Ben Smith
@semaforben
Editor-in-chief of @semafor. Former @nytimes media columnist, @buzzfeednews EIC. "Traffic." [email protected], Signal semaforben.90
New Mixed Signals: We talked to @donetodeath about How Long Gone, and about how institutions are cool again link.chtbl.com/LSzw5rse
I hear the central bank in Accra overspent on renovations
Why did Ghana’s central bank announce an "emergency" meeting, only to avoid announcing policy decisions? @charlottediabe1 and I report on the uncertainty stoked by the move, and why many had expected a rate cut. semafor.com/article/07/21/… — via @Semafor
Gulf construction contract awards slumped to their lowest level in more than three years, the latest sign that low oil prices and a spending review in Saudi Arabia are affecting the sector. by @MattMartin128 semafor.com/article/07/21/…
In last night's @semafor Media newsletter: Chinese state media is claiming more internet celebs including MrBeast and Khaby Lame are planning to visit comes after IShowSpeed's visit earlier this year was hailed as a huge soft-power win for showing the world the "real China"
WATCH: @semafor politics reporter @Eleanor_Mueller joins @alivitali on @WayTooEarly to discuss her reporting on how Republicans plan to sell their "big, beautiful bill" to the American people. youtube.com/watch?v=DT8DCY…
"The larger Epstein belief system is QAnon for people who went to college." We've had lots of this since 2016, because many people prefer to live in an evil but directed world than the cruel and chaotic one that we have.
semafor.com/article/07/20/…
I'm not surprised Mayor Adams is partnering with the Citizen app. I wrote about this app years ago. It is designed to scare the shit out of people.
Andrew Cuomo in the Hamptons: “We either win or even I will move to Florida. God forbid!” nypost.com/2025/07/19/us-…
Congratulations, @Jerrythekid21!
Congrat’s to our dear friend @Jerrythekid21 on winning back to back PMT Lib of the Year awards- w a very special message from Secretary Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Big NEOM scoop from @MattMartin128 semafor.com/article/07/18/…
Big day for @maxwelltani , the bald ann dowd tweet.
Ari Aster was asked to direct Morbius
Ari Aster reveals that he was asked to direct ‘MORBIUS’ but he declined. (Source: youtu.be/Q0Y_cmvKje0?si…)
"This is basically the movie that Twitter wrote..." Director Ari Aster tells @semaforben and @maxwelltani how scrolling social media influenced his new movie "Eddington."
Of all the reasons to fire Colbert as billionaire Larry Ellison's company takes over, "financial considerations" drawing a certain amount of skepticism variety.com/2025/tv/news/c…
Halperin appears to be referring to a very widespread rumor that the WSJ is supposedly going to publish a story about Trump/Epstein soon. The Journal isn’t commenting.
“This story has new news.” Political journalist Mark Halperin: Major newspaper about to publish blockbuster exposé about the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.