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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

Tom Ley

Politics

Bari Weiss Even Worse At Her Job Than Previously Imagined

Journalismism

Bari Weiss Hires Credulous Dope To Run ’60 Minutes’

Israel Daramola

Listening Habits

What Makes A Great American Songwriter?

Albert Burneko

President, Extremely Normal Brain-Wise: Pope Weak On Crime, Also I’m Dr. Jesus Christ

In a black-and-white old photo from an exhibition in Paris in 1960, a robotic typist sits at a desk in front of a typewriter, with two women looking on.

The Machines

Why Would You Ask AI To Tell The Story Of Your Own Life?

<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

Mike Vrabel And Dianna Russini Insist There’s Nothing Strange About Them Holding Hands And Hugging At A Hotel

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


Chris Thompson

Which Lives Are Worthy Of The Media’s Protection?

Jamboroo

Pips Understands The True Joy Of Puzzle-Solving

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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

Margin Of Error

What Makes A Loser

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 04, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Setting Aside The Incorrect Claim About Herd Immunity

David Roth

David Brooks making a surprised face while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on the OWN Netwrok.

David Brooks: Wearing A Mets Hat Might Just Save Our Democracy

Brandy Jensen

The front of the New York Times building on 8th Avenue during sunset

The New York Times Clarifies That A Starving Child In Gaza Also Needs Medical Care

Samer Kalaf

The New York Times Had To Work With A Eugenicist So They Didn’t Get Scooped By A Bigot

Masked federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 18, 2025 in New York City. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), NYC Comptroller and Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander and Council Member Alexa Avilés visited immigration courts to watch proceedings a day after NYC Comptroller and Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents while accompanying a person out of a courtroom as people continue to be detained following immigration court hearings.

No Time For Theatrics

AI-Powered Robot interacts with People during the Italian Tech Week 2024 at OGR Officine Grandi Riparazioni on September 26, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

Capital

Toward A Theory Of Kevin Roose

(L-R) U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) react during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18.

This Party Sucks

The New York Times Really Asked Ms. Rachel If She’s Paid By Hamas

Donald Trump looking like a saggy orange bag of shit on his way onto Air Force 1 for a trip to the Middle East.

NYT Reporter: It’s Not Corruption Unless The Envelope Says “Bribe” On It

President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton attend the White House State Dinner for the President of Ukraine on November 22, 1994 in Washington, D.C.

The Era Of Meek Government Is Over

Only Kevin Roose’s Editors Despise Him More Than I Do

A mugger approaches two victims, holding out his hat, ostensibly to beg, but carrying a large club in his other hand, circa 1790. The image is captioned: 'Honest friend, I'll borrow a little silver of you. He who hath gold hath fear. He who hath none hath sorrow'.

This Is So Stupid

Not Enough People Are Taking The Wallet Inspector Seriously

Journalists raise their hands in an attempt to ask a question of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 31, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Look For The Helpers

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?

Kelsey McKinney

Arts And Culture

The Narrative Is All That Matters

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.