Nicole Lafond

 Have a tip? Send it Here!
Nicole Lafond is TPM’s deputy editor, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

Where Things Stand: Whispers Of Moving On Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

At least three members of the Trump family inner orbit are looking to a future that might not necessarily involve the chief patriarch being president of the United States.

While the family publicly continues to hype Trump’s dangerous and ridiculous election delegitimization crusade, privately a few have their sights set on their own political futures.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Austerity For America’s Cities? Prime Badge
This is you TPM afternoon briefing.

In a narrow sense, this is a very New York City-centric issue. But if it comes to fruition, life as we know it in this city will not only collapse further into the unlivable realm than it already has in the wake of COVID-19, but we might see another outbreak spike in the city.

Read More 

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 21:  on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Where Things Stand: A Fuller Story Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

The full story of the Falwells’ romantic entanglement with a one-time pool attendant-turned business associate appears to be far messier and more surprising than we knew.

Read More 

UKRAINE - 2020/11/13: In this photo illustration a syringe and  ampules with fake COVID-19 vaccine seen with the U.S flag in the background. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Conchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Where Things Stand: A Psychologically Difficult Place To Be Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

That’s a headline that could encompass the societal feeling of just about any stage of 2020. But it feels particularly pointed right now.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: The Stowaway Chief Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

It’s been rumored for years that President Trump doesn’t actually enjoy being president. And that’s never been more clear than the last week.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Trump Supporters Have Grown To Expect A Show. That’s All This Is Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

At least, that’s all according to a growing list of anonymous White House and campaign aides.

Read More 

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 09: Attorney General Bill Barr leaves the US Capitol after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in his office on November 9, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Barr Where Things Stand: Very Few Want To Be Doing This Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

And that, apparently, includes employees of the law firms representing the Trump campaign.

Around the same time that news broke that a Justice Department official — who oversaw the DOJ’s election crimes unit — resigned on Monday evening, the New York Times published a story detailing the angst within the law firms the Trump campaign has tapped to handle its various legal challenges to the election.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Winding Down Loudly Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

Those closest to President Trump know he’s a powerful man, with a powerful, but brittle, ego.

And they knew if he lost the election, he would need something to cling to in order to maintain some cushioning for his inevitable belief that he didn’t actually lose.

Read More 

Jubilance In The Streets: America Erupts In Celebration After Trump’s Loss
It started with vague honks in the streets — a not uncommon staple of reality in some of America's largest cities. Then there were the shouts, cheers, cowbells, whistles and a lot more honking. Chants of “this is what democracy looks like!” Pots clanking, people hollering, music blaring.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 15: Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., attend the Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting on Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett in Hart Senate Office Building on Thursday, October 15, 2020. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/POOL) Where Things Stand: He May Still Be The Puppet Master, But For How Long? Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

Some of them put out statements that alluded, vaguely, to some adherence to precedent in allowing votes to be counted. Some remained silent.

Read More 

Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: