Jonathan Alter
- Analyst, MS NOW
- Columnist, The Daily Beast
- Co-Host, Alter Family Politics, SiriusXM Canada
- Writer, Old Goats with Jonathan Alter
Husband, father; author (of books on FDR, Obama, Carter and Trump); lecturer; documentary filmmaker; columnist; founder, oldgoats.substack.com
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jonathan Alter
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
October 7: How Can So Many People Celebrate a Massacre?
At more than 100 sites around the world today, sincere but poorly-informed people are holding vigils—not for the innocent Israeli civilians (and foreign nationals) slaughtered in southern Israel three years ago, but for the Palestinian war dead, at least half of whom were Hamas fighters, according to Hamas itself. This is like using the anniversary of 9/11 to honor the Taliban soldiers killed at the Battle of Tora Bora. But it’s even more perverse than that.
The Red Undertow in the Midterms
For more than 40 years, Charlie Cook has been the gold standard for election forecasting and political trend analysis. In 2021, he stepped back, and Amy Walter, a top political analyst in her own right, took over the newsletter, which was renamed The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. But Charlie, now 72 and living in Maine, still writes a must-read column in National Journal. Earlier this year, Charlie was much more cautious about the midterms.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
The Tower Stones of 9/11
On Wednesday night, I went to a screening in Montclair of my friend Steve McCarthy’s documentary, Finding Paddy. It’s a film Steve made more than 20 years ago about his friend Paddy Brown, in 2001 the most decorated firefighter in the FDNY, a hero with demons who died trying to rescue people burned in the North Tower. The film opens with several of the 80 haunting voicemail messages left on Paddy’s answering machine that day: Paddy, are you OK? Paddy, call me. Paddy, I’m so worried.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
A Fitting End for Trump’s Gaudy Ballroom
Donald Trump is going to get his gaudy ballroom. But with a little imagination, a Democratic president could give the story a socially useful ending. The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that the architectural experts trying to stop the ballroom don’t have standing to do so. In a stinging dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts—who is rarely in the minority—wrote passionately about historic preservation.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
The Scarlet Letter Midterms
In most elections of the past, a win is a win, whatever the margin. Not this time. The difference between a Blue Wave and a narrow Democratic victory matters immensely. A Blue Wave means that 2027 will mark the effective end of the Trump presidency, with the final two years still full of rancor and horrible executive orders, but the focus shifting to jailing Trumpsters for defying congressional subpoenas and other forms of accountability.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
Call Them ‘Common Sense Democrats’
Happy Thanksgiving! I know it’s only August, but there’s a reason Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It’s not just that I’m thankful Francesca Hong lost the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin. It’s why she lost. She dissed Thanksgiving (Halloween, too). This told voters in a memorable way that DSA candidates may have high IQs, but they’re awfully dumb sometimes. Thank God the primary season is nearly over.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
When Anti-Zionists Become Censors
This column is not about anything in the news from the Middle East. My current views are well-represented by Rahm Emanuel’s blistering critique of the Israeli government. I’m concerned with something simple: whether writers should be free to write, whatever their nationality or the conduct of the governments they live under.
When Anti-Zionists Become Censors
This column is not about anything in the news from the Middle East. My current views are well-represented by Rahm Emanuel’s blistering critique of the Israeli government. I’m concerned with something simple: whether writers should be free to write, whatever their nationality or the conduct of the governments they live under.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
Amended transcript: The word out of Maine is that Graham Platner is in the process of being forced out of the race. Even Bernie Sanders wants him gone. That’s great news for Democrats. Republicans are claiming that Democrats are forming a circular firing squad. Wrong. Pretty much anybody that Democrats nominate will have a very good chance against Susan Collins, much better than Platner. So the question is, who is it going to be? Will it be a Maine politician?
America at 250: An Idealist Without Illusions
I sat on the curb the morning of July 4th, watching a parade in a suburb outside Chicago, where my wife and I were visiting her mother. My thoughts turned to the Bicentennial, which only about a quarter of today’s Americans are old enough to remember. I was 18 then—68 now—and even the best of AI medicine won’t get me to the 2076 Tricentennial alive.
Here’s to a Hopeful 4th of July
I sat on the curb this morning watching a 4th of July parade in a suburb outside Chicago, where my wife and I are visiting her mother. My thoughts turned to the Bicentennial, which only about a quarter of today’s Americans are old enough to remember. I was 18 then — 68 now — and even the best of AI medicine won’t get me to the 2076 Tricentennial alive.
The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s Nuclear Weapon
As you may have noticed, the U.S. and Iran are still skirmishing in the Strait of Hormuz. And Donald Trump is still issuing bombastic threats. If the Iranians don’t bend to his will, Trump said last week, “the Islamic Republic of Iran will cease to exist!” Get used to hearing that.
The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s Nuclear Weapon
As you may have noticed, the U.S. and Iran are still skirmishing in the Strait of Hormuz. And Donald Trump is still issuing bombastic threats. If the Iranians don’t bend to his will, Trump said last week, “the Islamic Republic of Iran will cease to exist!” Get used to hearing that.
Stopping Trump’s Rolling Coup
Everyone is right to expect a big blue wave—maybe a tsunami—in the midterms this fall. Even with all of the gerrymandering, the odds of Democrats winning control of the House are strong. The Senate, which Republicans now control 53-47, is much closer, which makes it more likely to be the locus of a constitutional crisis. Donald Trump is a chaos agent, and his fear of impeachment and a Senate trial are making him desperate and more dangerous.
Stopping Trump’s Rolling Coup
Everyone is right to expect a big blue wave — maybe a tsunami — in the midterms this fall. Even with all of the gerrymandering, the odds of Democrats winning control of the House are strong. The Senate, which Republicans now control 53-47, is much closer, which makes it more likely to be the locus of a constitutional crisis. Donald Trump is a chaos agent, and his fear of impeachment and a Senate trial are making him desperate and more dangerous.
“60 Minutes” Must Still Be Saved
For some reason, this 60 Minutes story put me in mind of 1968. “60 Minutes” Must Still Be Saved by Jonathan Alter It’s too important to lose amid this madness Read on Substack That was the horrible year in American public life when 60 Minutes first went on the air. It was also the year that the Ford Mustang put a V-8 engine in the car, and Steve McQueen used that fantastic Mustang in the movie Bullitt.
Inside Colbert’s Success
My view of Stephen Colbert and the demise of his show is even less objective than that of all of the superstars who have been paying elaborate tribute to him in recent weeks. He and his formidable wife, Evie, are good friends in Montclair, N.J., where we have all lived for many years. My formidable wife, Emily Lazar, worked for Stephen in a senior role from the start of The Colbert Report in 2005 until she left The Late Show 11 years later.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
My wife, Emily Lazar, worked at both The Colbert Report and The Late Show and she helps me look under the hood. Stephen Colbert Error My view of Stephen Colbert and the demise of his show is even less objective than that of all of the superstars who have been paying elaborate tribute to him in recent weeks. He and his formidable wife, Evie, are good friends in Montclair, N.J., where we have all lived for many years.
Panetta: Iran War a ‘Terrible Mistake’ and Hegseth Is a ‘Disaster’
Leon Panetta is arguably the last of the elders who served with great distinction in several high-ranking government positions in government and actually know what the hell they’re talking about. Born in Monterey, California in 1938, Panetta became an officer in the U.S.Army in the early 1960s and began his political career working for a Republican senator and in the Nixon Administration, where he defied Nixon by enforcing anti-discrimination laws as director of the Office of Civil Rights.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts
Trump’s Pathetic Court Picks Hit New Low
In 1970, Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska defended one of President Nixon’s Supreme Court nominees, Judge G. Harrold Carswell, from charges that he had a mediocre record on the bench. “There are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers,” Hruska famously said. “They are entitled to a little representation, aren’t they?” If only President Trump’s judicial nominees were merely mediocre, like most of those in his first term.
OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter
In 1970, Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska defended one of President Nixon’s Supreme Court nominees, Judge G. Harrold Carswell, from charges that he had a mediocre record on the bench. “There are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers,” Hruska famously said. “They are entitled to a little representation, aren’t they?” If only President Trump’s judicial nominees were merely mediocre, like most of those in his first term.
Good News from Hungarians, Astronauts, and the Pope
With “Doctor Trump” denying he’s Jesus and all the other hideous nonsense assaulting our senses, it’s easy to forget the positive stories coursing through our lives. They are clear signs that MAGA is not the wave of the future. Yes, when Trump thundered that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” he was trashing our civilization, too. Enlightened societies don’t threaten genocide. That’s what despots do. Witness the “Death to America” slogan of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Trump’s Despicable Attack On Mueller After His Death
This article is an amended transcript of a short video from Old Goats with Jonathan Alter. When I saw that Robert Mueller had died, it made me sad. When I saw that Donald Trump, just moments later, said he was glad he was dead, it made me sick. Speaking of sick, who says “I’m glad he’s dead” publicly? A sick, deranged, despicable person who should not be within a million miles from the White House. I remember seeing Bob Mueller at Ground Zero three days after 9/11.
The CIA Since the Turn of the Century
Tim Weiner, 69, is our best chronicler of the tangled history of the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1988 he won a Pulitzer at The Philadelphia Inquirer for a series of stories on black budget spending at the Pentagon and CIA. He spent 16 years at The New York Times as a foreign correspondent in Mexico, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Sudan and broke a ton of stories as a national security correspondent in Washington.
A Man, No Plan, Iran
In this episode, Harry and guests Jonathan Alter, Conor Lamb, and Mara Liasson break down a fast-moving week with massive overtures in domestic and international news. The discussion starts with the escalating war with Iran — including new reporting on Russia reportedly providing intelligence to Tehran and the growing debate in Washington over war powers and the cost of the conflict.
After Censoring CBS, Trump Will Go For CNN
After Censoring CBS, Trump Will Go For CNN by Jonathan Alter I’ve learned Trump will kill Netflix’s bid for Warner and help Paramount win, giving him control of Fox, CBS, CNN, and TikTok.
The Worst President Ever
Presidents Day is a good day to rank presidents. There’s debate about the top three — my choices are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Franklin D. Roosevelt — but no suspense in who’s bringing up the rear. Even if he racks up an achievement or two in the next couple of years, we can be confident that Donald Trump will be viewed as the worst president in U.S. history, with Richard Nixon now a distant second.
The Worst President Ever
Presidents’ Day is a good day to rank presidents. There’s debate about the top three—my choices are Lincoln, Washington, and FDR—but no suspense about who’s bringing up the rear. Even if he racks up an achievement or two in the next couple of years, we can be confident that Donald Trump will be viewed as the worst president in U.S. history, with Richard Nixon now a distant second.
Will Progressives Stop Leading With Their Chins?
Donald Trump and the Republicans are in what George H.W. Bush described as “deep doo-doo.” He’s what a character in Grease would call “cruisin’ for a bruisin’.” Even if the economy improves by November, the physics of American politics—midterms almost always go against the president’s party—will likely give the House to the Democrats. Every day, Trump does something that is simultaneously dangerous, disgusting, and politically hurtful to Republicans.
Rahm Emanuel Stirs the Pot
Rahm Emanuel—former campaign operative, Illinois congressman, White House chief of staff, Chicago mayor, and ambassador to Japan—is likely to run for president. You don’t have to support his campaign or even like him to see that he has important ideas that Democrats must grapple with, starting with the weight the party should place on identity politics. Rahm grew up near me in Chicago but we didn’t meet until 1991, when he was already a top aide in Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign.
Why Minneapolis Indictments Are Coming
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasneris a force of nature. He was a criminal defense attorney for 30 years before getting elected D.A. in 2017. He was impeached by the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2021, only to be overwhelmingly re-elected. Last year, he was re-elected again with 71 percent of the vote after being heavily outspent, in part because his alternative sentencing programs have helped lead to a sharp decrease in crime.
Alex Pretti’s Killers Will Likely Go to Jail
Pretti’s Killers Will Likely Go to Jail by Jonathan Alter Once they are identified, police will arrest them. And qualified immunity won’t work. Read on Substack Subscribe to Old Goats with Jonathan Alter, where this video originally appeared (Amended transcript of video below) Because we are now living in an authoritarian state, it’s easy to assume that the ICE agents who killed Alex Pretti in cold blood with 10 shots will not be held to account. That’s wrong.
Then and Now: Truman and Greenland (1946), Trump and Greenland (2026)
(transcript via ChatGPT) Julian Zelizer: Hey everyone, welcome back to Then and Now. I’m Julian Zelizer of The Long View. Jonathan Alter: I’m Jonathan Alter of Old Goats. Zelizer: So John, this week there’s been a lot in the news. Greenland is one of the stories — President Trump’s effort to get it, and then backing off from some of his threats in some emerging deal that’s being discussed.
The Imagery of Inflection Points
A series of pivotal moments in American history have been captured and influenced by images that proliferate the public consciousness and discourse. The Edmund Pettus Bridge, John Lewis being beaten there. Bloody Sunday. Students at Kent State University who were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen. Brutal images of war from Vietnam. Trayvon Martin. George Floyd. Jonathan Alter traces a through line between these inflection points to the present and the murder of Renee Good.
Greenland and the Benjamins
Greenland and the Benjamins by Jonathan Alter There’s a method behind Trump’s madness and it’s colored green. Read on Substack (Amended transcript of video) PBS got hold of a letter over the weekend that showed Donald Trump completely unhinged on the subject of Greenland. He threatened to go to war over not getting a Nobel Peace Prize, and addressed that concern to the president of Norway, a leader who has nothing to do with either the Nobel Peace Prize or Greenland, which is owned by Denmark.
Greenland and the Benjamins
(Amended transcript of video) PBS got hold of a letter over the weekend that showed Donald Trump completely unhinged on the subject of Greenland. He threatened to go to war over not getting a Nobel Peace Prize, and addressed that concern to the president of Norway, a leader who has nothing to do with either the Nobel Peace Prize or Greenland, which is owned by Denmark. But there’s a method behind the madness. It’s not all about the Benjamins.
The historic inflection point we now live in
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -30:22 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade.
We're Living Through History (And It Sucks)
Human perception of time does not lend itself well to analyzing the historic significance of any contemporary moment. As we are experiencing it, we are unable to determine which event will be the next tipping point in America’s narrative. No one understands this enigma better than historian Jonathan Alter. Together with Jen, Alter walks us through some key inflection points of prominent social movements: Edmund Pettus Bridge, Kent State shootings, [and] the killing George Floyd, to name a few.
Gasoline on the Fire
Guest host Jonathan Alter brings together former Senator Barbara Boxer, Norm Ornstein, and Stuart Stevens to break down the Trump administration’s mounting aggression, at home and abroad. The four talk through the shocking killing of Renee Good in Minnesota and the fallout from the toppling of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Then, they dig into a deeper story: how congressional Republicans became the devoted, crucial enablers of Trump’s worst impulses.
How the Murder of Good Changes the Stakes for Good
No one can predict how the murder of Renee Good will change this country. But there’s an encouraging history of change the aftermath of certain violent and tragic events, and a poor track record for governments that shoot their own people in the streets. Even when this story is pushed out of the headlines by some new outrage, we may look back on it as the moment when Donald Trump lost his grip. Of course, the ICE story will likely get worse before it gets better.
How the Murder of Good Changes the Stakes for Good
Kent State (John Filo 1970); Trayvon Martin (2012); George Floyd (2020) No one can predict how the murder of Renee Good will change this country. But there’s an encouraging history of change the aftermath of certain violent and tragic events, and a poor track record for governments that shoot their own people in the streets. Even when this story is pushed out of the headlines by some new outrage, we may look back on it as the moment when Donald Trump lost his grip.
Tatiana Schlossberg (1990-2025)
In May of 1990, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, gathered with family and friends at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in New York for the christening of Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg, their second child. We learned that day that the baby’s first name was homage to a Russian-born artist, Tatyana Grossman, whom her parents admired.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jonathan
Contact Jonathan, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack