
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
In honor of the Virginia Democratic plan to kick off the 2028 presidential nomination contest - my 2012 Washington Post opinion column suggesting that very thing. wapo.st/4r09kUw
wapo.st
Opinion | Virginia belongs at the top of the presidential-election calendar
Virginia belongs at the front of the line.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Reminder that banning elected officials from trading stock is a total no brainer. They can use privileged information to make money on the stock market, while they’re supposed to be working for you. Make no mistake — it’s legalized corruption.
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Benjamin Wittes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org · 29/05/2026
The Justice Department tried to erase the history of Jan 6. We restored if. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
lawfaremedia.org
The Justice Department Erases History; Lawfare Restores It
Last week, the Justice Department deleted thousands of press releases related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and other matters. Here they are.
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 29/05/2026
we need a clear regulatory line between bike-type devices and motorcycle-type devices. and a scooter this fast should probably not be legal at all. dude was wearing a full face helmet and he still died
The Blade GT II scooter is one of many high-speed devices that are illegal to operate on city streets or bike lanes, but it is easy to order one online and have it delivered to an city address.

“Zero to 53 in 3.9 seconds,” states the website for the $1,700 Blade scooter, made by Teverun.

In the wake of the crash, City Hall spokesman Jeremy Edwards said the Mamdani administration would continue to fight illegal vehicles.
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 29/05/2026
man that's awful. those ridiculously overpowered e-bikes and such are a menace nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/05/28/t...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Two Dead After Illegal Scooter Rider And Cyclist Crash On Queensboro Bridge - Streetsblog New York City
Street safety advocates have been criticizing city officials for failing to fully grasp the dangers of e-motos and illegal stand-up scooters for years.
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Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
AG Sulzberger calls out media owners that have settled flimsy lawsuits and transformed their coverage to placate the president: "Such capitulation, even seemingly small instances of it, serves only to embolden the administration to keep attacking the press." www.nytco.com/press/ag-sul...
nytco.com
AG Sulzberger: ‘We Will Not Compromise’ on Independent Reporting | The New York Times Company
The New York Times publisher spoke in defense of a free press hosted by Yale Law School’s Floy Abrams Institute.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Political humor is the best humor.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
In The Guardian UK today talking about political humor and Stephen Colbert. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
theguardian.com
‘He had a unique ability to be human’: late-night TV says goodbye to Stephen Colbert
The Late Show, and its much-loved host, will bid farewell this week after a controversial cancellation leaving behind a challenging TV landscape
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
We had another great meal at the annual Armenian Food Festival in DC today. They are open tonight and again on Sunday for this annual treat.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Happy "House Listing Day" to those who celebrate - wish us luck !
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Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
"The Supreme Court has frequently admonished judges not to interfere in election cases when the process is already underway, but it is now being accused of doing exactly that in recent decisions favoring Republicans in redistricting fights." www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
nbcnews.com
Supreme Court faces new criticism for redistricting decisions so close to the 2026 elections
Justices have said judges shouldn’t interfere in election disputes so close to the primary process, but their own rulings have triggered a frenzy to draw new congressional maps.
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Governor Wes Moore @govwesmoore.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
People have been asking for the Purple Line for over a decade. Today, we put the FINAL piece of rail in the ground. Thanks to everyone who made this milestone possible and delivered on a project that’s been stalled for far too long.
Elected officials along Purple Line tracks with the following text fellow them: Delivered. Over 16 miles of track laid from New Carrollton to Bethesda. Governor Moore installs final piece of rail for the Purple Line.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Thanks to my UMW Political Science colleagues for hosting a wonderful retirement event for me yesterday. It's been a great 30+ years for me in DC-area higher education!
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Congrats to Associated Press investigative reporter Byron Tau on his Pulitzer Prize. Here's my first former student to win a Pulitzer meeting with my Mass Media Politics class at Mary Washington last spring. Congrats!
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Notes from Poland @notesfrompoland.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
The United States has expressed "strong support for Poland’s accession to the G20 as a permanent member" following talks in Warsaw, after which it also emphasised "strong and growing" Polish-American relations.
notesfrompoland.com
US supports permanent G20 membership for Poland
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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Grim www.browndailyherald.com/article/2026... Can't pretend the world hasn't changed
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
I will be talking about the Virginia gerrymandering referendum at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on CSPAN. Please join us. (Polls open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Election Day voting).
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Thanks to Mary Washington graduate and presidential campaign and Google alum Zach Wineburg for meeting with my Mass Media Politics students last week.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Thanks to Mary Washington grad Kate Seltzer, now covering Virginia politics and government for the Virginian-Pilot, for meeting with my students this week.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
53 years ago today, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct role in the Vietnam War. I remember seeing this anti-war PSA back then. Its message is sadly still very relevant today as Trump drags us into another unpopular war.
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
On Nov 2024, airline execs were giddy about trump winning so that Biden era consumer protections could be reversed, etc. None more so than Delta’s CEO. Now Trump’s reckless war may ruin them, even put some out of business.
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Andrew Rudalevige @rudalev.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
If you want to find out how we got here... Glad to announce the arrival of The Trump First Term, edited by me, @juliaazari.bsky.social, and Bert Rockman. A great lineup of authors (see next post) show what's different - and not! - between Trump 1.0 and today. #polisky
Cover of The Trump First Term (University of Kansas Press), edited by Azari, Rockman, and Rudalevige
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Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Just a reminder that Hegseth's anti-press policy was so terrible, even Fox News refused to sign it.
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Prof. Stephen Farnsworth @drsfarnsworth.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
US policy-making over the past 14 months has been the best thing that has happened to LPC in decades
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 15/03/2026
The seizure of Washington Post reporter @hannahnatanson.bsky.social's devices likely killed far more stories than any court order ever could. Judge Porter should've done more to punish prosecutors, but he was right to call the raid what it was — a prior restraint.
freedom.press
A judge finally called a newsroom raid what it is
Seizures of journalists’ materials have the same impact as traditional prior restraints
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NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
If broadcasters won’t obey FCC chair Brendan Carr’s orders to air more pro-war content or lose their broadcast licenses, I’m going to become an even bigger libertarian.
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