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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

Alex Sujong Laughlin

An image of one of Alex's old journals, sitting on a very nice wood table.

Politics

It’s Day One, Again

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Melania Trump.

Margin Of Error

Welcome Home

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


Sabrina Imbler

a silvery fish called a delta smelt in a litle cup

This Week In Maligned Little Fish

First responders wearing Hazmat gear investigate a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the entrance to the Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas on Jan. 01, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

How Crazy Was The Las Vegas Cybertruck Bomber?

Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and JD Vance attend the Army-Navy football game on December 14, 2024.

Elon Musk Takes What He Can Get

Journalismism

ABC’s Trump Settlement Is A Bad Omen

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth leaves a meeting with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) with his wife Jennifer Rauchet as he continues to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on December 5, 2024 in Washington, DC.

What Makes A Scandal


<p>Luisa Rollenhagen is a German-Argentinian freelance journalist based in Berlin. She&#8217;s written for publications such as <em>The Guardian</em>, BuzzFeed News, Deutsche Welle, and <em>GQ</em>. </p>


Luisa Rollenhagen

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 12: A parade float shows an effigy of Donald Trump holding a pair of scissors in his hand with a cut-up US flag in the shape of a swastika at the annual Rose Monday Carnival parade on February 12, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Mainz and Dusseldorf Rose Monday parades are known for their biting political satire. Cities in western Germany are celebrating the traditional Rhineland Carnival this week, culminating in today's Rose Monday parades. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Donald Trump Is Everyone’s Problem, Even In Germany

Kelsey McKinney

The Harvest Moon rises over the U.S. Capitol dome in 2022.

The American Nightmare Is A Rerun

Albert Burneko

Robert F. Kennedy looking like an old shrunken russet potato at some Trump rally.

Media Meltdowns

What The Fuck Is A “Vaccine Skeptic”?

Supporters hold "Women for Trump" signs as they watch Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speak at a campaign rally at the Santander Arena on November 04, 2024 in Reading, Pennsylvania

Under The Influence

It’s Safe For Lifestyle Influencers To Be MAGA Now

<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

Funbag

What’s The Worst Sport To Play With A Poopy Diaper?

David Roth

A detractor of president-elect Donald Trump protests against his policies in New York City on November 9, 2024. Their sign says "we need all of us."

Beyond Belief

Lauren Theisen

A Delta Air Lines banner ad for Pride Night is seen behind Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers as he pitches

End MLB Pride Nights

Workers prepare US Capitol for 2025 inauguration.

Last Time Was Lucky

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 5: A sign points voters where to go for voting at a voting precinct at the Two Towers Condominiums, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 5, 2024.

After Tuesday

Barry Petchesky

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 06: Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump makes a speech during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, on November 06, 2024.

This Place Is All Fucked Up

A sign reading VOTING AHEAD at an Atlanta, Ga. early voting location.

It’s Time To Vote

Kamala Harris smiling out at the crowd at her big rally in Washington, D.C. on October 29, 2024. There's a bunch of people cheering behind her and she's wearing a suit.

Podcasts

Watching The Game, With Denny Carter

Tom Ley

Jeff Bezos Made Someone Else’s Business Decision

They’re Saying It

Samer Kalaf

Nick Bosa appears on the Sunday Night Football postgame interview in a Make America Great Again hat

Nick Bosa Wants The Attention Without The Culpability

Nate Crudster

This Is So Stupid

No Matter What Happens In This Election, Nobody Is Allowed To Get Mad At Me

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


Dan McQuade

Feasterville-Trevose, PA - October 20 : Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump hands out food while standing at a drive-thru window during a campaign stop at a McDonald's in Feasterville-Trevose, PA on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

Donald Trump Played Pretend In A McDonald’s I Once Knew Intimately

A big campaign sign that is just Kamala Harris's head, in front of a blue sky with scattered clouds.