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Defector


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans plays the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in the fourth quarter February 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Zion Williamson Accused Of Rape, Domestic Violence In Lawsuit

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Tom Cruise arrives at the US Premiere of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York, New York on May 18, 2025.

Arts And Culture

If Tom Cruise REALLY Loved Movies, He Would Let Me Watch Him Die

Stefon Diggs handing a pink substance to some women on a boat

The Stefon Diggs Experience Reaches Its Inevitable Maritime Climax

David Roth

Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti, at center in glasses and a vest, was in attendance for the retirement of Kendrick Williams during a college basketball game between Texas Longhorns and the TCU Horned Frogs on February 3, 2024.

What Is Sam Presti’s Name? The Answer(s) May Surprise You.

Albert Burneko

This Is So Stupid

Dave McKenna Insists They Have Ham Trucks In France

Ray Ratto

Miguel Andujar of the Athletics reacts at a called strike against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the seventh inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on May 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California.

The Athletics Have Hopped Back Into The Dumpster


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis look on during the main event of Money in the Bank 2011.

Pro Wrestling

John Laurinaitis Says He Will Testify Against Vince McMahon

<p>The author can be reached at postpostdoc@protonmail.com.</p>


Post-Postdoc

The Machines

The AI Floodwaters Are Rising Fast

Kelsey McKinney

A logo for Ask the Book Doctor, with a woman with arm tattoos and a nose ring looking at a giant art book and flipping pages. It's a very 1980s clip art look

Got A Reading Problem? Ask The Book Doctor!

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a pass against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

They Can’t All Be Thrillers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to his right, seemingly at The Distraction logo, with a towel over his shoulder, after the team's Game 4 loss in the Western Conference Finals.

Podcasts

Activating The Dunk Machine

Patrick Redford

Brazil's Joao Fonseca reacts after winning against France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert during their men's singles match on day 5 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Tennis

João Fonseca Loves The Pressure

Luis Paez-Pumar

An early game battle against Metal Face in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

The Backlog

‘Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition’ Is What A Remake Should Be


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

a headshot of Becca Beckham, a former AmeriCorps portfolio manager

Interviews

An Interview With A Fired AmeriCorps Portfolio Manager

<div>
<p>Sebastian Stockman is a Teaching Professor in English at Northeastern University, a writer whose work has appeared in the <em>Washington Post </em>and the <em>Boston Globe</em> among many other places, and a guy who publishes <a href="https://sebastianstockman.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sebastianstockman.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748539688609000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0eIUYaj1h-eA1-XIa8i0L7">A Saturday Letter,</a> a very occasional free thing. Follow him on Bluesky @<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/substockman.bsky.social">substockman.bsky.social</a>.</p>
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Sebastian Stockman

Florida, Miami, Arscht Performing Arts Center, The Miami Herald Spelling Bee, test, competition, stage, overview, contestants, judges, moderator, sit, chair, elimination, opera house,

Life's Rich Pageant

Confessions Of A Spelling Bee Pronouncer

Lauren Theisen

The Panthers Are A Nightmare For The Rest Of The NHL

<div dir="ltr">
<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is out now. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

Goal in sunset, at Gärdet Stockholm Sweden

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

Kicking Practice

Dave McKenna

Rick Derringer performs at Oakland Stadium in Oakland, California - July 23, 1977

Rick Derringer Made Rock And Roll Fun

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Thunder players smile on the sideline during their victory.

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Oklahoma City

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kathryn Westbeld #24 (L) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Alyssa Thomas #25 after defeating the Chicago Sky 94-89 in the WNBA game at PHX Arena on May 27, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

WNBA

The Mercury Are Getting Plenty Of Help From Their Intriguing Randos

BORMIO, ITALY - MAY 28: Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and Team UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Pink Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 108th Giro d'Italia 2025, Stage 17 a 155km stage from San Michele all'Adige to Bormio 1200m / #UCIWT / on May 28, 2025 in Bormio, Italy. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

Cycling

Isaac Del Toro Meets The Moment

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the first quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 18, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Can The NBA Still Produce Interesting Coaches?

Samer Kalaf

Caitlin Clark reacts after a turnover in a game against the Liberty.

Media Meltdowns

Christine Brennan Won’t Rest Until Caitlin Clark’s Muscle Strain Is Treated As A National Crisis

Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up against the Dallas Stars in Game Four

Oh God, Stuart Skinner Controls The Oilers’ Destiny

Tom Ley

A woman wearing Save Girls Sport hat records a video of transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley (not pictured) during the girls long jump at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School on May 24, 2025 in Moorpark, California.