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Jonathan Alter

@jonathanalter.bsky.social
6K followers 49 following 60 posts

Journalist, historian, documentary filmmaker

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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Superb piece by a Gaza-born Palestinian Muslim. PLEASE read it and spread it. To Save Gaza, Resist Hamas www.nytimes.com/2026/09/04/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | To Save Gaza, Resist Hamas
If Western supporters of the Palestinians want to help Gaza, denounce Hamas.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Actually, the next president should tone down the ballroom and use it for winter state dinners. But it should otherwise be a community center for the children of Washington.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
A scary scenario: oldgoats.substack.com/p/stopping-t...
oldgoats.substack.com
Stopping Trump’s Rolling Coup
An all-too-plausible scenario of how the GOP tried and failed to steal the midterms
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A tribute to the writers and producers who worked on both Colbert shows—including my wife. share.google/PzmZ0Nayqkjf...
share.google
Inside Colbert’s Success
My wife, Emily Lazar, worked at both The Colbert Report and The Late Show and she helps me look under the hood.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
We need to name this outrage: How about “The Self-Deal Steal.” Justice Dept. Sets Up $1.8 Billion Fund That Could Funnel Money to Trump Allies www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/u...
nytimes.com
Justice Dept. Sets Up $1.8 Billion Fund That Could Funnel Money to Trump Allies
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Here's a little historical context for No Kings Day. Hope to see you out there tomorrow in your community. Please subscribe--free or paid. oldgoats.substack.com/p/then-and-n...
oldgoats.substack.com
THEN and NOW: Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam (1969) and No Kings Day (2026)
Julian Zelizer and I put the March 28 No Kings rallies in historical context. Be a part of the largest mass movement in all of American history!!!
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Tom Tomashek @notgoingback2124.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Speaker Johnson doesn't want Gonzalez to resign despite office affair. The Bible-thumping speaker is willing to turn the other cheek to protect his slim House margin. He's a type-A hypocrite.
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Max Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The American president is more insulated from accountability than a British royal. Our political system provides the elite with immunity. It has to change.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Breaking: @NickMiroff of Atlantic has THREE sources saying the original training period of 13-16 weeks for ICE recruits was originally reduced to 47 days because Trump is the 47th president. This is worse than Caligula making his horse the consul of Rome. Oldgoats.substack.com
oldgoats.substack.com
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter | Substack
Ruminating with friends. Click to read OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
The REAL story behind Trump’s unhinged take on Greenland share.google/raTjLN42KPno...
share.google
Greenland and the Benjamins
There’s a method behind Trump’s madness and it’s colored green.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The Renee Good case in historical perspective. oldgoats.substack.com/p/how-the-mu...
oldgoats.substack.com
How the Murder of Good Changes the Stakes for Good
ICE won’t melt, but traumatic events of this kind create their own force fields that bring change
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Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
If this happened to a conservative organizer, Republicans would make her a hero, a household name and a congressional candidate. Elected Democrats just pretend it isn't happening.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Thanks, @patti4040.bsky.social !!
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Wen Z @wenz.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
"No Kings is brilliant because it's so capacious": You need only believe in ​A​merica's founding principles​ to be a part of it. — Historian @jonathanalter.bsky.social, discussing #NoKings with @jenrubin.bsky.social and @normeisen.bsky.social of @contrariannews.org
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Here’s the final chapter of the wildest story I’ve ever written. “Nick Rockefeller,” who died with his secret intact, may be the most successful imposter in US history. share.google/K0qYhyU1HbbM...
share.google
Nicholas Rockefeller's 40-Year Con: Part III
Beneath the “wonderful man” described by a Yale Law School classmate lurked a dark, abusive Mr. Hyde.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Hey, @susanchumsky.bsky.social you may be right! But my people were in the Pale of Settlement then.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Here's Part II of the most bizarre story I've ever written. airmail.news/issues/2025-...
airmail.news
Nicholas Rockefeller's 40-Year Con: Part II
After faking his way into Harvard Law School—twice—Spiro Pavlovich turns up at Yale Law School with a new name: Nicholas Rockefeller.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
I'm so saddened by the death of Bob Barnett, who represented me (for 27 years) and so many others on both sides in politics and journalism. It's cool to deride "insiders" and "elitists" and they have their faults. But they (we) have brought continuity and decency to the system. RIP, Bob.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
They're swimming in the Chicago River! This is the fulfillment of the vision of my late mother, Joanne Alter, who in 1972 was elected to the Sanitary District on a "Clean Water" platform. Thanks to all who helped her. www.nytimes.com/card/2025/09...
nytimes.com
Chicagoans Avoided Their ‘Filthy’ River for Years. On Sunday, They Swam in It.
Decades of work to clean the Chicago River culminated with the first swim in almost 100 years. It was the latest sign of how the city’s relationship with its river has changed.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Bill Pulte, wo has been sliming the Fed's Lisa Cook, should look inside his own family. His parents have committed what he calls "mortgage fraud." www.reuters.com/world/us/bil...
reuters.com
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Vance lied. The very conservative Cato Institute reports that since 1975 (excluding 9/11), 10 percent of political murders have been from the left, 23 percent from Islamicists, and 63 percent from the right. My latest Old Goats. Please subscribe--free or paid. oldgoats.substack.com/p/can-spence...
oldgoats.substack.com
Can Spencer Cox Prevent a Civil War?
Amid all the hypocrisy and projection, focusing on social media might help us avoid becoming the Donner Party
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
My take on shutdown: Clinton-Era Lessons for Democrats Confronting Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Clinton-Era Lessons for Democrats Confronting Trump
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
Please read @marcelias.bsky.social here for a fuller understanding of the thugs, creeps and liars now running our government.
newsletters.democracydocket.com
I’m not panicking. I’m outraged.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Then and Now: Right-Wing Conspiracy Politics We discuss the John Birch Society, Dr. Strangelove and how much worse and more mainstream conspiracy theories are today. Five minutes only! Please subscribe to Old Goats, free or paid. open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Then and Now: Right-Wing Conspiracy Politics
Julian Zelizer and I discuss the John Birch Society calling Ike a commie and Trump’s conspiracies boomeranging.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
As Congress gets set to approve THE BIG UGLY BILL, it's essential that it be called that in EVERY reference to it--over and over again through the midterms. Americans are already overwhelmingly against THE BIG UGLY BILL, but need to call it by one name so the stigma sticks.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
The Police State is the Point. We're headed for one. Believe it. open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
The Police State is the Point
We’re rapidly moving toward one. Believe it.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
CBS Prez George Cheeks can resign and be an American hero—or be condemned by history. What’ll it be, George?
open.substack.com
Shari Redstone Might Be Headed for Jail
If Paramount's heiress chief settles with Trump, it will be seen as extortion and bribery. Plus: A new "Past and Presidency" video on Elon Musk and Joe McCarthy.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Watch “Past and Presidency” with me and Prof. Julian Zelizer today at 11 am est. We’ll discuss the Big Ugly Bill.
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TeeGee @teegeezee.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
@jonathanalter.bsky.social a 21 year survivor of a stage 4 cancer, says Biden’s cancer prognosis is 30% at 5 years. He says “someone has to be in the good percentages It might as well be Joe Biden. He’s a man of great decency & integrity & an awful lot of people in this country are rooting for him”❤️
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Tank vs. Tesla x.com/SethAbramson...
x.com
Seth Abramson on X: "RETWEET https://t.co/FPkrnlXIeT" / X
RETWEET https://t.co/FPkrnlXIeT
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Our new show debuts: Past and Presidency with Jonathan Alter and Julian Zelizer open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Past and Presidency with Jonathan Alter and Julian Zelizer
A recording from Jonathan Alter and Julian Zelizer's live video
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Good news! Bezos backed off his idea to break out tariffs on Amazon products but the cat is out of the bag. When the toys parents buy (almost all from China) are more than twice as expensive, they will know to blame Trump open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Good News! Bezos Screws Trump
Even though he backed off on breaking out the Trump Tariff on Amazon products, the cat is out of the bag
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
FDR calmed and unified the country; Trump has terrified and further divided us
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Hey, TV, Don’t Bend the Knee!
The producer of 60 Minutes and the Evening News resigned today because he wouldn’t apologize for an accurate story.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Why’s that @gastropoda.bsky.social ? There’s a lot of new stuff in my book after the Reagan victory—including his entire post -presidency.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
It was his brother Billy, an alcoholic, who mismanaged Carter’s Warehouse but he also faced poor market conditions.
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Alan Frady @alanfrady.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Must read from @jonathanalter.bsky.social on #FFELON tariff exemption process. "This lawlessness makes it clear that he wants the “black hole” on tariff exemptions (and other key decisions) to be as dark as possible as soon as possible." oldgoats.substack.com/p/trumps-hug...
oldgoats.substack.com
Trump’s Huge Tariff Exemption Grift
The latest shakedown makes Tammany Hall and the Daley Machine look like the League of Women Voters
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Please subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Wisconsin Watershed Will Shape Midterms
Musk is now an albatross around the neck of MAGA candidates and Trump knows it.
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Harry Litman @harrylitman.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
HERE YOU HAVE IT, an ALL-NEW @talkingfeds.bsky.social w/ a killer panel of @jonathanalter.bsky.social, #AlisynCamerota, & @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. The Signal-Gate debacle + coverup; more good news from the courts; & an overall assessment of where we are on the road to ruin. Link: bit.ly/SignalTF
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Talking Feds with Harry Litman @talkingfeds.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
In “Hegsethive Pride,” @jonathanalter.bsky.social, #AlisynCamerota & @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social joins Harry to assess the colossal screwup & brazen coverup of Signal-Gate before moving to legal developments and an overall assessment of the state of the Republic. Don’t miss it! Link: bit.ly/SignalTF
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Please subscribe—free or paid open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
The Character Test of Our Time
We’ll all have to explain our choices to our grandchildren
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Frank @fkgator.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
@jonathanalter.bsky.social just read today's email from you. You closed with an allusion to the phrase I keep telling my wife about Trump - "he who sows the wind, shall reap the whirlwind". Hopefully, Trump will reap it - November 2026 cannot get here too soon.
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Joan Eisenstodt @joaneisenstodt.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Very much worth subscribing to this great substack.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Please subscribe to Old Goats on Substack open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
A Constitutional Crisis is Already Underway
Trump’s defiance of Judge Boasberg’s court order crossed a scary line
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Please subscribe—free or paid open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com
Will Trump Reap the Whirlwind?
The Orange Menace and his flunkies think a recession would be 'worth it.' They're right about that.
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Do you like this idea for the Democrats? Subscribe and let me know.
open.substack.com
Let’s Create “Town Hall Night in America”
It’s time for Democrats to institutionalize our oldest form of democracy
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Alan Cantor @alcantor.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
An excellent, heartfelt synopsis by @jonathanalter.bsky.social of the disgusting scene in the Oval office today. Jon puts into words why this was so horrendous on every level. oldgoats.substack.com/p/a-low-poin...
us02web.zoom.us
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom ...
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Caesar, Napoleon, Nixon—and Trump.
open.substack.com
Tsar Trump Thinks He’s the State
As he tries to wreck everything, a little history and hope to tide us over
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Jonathan Alter @jonathanalter.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Terrific piece on “Trump’s Medicaid Raid.” Make sure to call it that in the weeks ahead mailchi.mp/e3ea4c6e38a0...
mailchi.mp
My New Op-Ed: Beware Republicans Claiming Massive but “Painless” Medicaid Cuts
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