# Jonathan Chait

> Jonathan Chait is an American political columnist known for picking fights in every direction - skewering conservative economics, needling the progressive left over identity politics, and defending liberalism with the persistence of a man who enjoys an argument. After three decades that took him from The New Republic to New York magazine's Intelligencer, he joined The Atlantic as a staff writer in late 2024. He is the author of 'The Big Con' and 'Audacity,' a self-described liberal who is happy to annoy everyone on his own side.

- **Role:** Staff writer at The Atlantic
- **Organizations:** The Atlantic, New York Magazine (Intelligencer), The New Republic, The American Prospect, Los Angeles Times
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.A., University of Michigan
- **Known for:** Finalist for the 2009 National Magazine Award (Ellie) in Columns and Commentary., Author of two books: The Big Con (2007) and Audacity (2017)., Inherited and wrote the historic TRB column at The New Republic.

## Career timeline

- **1994** — Graduated from the University of Michigan, where he wrote a column for The Michigan Daily.
- **1995** — Began his career at The New Republic; earlier worked as an assistant editor at The American Prospect.
- **2007** — Took over The New Republic's TRB column from Peter Beinart; published first book, The Big Con.
- **2009** — Named a finalist for the National Magazine Award (Ellie) in Columns and Commentary.
- **2011** — Joined New York magazine as a columnist, writing for the Intelligencer vertical.
- **2017** — Published Audacity: How Barack Obama Defied His Critics and Created a Legacy That Will Prevail.
- **2024** — Left New York magazine after 13 years to join The Atlantic as a staff writer.

## Achievements

- Finalist for the 2009 National Magazine Award (Ellie) in Columns and Commentary.
- Author of two books: The Big Con (2007) and Audacity (2017).
- Inherited and wrote the historic TRB column at The New Republic.
- One of the most-read American political columnists across three decades.
- Ranks in the top 0.1% of Bluesky users by following.

## Latest updates

- **2024-11** — Announced his departure from New York Magazine after 13 years to join The Atlantic as a staff writer.

## Links

- Website: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/jonathan-chait/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/jonathanchait
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanbchait.bsky.social
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanChaitPublic/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jonathan-chait
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-02