Jonathan S. Jones

Speechless and disgusted by the government‘s latest immoral and stupid war

“Massive” war launched by a man with no plan. Again. Donald Trump is repeating George W. Bush's catastrophic mistakes.

Donald Trump is repeating George W. Bush’s catastrophic mistakes.

Screenshot of a BBC article with text that reads: “I spent 20 minutes writing an article on my personal website titled "The best tech journalists at eating hot dogs". Every word is a lie. I claimed (without evidence) that competitive hot-dog-eating is a popular hobby among tech reporters and based my ranking on the 2026 South Dakota International Hot Dog Championship (which doesn't exist). I ranked myself number one, obviously. Then I listed a few fake reporters and real journalists who gave me permission, including Drew Harwell at the Washington Post and Nicky Woolf, who co-hosts my podcast. (Want to hear more about this story? Check out tomorrow's episode of The Interface, the BBC's new tech podcast.) Less than 24 hours later, the world's leading chatbots were blabbering about my world-class hot dog skills”

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

The Virginia Military Institute and the Lost Cause: A Conversation With Jonathan S. Jones Last week I wrote about the attempt on the part of Virginia Democrats to pass legislation that would further distance the commonwealth from the legacy of the Confederacy and the Lost Cause.

The Virginia Military Institute and the Lost Cause: A Conversation With @jonathansjones.bsky.social. 🗃️ #CivilWarMemory open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility Hundreds of children are currently being held with their parents at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. In letters and drawings, eight kids convey the pain of feeling trapped with no end...

Since the start of Trump’s second term, the number of children in ICE detention has increased sixfold.

In their letters, kids held at the Dilley center told us about missing their friends, being unable to go to school and feeling trapped.

A lot happening with VMI again. For those interested to learn more about the Lost Cause at VMI, when I taught there, my cadets and I made a digital history project documenting this history in unflinching detail 🗃️ locatinglegacies.org/s/VMI/page/h...

Book Review: Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America’s First Opioid Crisis - Emerging Civil War Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America’s First Opioid Crisis. By Jonathan S. Jones. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2025. Softcover, 412 pp. $39.95. Reviewed by Tim Talbott...

Grateful for this positive review of Opium Slavery in Emerging Civil War. First book review in the books! emergingcivilwar.com/2026/02/03/b...

What can you do with a history degree?

1. It was not an accident.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.

Of course it's racist, the whole thing is racist

Jeff Bezos’s wealth has increased an average of $70 million every day of 2026, meaning that he could have offset The Post’s losses with what he’s made since Monday.

A photo of a WMATA Metro train interior, with a poster over one seat with a photo of Rosa Parks on a bus: “Rosa Parks Day, February 4, Today this seat is reserved to honor Rosa Parks” -written in English and Spanish.

Washington DC’s Metro is honoring Rosa Park’s today by reserving seats in her memory. Parks didn’t refuse to relinquish her seat out of exhaustion—she was a fierce advocate for justice who organized with her community to engage in civil disobedience. Her deliberate act was courageous and meaningful.

Minneapolis Residents Wear Their Passports, Desperate to Ward Off ICE ICE agents can stop anyone they suspect of being undocumented. Now, residents are weighing their rights and their pride against their own safety.

ICE agents can stop anyone they suspect of being undocumented. Now, many Minnesotans are weighing their rights and their pride against their own safety. “I have a passport, but it’s paper, not a shield.”

When I teach Vietnam, I explain that opposition to the war really grew in fits and starts. Some big rallies and visible protests, but also a steady stream of celebrities and ordinary folks breaking with their priors and taking a new stand.

This last month, this last week, feels like a real shift.

YouTube video by GameTrailers Plague Doctor: Life in Pestilence - Official Announcement Trailer

I am so here for this 🗃️ youtu.be/v8bmN0PADa8

PSA: The Marshall Foundation in Lexington, VA is hiring. You would not believe what they have in their archives. networks.h-net.org/jobs/69739/g...

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I presented the very first iteration of the project at SCWH 2018 and am profoundly indebted to everyone who gave feedback.

We're so proud that two of our authors are finalists for the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize 👏 🎉

OPIUM SLAVERY by @jonathansjones.bsky.social
CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY by Anne E. Marshall

www.gilderlehrman.org/book-prizes/...

Thanks for sharing, Diane!!

Amidst all the tragic news a bright spot: @gliamericanhistory.bsky.social has named the finalists for the Lincoln Prize and among them are some fabulous historians including @jgiesber.bsky.social @amarshall.bsky.social Doug Egerton and @jonathansjones.bsky.social -- a Binghamton U. PhD. Congrats!

thanks so much, Rachel!!!

thanks so much for your support!!

thanks so much!!

Thank you, I appreciate it!

Thanks so much Megan!!

Thanks!!!

Thanks so much!!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!