Matter of Opinion

Thoughts, aloud. Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen. Every Friday, from New York Times Opinion.

What J.D. Vance’s Transformation Tells Us About the Future of Democracy
Can populist leaders actually fix the world’s unsolvable problems?
By Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen
The ‘Disdain’ of Justice Alito and the Supreme Court
Flags, financial disclosures and the fragility of SCOTUS.
By Michelle Cottle, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen
The ‘Empty Suit’ of Trump’s Masculinity
Three men of Opinion debate Trump’s appeal.
By Michelle Cottle and Carlos Lozada
South Africa Confronts Israel and Its Own Democracy
Lydia Polgreen reports from Cape Town about the myth of the country’s exceptionalism and its moral authority in the war on Gaza.
By Lydia Polgreen and Max Strasser
Three Opinion Writers on the Trump Verdict: ‘If We Think There’s a Trump Cult Already …’
Donald Trump’s a felon now. That could make a difference.
By David French, Michelle Goldberg and Patrick Healy
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Ride the ‘Poller Coaster’
The president has many problems this election. Is Kamala Harris one of them?
By Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen
Let the Trump Veep Auditions Begin
What the former president’s V.P. shortlist tells us about his possible second term.
By Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen
Untangling the Mess of Campus Protests
And the role politicians play in all of it.
By Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat and Lydia Polgreen
How Does Trump’s Violent Rhetoric End?
Jamelle Bouie on what America’s history tells us about this moment.
By Michelle Cottle and Carlos Lozada
Thomas Friedman on Iran, Israel and Preventing a ‘Forever War’
“It’s the worst story I’ve ever covered.”
By Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen