John Vaillant
@johnvaillant.bsky.social
I write about collisions between human ambition and the natural world: The Golden Spruce, The Tiger, The Jaguar's Children,
FIRE WEATHER: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
10 Best Books: @nytimes.com
https://www.lyceumagency.com/speakers/john-vailla
FIRE WEATHER: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
10 Best Books: @nytimes.com
https://www.lyceumagency.com/speakers/john-vailla
Lest there been any doubt that Bezos captured WaPo for Trump:
Justice in Venezuela wapo.st/3NbW4xj
Justice in Venezuela wapo.st/3NbW4xj
Opinion | Justice in Venezuela
The next challenge is setting the country up for long-term success.
wapo.st
January 3, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Lest there been any doubt that Bezos captured WaPo for Trump:
Justice in Venezuela wapo.st/3NbW4xj
Justice in Venezuela wapo.st/3NbW4xj
Reposted by John Vaillant
Time to update the list of US military interventions in Latin America.
January 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM
The US Congress is now as toothless as Putin's Duma:
From the House Intelligence Committee’s ranking Democrat:
January 3, 2026 at 5:32 PM
The US Congress is now as toothless as Putin's Duma:
Reposted by John Vaillant
Promise kept....
Trump seeks $1 billion from oil CEOs, vows to limit EVs - The Washington Post share.google/LNCPUgkb1xcz...
Trump seeks $1 billion from oil CEOs, vows to limit EVs - The Washington Post share.google/LNCPUgkb1xcz...
What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign
Donald Trump has pledged to scrap President Biden’s policies on electric vehicles and wind energy, and other initiatives opposed by the fossil fuel industry.
share.google
January 3, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Promise kept....
Trump seeks $1 billion from oil CEOs, vows to limit EVs - The Washington Post share.google/LNCPUgkb1xcz...
Trump seeks $1 billion from oil CEOs, vows to limit EVs - The Washington Post share.google/LNCPUgkb1xcz...
Reposted by John Vaillant
They defend the DOJ because the DOJ protects Epstein and other criminal elites. They're propagandists for predators. I wrote on it in my book THEY KNEW and here (no paywall): sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/servants-o...
Servants of the Mafia State
Merrick Garland, Jamie Gorelick, and the truth
sarahkendzior.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:04 PM
They defend the DOJ because the DOJ protects Epstein and other criminal elites. They're propagandists for predators. I wrote on it in my book THEY KNEW and here (no paywall): sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/servants-o...
2/“All political and military figures in Venezuela must understand this: what happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will happen to them if they are not fair — even to their own people.”
January 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by John Vaillant
Thank you @passantino.bsky.social for stating what should be obvious: Expertise is good, and journalists should be proud to elevate it.
Incoming "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil's mission statement decrying “academics and elites” is a clear attempt to court MAGA audiences who want news coverage to comport with their worldview.
Now, CBS News faces a stark choice. My latest for @status.news www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
Now, CBS News faces a stark choice. My latest for @status.news www.status.news/p/tony-dokou...
The Dokoupil Doctrine
The incoming “CBS Evening News” anchor’s public mission statement decrying “academics and elites” offers the clearest sign yet of where the network is headed under its new leadership.
www.status.news
January 3, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Thank you @passantino.bsky.social for stating what should be obvious: Expertise is good, and journalists should be proud to elevate it.
Reposted by John Vaillant
President Donald Trump’s choice to seize Venezuela’s leader outside normal legal channels undermines rule-of-law norms—signaling that force beats process, inviting copycat aggression, and raising the odds of cascading, uncontrollable crises.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/january-3-...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/january-3-...
January 3, 2026, and the End of the Rules-Based Illusion
President Donald Trump’s unilateral seizure of Venezuela’s leader erodes sovereignty norms, accelerating a prewar moment in which Ukraine increasingly resembles Spain on the eve of World War II.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
President Donald Trump’s choice to seize Venezuela’s leader outside normal legal channels undermines rule-of-law norms—signaling that force beats process, inviting copycat aggression, and raising the odds of cascading, uncontrollable crises.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/january-3-...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/january-3-...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Stingless bees in the Amazon have become the 1st insects to be granted legal rights anywhere. In the Peruvian Amazon’s rainforest, these native bees now have the right to exist and to flourish.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first
Planet’s oldest bee species and primary pollinators were under threat from deforestation and competition from ‘killer bees’
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Stingless bees in the Amazon have become the 1st insects to be granted legal rights anywhere. In the Peruvian Amazon’s rainforest, these native bees now have the right to exist and to flourish.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by John Vaillant
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
How Grok's sexual abuse hit a tipping point
Nonconsensual deepfakes on X are nothing new, but now it's built into the platform.
spitfirenews.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
Reposted by John Vaillant
“according to Pathways’ own numbers, the project would capture less than one-tenth of the carbon this new [tar sands] pipeline will unleash. [A] perfect illustration of carbon capture’s moral hazard: by explicitly tying it to increased oil production, carbon capture literally increases emissions.”
A former United Nations special envoy on climate action becomes the prime minister of Canada—and immediately stops talking about emissions. Where have Canada’s climate promises gone? The Walrus contributing writer @arnokopecky.bsky.social explores: thewalrus.ca/no-matter-which-...
January 2, 2026 at 8:57 PM
“according to Pathways’ own numbers, the project would capture less than one-tenth of the carbon this new [tar sands] pipeline will unleash. [A] perfect illustration of carbon capture’s moral hazard: by explicitly tying it to increased oil production, carbon capture literally increases emissions.”
🚨 Excellent News 🚨
A wild Amur Tigress has been filmed with five cubs in tow in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.
“It's the first time that a mother with five cubs has ever been filmed in China,” said Stuart Chapman, Leader of WWF’s global Tiger program, Tigers Alive. “China’s
A wild Amur Tigress has been filmed with five cubs in tow in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.
“It's the first time that a mother with five cubs has ever been filmed in China,” said Stuart Chapman, Leader of WWF’s global Tiger program, Tigers Alive. “China’s
January 2, 2026 at 9:01 PM
⚡🌍 The Age of Electricity is here—and in 2026, Canada should lead.
Electrifying our lives means economic security, affordable energy, and healthier communities.
The stakes are high—and we will be at the forefront of building a prosperous, low-carbon future.
Electrifying our lives means economic security, affordable energy, and healthier communities.
The stakes are high—and we will be at the forefront of building a prosperous, low-carbon future.
January 2, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Reposted by John Vaillant
Another struggle in the climate crisis - forcing insurance providers to actually pay claims for damage from extreme weather.
An Oklahoma County judge ruled that state AG Drummond can intervene in a key case against State Farm, opening the door to probe 1,000s of denied hail damage claims in Oklahoma. | JC Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, reports: freepressokc.com/ok-county-ju...
OK County judge: AG can intervene in State Farm claim fight
An OK County judge ruled that AG Drummond can intervene in a key case against State Farm, opening the door to probe 1,000s of denied hail damage claims in Okla.
freepressokc.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Another struggle in the climate crisis - forcing insurance providers to actually pay claims for damage from extreme weather.
It's January 2 and records are expected to fall across Texas cities.
For #bcstx, 4 of our 5 warmest Jan 2nd temps have happened since 2000.
Let's dive in & get you caught up on why the fire danger is high in Central Texas, too ⤵️
shelwinkleywx.substack.com/p/new-year-s...
For #bcstx, 4 of our 5 warmest Jan 2nd temps have happened since 2000.
Let's dive in & get you caught up on why the fire danger is high in Central Texas, too ⤵️
shelwinkleywx.substack.com/p/new-year-s...
January 2, 2026 at 5:26 PM
This can happen in any modern home with synthetic furniture, carpets and flooring:
It’s Likely That a Flashover Occurred During the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w... #fire
It’s Likely That a Flashover Occurred During the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w... #fire
It’s Likely That a Flashover Occurred During the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means.
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:23 PM
This can happen in any modern home with synthetic furniture, carpets and flooring:
It’s Likely That a Flashover Occurred During the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w... #fire
It’s Likely That a Flashover Occurred During the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w... #fire
Reposted by John Vaillant
La Nasa cierra hoy su biblioteca más grande e importante y tira todo su fondo.
La NASA es la competencia SOCIALISTA de SpaceX.
El objetivo es acabar con la posibilidad de acceso público a la ciencia y al conocimiento (creados con dinero público).
La NASA es la competencia SOCIALISTA de SpaceX.
El objetivo es acabar con la posibilidad de acceso público a la ciencia y al conocimiento (creados con dinero público).
January 2, 2026 at 4:47 PM
La Nasa cierra hoy su biblioteca más grande e importante y tira todo su fondo.
La NASA es la competencia SOCIALISTA de SpaceX.
El objetivo es acabar con la posibilidad de acceso público a la ciencia y al conocimiento (creados con dinero público).
La NASA es la competencia SOCIALISTA de SpaceX.
El objetivo es acabar con la posibilidad de acceso público a la ciencia y al conocimiento (creados con dinero público).
Reposted by John Vaillant
House Republicans Buried the Jack Smith Transcript on New Year’s Eve. I Read It So You Don’t Have To.
open.substack.com/pub/readtpa/...
open.substack.com/pub/readtpa/...
House Republicans Buried the Jack Smith Transcript on New Year’s Eve. I Read It So You Don’t Have To.
12 takeaways from Smith's closed-door testimony
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:29 PM
House Republicans Buried the Jack Smith Transcript on New Year’s Eve. I Read It So You Don’t Have To.
open.substack.com/pub/readtpa/...
open.substack.com/pub/readtpa/...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
January 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Mamdani has only been Mayor for a day & criminals are already fleeing New York
Reposted by John Vaillant
It's taken a very long time and much remains to be done, but we should cheer the coming into force of the UN's High Seas Treaty which will, for the first time, allow Marine Protected Areas to be created beyond areas of national jurisdiction 🐳
www.economist.com/internationa...
www.economist.com/internationa...
A half-planet-size gap in global governance is about to get plugged
A new treaty offers hope of curbing the destruction of the oceans
www.economist.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:53 PM
It's taken a very long time and much remains to be done, but we should cheer the coming into force of the UN's High Seas Treaty which will, for the first time, allow Marine Protected Areas to be created beyond areas of national jurisdiction 🐳
www.economist.com/internationa...
www.economist.com/internationa...
Reposted by John Vaillant
This is an extremely useful organigram, very similar in concept to something I recently saw from one of the major German foundations that has been tracking and attempting to unravel Trump's corrupt empire. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches (Gift Article)
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:37 PM
This is an extremely useful organigram, very similar in concept to something I recently saw from one of the major German foundations that has been tracking and attempting to unravel Trump's corrupt empire. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by John Vaillant
this is why dads are the best babysitters
December 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
this is why dads are the best babysitters
Reposted by John Vaillant
“The Trump administration is closing NASA’s largest research library on Friday, a facility that houses tens of thousands of books, documents and journals — many of them not digitized or available anywhere else.”
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:35 PM
“The Trump administration is closing NASA’s largest research library on Friday, a facility that houses tens of thousands of books, documents and journals — many of them not digitized or available anywhere else.”
Reposted by John Vaillant
The 255-page document, released on the last day of 2025, accounts for some eight hours of testimony. https://to.pbs.org/44LvaCE
Read Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump
The 255-page document, released on the last day of 2025, accounts for some eight hours of testimony.
www.pbs.org
December 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The 255-page document, released on the last day of 2025, accounts for some eight hours of testimony. https://to.pbs.org/44LvaCE