https://www.politico.com/staff/jack-shafer Jack Shafer is POLITICO's senior media writer. Previously, Jack wrote a column about the press and politics for Reuters and before that worked at Slate as a columnist and as the site's deputy editor. He also edited two alternative weeklies, SF Weekly and Washington City Paper. His work has been published in The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, the Columbia Journalism Review, Foreign Affairs, The New Republic, BookForum and the op-ed page of The Wall Street Journal. en-us 2019 POLITICO Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:44:55 GMT https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/15/donald-trump-is-who-we-thought-he-was-227358 Now everyone’s getting smeared in the argument over his racist tweets. That doesn’t mean his critics should stand down. Mon, 15 Jul 2019 22:54:13 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/15/donald-trump-is-who-we-thought-he-was-227358 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/12/the-trump-bill-of-rights-227356 The First Amendment, the president suggested, doesn’t protect “bad” speech. Here’s how he’d rewrite the next nine amendments in the Constitution. Fri, 12 Jul 2019 21:29:33 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/12/the-trump-bill-of-rights-227356 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/10/six-ways-to-manipulate-donald-trump-227279 Outgoing British Ambassador Kim Darroch’s leaked diplomatic cable is full of inside dope on how to bend the president to your will. Wed, 10 Jul 2019 21:07:32 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/10/six-ways-to-manipulate-donald-trump-227279 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/03/lee-iacocca-the-businessman-president-who-wasnt-227268 The Chrysler C.E.O. was a vainglorious self-promoter, but he also knew how to get people to do great things. Wed, 03 Jul 2019 21:55:29 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/03/lee-iacocca-the-businessman-president-who-wasnt-227268 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/01/the-end-times-of-the-political-cartoon-227259 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 00:48:58 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/01/the-end-times-of-the-political-cartoon-227259 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/28/wayfair-boycott-political-effectiveness-227251 If it feels good, do it—but don’t think you’re changing anything. Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:40:05 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/28/wayfair-boycott-political-effectiveness-227251 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/26/photo-migrant-father-daughter-rio-grande-227240 The photo of dead migrants was horrifying enough that even the president reacted. But we got to see it only because it steered around an American taboo. Thu, 27 Jun 2019 00:44:38 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/26/photo-migrant-father-daughter-rio-grande-227240 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/21/iran-trump-strikes-arsonist-firefighters-227204 The president loves to intensify a crisis and then declare victory by ending it. Fri, 21 Jun 2019 20:53:31 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/21/iran-trump-strikes-arsonist-firefighters-227204 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/18/trump-2020-kickoff-rally-tonight-227157 Hasn’t he been running for two years? Yes—and that’s why he needs this event. Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:07:05 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/18/trump-2020-kickoff-rally-tonight-227157 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/13/donald-trump-george-stephanopoulos-interview-227149 Everyone’s asking why on earth he said that stuff to George Stephanopoulos. A better question is, could he ever have stopped himself? Thu, 13 Jun 2019 21:03:03 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/13/donald-trump-george-stephanopoulos-interview-227149 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/10/newspapers-embarrassing-lobbying-campaign-227100 The industry doesn’t need—and shouldn’t ask for—a special law to help it compete with Google and Facebook. Mon, 10 Jun 2019 21:31:40 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/10/newspapers-embarrassing-lobbying-campaign-227100 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/07/google-youtube-nazis-deplatforming-227098 Yes, it’s a cesspit. But it’s also important, and its ham-handed purges could backfire. Fri, 07 Jun 2019 21:49:57 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/07/google-youtube-nazis-deplatforming-227098 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/05/trumps-american-emperor-moment-227049 The cloaking of the U.S.S. John S. McCain made official what Trump has been signaling for his whole term. Wed, 05 Jun 2019 20:54:32 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/05/trumps-american-emperor-moment-227049 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/24/shafer-assange-espionage-226986 By prosecuting Julian Assange, the Department of Justice risks weakening its ability to go after spies and rogue employees. Fri, 24 May 2019 22:05:31 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/24/shafer-assange-espionage-226986 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/23/donald-trump-temper-tantrums-226979 Real, pretend or imaginary—it doesn’t matter. The president needs to replace the theatrical tantrum with a political tactic that works. Thu, 23 May 2019 22:27:38 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/23/donald-trump-temper-tantrums-226979 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/23/donald-trump-tweets-2020-226976 The press needs a few new guidelines to keep one itchy finger from derailing the whole 2020 campaign. Thu, 23 May 2019 16:15:45 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/23/donald-trump-tweets-2020-226976 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/16/how-trump-twists-free-speech-226924 Trump doesn’t believe in free speech on social media any more than he believes in open borders or free trade Thu, 16 May 2019 22:45:43 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/16/how-trump-twists-free-speech-226924 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/09/donald-trump-dana-milbank-press-credential-226868 Pretending to ban a Washington Post columnist from the White House is a sign that the White House is losing its public-relations battle with journalists. Thu, 09 May 2019 22:01:48 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/09/donald-trump-dana-milbank-press-credential-226868 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/07/kamala-harris-national-conversation-2020-226799 Calling for a dialogue is an easy way to avoid actually having one. Tue, 07 May 2019 21:13:05 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/07/kamala-harris-national-conversation-2020-226799 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/03/facebook-alex-jones-226795 There are ways to limit extreme ideas on the platform while still protecting free speech. Fri, 03 May 2019 22:12:57 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/03/facebook-alex-jones-226795 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/01/self-censorship-media-new-zealand-white-supremacist-2019-226766 It might feel indecent to cover white supremacists. But you can’t prevent what you won’t let yourself see. Wed, 01 May 2019 22:37:02 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/05/01/self-censorship-media-new-zealand-white-supremacist-2019-226766 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/24/bernie-sanders-prisoners-should-vote-226712 You don’t have to be a socialist to think he’s on to something. Wed, 24 Apr 2019 21:44:57 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/24/bernie-sanders-prisoners-should-vote-226712 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/22/2020-presidential-candidates-democrats-226707 Money, shame and political machines used to put a leash on political ambitions. Those days are over. Mon, 22 Apr 2019 22:19:13 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/22/2020-presidential-candidates-democrats-226707 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/19/week-100-mueller-disappointment-226670 It’s not that the special counsel found no collusion. It’s that he couldn’t crack the mystery of Trump’s serial lying. Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:41:55 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/19/week-100-mueller-disappointment-226670 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/17/media-dumped-beto-mayor-pete-buttigieg-226660 Journalists love a candidate who loves them back. Wed, 17 Apr 2019 21:50:38 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/17/media-dumped-beto-mayor-pete-buttigieg-226660 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/11/julian-assange-arrested-media-journalism-analysis-226650 The government’s case is a narrow one—and gives him the kind of platform he craves. Thu, 11 Apr 2019 20:00:12 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/11/julian-assange-arrested-media-journalism-analysis-226650 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/09/fox-news-rupert-murdoch-226612 Don’t believe the hype. Rupert Murdoch and friends can’t reelect Trump by themselves. Tue, 09 Apr 2019 21:14:13 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/09/fox-news-rupert-murdoch-226612 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/04/week-98-with-a-leak-mueller-team-executes-its-long-game-226572 Reports the special counsel’s investigators disliked Trump’s victory lap seem intended to force their work into the open. Thu, 04 Apr 2019 22:18:06 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/04/week-98-with-a-leak-mueller-team-executes-its-long-game-226572 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/02/press-briefings-white-house-226480 Reporters don’t just transmit information to the public. They also bring it to politicians who are willing to listen. Tue, 02 Apr 2019 22:41:48 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/02/press-briefings-white-house-226480 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/25/losers-guide-to-football-reform-226233 I’m a Detroit Lions fan. I have some ideas for how to make the NFL fairer. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 20:18:37 GMT jshafer@politico.com (Jack Shafer) https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/25/losers-guide-to-football-reform-226233