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Mark Jacob

@markjacob.bsky.social
115K followers 1.9K following 10K posts

Former metro editor at Chicago Tribune and Sunday editor at Chicago Sun-Times. Co-author of 11 books, mostly on history. Writer of the Stop the Presses newsletter at www.stopthepresses.news. Subscribe!

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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 1h
Dictator Move of the Day.
justice.gov
Justice Department Files Judicial Misconduct Complaint Alleging MN Judges Made Improper and Unethical Comments to the New York Times
Today, The Department of Justice filed a complaint of judicial misconduct against Hon. Patrick J. Schiltz, Hon. John R. Tunheim, and Anonymous District Judges at the United States District Court for t...
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 1h
I hate it when news media suck up to newsmakers by trying to wish things into existence. Two examples: The media chorus that Rahm Emanuel is presidential material and Axios pushing Eric Schmitt as the next vice president. Start reporting real news. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 1h
Under Trump, the U.S. isn’t a country in the traditional sense. It’s the military and financial management arm of the corporate club that's in charge – Musk, Bezos, Thiel, Zuckerberg, etc. That’s why Trump won't regulate AI. He knows corporations regulate the government, not the other way around.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 3h
Millard Fillmore is costing me big-time at the grocery store.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 5h
Republicans have a real can't-do spirit.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 5h
It's a new American tradition: Elect a president and spend the next 4 years blaming the guy who's not president for everything the actual president does.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 5h
The Supreme Court endorses extreme cruelty toward helpless immigrants. The 6 Republican justices must think the Dred Scott decision is their precedent. Win the midterms and unpack the court.
theguardian.com
US supreme court allows Trump officials to resume deportations to third countries
Conservative majority temporarily lifts lower-court decision as liberal justices dissent from ruling
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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 6h
Something remarkable is happening: James Talarico is running an expansively pro-immigrant campaign in Texas, a state Trump won by 14 points, speaking in Biblical terms about our duty to "the stranger." And it's resonating. That's seismic. 1/ (new piece) newrepublic.com/article/2160...
newrepublic.com
In Texas, Something Seismic Is Happening—and It’s All Trump’s Fault
Thanks to the economy and ICE, Trump has lost Texas Latinos. And James Talarico is developing a humane pro-immigrant message that’s resonating—even in this ultra-Trumpy state.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 6h
In audio obtained by the NY Times, Ken Paxton says Trump’s big event in Texas hurt Republicans: “When we did that convention — it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.”
nytimes.com
Ken Paxton, G.O.P. Nominee in Texas, Privately Said Trump’s Convention Hurt Him
Ken Paxton, one of the party’s top Senate candidates and a Trump loyalist, said that “everybody’s numbers dropped” after the event, according to audio obtained by The Times.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 20h
Trump calls for “tremendous self-regulation” by AI companies. Just like the tremendous self-regulation of lifeboat supplies and iceberg spotting on the Titanic.
nbcnews.com
After summit with tech titans, Trump calls for ‘tremendous self-regulation’ by AI companies
The president has been skeptical of guardrails on artificial intelligence, wanting to stay ahead of China. He also launched an AI-powered website, America.gov, on Tuesday.
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 22h
Gobsmacked by the elite levels of not knowing ball in the Senate today, thinking an NBA team is called the Hawkeyes then, refusing to Google it, then accusing a guy of treason because you didn’t know the Iowa Lady Hawkeyes aren’t in the NBA. Somehow I don’t trust these people to Save Girls Sports.
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The Onion @theonion.com · 23h
Cornell Vows That Rapists Will Be Forced To Write Much Longer Essays In The Future theonion.com/cornell-vows...
Cornell Vows That Rapists Will Be Forced To Write Much Longer Essays In The Future
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 23h
After Eric Schmitt lied and was corrected at the Jack Smith hearing, the NY Times called it a “misunderstanding.” This might be fair if Schmitt had a record of honesty (he doesn’t) and if Schmitt didn’t repeat the same lie after the hearing (he did). What the hell is the NY Times doing?
Devlin Barrett and Charlie Savage
Reporting from Washington
Jack Smith, who as special counsel twice charged Donald J. Trump with criminal offenses after his first term, defended his actions in testimony before Congress on Tuesday, as a Republican senator accused him of perjury based on what appeared to be the lawmaker’s misunderstanding about a basketball game involving the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 23h
Benny Johnson took Russian money to spread his right-wing lies. He claims he was duped. So is he spreading right-wing lies for free now?
pbs.org
Well-known right-wing influencers duped to work for covert Russian operation, U.S. prosecutors say
The accusations mark the third straight presidential election in which U.S. authorities have unveiled politically charged details about the Kremlin's attempted interference in U.S. politics.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Axios is ridiculous.
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
HOLD UP. A US Senator just royally f*cked up on live TV in a crucial hearing. This isn't a 'misunderstanding.' This was a high stakes political ploy to set a perjury trap for Jack Smith and it failed miserably. Say that. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09...
Live Updates: Jack Smith, Who Charged Trump, Testifies in Combative Hearing

Republicans have called for the former special counsel to be criminally prosecuted. One Republican senator accused Mr. Smith of perjury, though the accusation appeared to be based on a misunderstanding.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Republican Party is as much an enemy of American democracy as the Soviets were during the Cold War.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I wish Republican politicians had the capacity to be embarrassed by their dishonesty. The fact that they don't makes them more dangerous.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I will concede that the 2 stupidest Republican senators, Tommy Tuberville and Marsha Blackburn, probably don't know any better. The other 51, including Eric Schmitt, have made a conscious decision to blatantly lie to the American people to boost their careers.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Republican behavior at the Jack Smith hearing reinforces a fact that should be obvious by now: They will stop at nothing and lie about everything to seize total power. They are fascist traitors.
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Micah @rincewind.run · 29/09/2026
the left has gotten sports, in its entirety, in the national divorce this is why bluesky is the official app of sports
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I wish everyone could see how disgusting, dishonest and just plain stupid Republicans are acting at this Jack Smith hearing.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Sen. John Kennedy made an ass of himself at the Jack Smith hearing. He asked Smith if he believed in the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. He asked Smith about the disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Smith remained polite while this asshat performed his reprehensible routine.
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Spokane Rising @spokanerising.com · 29/09/2026
Send Stephen Miller to The Hague.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Mike Johnson thinks denying health care to the poor is a "program integrity measure." Kicking Johnson out of the speaker's chair would be my idea of a program integrity measure.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Republicans know the key to their power is getting people to disengage from participation in democracy.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This week in my Stop the Presses newsletter I write about how the political media invite abuse from the dictator by their timid submissiveness.
stopthepresses.news
The press wear ‘kick me’ signs and wonder why Trump kicks them
The White House is emboldened to disrespect journalists because journalists disrespect themselves
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Imagine if congressional Republicans cared as much about poor people getting to see doctors as they care about limiting the paydays of college athletes.
nbcnews.com
Senate passes college sports bill that would rein in athlete payments and transfers
The overwhelming 77-22 vote to pass the legislation is Congress’ strongest effort yet to set national regulations governing payments to college athletes for their names, images and likenesses and how ...
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It’s indeed possible to write a headline that says “Trump lies again.” It doesn’t violate any rule of journalism or shatter the laws of nature. it just tells the truth.
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datdemlady.bsky.social @datdemlady.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“Corporate media would rather stay out of Trump’s crosshairs than show courage. But for democracy to function, the press need to demand access to public information, not hope for a shower of crumbs from the regime.”
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The press wear “kick me” signs and wonder why Trump kicks them. If they had more self-respect, they’d get less disrespect. My Stop the Presses newsletter.
stopthepresses.news
The press wear ‘kick me’ signs and wonder why Trump kicks them
The White House is emboldened to disrespect journalists because journalists disrespect themselves
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Touché!
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"When regime figures go on TV news shows and lie repeatedly, the hosts thank them for their time and invite them back." Mark's right. The news media -and especially corporate owners- have played a big role in getting us to this point.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
No one except the soulless criminal who's president of the U.S. would say Canada is "one of the worst countries in the entire world." Trump uses China as a good example and Canada as a bad example because he loves dictators and wants to be one.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The press wear “kick me” signs and wonder why Trump kicks them. If they had more self-respect, they’d get less disrespect. My Stop the Presses newsletter.
stopthepresses.news
The press wear ‘kick me’ signs and wonder why Trump kicks them
The White House is emboldened to disrespect journalists because journalists disrespect themselves
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Trump thinks tariff money is his money. He thinks Air Force One is his plane. He defended his White House press ban by saying: "I don't have to let them into my– into the people's house." (He really meant "my.") They're stealing our country. Vote against all Republicans.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Here's Trump saying tariff money is the Republicans' "income" and they can do what they want with it. The Republican Party is a Mafia-style gang, not a political organization.
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In two weeks, Russell Brand goes on trial in the UK on rape and sexual assault charges in cases involving six women. Tomorrow in DC, he's appearing at a MAHA gathering to 'moderate' a discussion with Dr Oz about medicare and medicaid. What the hell?
1:55 to 2:25 pm Reforms at CMS

Chris Klomp Chief Counselor HHS

Mehmet Oz, Administrator CMS

Moderated by Russell BRand, comedian and brodcaster
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Using taxpayer money to run campaign commercials is theft. Trump mocks the law. He has turned the White House into the headquarters for his organized crime gang.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Poor Trump. He's trying to help us peons, but there's some vague "resistance" out here thwarting his noble efforts.
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Abilu Tangwa. @abilutangwa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We have enough food, technology, and money to save the planet. We just have a system where destroying it is more profitable. That's not a climate problem. That's a greed problem. #ClimateJustice
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'd rather read a story headlined, "Who's Winning the Race for Congress, and Why Does It Matter for Your Future?"
nytimes.com
Who’s Winning the Race for Congress?
It’s Sept. 28 — 36 days away from the midterms. Here’s the state of play.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The question isn’t whether Trump and his fascist co-conspirators will rig the midterms — it’s how much. This is one way they’re doing it already.
nytimes.com
A Trump 2024 Campaign Ad Returns, Now Brought to You by the Government
The ad, which ethics experts said could violate federal law, shows Mr. Trump vowing to “expel the warmongers” from the government and fight the “deep state,” even as he wages a war with Iran.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
If the nation wasn’t led by madmen, this would be a huge story. As it is, Trump’s offer to sell weapons to our most powerful adversary is just another sign of America’s national suicide.
nytimes.com
Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says
President Trump made the offer to Xi Jinping, China’s leader, said David Perdue, the ambassador to China. The White House later said the U.S. had no plans for such a sale.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
More proof that MAGA is a cult detached from reality: Only 28% of self-identified MAGA voters think daily expenses have gotten less affordable under Trump. 37% actually think things are more affordable!
Politico poll Trump’s MAGA loyalists don’t think he has an affordability problem
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
This headline is upside down & not direct enough. Change their tune? It's an enormous flip flop. Say that. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/u...
Some Republicans Issue a New Call on Trump’s War With Iran: End It Now

As their midterm picture darkens, and gas and diesel prices soar, some Republicans who backed the war for months are now changing their tune.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Here’s your periodic reminder that Howard Lutnick is still Commerce secretary despite blatantly lying to the public about his personal and business ties with child molester Jeffrey Epstein.
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Schooley @schooley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
So is he just going to keep running ads until election day and then courts rule they are illegal sometime in December?
Frame from another illegal Trump ad featuring his constipated face in black and white and captioned Paid for by the US Government.
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
100%
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I’m starting a new daily Bluesky post that I call Dictator Move of the Day. This is today’s.
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