Ben White
@slic99.bsky.social
Florida man, family man, former US military, current business guy.
Reposted by Ben White
fascinating to compare how Wall Street reacts to the possibility that a socialist might have some power somewhere versus how it reacts to the concrete reality of a literal madman tearing down the American-led post-WWII global order
January 20, 2026 at 4:49 PM
fascinating to compare how Wall Street reacts to the possibility that a socialist might have some power somewhere versus how it reacts to the concrete reality of a literal madman tearing down the American-led post-WWII global order
Been sayin this for over a year. The market reaction to “Liberation Day” was the only thing that forced the pullback on the insane trade war that Trump unilaterally started. Both business leaders and voters won’t meaningfully rebel until we see a ~25% drop in equities and ~6-7% unemployment levels.
It's hard to actively root for pain in the market but that's where we are.
Nothing is going to change re the corporate enabling and sucking up to Trump until the executives perceive the greater risk is continuing to support this regime.
Ditto Republican pols.
Nothing is going to change re the corporate enabling and sucking up to Trump until the executives perceive the greater risk is continuing to support this regime.
Ditto Republican pols.
January 20, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Been sayin this for over a year. The market reaction to “Liberation Day” was the only thing that forced the pullback on the insane trade war that Trump unilaterally started. Both business leaders and voters won’t meaningfully rebel until we see a ~25% drop in equities and ~6-7% unemployment levels.
Reposted by Ben White
January 20, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by Ben White
The Boston Globe Test:
This satirical front page imagined a Trump presidency in 2016. Critics (including Trump himself) dismissed it as "alarmist" and "propaganda" at the time.
Do these headlines feel normal today? Even...quaint?
If so: we have grown more accepting of what was once unthinkable.
This satirical front page imagined a Trump presidency in 2016. Critics (including Trump himself) dismissed it as "alarmist" and "propaganda" at the time.
Do these headlines feel normal today? Even...quaint?
If so: we have grown more accepting of what was once unthinkable.
January 16, 2026 at 1:42 PM
The Boston Globe Test:
This satirical front page imagined a Trump presidency in 2016. Critics (including Trump himself) dismissed it as "alarmist" and "propaganda" at the time.
Do these headlines feel normal today? Even...quaint?
If so: we have grown more accepting of what was once unthinkable.
This satirical front page imagined a Trump presidency in 2016. Critics (including Trump himself) dismissed it as "alarmist" and "propaganda" at the time.
Do these headlines feel normal today? Even...quaint?
If so: we have grown more accepting of what was once unthinkable.
Reposted by Ben White
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Mike Johnson comes out against additional guardrails on ICE as Democrats call for it.
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Reposted by Ben White
People don't want to accept this because it isn't true. The <primary reason> we have Trump today is because 52 & 43 GOP Senators failed to fulfill their oaths of office in two impeachment trials. It should have never gotten to the point that it was Joe Biden's responsibility, or Merrick Garland's.
People don't want to accept that the primary reason that we have Trump today is that the previous administration completely failed. It should have never gotten to the point where it was in the so-called hands of the voters. It was already too late by then.
SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's special prosecutor on Tuesday requested the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
January 13, 2026 at 8:13 PM
People don't want to accept this because it isn't true. The <primary reason> we have Trump today is because 52 & 43 GOP Senators failed to fulfill their oaths of office in two impeachment trials. It should have never gotten to the point that it was Joe Biden's responsibility, or Merrick Garland's.
Reposted by Ben White
If there's one empirical insight I'd want everyone to understand about American politics, it's this:
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
January 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
If there's one empirical insight I'd want everyone to understand about American politics, it's this:
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
America's problems are solved problems. Just not here.
What would change if the US simply matched the average of 31 peer democracies? Not Denmark or Norway. Just the middle of the pack. 🧵
Reposted by Ben White
I think the DOJ criminal probe is the biggest threat to federal reserve independence since its formation. Hard to overstate the chill for officials making policy under threat of criminal prosecution. Shows there is no independent fed without an independent DOJ.
January 12, 2026 at 12:54 PM
I think the DOJ criminal probe is the biggest threat to federal reserve independence since its formation. Hard to overstate the chill for officials making policy under threat of criminal prosecution. Shows there is no independent fed without an independent DOJ.
Reposted by Ben White
You cannot:
-Attack Fed independence
-Flirt w/ debasing the dollar
-Muse abt debt default
-Halt fin’l regs
-Destroy the rule of law
-Further juice a bubble
-Widen the deficit & jack up nat’l debt
Without causing a major financial crash.
Not predicting when but this is unsustainable.
-Attack Fed independence
-Flirt w/ debasing the dollar
-Muse abt debt default
-Halt fin’l regs
-Destroy the rule of law
-Further juice a bubble
-Widen the deficit & jack up nat’l debt
Without causing a major financial crash.
Not predicting when but this is unsustainable.
January 12, 2026 at 1:02 PM
You cannot:
-Attack Fed independence
-Flirt w/ debasing the dollar
-Muse abt debt default
-Halt fin’l regs
-Destroy the rule of law
-Further juice a bubble
-Widen the deficit & jack up nat’l debt
Without causing a major financial crash.
Not predicting when but this is unsustainable.
-Attack Fed independence
-Flirt w/ debasing the dollar
-Muse abt debt default
-Halt fin’l regs
-Destroy the rule of law
-Further juice a bubble
-Widen the deficit & jack up nat’l debt
Without causing a major financial crash.
Not predicting when but this is unsustainable.
Reposted by Ben White
This is the sort of statement that was expected from every university president and law firm partner over the last year. That those statements weren’t made played a huge part in where we are now and people will remember.
Jerome Powell: "This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation."
January 12, 2026 at 1:45 AM
This is the sort of statement that was expected from every university president and law firm partner over the last year. That those statements weren’t made played a huge part in where we are now and people will remember.
Reposted by Ben White
Reposted by Ben White
People who are engaged in a relentless pursuit and consolidation of power are not going to blink an eye over the killing of a young woman in Minneapolis. That's not how this works.
January 8, 2026 at 12:35 PM
People who are engaged in a relentless pursuit and consolidation of power are not going to blink an eye over the killing of a young woman in Minneapolis. That's not how this works.
Reposted by Ben White
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Reposted by Ben White
The stakes have been raised. The Democrats have got to run on putting these people in prison. They have to. Jobs, food, all the rest, but shooting a mother in the head on a public street? None of this Garland stuff. "The full force of the government will be brought to bear" on this and similar.
January 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The stakes have been raised. The Democrats have got to run on putting these people in prison. They have to. Jobs, food, all the rest, but shooting a mother in the head on a public street? None of this Garland stuff. "The full force of the government will be brought to bear" on this and similar.
Reposted by Ben White
Conducting immigration enforcement doesn't mean you execute American citizens in the street.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Minnesota leaders call for ICE to leave the state after agent shoots, kills woman
The Minnesota officials denied claims by the Department of Homeland Security that the shots were “defensive.”
www.politico.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Conducting immigration enforcement doesn't mean you execute American citizens in the street.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Yet DHS is already lying about what we can all see with our own eyes.
Since Kristi Noem won't, state governments everywhere will need to hold out-of-control federal agents accountable.
Reposted by Ben White
Abolish ICE. Really.
Trump: "I have just viewed the clip of the event which took place in Minneapolis. It is a horrible thing to watch. The woman screaming was, obviously, a professional agitator, and the woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting ... "
January 7, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Abolish ICE. Really.
Reposted by Ben White
"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
ICE is accusing the woman who was shot to death by an ICE agent today in Minneapolis of "weaponizing her vehicle" and "attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them -- an act of domestic terrorism"
January 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
Reposted by Ben White
Legitimate broadcast networks (not Fox News or CBS News) MUST air the videos of the ICE agent shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis quickly. The administration's narrative of what happens doesn't hold up at all to the video of what actually happened. This is a journalistic imperative.
January 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Legitimate broadcast networks (not Fox News or CBS News) MUST air the videos of the ICE agent shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis quickly. The administration's narrative of what happens doesn't hold up at all to the video of what actually happened. This is a journalistic imperative.
Reposted by Ben White
NEW: Second video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A woman, a U.S. citizen, was killed
January 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM
NEW: Second video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A woman, a U.S. citizen, was killed
There is another video from the side of the car. The agent shot into the passenger window despite being clear of the car. He is still standing as she drives away. Not in any imminent danger in the least. This was murder.
Video makes clear almost every word of this is a lie.
January 7, 2026 at 6:27 PM
There is another video from the side of the car. The agent shot into the passenger window despite being clear of the car. He is still standing as she drives away. Not in any imminent danger in the least. This was murder.
Reposted by Ben White
The phrase "Grok is undressing women" is incorrect. It's mostly men using Grok to undress women. And it's also manmade that Grok obeys to these prompts.
January 7, 2026 at 7:56 AM
The phrase "Grok is undressing women" is incorrect. It's mostly men using Grok to undress women. And it's also manmade that Grok obeys to these prompts.
Reposted by Ben White
Decided to put some thoughts on paper for this "anniversary" of January 6th
Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn was on the front lines of January 6. Five years later, he warns the greatest threat isn’t just what happened—but the lies rewriting it. “January 6 was not legitimate political discourse.” Read his powerful piece: www.meidasplus.com/p/history-be...
January 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Decided to put some thoughts on paper for this "anniversary" of January 6th
Reposted by Ben White
And btw, it never was “America first.” That was always bullshit. It’s “Trump first.” Always has been. Why? Because Trump is the ONLY thing Trump is capable of caring about.
January 6, 2026 at 12:39 PM
And btw, it never was “America first.” That was always bullshit. It’s “Trump first.” Always has been. Why? Because Trump is the ONLY thing Trump is capable of caring about.
Reposted by Ben White
