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David Freedlander

@freedlander.bsky.social
2.7K followers 495 following 86 posts

Contributor, New York Magazine and Politico Magazine. Politics, the arts, books and the City

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Reposted by David Freedlander
bendwalsh.bsky.social @bendwalsh.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
lots and lots of granular detail here supporting @michaelcaley.bsky.social’s thesis that capital doesn’t have the shooters it used too and faces massive coordination issues flexing its power nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
New York’s CEOs Are Gearing Up for a Fight With Mamdani
A storied local-business group is entering a new, more aggressive phase.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Inside the Succession struggle to take over the Partnership of NYC, a group of CEO’s getting ready to battle the rising forces of the Left nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
New York’s CEOs Are Gearing Up for a Fight With Mamdani
A storied local-business group is entering a new, more aggressive phase.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Nolan Hicks @ndhapple.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
A lot of good details in here: "The Son King of Hollywood: With help from his billionaire father, Larry, David Ellison is trying to become the biggest studio mogul in history." www.vulture.com/article/larr...
vulture.com
The Son King of Hollywood
With help from his billionaire father, Larry, David Ellison is trying to become the biggest studio mogul in history.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Mamdani begins nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Mamdani Begins
The new mayor’s inauguration aimed to set a bold new progressive standard. Now we’ll see if he and his administration can also do the work.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
On this week’s cover for @nymag.com: The Making of Mayor Mamdani nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
The Making of Mayor Mamdani
He is a brilliant political talent with dizzying ambitions to change the city. Is he ready for the actual job, though?
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
“Freezing the rent” is a cornerstone of Zohran Mamdani’s agenda. Eric Adams could make it impossible. nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Eric Adams Could Blow Up Mamdani’s Rent Freeze
Landlords want him to Zohran-proof more than 1 million apartments.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Nolan Hicks @ndhapple.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Eric Adams filmed the video after midnight, which is an insane nugget from @freedlander.bsky.social -- nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Eric Adams Couldn’t Sleep on It Any Longer
Just past midnight, he decided to end his reelection campaign. The past month was a disaster.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Eric Adams Couldn’t Sleep on It Any Longer
Just past midnight, he decided to end his reelection campaign. The past month was a disaster.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Aman Batheja @amanbatheja.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
“The Mamdani campaign has been in regular contact with both Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and the office of Attorney General Letitia James, who have pledged their support should Mamdani be detained by immigration or border officials after he lands.” nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Mamdani’s Campaign ‘Taking Steps’ in Case He Gets Hassled Reentering U.S.
The mayoral candidate will be arriving at JFK airport after a trip to Uganda.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Joel S. @joelhs.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Probably smart for him to be thinking about this possibility, but truly a tragic sign of our times that he has to: nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Mamdani’s Campaign ‘Taking Steps’ in Case He Gets Hassled Reentering U.S.
The mayoral candidate will be arriving at JFK airport after a trip to Uganda.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Zohran Mamdani is returning to US tomorrow. His team, and NY officials, are preparing for what may await him when he lands nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Mamdani’s Campaign ‘Taking Steps’ in Case He Gets Hassled Reentering U.S.
The mayoral candidate will be arriving at JFK airport after a trip to Uganda.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
New York Magazine @nymag.com · 28/06/2025
Zohran Mamdani beat Andrew Cuomo and the elite by upending how the city’s politics was supposed to work. Read our latest cover story about his win by @freedlander.bsky.social buff.ly/wekmKBb
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The Rumble in the Jungle-like Heat. A final look as a chaotic mayoral race races to a finish nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Expect a Photo Finish in New York’s Mayoral Race
Recriminations have already begun in the camp of Andrew Cuomo — a big favorite until Zohran Mamdani’s recent rise.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Brian F. Kelcey @stateofthecity.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Solid deep-dive on the Mamdani campaign in New York - although if I can make a professional observation, the thing that strikes me most about the Mamdani campaign isn't that it "broke the rules" but on the contrary, it is/was a solid execution of a very conventional 21st C campaign model.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Took a peek under the hood of Mamdani-mentum and a look at the guy behind some of its viral campaign ads nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
How Zohran Wins
The Mamdani campaign broke the rules of running for mayor. Will it be enough?
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Andrew Cuomo's closing message: The LA riots are coming to New York. And who do you want to face off against Trump--me, or Kid Mamdani? Latest for @nymag.bsky.social nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
With Mamdani Surging, Cuomo Plays the Trump Card
His closing message is a scorching ad saying New York could be next after Los Angeles and his 33-year-old opponent can’t lead.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Who is going to win the AOC primary? nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
AOC Is Running Out of Time
If progressives hope to prevent Mayor Cuomo, she will need to back a challenger soon.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Dems come for their own nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
The ‘Liberal Tea Party’ Moment Is Here for Democrats
It’s going to be a long, hot summer for incumbents.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Joe In Absurdistan @j-everett.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Thank You "...across the country, a record number of well-financed progressives are gearing up to take on Democratic incumbents who have been in office for decades." nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
The ‘Liberal Tea Party’ Moment Is Here for Democrats
It’s going to be a long, hot summer for incumbents.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
The NYC mayoral race has become a contest about who can best protect New York from Donald Trump. But can anyone? nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Who Can Trump-proof New York?
Democratic mayoral hopefuls, with two major exceptions, have plans to take on the president.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
New York Magazine @nymag.com · 31/03/2025
Why does Andrew Cuomo even want to be mayor of New York City? Read our report on the "new" Cuomo and his new pitch for office: nymag.com/intelligence...
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Adams Agonistes nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
What Eric Adams Says About Trump Behind Closed Doors
“Have faith that I know what I’m doing and I know how to navigate this.”
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Really interesting and clear-eyed look at what Musk and Co. are actually up to www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
theatlantic.com
This Is What Happens When the DOGE Guys Take Over
Inside the federal agencies where Elon Musk’s people have seized control, fear and uncertainty reign.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
With a lifeline from Trump, a sleepy mayoral race was upended overnight. nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
After a Little Help From Trump, Eric Adams Thinks He Can Win
Watch out, Andrew Cuomo.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
This story is on A22
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
This is pretty much how every Trump Cabinet confirmation hearing went www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WE...
youtube.com
Key & Peele - Rap Album Confessions
YouTube video by Comedy Central
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Trump reinstates an executive order “Protecting America’s Monuments from Vandalism” which has a notable omission
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
If you’re a star they let you do it
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
A rally speech as inaugural address: My take on Trump Day One nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Trump’s Inaugural Address Was Just Another MAGA Rally Speech
No 1970’s era disco group came out in the marbled halls of the Capitol. But it would scarcely have been a surprise.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
From last week: nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
The Mayoral Race Has Begun. Everyone Is Frozen.
There are lots of candidates, and plenty of scandal and drama — but mostly there is waiting.
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Brian Klaas @brianklaas.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
This is a very British headline:
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Three and a half years ago: www.politico.com/states/new-y...
politico.com
Adams declares himself 'future of the Democratic party' ahead of final election results
"If the Democratic Party fails to recognize what we did here in New York, they’re going to have a problem in the midterm elections and they’re going to have a problem in the presidential election,” Ad...
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Worth remembering that the stated reason why career professional Christopher Wray should be fired and replaced with Kash Patel is that the FBI has grown too political
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Trump has to keep on replacing his FBI director because the people in the job keep finding evidence of his crimes www.nytimes.com/2024/11/30/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Says He Will Nominate Kash Patel to Run F.B.I.
President-elect Donald J. Trump turned to a firebrand loyalist to become director of the bureau, which he sees as part of a ‘deep state’ conspiracy against him.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Their friendship dates back decades, to Mr. Trump’s own participation in W.W.E. events, including a show in 2007 when Mr. Trump jumped on Mr. McMahon and began punching him. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/u...
nytimes.com
Linda McMahon Was Questioned About WWE in Previous Connecticut Education Role
Linda McMahon, whose résumé mainly rests on running World Wrestling Entertainment, has faced questions for years over whether she is suitable for important education posts.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
This piece imagines that prosecutors knew for certain the political outcomes of prosecuting a former president for clear wrongdoing and should have then made charging decisions based on that assumption www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Legal Battle Against Trump Was a Miserable Failure
A few victories made it easy for Democrats to forget that the law is just another domain of politics where their enemies enjoy power too.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
By the end of the second term Trump is just straight up going to go with Matlock for AG, Doogie Howser at HHS, Ralph Kramden at Transportation, Randolph and Mortimer Duke at Treasury, etc
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Should we all be a little more concerned that New York City has smelled like Satan’s own barbecue pit the last couple of days?
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
As dark as this moment is for Democrats, the nominations of Kennedy, Gabbard and to a lesser degree Gaetz and Hegseth can be read as a complete defeat for movement conservatism
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
And the anti-system forever has the advantage, because the system is necessarily making marginal progress if not outright mistakes, complicated, conflicted, top-heavy, confusing. The anti-system just gets to say “That is bad” and be done with it!
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Has anyone gone to Nestor for the reaction?
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 10/11/2024
My wife, reading my blog: "Don't you understand how apostrophes work?" Me, injured: "This sort of out-of-touch elitist thinking is exactly why Harris lost."
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Reposted by David Freedlander
Dave Weigel @daveweigel.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
One thing I do think Dems will improve on, compared to their 2017 resistance: Not expecting some deus ex machina to take Trump down. This is why I keep tediously talking about how cable news is so unhelpful to them. Every moment you're discussing whether "the walls are closing in" is wasted.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 05/11/2024
Worth noting that if Trump wins they will be a lot of stories about how his staff managed to restrain his most unruly impulses, and that he will then become president of the United States and this staff will not
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 17/09/2024
Two weeks before Election Day 2020, Biden was beating Trump by 11 points. He was up 9 in WI, 5 in PA, 5 in NV, and up in FL and NC, while Trump was bungling the biggest emergency of his presidency. Figuring out what went wrong is the key for Dems in ‘24 nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
Will Trump Beat Expectations Again?
2020 was closer than it seemed and the reasons why might explain why he could win again in 2024.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 13/05/2024
This gets at something which didnt sit right—how did a rather obvious story about a rich guy getting out of alimony payments become a story about brainworms? slate.com/news-and-pol...
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 04/04/2024
Why do so many hostile foreign powers want to see Trump elected? www.nytimes.com/2024/04/01/b...
nytimes.com
China’s Advancing Efforts to Influence the U.S. Election Raise Alarms
China has adopted some of the same misinformation tactics that Russia used ahead of the 2016 election, researchers and government officials say.
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David Freedlander @freedlander.bsky.social · 20/03/2024
Here is New York nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com
The Eric Adams Smash-and-Grab
It’s a brazenly transactional era of government here in New York City. Frank Carone is its master practitioner.
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