M. Gessen

M. Gessen is an Opinion columnist for The Times. They won a George Polk award for opinion writing in 2024. They are the author of 11 books, including "The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia," which won the National Book Award in 2017.

Latest

The Power Struggle Behind Trans Youth Health Care
And why the debate over gender-affirming care could have far-reaching implications.
By M. Gessen, Lydia Polgreen and Vishakha Darbha
M. Gessen
The Supreme Court Just Showed Us What Contempt for Expertise Looks Like
In the case involving medical care for transgender adolescents, ignoring doctors is part of the point.
By M. Gessen
Jamelle Bouie, Ross Douthat, M. Gessen and Lydia Polgreen
What if It Gets Really Bad? Four Columnists Debate Trump’s Approach to Power.
Trump’s 2016 presidential transition signaled how he would govern. What do his preparations for a second term tell us about America’s future?
By Jamelle Bouie, Ross Douthat, M. Gessen and Lydia Polgreen
M. Gessen
What Democrats Are Getting Wrong About Transgender Rights
Trans rights aren’t just trans rights. They’re reproductive rights.
By M. Gessen
Hungary Shows Us How a Second Trump Term Might Play Out
Autocrats have a playbook.
By M. Gessen and Jillian Weinberger
M. Gessen
This Is the Dark, Unspoken Promise of Trump’s Return
Liberal democracy offers moral constraints without problem-solving. Populism offers problem-solving without moral constraints.
By M. Gessen
The Real Reasons the G.O.P. Is Spending Millions on Anti-Trans Ads
Republicans are banking on an issue that isn’t a priority for voters: trans rights.
By Patrick Healy, M. Gessen and Vishakha Darbha
The Real Loser of the V.P. Debate
It’s our politics.
By M. Gessen and Jillian Weinberger
M. Gessen
The Organizers Are Jewish. The Cause Is Palestinian. This College Won’t Be Hosting.
An event for the magazine Jewish Currents took a surprising turn.
By M. Gessen
M. Gessen
Kamala Harris Is Speaking. Is She Listening?
For a candidate who positions herself as caring, her failure to acknowledge the pain of Gaza protesters is especially jarring.
By M. Gessen