What’s driving the affordability crisis? Tomorrow @ 12p ET, join Jared Bernstein & special guest Neale Mahoney for another episode of Let's Do Lunch to find out! Drop your other econ questions in the replies below!

RJ Matson presents: Cancel Culture Queen

Katie Phang joined Coffee with Contrarians to discuss the looming government shutdown, blatant FCC violations, and Trump's hate for opponents. Catch the re-stream at 12:15 ET on YouTube.

“I would think maybe their license should be taken away.” Trump’s obsession with censoring media companies, progressive organizations, and universities threatens the very core of First Amendment protections. Erwin Chemerinsky reports on his pattern of baseless lawsuits.

Trump is waging war on his critics, from political opponents to media companies. With each hideous action, he pushes the nation into further chaos. Jen Rubin raises the alarm and outlines possible safeguards for the republic.

“Be loud, for America.” Read Governor JB Pritzker’s stirring op-ed on our nation’s current state and how we move forward together.

As free speech is attacked, we wear our Contrarianism proudly in the streets. Our limited-time merch collection is available for preorder now! Proceeds from each purchase power our work to boldly defend democracy, and all products are union-made in the USA Show your support: shop.contrariannews.org

A potential government shutdown is looming over Washington, and while Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House, they’re still blaming (who else?) the Democrats for their inability to get anything done. Get into it on the latest Contrarian Pod:

“We honor him and his expansive legacy, which will keep giving through his craft and vision.” Meredith Blake reflects on the extraordinary life and lasting impact of Robert Redford.

Trump’s blatant refusal to abide by the Constitution, all to advance his racist agenda, shows exactly the kind of man he is, and how far he’s willing to go to take our country back. Watch the full interview from The Tea with April Ryan, up now on The Contrarian YouTube 🔗 link in bio

Even in sports, Trump wants to dictate how things are done. Carron J. Phillips examines his selective outrage when athletes voice certain political opinions.

Amid the onslaught of bad news, small comforts can still bring cheer — like rich, peanut butter chocolate marbled brownies. Jamie Schler shares the recipe that’s brought her moments of peace.

Meet Tristan! The cutest unelected, unofficial “Mayor of Mackworth Island."

Governor J.B. Pritzker gives us hope. In this exclusive piece for The Contrarian, he calls on us to work together to reaffirm the values that actually make our country great. A must-read:

The new red scare — a cartoon by Michael de Adder

"You are the least qualified FBI director in the history of the FBI." Kash Patel’s oversight hearings this week show us who he is: deplorable.

Tom the Dancing Bug — a cartoon by Ruben Bolling

Each week, The Contrarian selects undaunted individuals working to defend democracy. This week's spotlight: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Gov. Shapiro is committed to governing with a focus on addressing the country’s most pressing issues and pursuing solutions that make a real difference.

In the wake of Jimmy Kimmel’s senseless, unconstitutional suspension, it's time to speak up for free speech. Share these ideas with your people who want to do something—courage is contagious.

Will Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden suspension spur Hollywood to push back against the Trump administration’s demands for allegiance? Meredith Blake explains how lucrative deals and fear are reshaping the entertainment industry as we know it.

With no end in sight for Trump’s D.C. occupation, the thundering of helicopters has become residents’ new soundscape. Azza Cohen examines the pressure of threatening sound, and how we must resist efforts to normalize it.

America doesn’t belong to one party, one group, or one man. It belongs to everyone. Shalise Manza Young tells a poignant story about our nation’s history in the face of white-nationalist rhetoric.

The Great Dismissal and Resignation: How the Trump administration’s politicization of the CDC has stripped the agency of leadership from qualified doctors and scientists. Jeff Nesbit explains why this is both dangerous and bizarre.

The Tea with April Ryan is LIVE NOW ft. Mandela Barnes and Derrick Johnson JOIN US -> https://open.substack.com/live-stream/61007?utm_source=post-publish

April Ryan @adr1600 goes LIVE with The Tea today at 5pm ET, joined by NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Mandela Barnes. You don't want to miss it! WATCH HERE: https://open.substack.com/live-stream/60492?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=new-live-stream-email&add_to_calendar=true

Yesterday Trump announced he will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Only there is no such organization, as outlined repeatedly the last time he tried this in 2020. So who is he really targeting? Anyone who dissents.

Orchestrated state violence has long paved the way for changes in leadership. Tom Malinowski examines how public fear and fury create the conditions for political violence to thrive.

ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel's show should shock us all + ways we can pressure the media to push back against censorship. Watch this morning’s Coffee with Contrarians with Norman Eisen, Jen Rubin and Ben Wikler at 12:15pm ET // 9:15am PT on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbFR4Kx8ePI

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, debates over what counts as free speech have erupted nationwide. Austin Sarat explores the nuances of political expression and the First Amendment’s historic role in protecting it.

Kash Patel’s leadership failures, an economy on the brink, and foreign policy that favors autocrats over allies — all of it stems from the Trump regime’s devotion to weaponized incompetence. Jen Rubin explains.

Adolescence won eight Emmys on Sunday, and for good reason. The show raises tough questions about who or what is truly to blame when young people, especially children, turn to violence. Meredith Blake draws parallels between its young protagonist and Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Trump wants us to grow accustomed to unnecessary military presence in our communities. We cannot allow this to become the new normal. Hear the full interview with @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social on the latest ep of The Contrarian Pod: https://contrarian.substack.com/p/the-authoritarian-playbook-drones

The Contrarian Shop is LIVE! Our limited-time collection is available for preorder. Each purchase helps power our work to boldly defend democracy Shop Now ➡️ shop.contrariannews.org

Calder Robinson presents: In defense of free speech

When women speak up, they’re often mocked or dismissed. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf has faced that reality, and explains how the bullies only fuel her fight for advocacy.

Party favors – a cartoon by Michael de Adder

At Trump’s orders, Memphis is the next city set to be policed by the National Guard – even as the occupation in D.C. continues with no end in sight, and troops are being pulled from key alliances. We know this is wrong, and some of our Representatives know it too.

JD Vance and Stephen Miller used a popular platform to call for and justify the censorship of free speech. Tom Joscelyn, Susan Corke, and Norm Eisen unpack their baseless claims and hypocritical rhetoric.

An invigorated ecosystem of alt-right extremists thrives online — and too often, their vitriolic ideologies spill into real life. Lily Conway pulls back the curtain on these shadowy groups and their real-world ties.

Missed this morning’s Coffee with Contrarians? Catch Norman Eisen, Jen Rubin and Steven Beschloss again at 12:15pm ET // 9:15am PT on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV48XjWYm8I

From the erosion of checks and balances to escalating political violence and congressional inaction, this Constitution Day brings much to reckon with. Nick Penniman reminds us that restoring our democratic values depends on unity.

The rampant rise in free-speech censorship, fueled by Trump, should alarm all Americans, no matter their politics. Jen Rubin offers seven concrete ways to push back against this assault on the First Amendment.

At least one GOP conservative understands the First Amendment...

Under this administration, senior leaders have been dismissed or have chosen to leave the CDC — effectively leaving America’s top public health agency leaderless. Dara Kass, MD, explores this, and how Emmy-winning show, “The Pitt”, shows us what happens when our healthcare infrastructure crumbles.

Trump has set his sights on a potential billion-dollar rebrand of the Department of Defense into the Department of War. Meghan Houser explores why his strongman approach fails to deliver.

Be a billboard for democracy: shop.contrariannews.org

Splintering speech – A cartoon by Nick Anderson

Legislation spearheaded by Trump and congressional Republicans will drive up healthcare costs for millions of Americans this fall. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure explains how these actions will put families at risk.

Let's do Lunch! Going LIVE soon: Jared Bernstein and Heather Long (@byheatherlong.bsky.social) are here to answer your pressing econ questions 📍3:00 pm ET on YouTube

Last week, Russia sent drones into Poland. Tim Mak (@timkmak.bsky.social) examines why and what it means for NATO.