Joan Walsh

National Affairs Correspondent

@joanwalsh

Joan Walsh, a national affairs correspondent for The Nation, is a coproducer of The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show and the author of What’s the Matter With White People? Finding Our Way in the Next America. Her new book (with Nick Hanauer and Donald Cohen) is Corporate Bullsh*t: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power and Wealth In America.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk walks on stage to speak during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

Nazis and Racists and “Big Balls,” Oh My! Nazis and Racists and “Big Balls,” Oh My!

Elon Musk’s DOGE-boys are hacking our government. The misogynist bros of the 2014 Gamergate travesty have won. For now.

Feb 11, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) listens as the Senate Finance Committee votes on February 4, 2025, to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next secretary of health and human services.

Cassidy Caves to MAGA Threats Cassidy Caves to MAGA Threats

Fearing a primary challenge, the Louisiana Republican and physician backed away from his critique of RFK Jr. to recommend his nomination. It’s unlikely to be blocked in the Senate...

Feb 4, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Employees and supporters gather to protest outside of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters on February 3, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Signs of a New Anti-Trump Opposition Amid Elon Musk’s Coup Signs of a New Anti-Trump Opposition Amid Elon Musk’s Coup

Legislators and grassroots groups are showing new muscle in the wake of Musk’s weekend usurpation of power. It needs to ramp up, and quickly. And the media needs to cover it.

Feb 4, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be Health and Human Services Secretary.

RFK Jr.’s Family Dissents. I Hope the Democrats Do Too. RFK Jr.’s Family Dissents. I Hope the Democrats Do Too.

There are so many reasons to reject the HHS secretary nominee’s crackpot health science.

Jan 29, 2025 / Joan Walsh

US President Donald Trump addresses the 2025 Republican Issues Conference at the Trump National Doral Miami on January 27, 2025, in Doral, Florida.

A Lawless Leader and His Revolution A Lawless Leader and His Revolution

When will the Democrats muster a genuine opposition to Donald Trump?

Jan 28, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Trump supporters storm the Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results on January 6, 2021.

Trump Liberates His Own Paramilitary Force Trump Liberates His Own Paramilitary Force

The violent January 6 prisoners Trump pardoned reenter a country increasingly endangered by political violence. He loves it.

Jan 23, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Cecile Richards Saved the Day for Us

Cecile Richards Saved the Day for Us Cecile Richards Saved the Day for Us

The crusader for women’s and workers’ rights died Monday after a cruel illness. She inspires us to do the work ahead.

Jan 20, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Kamala Harris Was Poised to Crush the Women’s Vote. What Went Wrong?

Kamala Harris Was Poised to Crush the Women’s Vote. What Went Wrong? Kamala Harris Was Poised to Crush the Women’s Vote. What Went Wrong?

Once Harris became the nominee, women voters surged behind her. But on Election Day, she won a smaller share of them than Biden did. This is how it fell apart.

Jan 17, 2025 / Feature / Joan Walsh

Secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth at a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on January 14.

Pete Hegseth Smarms His Way Closer to Running the Pentagon Pete Hegseth Smarms His Way Closer to Running the Pentagon

Stonewalling questions about his sexual behavior and excessive drinking as “anonymous smears,” the Fox host charmed the Senate Armed Services Committee’s GOP majority into submiss...

Jan 14, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Donald Trump at night, in front of Air Force One, wearing a USA baseball cap.

Our Future Copresidents Wage Garbage Wars on LA Fires Our Future Copresidents Wage Garbage Wars on LA Fires

Racist, stupid crap—that’s not unexpected. What we need is a tough local and national Democratic response. To everything.

Jan 9, 2025 / Joan Walsh

x