
Senior Writer and Chief Music Critic at @Variety
Los Angeles, CA
Joined May 2008
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Chris Willman retweeted
If you’re in line for your free gender reassignment surgery at the elementary school STAY IN LINE
Doing a drinking game where I watch CNN and take a shot every time John King says "...but it's 2% of the vote"
Making a decision to publicly render all your past positions unimportant or irrelevant... and not just that, but to lose most of your friends, in one overnight swoop... it is wild.
I know @HaleyforMI way better than most people on X. She and I came into Congress together in 2018. She was co-Prez of our freshman class. She was incredibly kind to me when my late partner died; she organized a big group of our class to come to the House floor to support me when I spoke about his suicide. We were roommates in 2023, after my wonderful first roomie lost her election; both my adult kids know Haley well and are on a texting basis with her. We’ve socialized and we have good friends in common. While she and I differ on one impt issue, specifically Israel and AIPAC support, I’ve never publicly challenged her on those things, because I felt that her good points outweighed the issues I disagreed with her on. Today, that changes. 👇
Haley’s endorsement of Rogers in the MI senate race is appalling. Not because he’s a Republican, but because what he stands for is what she, and I, and our caucus has fought so hard against. Rogers is a 100% anti-choice politician. He is a Trump loyalist. He’s shown his Islamophobia in his many remarks against @AbdulElSayed, and with this endorsement, Haley has shown that she agrees with his positions. I’m shocked by Haley’s endorsement. I’m terribly sad and disappointed. I’m furious and will be more so if we lose the MI senate race. So many people in the Democratic Party have shown so much support to Haley over the years, and she has betrayed them all. If this is because of her new relationship (about which many of us were so happy for her after she lost the primary), all I can say is that any woman who abandons her friends when a new guy comes along is no friend at all. The fallout for Haley won’t just be in Dem politics; she will be a pariah among her friends in the Democratic caucus in Congress. Only she will be able to decide whether it was worth it.
At least boldly throwing away her reputation and career was a well-thought-out decision….
I spoke with Haley Stevens yesterday.
Feeling a bit absurd in pointing out the obvious and being far kinder than I should have been, I reminded her that the outcome of this senate race will be viewed in the light of a future Supreme Court vacancy, and I expressed a hope that all of us understand the stakes.
She assured me she's supporting Dr. El-Sayed, sent me a video of a recent speech she gave blasting Mike Rogers and said this: "Still stands. I promise."
She also said she's been sending this video to other folks to make it clear where she stands on this race.
Again: that was yesterday.
I have known Haley Stevens for years. I have counted her as a friend and an ally. We've had many thoughtful conversations about this country, and she has never failed to remind me that her mother is a fan of my writing.
Whatever other political differences we have, she has always made it clear to me she would stand with LGBTQ people. It was a red line she refused to cross.
Instead, she has made the inexplicable decision to endorse a man who views LGBTQ Americans as second-class citizens unworthy of full equality.
I can't help but wonder what her mother must be thinking right now.
I have no idea what has happened to the person I thought I knew, but clearly, she has completely taken leave of her senses in endorsing a Republican who is little more than a Trump sycophant -- less than 24 hours after promising me that she has not wavered from the bigger picture.
I am disgusted with her cynicism and cowardice in this moment. God forgive me for trusting her.
If you're a Michigan voter and as disgusted as I am, get to your polling place and vote for Dr. El-Sayed.
What a great show. I have no footage, just some oral history to pass down... Phoebe Bridgers Makes L.A.’s Intuit Dome Into an Intimate Space Full of Love, Grief, Light Shows, ‘Peter Pan’ Cosplay and a Great Billie Eilish Duet: Concert Review variety.com/2026/music/conce… via @variety
I reviewed Aerosmith & Friends at the Bowl... Aerosmith Joined by Dave Grohl and Johnny Depp at Hollywood Bowl for First Show in Three Years, as GNR and Black Crowes Open With Tribute Sets: Concert Review variety.com/2026/music/conce… via @variety
Q: "You not going to Kansas has nothing to do with you being sick of travel?"
President Trump: "You're sick to ask that question. You are sick...I don't feel I have to go to Kansas...I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell!"
Chris Willman retweeted
Fox: Why are you here this morning?
Trump rally attendee: Well, in the late 70s, I was a little too young to go to South America for the Jonestown Massacre. But this is as close as I'll ever get, so that's why I'm here. There's nothing like seeing a cult right up front.
I'm hoping Trump will also find a way to work Milton Berle into his closing arguments for the midterms
Variety Nominated for 62 Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards variety.com/2026/digital/new…
Very grateful for nominations for this year's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Honored to be in the company of so many great team members from @variety, as well as friends from the wider community of entertainment journalists.
Chris Willman retweeted
Trump speaks to small Corpus Christi crowd, repeatedly glitches and makes strange noises during speech where he also slurred heavily while his dentures seemed to be falling out
Supercut:
Donnie Iris, Pittsburgh’s Favorite Rocker, Who Scored Hits With the Jaggerz and as a Solo Artist, Dies at 83 variety.com/2026/music/obitu… via @variety
Taylor Swift, Inducted Into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Says ‘There Is No Music Community Like This Music Community. I Know, I Checked All the Communities’ variety.com/2026/music/news/… via @variety
Neil Young Files $10 Million Suit Against Trump for Using ‘Rockin’ in the Free World,’ Six Years After a Prior Settlement Over the Same Song variety.com/2026/music/news/… via @variety









