Ben Shultz
@benmshultz.net
☀️ Lead Researcher, @AmericanSunlight.org
👨🏻🎓 Doctoral Student, @dsrc.bsky.social
🇪🇺 AI Expert from time to time, @coe.int
💻 Fellow, @HIIGBerlin.bsky.social
🍊 #MaxwellMafia Alum
🤖 Hobbies include hunting Russian bots
https://www.benmshultz.net | 📍Berlin
👨🏻🎓 Doctoral Student, @dsrc.bsky.social
🇪🇺 AI Expert from time to time, @coe.int
💻 Fellow, @HIIGBerlin.bsky.social
🍊 #MaxwellMafia Alum
🤖 Hobbies include hunting Russian bots
https://www.benmshultz.net | 📍Berlin
Pinned
Ben Shultz
@benmshultz.net
· Nov 4
Another day, hundreds more ads for #AI nudify apps across #Meta platforms...
Meta loves to talk about "new technology to detect ads for nudify apps" and "strict rules against non-consensual intimate imagery."
Funny though, because we at @americansunlight.org sure do find these ads often...
Meta loves to talk about "new technology to detect ads for nudify apps" and "strict rules against non-consensual intimate imagery."
Funny though, because we at @americansunlight.org sure do find these ads often...
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Folks look at you like you’re crazy when you say we’re in the midst of the worst, most unprecedented constitutional crisis in American history, & then…two words:
It would take a two-word amendment to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to subject ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers to the same liability for constitutional violations that local and state officers currently face.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
January 12, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Folks look at you like you’re crazy when you say we’re in the midst of the worst, most unprecedented constitutional crisis in American history, & then…two words:
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Others have posted it but I will do so as well. In the 1930s, the Nazis imposed restrictions on the ability of Jews (and other undesirables) to get their money out of Germany. Bessent is promoting Nazi-style fiscal policies.
Bessent: "For individuals who want to wire money out of the country, they're gonna have to tick a box whether they are or are not on public assistance. Then we're going to start pushing over the coming days and weeks that if you're on public assistance, you cannot wire money out of the country."
January 12, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Others have posted it but I will do so as well. In the 1930s, the Nazis imposed restrictions on the ability of Jews (and other undesirables) to get their money out of Germany. Bessent is promoting Nazi-style fiscal policies.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Close to 90 million people did NOT vote in the 2024 election.
90 million.
It bears repeating over and over and over.
90 million.
It bears repeating over and over and over.
January 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Close to 90 million people did NOT vote in the 2024 election.
90 million.
It bears repeating over and over and over.
90 million.
It bears repeating over and over and over.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
ARIZONA GOV. HOBBS: “.. It’s time we make the booming data center industry work for the people of our state, rather than the other way around.”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 12, 2026 at 10:16 PM
ARIZONA GOV. HOBBS: “.. It’s time we make the booming data center industry work for the people of our state, rather than the other way around.”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Minnesota sues Trump administration to end surge of ICE agents in state
Minnesota sues Trump administration to end surge of ICE agents in state
Lawsuit comes in the aftermath of an ICE agent fatally shooting Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good
Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison announced a lawsuit Monday against the federal government, seeking to end the surge of ICE agents in the state.
“This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, and it must stop,” Ellison said during a press conference, noting the shutdown of schools and the closure of local businesses. “This surge has made us less safe.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Minnesota sues Trump administration to end surge of ICE agents in state
Reposted by Ben Shultz
it’s honestly so funny that Trump tried to halt congestion pricing, got obliterated in court, and now has no recourse other than just pouting and whining into the ether about how unfair it is
New York news: Trump is vaguely threatening to end congestion pricing, again. Unclear why he is bringing this up now.
January 12, 2026 at 10:22 PM
it’s honestly so funny that Trump tried to halt congestion pricing, got obliterated in court, and now has no recourse other than just pouting and whining into the ether about how unfair it is
Reposted by Ben Shultz
NEW: Court records obtained by @wired.com show that an FBI agent's testimony contradicted claims Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good, made under oath in December; the testimony also raises questions about Ross following his training. This is by @hudsongiles.bsky.social and me:
FBI Agent’s Sworn Testimony Contradicts Claims ICE’s Jonathan Ross Made Under Oath
The testimony also calls into question whether Ross failed to follow his training during the incident in which he reportedly shot and killed Minnesota citizen Renee Good.
www.wired.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:14 PM
NEW: Court records obtained by @wired.com show that an FBI agent's testimony contradicted claims Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good, made under oath in December; the testimony also raises questions about Ross following his training. This is by @hudsongiles.bsky.social and me:
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Trump's thugs are going hog wild and tossing gas around in one of the busiest commercial districts in Minneapolis, just a mile or so from where I live. Complete insanity.
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
January 12, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Trump's thugs are going hog wild and tossing gas around in one of the busiest commercial districts in Minneapolis, just a mile or so from where I live. Complete insanity.
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
(vid via Ford Fischer on X)
Reposted by Ben Shultz
ICE is a domestic terror organization insofar as it appears their core goal is to terrorize US.
ICE kidnap 17-year-old U.S. citizen working at Target then dump him bleeding and crying miles away in a Walmart parking lot… 🤬
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 PM
ICE is a domestic terror organization insofar as it appears their core goal is to terrorize US.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
When Marine Le Pen’s court appeal of a five year election ban begins tomorrow, the French far-right National Rally leader is expected to take a highly legalistic approach, rather than clamoring she is the victim of a political hit job.
🔗 politi.co/49uZqmD
🔗 politi.co/49uZqmD
January 12, 2026 at 11:09 AM
When Marine Le Pen’s court appeal of a five year election ban begins tomorrow, the French far-right National Rally leader is expected to take a highly legalistic approach, rather than clamoring she is the victim of a political hit job.
🔗 politi.co/49uZqmD
🔗 politi.co/49uZqmD
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Meeting between Rubio and foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark (Motzfeldt and Rasmussen) set for Wednesday.
This will be an important meeting.The US will need to make explicit what they envision, because everything when it comes to security is already possible.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-g...
This will be an important meeting.The US will need to make explicit what they envision, because everything when it comes to security is already possible.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-g...
Trump administration officials to meet with Danish officials about Greenland on Wednesday, sources say
Trump administration officials are set to meet with Danish officials about Greenland on Wednesday, diplomatic sources tell CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Meeting between Rubio and foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark (Motzfeldt and Rasmussen) set for Wednesday.
This will be an important meeting.The US will need to make explicit what they envision, because everything when it comes to security is already possible.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-g...
This will be an important meeting.The US will need to make explicit what they envision, because everything when it comes to security is already possible.
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-g...
Reposted by Ben Shultz
The sign on Kristi Noem's podium reads "One of ours, all of yours." The reader will recall that this was a fascist rallying cry in the Spanish Civil War. What it means is that one of "our" people is worth all of "your" people.
January 11, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The sign on Kristi Noem's podium reads "One of ours, all of yours." The reader will recall that this was a fascist rallying cry in the Spanish Civil War. What it means is that one of "our" people is worth all of "your" people.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Ursula von der Leyen has blasted Elon Musk’s platform X over the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes created using its AI chatbot Grok.
‘Unthinkable behavior’: Von der Leyen slams Musk’s AI for undressing photos of women
A deepfake tool has sparked investigations and now furious criticism from the head of the European Commission.
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Ursula von der Leyen has blasted Elon Musk’s platform X over the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes created using its AI chatbot Grok.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said she would vote to reunify with Romania if the issue ever goes to a referendum, saying it was becoming harder for her country to “survive” on its own.
Moldova’s Sandu says she would vote for reunification with Romania
Chișinău’s leader says the country is struggling to resist Russia and remain “sovereign.”
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said she would vote to reunify with Romania if the issue ever goes to a referendum, saying it was becoming harder for her country to “survive” on its own.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
NATO is “not at all” in crisis, its Secretary-General Mark Rutte has insisted just days after Donald Trump doubled down on his threats to take Greenland by force.
NATO boss on Trump’s Greenland threats: Chill out, this is fine
The alliance is “not at all” in crisis, Secretary-General Mark Rutte insisted.
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
NATO is “not at all” in crisis, its Secretary-General Mark Rutte has insisted just days after Donald Trump doubled down on his threats to take Greenland by force.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Police arrested a suspect in the Jackson, MS arson on Saturday. Some reports say they've filed charges. But no name has been released, leading to pro-Israel types insisting it's a muslim or leftie, left-wing people assuming neo-Nazi and Nazis claiming it was done by... yup, Jews.
January 12, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Police arrested a suspect in the Jackson, MS arson on Saturday. Some reports say they've filed charges. But no name has been released, leading to pro-Israel types insisting it's a muslim or leftie, left-wing people assuming neo-Nazi and Nazis claiming it was done by... yup, Jews.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he shares U.S. President Donald Trump’s concerns about Greenland’s security and expressed hope that a “mutually acceptable solution” can be found within NATO.
Greenland’s security is a NATO matter, says Germany’s Merz
The German chancellor wants to prevent a NATO rupture by portraying Trump’s security concerns regarding Greenland as legitimate.
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 3:22 PM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he shares U.S. President Donald Trump’s concerns about Greenland’s security and expressed hope that a “mutually acceptable solution” can be found within NATO.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
BBC counts 180 body bags in footage from morgue in Kahrizak near #Tehran
Witness in Tehran on Sunday:
"Things here are very, very bad. A lot of our friends have been killed. They were firing live rounds. It's like a war zone, streets are full of blood. They're taking away bodies in trucks"
#Iran
Witness in Tehran on Sunday:
"Things here are very, very bad. A lot of our friends have been killed. They were firing live rounds. It's like a war zone, streets are full of blood. They're taking away bodies in trucks"
#Iran
January 12, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Donald Trump’s and Stephen Miller’s assertions about the “real world” sound like something out of the work of Thomas Hobbes—but they deeply misunderstand his philosophy of government, @galbeckerman.bsky.social argues:
What Stephen Miller Gets Wrong About Human Nature
The Trump adviser’s assertions about the “real world” reflect a deep misunderstanding of Thomas Hobbes’s dog-eat-dog worldview.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 6:15 AM
Donald Trump’s and Stephen Miller’s assertions about the “real world” sound like something out of the work of Thomas Hobbes—but they deeply misunderstand his philosophy of government, @galbeckerman.bsky.social argues:
Reposted by Ben Shultz
”a broader psychological anxiety hamstrings European leaders: an inability to contemplate going it alone — without US support or even against US wishes — where “it” means not just Ukraine and wider security, but technology and the economy.
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone ft.trib.al/zVWWKZs | opinion
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone
The more the EU has to pay for ingratiation with Trump, the less convincing its strategic rationale for doing so
ft.trib.al
January 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
”a broader psychological anxiety hamstrings European leaders: an inability to contemplate going it alone — without US support or even against US wishes — where “it” means not just Ukraine and wider security, but technology and the economy.
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
Reposted by Ben Shultz
This regime is out of control.
🚨BREAKING: Our cameraman Jon Farina was just struck in the leg by a flash bang ICE fired at unarmed protesters in Minneapolis. "My leg is hurting!"
ICE also fired pepper balls and tear gas. This is happening in AMERICA. LIVE NOW ⬇️
ICE also fired pepper balls and tear gas. This is happening in AMERICA. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 12, 2026 at 1:24 AM
This regime is out of control.
Reposted by Ben Shultz
The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their rightful demands, the regime shows its true colours.
Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by the security forces. (1/2)
Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by the security forces. (1/2)
January 9, 2026 at 1:10 PM
The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their rightful demands, the regime shows its true colours.
Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by the security forces. (1/2)
Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by the security forces. (1/2)
Reposted by Ben Shultz
WATCH — @nikkiglaser.bsky.social : “The Golden Globe for best editing goes to… the Justice Department! And the award for MOST editing goes to CBS News.
Yes, CBS News: America’s newest place to See B.S. News.’”
Yes, CBS News: America’s newest place to See B.S. News.’”
January 12, 2026 at 1:36 AM
WATCH — @nikkiglaser.bsky.social : “The Golden Globe for best editing goes to… the Justice Department! And the award for MOST editing goes to CBS News.
Yes, CBS News: America’s newest place to See B.S. News.’”
Yes, CBS News: America’s newest place to See B.S. News.’”
Reposted by Ben Shultz
Almost surely won't happen, but it should. History will remember that they have done nothing as Trump destroys NATO and Fed independence
With Trump going full authoritarian on Venezuela-Greenland, ICE, and the Fed, the response has to be serious. Four Republican senators (Tillis, McConnell, Murkowski, Collins?) could announce they’ll caucus for now with the Dems to give them control of the Senate to check Trump.
January 12, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Almost surely won't happen, but it should. History will remember that they have done nothing as Trump destroys NATO and Fed independence