Martin McDonald
@martymcd.bsky.social
UK & US Politics and other stuff from the kitchen table, one tweet at a time.
Some say 'a totally undiscovered twitter treasure' apparently. Also tax. And law
Some say 'a totally undiscovered twitter treasure' apparently. Also tax. And law
'The right wing media in this country has lost it's mind' [posts passim]
Express: 'A working family would need to earn £71k a year to match what a similar family on benefits would earn'
Express: 'A working family would need to earn £71k a year to match what a similar family on benefits would earn'
November 30, 2025 at 4:44 AM
'The right wing media in this country has lost it's mind' [posts passim]
Express: 'A working family would need to earn £71k a year to match what a similar family on benefits would earn'
Express: 'A working family would need to earn £71k a year to match what a similar family on benefits would earn'
Reposted by Martin McDonald
The White House’s new anti-media website includes denunciations of:
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
November 30, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The White House’s new anti-media website includes denunciations of:
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
I think about this tweet a lot
November 30, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I think about this tweet a lot
Reposted by Martin McDonald
What’s happening here? Is this just boiled macaroni featuring nothing?
November 30, 2025 at 4:16 AM
What’s happening here? Is this just boiled macaroni featuring nothing?
Reposted by Martin McDonald
When I see that I'm not on the White House evil members of the press list
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
When I see that I'm not on the White House evil members of the press list
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Thing to remember abt Melania's exciting new venture into movie production is Amazon, Apple are now heavy into movie/tv production. As r the networks and their parents who are ALL tightly bounded into the regulatory framework that Trump has used to extract settlements. Melania's beak will get v wet.
Wow good for her. She must have a special talent for producing movies we didn’t know about. www.tmz.com/2025/11/29/m...
Melania Trump Announces Launch of New Film Production Company
Melania Trump has launched her own production company, Muse Films, which will soon release her first movie project -- a documentary titled "Melania."
www.tmz.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thing to remember abt Melania's exciting new venture into movie production is Amazon, Apple are now heavy into movie/tv production. As r the networks and their parents who are ALL tightly bounded into the regulatory framework that Trump has used to extract settlements. Melania's beak will get v wet.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
The White House “Media Offenders” list is the governmental equivalent of an author who defied the cardinal rule not to read the reviews and is now on a days-long goodreads screed against their critics. Folks, if you’re in the comments, you’re already losing.
November 30, 2025 at 4:28 AM
The White House “Media Offenders” list is the governmental equivalent of an author who defied the cardinal rule not to read the reviews and is now on a days-long goodreads screed against their critics. Folks, if you’re in the comments, you’re already losing.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
November 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Dimon practicing some risk management here is a big tell.
Dimon on why JPMorgan Chase is not funding WH Ballroom:
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
November 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Dimon practicing some risk management here is a big tell.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Any reporter *not* on their list should quit the profession in shame.
November 30, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Any reporter *not* on their list should quit the profession in shame.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
How it started / How it’s going
November 30, 2025 at 12:49 AM
How it started / How it’s going
Reposted by Martin McDonald
literally everyone reporting this should just be curdling up with embarrassment but that would require them to have functioning emotional spectrums
November 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM
literally everyone reporting this should just be curdling up with embarrassment but that would require them to have functioning emotional spectrums
Reposted by Martin McDonald
seriously, like - "you lied about the reasons for announcing a tax rise that you then didn't announce, resign!!"
what is the point of these people even existing.
what is the point of these people even existing.
November 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
seriously, like - "you lied about the reasons for announcing a tax rise that you then didn't announce, resign!!"
what is the point of these people even existing.
what is the point of these people even existing.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
The Defense Dept’s first in-person briefing since the press corps walked out in Oct. will be early next week, and it’s with a gaggle of right-wing media. Get ready for Propaganda City, perfectly timed with Trump declaring Venezuelan airspace closed despite lacking the authority.
November 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The Defense Dept’s first in-person briefing since the press corps walked out in Oct. will be early next week, and it’s with a gaggle of right-wing media. Get ready for Propaganda City, perfectly timed with Trump declaring Venezuelan airspace closed despite lacking the authority.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
“I think you’re in my seat”
November 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
“I think you’re in my seat”
Reposted by Martin McDonald
THE MARKETS, Sam. BECAUSE OF THE MARKETS.
November 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
THE MARKETS, Sam. BECAUSE OF THE MARKETS.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
The markets that have bought more gilts since budget?
November 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The markets that have bought more gilts since budget?
Reposted by Martin McDonald
"Rachel Reeves will have to resign because of the markets" is apparently the new "Labour will need an IMF bailout because of the markets".
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
"Rachel Reeves will have to resign because of the markets" is apparently the new "Labour will need an IMF bailout because of the markets".
Reposted by Martin McDonald
I liked the voodoo guy with the hat and the face paint. Again, possibly not what the black peril script intended, but I liked him way more than I liked silly James Bond.
November 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I liked the voodoo guy with the hat and the face paint. Again, possibly not what the black peril script intended, but I liked him way more than I liked silly James Bond.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
My favourite bond film as a child because voodoo is cool. I admit not really analysing the quite blatant racism.
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
My favourite bond film as a child because voodoo is cool. I admit not really analysing the quite blatant racism.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
My week as a PR for the OBR during budget week and for Your Party at their launch went well, I think.
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
My week as a PR for the OBR during budget week and for Your Party at their launch went well, I think.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Nov 29 4pm CT: Already approaching 7 inches of snow in the northern Chicago suburbs. Excellent early season event for snow lovers after the duds of the past few years.
November 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Nov 29 4pm CT: Already approaching 7 inches of snow in the northern Chicago suburbs. Excellent early season event for snow lovers after the duds of the past few years.
Reposted by Martin McDonald
This is now a Karen Carney stan account #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
Thank you for your attention to this matter
Thank you for your attention to this matter
November 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
This is now a Karen Carney stan account #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing
Thank you for your attention to this matter
Thank you for your attention to this matter
Reposted by Martin McDonald
Lame duck watch 🦆
Dimon on why JPMorgan Chase is not funding WH Ballroom:
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
We have an issue, which is anything we do, since we do a lot of contracts with governments here and around the world, we have to be very careful how anything is perceived, and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it.
November 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Lame duck watch 🦆
Reposted by Martin McDonald
On a related note, a really enjoyable newsletter had switched to Ghost from stack start of the year.
It's now been packed in as the change has dropped views and reduced their income.
And frankly I'd rather they be on substack and be able to get by then me live on my high horse.
It's now been packed in as the change has dropped views and reduced their income.
And frankly I'd rather they be on substack and be able to get by then me live on my high horse.
November 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
On a related note, a really enjoyable newsletter had switched to Ghost from stack start of the year.
It's now been packed in as the change has dropped views and reduced their income.
And frankly I'd rather they be on substack and be able to get by then me live on my high horse.
It's now been packed in as the change has dropped views and reduced their income.
And frankly I'd rather they be on substack and be able to get by then me live on my high horse.