Chris Lehmann

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Chris Lehmann is the DC Bureau chief for The Nation and a contributing editor at The Baffler. He was formerly editor of The Baffler and The New Republic, and is the author, most recently, of The Money Cult: Capitalism, Christianity, and the Unmaking of the American Dream (Melville House, 2016).

Donald Trump answers questions during a press briefing held at the White House February 20, 2026

Trump’s Attack on the Supreme Court Was Unhinged Even for Him Trump’s Attack on the Supreme Court Was Unhinged Even for Him

The president went on a wild rant alleging that the justices who struck down his tariffs were part of a vast global conspiracy to destroy him.

Feb 20, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

CBS Surrenders to Trump CBS Surrenders to Trump

The network tried to bury an interview critical of Trump. Stephen Colbert made it an indictment of the administration’s assaults on the First Amendment.

Feb 17, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

President Donald Trump gaggles with reporters while aboard Air Force One on February 6, 2026, en route to Palm Beach, Florida.

Don’t Let Trump Fool You. The Economy Is Bad, and He Is to Blame. Don’t Let Trump Fool You. The Economy Is Bad, and He Is to Blame.

The Trump administration’s efforts to distract from the bad economy just divert attention from one dumpster fire to another.

Feb 11, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

The Racist Lie Behind ICE’s Mission in Minneapolis

The Racist Lie Behind ICE’s Mission in Minneapolis The Racist Lie Behind ICE’s Mission in Minneapolis

It was never about straightforward enforcement of immigration law.

Feb 10, 2026 / Column / Chris Lehmann

Jeff Bezos attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 26, 2026

Jeff Bezos’s Destruction of “The Washington Post” Is a Disgraceful Plutocratic Crime Jeff Bezos’s Destruction of “The Washington Post” Is a Disgraceful Plutocratic Crime

It turns out that democracy doesn’t die in darkness at all—it succumbs to repeated group muggings at the hands of the moneyed power elite.

Feb 4, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

David Brooks

The Smug and Vacuous David Brooks Is Perfect for “The Atlantic” The Smug and Vacuous David Brooks Is Perfect for “The Atlantic”

The former New York Times columnist is a one-man cottage industry of lazy cultural stereotyping.

Jan 30, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer depart a news conference at the US Capitol on January 8, 2026, in Washington, DC.

This Is the Perfect Moment for Democrats to Grow a Spine This Is the Perfect Moment for Democrats to Grow a Spine

After the murder of Alex Pretti by federal agents, the least national Democrats can do is dismantle ICE.

Jan 26, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

Donald Trump attends the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, 2026.

Trump Brings His Phony Populism to Davos Trump Brings His Phony Populism to Davos

Nothing says "I care about working people" like a speech to an audience of billionaires at an exclusive Swiss ski resort.

Jan 21, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

Chuck Schumer on Morning Joe.

Democrats Are Doing What They Do Best on Venezuela: Nothing Democrats Are Doing What They Do Best on Venezuela: Nothing

Donald Trump staged an illegal coup. Chuck Schumer’s response? Empty words and meaningless parliamentary maneuvers.

Jan 6, 2026 / Chris Lehmann

Donald Trump in the Oval Office on December 15, 2025.

The Economy Is Flatlining—and So Is Trump The Economy Is Flatlining—and So Is Trump

The president’s usual tricks are no match for a weakening jobs market and persistent inflation.

Dec 17, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

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