Josh Zingher
@zingherpolisci.bsky.social
Political Scientist. Author of “Political Choice in a Polarized America” @OUP. Dad. Sauna enthusiast. Crossword solver. Powerlifter. Cyclist. ✡️ ∞
Views are mine alone. RT!=endorsement
Views are mine alone. RT!=endorsement
Pinned
Josh Zingher
@zingherpolisci.bsky.social
· Mar 28
The Trump Administration is trying to forge a personalist authoritarian regime and honestly the conditions for success are there. However, they're *way* out over their skis at the moment. Their pure recklessness is making their path to success way harder 1/x
Taps the sign in Spanish for the Venezuelans.
Everything that’s happened over the past six months has been a response to an imaginary crisis. There is no immigrant invasion. No trade crisis. No scientific or governance crisis. Just people completely high off their own supply trying to fundamentally reorder society. None of this had to happen.
November 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Taps the sign in Spanish for the Venezuelans.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
My CARL (Cocaine Above Replacement Leader) metric estimates clear that an additional 250 tons of Honduran cocaine entered the US under Juan Orlando Hernández. And I tell you where to get the best sopa de caraco in Crotona Park. All that and more in the next Silver Bulletin.
November 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
My CARL (Cocaine Above Replacement Leader) metric estimates clear that an additional 250 tons of Honduran cocaine entered the US under Juan Orlando Hernández. And I tell you where to get the best sopa de caraco in Crotona Park. All that and more in the next Silver Bulletin.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
One thing that people don’t talk about enough is just how much less qualified this second Trump cabinet is compared to the first one. When COVID hit, HHS had serious people in charge. Now we’ve got RFK. A weekend Fox News host is about to direct an *international war* 1/2
Very strong piece by Jack Goldsmith:
“But there can be no conceivable legal justification for U.S. Special Operations Forces kill[ing] the survivors of a first strike on a drug boat off the coast of Trinidad who ‘were clinging to the smoldering wreck.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
“But there can be no conceivable legal justification for U.S. Special Operations Forces kill[ing] the survivors of a first strike on a drug boat off the coast of Trinidad who ‘were clinging to the smoldering wreck.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
November 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
One thing that people don’t talk about enough is just how much less qualified this second Trump cabinet is compared to the first one. When COVID hit, HHS had serious people in charge. Now we’ve got RFK. A weekend Fox News host is about to direct an *international war* 1/2
One thing that people don’t talk about enough is just how much less qualified this second Trump cabinet is compared to the first one. When COVID hit, HHS had serious people in charge. Now we’ve got RFK. A weekend Fox News host is about to direct an *international war* 1/2
Very strong piece by Jack Goldsmith:
“But there can be no conceivable legal justification for U.S. Special Operations Forces kill[ing] the survivors of a first strike on a drug boat off the coast of Trinidad who ‘were clinging to the smoldering wreck.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
“But there can be no conceivable legal justification for U.S. Special Operations Forces kill[ing] the survivors of a first strike on a drug boat off the coast of Trinidad who ‘were clinging to the smoldering wreck.’”
open.substack.com/pub/executiv...
November 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
One thing that people don’t talk about enough is just how much less qualified this second Trump cabinet is compared to the first one. When COVID hit, HHS had serious people in charge. Now we’ve got RFK. A weekend Fox News host is about to direct an *international war* 1/2
When it finally gets cold enough to turn the radiators on.
November 28, 2025 at 10:18 PM
When it finally gets cold enough to turn the radiators on.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
This is worth a read. The meat industry, as has been documented, is involved in all sorts of disinfo campaigns, including online posting and trolling.
Of course, take this person's identity with a grain of salt since it's reddit, but I have met people who do this.
www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
Of course, take this person's identity with a grain of salt since it's reddit, but I have met people who do this.
www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
November 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This is worth a read. The meat industry, as has been documented, is involved in all sorts of disinfo campaigns, including online posting and trolling.
Of course, take this person's identity with a grain of salt since it's reddit, but I have met people who do this.
www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
Of course, take this person's identity with a grain of salt since it's reddit, but I have met people who do this.
www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
Reposted by Josh Zingher
It can all be traced back to bigotry.
At some point this country needs some deep self-reflection on how we put this completely unserious, awful person in a position of such consequence.
November 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
It can all be traced back to bigotry.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
In 100 years kids will be reciting this instead of the Gettysburg Address. Tremendous slurs, sir.
November 28, 2025 at 12:55 PM
In 100 years kids will be reciting this instead of the Gettysburg Address. Tremendous slurs, sir.
Yeah, but this is before he broke out America’s favorite ableist slur. Today was the day he truly became president.
Four polls in recent days now have Trump in the 30s, with 3 at 35%-36%: 2/
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
35%-62% (-27) ARG
35%-56% (-21) High Point University
36%-60% (-24) Gallup
38%-57% (-19) Econ/YouGov
Again, Trump just keeps dropping.
bsky.app/profile/simo...
Two polls released today have Trump at 35% job approval, his lowest yet.
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
35%-62% ARG
35%-56% High Point University
Economist/YouGov track had him at 38%-57%, their lowest reading this year. He just keeps dropping.
Wag the dog time!
Data and graph from fiftyplusone.news/polls/approv...
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Yeah, but this is before he broke out America’s favorite ableist slur. Today was the day he truly became president.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
How many lifting political scientists are there? How should we find each other? #polisciliftsatMPSA?
Proud disciple of the @karenattiah.bsky.social school of Don’t Let the Fascists be Stronger than You.
November 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
How many lifting political scientists are there? How should we find each other? #polisciliftsatMPSA?
In 100 years kids will be reciting this instead of the Gettysburg Address. Tremendous slurs, sir.
November 28, 2025 at 12:55 PM
In 100 years kids will be reciting this instead of the Gettysburg Address. Tremendous slurs, sir.
Proud disciple of the @karenattiah.bsky.social school of Don’t Let the Fascists be Stronger than You.
November 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Proud disciple of the @karenattiah.bsky.social school of Don’t Let the Fascists be Stronger than You.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
The public grumbling among Republicans in the House, the Comey and James prosecutions collapsing in embarrassing fashion, and Trump’s continued Emo phase make me think there is serious internal dysfunction.
It feels like the playing field has shifted quite dramatically over the past several weeks and that Trump is on the back foot after being on the offense for the better part of a year. The disastrous election results in VA/NJ have R electeds shook 1/x
Donald Trump’s presidency hinges on loyalty, which depends on the perception of power. As a lame duck, that perception is already eroding — and the Epstein scandal is now accelerating it.
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The public grumbling among Republicans in the House, the Comey and James prosecutions collapsing in embarrassing fashion, and Trump’s continued Emo phase make me think there is serious internal dysfunction.
Virginia’s current map is neutral or even a slight Republican tile. If the Dems gerrymander they can pick up three seats without even getting particularly aggressive.
COOK POLITICAL: Republicans “may have had a blind spot: the extent to which Democrats could push .. in blue states to fight back.” 🤡
@cookpolitical.com #Redistrict
www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/hou...
@cookpolitical.com #Redistrict
www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/hou...
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Virginia’s current map is neutral or even a slight Republican tile. If the Dems gerrymander they can pick up three seats without even getting particularly aggressive.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
P.P.S. There is no theoretical reason why we should expect a link between autism and vaccines. There is no empirical evidence, either. RFK’s stance is equivalent to “Bigfoot is likely real even though the ecosystem can’t support a huge animal and all the times people looked they found nothing”
November 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
P.P.S. There is no theoretical reason why we should expect a link between autism and vaccines. There is no empirical evidence, either. RFK’s stance is equivalent to “Bigfoot is likely real even though the ecosystem can’t support a huge animal and all the times people looked they found nothing”
Very good brains. Many are saying the best brains. We are looking into it very strongly.
Trump: "Despite their size, Secretary Kennedy has formally certified that these are the first ever MAHA turkeys. They could be fat, but they're still MAHA. They've been fattened on a steady diet of grass, beef, to allow the smoothies and all the other things they have been eating for this occasion."
November 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Very good brains. Many are saying the best brains. We are looking into it very strongly.
The public grumbling among Republicans in the House, the Comey and James prosecutions collapsing in embarrassing fashion, and Trump’s continued Emo phase make me think there is serious internal dysfunction.
It feels like the playing field has shifted quite dramatically over the past several weeks and that Trump is on the back foot after being on the offense for the better part of a year. The disastrous election results in VA/NJ have R electeds shook 1/x
Donald Trump’s presidency hinges on loyalty, which depends on the perception of power. As a lame duck, that perception is already eroding — and the Epstein scandal is now accelerating it.
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The public grumbling among Republicans in the House, the Comey and James prosecutions collapsing in embarrassing fashion, and Trump’s continued Emo phase make me think there is serious internal dysfunction.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
“We estimate that from the mid-2000s to 2022, exposure to the opioid epidemic continuously increased the Republican vote share in House, presidential, and gubernatorial elections.”
Recently accepted by #QJE, “Republican Support and Economic Hardship: The Enduring Effects of the Opioid Epidemic,” by Arteaga (@caroartc.bsky.social) and Barone (@vickybarone.bsky.social): doi.org/10.1093/qje/...
Republican Support and Economic Hardship: The Enduring Effects Of the Opioid Epidemic
Abstract. In this paper, we establish a causal connection between two of the most salient social developments in the United States over the past decades: t
doi.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
“We estimate that from the mid-2000s to 2022, exposure to the opioid epidemic continuously increased the Republican vote share in House, presidential, and gubernatorial elections.”
Reposted by Josh Zingher
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Reposted by Josh Zingher
also, it's mate selection. we marry each other. 🤷🏻♀️
The only thing causing autism (or ADHD for that matter) is natural selection. There is a reason these types of traits exist, they benefit the entire population. Like, honestly, who do you think came up with the first written alphabet or counting system? 8/x
November 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
also, it's mate selection. we marry each other. 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Josh Zingher
One of maga autism panics I saw was some guy posting about how SF has a higher rate of autism and I was like wow, so you’re saying the people who talk to melted sand all day for a living are autistic huh?
Anyhow my proposal is if the neurotypicals don’t leave us alone we shut off the Internet.
Anyhow my proposal is if the neurotypicals don’t leave us alone we shut off the Internet.
I'll never get over the fact that this guy failed upwards and became the nation's top public health official. It's maddening. I never really thought of the neurodiverse as a distinct political constituency, but I think we might need to be to better push back against this firehose of disinfo. 8/x
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 AM
One of maga autism panics I saw was some guy posting about how SF has a higher rate of autism and I was like wow, so you’re saying the people who talk to melted sand all day for a living are autistic huh?
Anyhow my proposal is if the neurotypicals don’t leave us alone we shut off the Internet.
Anyhow my proposal is if the neurotypicals don’t leave us alone we shut off the Internet.
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Now that cranks and quacks have been organized into a voting bloc, I hope the neurodiverse will counter-organize
I'll never get over the fact that this guy failed upwards and became the nation's top public health official. It's maddening. I never really thought of the neurodiverse as a distinct political constituency, but I think we might need to be to better push back against this firehose of disinfo. 8/x
November 22, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Now that cranks and quacks have been organized into a voting bloc, I hope the neurodiverse will counter-organize
Reposted by Josh Zingher
Great thread that I very much relate to
I think a big reason fascists target autistic people because we're often truth tellers with great memories and critical thinking skills...
That and they see us as weird/annoying and their core value is hating anything different from them
I think a big reason fascists target autistic people because we're often truth tellers with great memories and critical thinking skills...
That and they see us as weird/annoying and their core value is hating anything different from them
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
November 21, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Great thread that I very much relate to
I think a big reason fascists target autistic people because we're often truth tellers with great memories and critical thinking skills...
That and they see us as weird/annoying and their core value is hating anything different from them
I think a big reason fascists target autistic people because we're often truth tellers with great memories and critical thinking skills...
That and they see us as weird/annoying and their core value is hating anything different from them
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I lived life as an autistic person for 41 years, and frankly it's wild to see someone who views your existence as a blight elevated to a position of such consequence. I generally see no reason to discuss being on the spectrum publicly, but I'll make an exception for this vile eugenicist. 1/x
Reposted by Josh Zingher
The "nationalization" of our politics over the past 50 years has really been the "Southernization" of our politics. The breakup of the Solid South didn't end reactionary Southern politics, it exported them nationwide.
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The "nationalization" of our politics over the past 50 years has really been the "Southernization" of our politics. The breakup of the Solid South didn't end reactionary Southern politics, it exported them nationwide.