The one story you should read today, selected by the editors of New York.

October 28, 2025

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are defeated. The Clintons are long retired. Barack Obama’s coalition is dead. For the first time since John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, the Democratic Party has no obvious leadership. As we head into the second Trump administration, who will fill the vacuum? New York’s Gabriel Debenedetti reports.
—Justin Miller, deputy editor, Intelligencer

Who Will Fill the Democratic Vacuum? When Trump is sworn in, he will face an opposition without clear leadership for the first time in 20 years.

By Gabriel Debenedetti

Photo: Kamil Krzacynski/AFP/Getty Images

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Who Will Fill the Democratic Vacuum? When Trump is sworn in, he will face an opposition without clear leadership for the first time in 20 years.

Subscribe for $10 Off Plus a Free Gift

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Ridley Scott’s underwhelming Gladiator II might make you wonder if we’ve lost the ability to treat brawny historical epics earnestly, writes Alison Willmore in her review.

READ MORE

Nicholas Quah argues that the idea of a “liberal Joe Rogan” is a total fantasy — and a fundamental misunderstanding of the power of alternative media.

READ MORE

In super-expensive places like New York and San Francisco, where Mayor London Breed was ousted last week, Democrats can’t offer voters less and expect more, argues Ross Barkan.

READ MORE

Some day traders are turning to astrology for financial advice, reports Laura Pitcher for the Cut, giving them the edge (or at least the feeling of one) they need to be confident when investing.

READ MORE

“New York City will have to defend a lot of programs we rely on.” Curbed’s Kim Velsey talks to the director of NYU’s Furman Center about what housing here might look like in the next four years.

READ MORE

Previous One Great Story Picks

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