Watch those texts! Smartphones emerging as a new way for public figures to get into hot water
October 23, 2025
Some public figures carry threats to their livelihood in the palms of their hands. In recent weeks, the Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general, a group of aspiring Republican leaders and one of President Donald Trump’s nominees for an important job have all been knocked down by stories that showed them making crude and offensive comments in chat groups or text chains. Whether it’s sloppiness or arrogance, poor choice in texting is leading politicians to put their careers at risk. For journalists, it’s fertile territory to catch leaders revealing a private side to themselves, and a challenge to make sure they get their stories right.