Ben Smith
Contact this reporter at ben@buzzfeed.com
Global Elites Have Found A Way To Do the Absolute Minimum For The Climate
And Donald Trump is a fan.
What The Hell Is Tom Steyer Doing On That Debate Stage?
The DNC got out of the way. In its place, arbitrage.
Why It’s Harder To Lead America To War Now
The lesson of Iraq hangs over everything, and Twitter has brought both anti-war and non-American voices to the fore.
Andrew Yang Could Win This Thing
Time for the media to start taking him seriously.
The Other President Of Twitter
He's one of the world's youngest leaders and is running a wild experiment with governing through social media.
Texting With Deval Patrick: “None Of The Labels Work”
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick says he isn't worried about his late entry in the 2020 primary race.
The Stakes 2020: Bloomberg’s Virality And Texts With A Kamala Staffer
In this edition of The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, we text with Ian Sams, the national press secretary for Kamala Harris, about the end of her campaign.
Meet The Chinese Diplomat Who Got Promoted For Trolling The US On Twitter
The biggest country in the world is tired of being “badmouthed.”
Texting With Michael Bennet: Senators Running For President Have To Carry Out Their Impeachment Duties
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Sen. Michael Bennet discussed Twitter activism and said that senators running for president will be able to campaign and sit in on the impeachment trial. They "need to do both."
Mike Bloomberg Has "Made A Decision To Serve His Country," A Former Bush Treasury Secretary Said In China
"My good friend Mike Bloomberg asked my good friend Henry Kissinger and me to represent him here today because ... he's made a decision to serve his country," Hank Paulson said in Beijing.
What’s Really Happening At The New York Times
A campaign for executive editor: “People are trying to impress the boss.”
Mike Bloomberg Won't Attend His Company's China Summit As His Possible Campaign Gets Serious
A key Bloomberg Media event will go on without the mayor, as the campaign gets serious.
Texting With Jim Himes: There Was "A Lot Of Tension Behind The Dais" During The Impeachment Hearing
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Rep. Jim Himes talked about what it was like at Wednesday's impeachment hearing and what the proceedings have in common with beekeeping.
Texting With Bill Weld: “100% Democratic Rule” If Senate Republicans Listen To Trump
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Bill Weld, who is challenging Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, says Republicans are abandoning their duty to the Constitution and explains his weird Reese's Pieces habit.
Texting With Eric Swalwell: Trump Should Get A Fair Trial, "Even When There Is A Confession"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' political newsletter, Rep. Eric Swalwell — a California lawmaker who sits on the intelligence committee and one-time presidential candidate — texted with us about the impeachment investigation.
Tom Steyer Explained What That Symbol He Draws On His Hand Means
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, billionaire Tom Steyer texted about impeachment, his time at the debate, and the symbol he draws on his hand.
Texts With Howard Dean: Elizabeth Warren Needs To "Hang Tough" And "Get Used To" The New Pressure
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, former governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean has advice for Elizabeth Warren.
Texting With Mark Sanford: Impeachment Can't Become A "Personality Contest"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, former South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford — one of Trump's Republican challengers — explains why he thinks a House censure of Trump would be better than impeachment.
Beto O'Rourke Called Pete Buttigieg's Comments On Guns "Offensive" To Victims Of Gun Violence
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, Beto O'Rourke texts that Buttigieg operates with "poll-driven politics that has prevented progress on this issue in the past." He also has strong views on tacos.
Texts With Mayor Pete: He's "Doing Well With The Mother-In-Law Vote"
In The Stakes 2020, BuzzFeed News' newsletter about the 2020 campaign, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg texted with us about the media and the generational divide among voters.