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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (R) looks on as President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order

Science

Three Vaccines Is Less Vaccine Than One Vaccine, According To Donald Trump

Sohini Desai

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller (L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio before addressing the audience

Politics

Eventually Everyone Will Be Called A Terrorist

David Roth

President Donald Trump holds up a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey as he hosted 2025 World Series champions in the Rose Garden of the White House on July 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The Dodgers Went To Grandpa’s House!

Ray Ratto

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on after presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy to Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Soccer

A Hater’s Coda To The World Cup

Tom Ley

FIFA President Gianni Infantino directs U.S. President Donald Trump after the team’s victory following during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina

Looking Good, Sir!

Albert Burneko

People stand at the scene of an ICE shooting that killed a man on July 13, 2026.

ICE Brings The Occupation Home

Dave McKenna

A National Guard officer walks through an emptied out area of The Great American State Fair

Trump’s State Fair Was Ass In All The Ways I’d Been Warned 

Luis Paez-Pumar

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States fouls Tarik Muharemovic #4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina which is later reviewed by VAR and awarded as a red card foul a during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

The Folarin Balogun Red Card Brouhaha Is A Vintage FIFA Disaster

Visitors inspect the exhibitions at the Great American State Fair on June 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Dead Country Fair

Seen through algae-laden green water, a tear in the recently applied sealant can be seen on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.

You Can Now Be Arrested For Sticking Your Hand In Donald Trump’s Disgusting Reflecting Pool

National Park Service workers push algae towards an aeration area in the center of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2026. It looks all fucked up.

Life's Rich Pageant

Promises Made, Promises Kept: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Absolutely Looks Like Shit Now

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Funbag

What’s The Ideal Target For A Heist?

The Fights

UFC’s White House Fight Night May Have Been An Unforgivable Folly, But At Least It Was Violent And Offensive

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 5: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump on stage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The State Of Sportswashing

Sarah Borus

Members of the U.S. Secret Service patrol outside at Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3

Policing

Security Theater Looks The Same Every Time

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lands on the scorers table as Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Knicks Stopped Moving And Died

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump on the red carpet prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw

Border Security Theatrics Are Rising At History’s Stupidest World Cup

The White house behind a hideous UFC stage

Donald Trump’s Birthday Plans Have Made Washington D.C. Hideous And Depressing

Justin Ellis

Knicks fans crowd around each other at a NBA playoffs watch party outside Madison Square Garden in spring 2026

The President Has Arrived To Fuck Up The Hottest Party In New York

Report: Stupid Asshole Headed To New York To Ruin Everything

Joshua C. Kendall was born in New York City. An award-winning freelance journalist, he has written on history, 
politics, biography, health care, and neuroscience for many national magazines and newspapers. He is currently an associate fellow of Yale’s Trumbull College. His previous books include First Dads, The Man Who Made Lists, and The Forgotten Founding Father.

Joshua Kendall

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

“Awfulness For Decades”: A Short History Of Trump And Doonesbury

Jaxson Dart and Donald Trump stand on stage at the rally.

Shocker: Jaxson Dart Is A Trump Guy

US President Donald Trump (L) meets with China’s President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of their visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15, 2026. (Photo by Evan Vucci / POOL / AFP)