The Press Box The Times’ Mamdani Story, David Foster Wallace Revisited, and Josh Dawsey on the 2024 Election
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Jul 7, 2025 In this discussion, Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey, co-author of '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America', dives into the political landscape ahead of the 2024 election. He shares insights on Trump’s strategies, including a unique podcast approach to engage male voters. The conversation also reflects on the ethical dilemmas in journalism, spurred by a controversial NYT hack story, and revisits David Foster Wallace's transformative take on sports writing, particularly his piece on Roger Federer.
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NYT Mamdani Story Critiqued
- The NYT's story on Zoran Mamdani felt incomplete without broader context or explanation.
- A single data point from age 17 offers limited insight into Mamdani's identity or political stance.
Using Hacked Material Dilemma
- Journalists face complex decisions about using hacked materials, balancing public interest against manipulation risks.
- Disclosure and context about hack sources are crucial but often insufficiently handled.
Foster Wallace's Reporting Challenges
- David Foster Wallace did not have a credit card or cell phone during his Wimbledon reporting, which added challenges.
- He communicated with editors via fax and even mailed a computer disc with his draft.
