Ken Vogel
@kenvogel.bsky.social
kenneth.vogel@nytimes.com
New book -- "DEVILS' ADVOCATES," on the foreign influence industry -- out now: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/devils-advocates-kenneth-p-vogel?variant=43110856097826
New book -- "DEVILS' ADVOCATES," on the foreign influence industry -- out now: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/devils-advocates-kenneth-p-vogel?variant=43110856097826
NEW: The defense contractor Raytheon / RTX donated $500k+ to the Kennedy Center last year, disclosing it as an "honorary expense," & listing the honorees as:
▶️Trump
▶️Pam Bondi
▶️Susie Wiles
▶️Dan Scavino
▶️Ric Grenell
lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
▶️Trump
▶️Pam Bondi
▶️Susie Wiles
▶️Dan Scavino
▶️Ric Grenell
lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 PM
NEW: The defense contractor Raytheon / RTX donated $500k+ to the Kennedy Center last year, disclosing it as an "honorary expense," & listing the honorees as:
▶️Trump
▶️Pam Bondi
▶️Susie Wiles
▶️Dan Scavino
▶️Ric Grenell
lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
▶️Trump
▶️Pam Bondi
▶️Susie Wiles
▶️Dan Scavino
▶️Ric Grenell
lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
Credit Suisse (which is now part of UBS) or other Swiss banks that later merged with it held accounts for the German foreign office, which helped deport Jews to concentration camps, & for an officer who managed SS funds, according to new info set to be revealed to a Senate committee today.
Investigation Finds Credit Suisse Had Wider Nazi Ties Than Previously Known
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Credit Suisse (which is now part of UBS) or other Swiss banks that later merged with it held accounts for the German foreign office, which helped deport Jews to concentration camps, & for an officer who managed SS funds, according to new info set to be revealed to a Senate committee today.
As congressional efforts to regulate sports betting mount amid betting scandals, DraftKings & FanDuel appear to be preparing to spend big to influence the congressional midterm elections, Judd Legum reports.
DraftKings and FanDuel spending millions on 2026 midterms, new filings reveal
The two largest online sports gambling companies, DraftKings and FanDuel, have already spent millions of dollars on the 2026 midterm elections, according to FEC disclosures filed on Friday.
popular.info
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 AM
As congressional efforts to regulate sports betting mount amid betting scandals, DraftKings & FanDuel appear to be preparing to spend big to influence the congressional midterm elections, Judd Legum reports.
NEW: Vantive Health, which has been pushing the Trump administration to allow more Medicare reimbursements for at-home dialysis, reported a $2.5M donation to the Trust for the National Mall for Trump's WH ballroom project, listing it as "Honorary Expenses." lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
February 2, 2026 at 10:31 PM
NEW: Vantive Health, which has been pushing the Trump administration to allow more Medicare reimbursements for at-home dialysis, reported a $2.5M donation to the Trust for the National Mall for Trump's WH ballroom project, listing it as "Honorary Expenses." lda.senate.gov/filings/publ...
Interesting breakdown from @axios.com of how the increasingly fractured lefty media environment may test 2028 Dem presidential contenders’ ability to modulate their appeals to divergent factions of the primary electorate.
Liberal media's MAGA-like splintering challenges potential 2028 contenders
Potential contenders for president will have to navigate a multi-layered media ecosystem.
www.axios.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Interesting breakdown from @axios.com of how the increasingly fractured lefty media environment may test 2028 Dem presidential contenders’ ability to modulate their appeals to divergent factions of the primary electorate.
Months after the UAE-linked $500m investment in the Trump family’s crypto company, the Emirati government secured an agreement with the Trump administration for the export of hundreds of thousands of advanced chips to power A.I. technology.
U.A.E. Firm Quietly Took Stake in the Trump Family’s Crypto Company
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Months after the UAE-linked $500m investment in the Trump family’s crypto company, the Emirati government secured an agreement with the Trump administration for the export of hundreds of thousands of advanced chips to power A.I. technology.
This huge @wsj.com scoop about a UAE government-linked company agreeing to invest $500m in the Trump family’s crypto company makes the 1st term concerns about foreign officials staying in Trump’s DC hotel seem quaint by comparison. 🎁🔗
‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
$500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:07 PM
This huge @wsj.com scoop about a UAE government-linked company agreeing to invest $500m in the Trump family’s crypto company makes the 1st term concerns about foreign officials staying in Trump’s DC hotel seem quaint by comparison. 🎁🔗
IDIOM ALERT: “Fit for purpose,” which has been in wide use in the UK for years, has officially crossed the pond & is likely headed for overuse on US podcast feeds, investor calls, panels & team meetings near you.
February 1, 2026 at 3:52 PM
IDIOM ALERT: “Fit for purpose,” which has been in wide use in the UK for years, has officially crossed the pond & is likely headed for overuse on US podcast feeds, investor calls, panels & team meetings near you.
👀 @WSJ.com scoop:
On 1/16/2025, a UAE government-linked entity secretly signed a deal with Eric Trump to purchase a 49% stake in the Trump/Witkoff families’ crypto venture World Liberty Financial for $500m.
$187m has already flowed to Trump entities + $31m to Witkoff-linked entities.
On 1/16/2025, a UAE government-linked entity secretly signed a deal with Eric Trump to purchase a 49% stake in the Trump/Witkoff families’ crypto venture World Liberty Financial for $500m.
$187m has already flowed to Trump entities + $31m to Witkoff-linked entities.
‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
$500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:38 PM
👀 @WSJ.com scoop:
On 1/16/2025, a UAE government-linked entity secretly signed a deal with Eric Trump to purchase a 49% stake in the Trump/Witkoff families’ crypto venture World Liberty Financial for $500m.
$187m has already flowed to Trump entities + $31m to Witkoff-linked entities.
On 1/16/2025, a UAE government-linked entity secretly signed a deal with Eric Trump to purchase a 49% stake in the Trump/Witkoff families’ crypto venture World Liberty Financial for $500m.
$187m has already flowed to Trump entities + $31m to Witkoff-linked entities.
Billionaires who don’t want to pay California’s proposed one-time billionaire tax are donating tens of millions of dollars to political groups linked to efforts to undermine the tax.
Google Co-Founder Seeds Billionaire Political Effort Amid Wealth Tax Debate
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Billionaires who don’t want to pay California’s proposed one-time billionaire tax are donating tens of millions of dollars to political groups linked to efforts to undermine the tax.
Charles Koch & his son have a book out in May called "Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader: 41 Principles to Build an Enduring Business."
*Their company is big in oil & has paid millions in environmental fines, while leadership spent heavily to discredit climate science www.amazon.com/Becoming-Pri...
*Their company is big in oil & has paid millions in environmental fines, while leadership spent heavily to discredit climate science www.amazon.com/Becoming-Pri...
January 30, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Charles Koch & his son have a book out in May called "Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader: 41 Principles to Build an Enduring Business."
*Their company is big in oil & has paid millions in environmental fines, while leadership spent heavily to discredit climate science www.amazon.com/Becoming-Pri...
*Their company is big in oil & has paid millions in environmental fines, while leadership spent heavily to discredit climate science www.amazon.com/Becoming-Pri...
The $35m marketing push for “Melania” is 10x that of some other high-profile documentaries.
Hollywood is questioning whether it’s just an attempt by Amazon to ingratiate itself with a president who uses the office to reward allies & punishes critics.
Hollywood is questioning whether it’s just an attempt by Amazon to ingratiate itself with a president who uses the office to reward allies & punishes critics.
Amazon’s Promotion of ‘Melania’ Has Critics Questioning Its Motives
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 PM
The $35m marketing push for “Melania” is 10x that of some other high-profile documentaries.
Hollywood is questioning whether it’s just an attempt by Amazon to ingratiate itself with a president who uses the office to reward allies & punishes critics.
Hollywood is questioning whether it’s just an attempt by Amazon to ingratiate itself with a president who uses the office to reward allies & punishes critics.
Hillary Clinton & Tucker Carlson, in separate speeches at a real estate conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, both praised Saudi Arabia.
@HillaryClinton called the oil-rich authoritarian kingdom “a very strong model for other parts of the world.”
Carlson called it “kind of a weirdly free place.”
@HillaryClinton called the oil-rich authoritarian kingdom “a very strong model for other parts of the world.”
Carlson called it “kind of a weirdly free place.”
Hillary Clinton and Tucker Carlson Walk Into a Saudi Real Estate Forum
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Hillary Clinton & Tucker Carlson, in separate speeches at a real estate conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, both praised Saudi Arabia.
@HillaryClinton called the oil-rich authoritarian kingdom “a very strong model for other parts of the world.”
Carlson called it “kind of a weirdly free place.”
@HillaryClinton called the oil-rich authoritarian kingdom “a very strong model for other parts of the world.”
Carlson called it “kind of a weirdly free place.”
Ok, fine, if no one else wants to do it, I will take the Eagles offensive coordinator job.
January 28, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Ok, fine, if no one else wants to do it, I will take the Eagles offensive coordinator job.
A new @nytimes.com frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti & the 2 officers who fired 10 times shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat.
At critical junctures, Pretti was outnumbered & under agents' control.
At critical junctures, Pretti was outnumbered & under agents' control.
Video: New Video Analysis Reveals Flawed and Fatal Decisions in Shooting of Pretti
A frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti and the two officers who fired 10 times shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:06 PM
A new @nytimes.com frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti & the 2 officers who fired 10 times shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat.
At critical junctures, Pretti was outnumbered & under agents' control.
At critical junctures, Pretti was outnumbered & under agents' control.
Reposted by Ken Vogel
NEW: In August, the nursing home industry gave Trump's Super PAC $5M and had a private lunch with him at his golf course.
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW: In August, the nursing home industry gave Trump's Super PAC $5M and had a private lunch with him at his golf course.
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
The Department of Homeland Security has suspended border patrol official Gregory Bovino’s access to his social media accounts effective immediately, @CNN.com reports.
Live updates: Top Border Patrol official Bovino expected to leave Minneapolis as Trump sends Homan to the state | CNN
Tom Homan is headed to Minnesota after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in an encounter Saturday with federal agents deepened outrage over the Trump administration’s surge, part of its nati...
www.cnn.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:13 PM
The Department of Homeland Security has suspended border patrol official Gregory Bovino’s access to his social media accounts effective immediately, @CNN.com reports.
SCOOP: Nursing home companies donated $4.8M to Trump's super PAC in Aug-Sept.
Their executives landed a lunch in Aug. with Trump at his NoVa golf club where they asked him to revoke a rule to increase staffing to prevent patient neglect.
His administration revoked the rule a few months later.
Their executives landed a lunch in Aug. with Trump at his NoVa golf club where they asked him to revoke a rule to increase staffing to prevent patient neglect.
His administration revoked the rule a few months later.
After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:37 PM
SCOOP: Nursing home companies donated $4.8M to Trump's super PAC in Aug-Sept.
Their executives landed a lunch in Aug. with Trump at his NoVa golf club where they asked him to revoke a rule to increase staffing to prevent patient neglect.
His administration revoked the rule a few months later.
Their executives landed a lunch in Aug. with Trump at his NoVa golf club where they asked him to revoke a rule to increase staffing to prevent patient neglect.
His administration revoked the rule a few months later.
NEW from @glennthrush.bsky.social & @anniekarni.bsky.social:
The DOJ under Biden opened an investigation into Ilhan Omar's finances, campaign spending & interactions with a foreign citizen.
But the inquiry into @ilhanmn.bsky.social appears to have stalled for lack of evidence.
The DOJ under Biden opened an investigation into Ilhan Omar's finances, campaign spending & interactions with a foreign citizen.
But the inquiry into @ilhanmn.bsky.social appears to have stalled for lack of evidence.
Under Biden Administration, Justice Dept. Began Examining Ilhan Omar’s Finances
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:56 PM
NEW from @glennthrush.bsky.social & @anniekarni.bsky.social:
The DOJ under Biden opened an investigation into Ilhan Omar's finances, campaign spending & interactions with a foreign citizen.
But the inquiry into @ilhanmn.bsky.social appears to have stalled for lack of evidence.
The DOJ under Biden opened an investigation into Ilhan Omar's finances, campaign spending & interactions with a foreign citizen.
But the inquiry into @ilhanmn.bsky.social appears to have stalled for lack of evidence.
More than 30 mental health workers told the @nytimes.com about cases in which conversations with AI chatbots deepened their patients’ feelings of isolation or anxiety, resulting in dangerous emergencies like psychosis or suicidal thoughts.
How Bad Are A.I. Delusions? We Asked People Treating Them.
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:03 PM
More than 30 mental health workers told the @nytimes.com about cases in which conversations with AI chatbots deepened their patients’ feelings of isolation or anxiety, resulting in dangerous emergencies like psychosis or suicidal thoughts.
Trump tells @wsj.com that the administration is “reviewing everything” about the shooting of Alex Pretti “and will come out with a determination.”
But he also defends ICE’s performance in Minnesota, saying “We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.”
But he also defends ICE’s performance in Minnesota, saying “We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.”
Exclusive | Trump Says Administration Is ‘Reviewing Everything’ About Minneapolis Shooting
In an interview, the president said immigration-enforcement officers will “at some point” leave the area.
www.wsj.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Trump tells @wsj.com that the administration is “reviewing everything” about the shooting of Alex Pretti “and will come out with a determination.”
But he also defends ICE’s performance in Minnesota, saying “We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.”
But he also defends ICE’s performance in Minnesota, saying “We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.”
Reposted by Ken Vogel
@kenvogel.bsky.social Yep, that was extreme. I will own it. I'm angry as all hell at what is happening and took it out on you.
I just want headlines to say what *actually* happened.
Facing comments like these is a horrible part of your job, and I'm sorry for making it worse. I need to calm down.
I just want headlines to say what *actually* happened.
Facing comments like these is a horrible part of your job, and I'm sorry for making it worse. I need to calm down.
January 25, 2026 at 4:17 PM
@kenvogel.bsky.social Yep, that was extreme. I will own it. I'm angry as all hell at what is happening and took it out on you.
I just want headlines to say what *actually* happened.
Facing comments like these is a horrible part of your job, and I'm sorry for making it worse. I need to calm down.
I just want headlines to say what *actually* happened.
Facing comments like these is a horrible part of your job, and I'm sorry for making it worse. I need to calm down.
The Winklevoss twins:
▶️gave $1M+ each to a Trump cmte in 2024
▶️donated to the WH ballroom
▶️backed a crypto firm co-founded by Eric Trump
▶️were founding members of Don Jr.'s private club
The SEC has now agreed to dismiss a case against the twins' crypto exchange, per a filing made public on Friday.
▶️gave $1M+ each to a Trump cmte in 2024
▶️donated to the WH ballroom
▶️backed a crypto firm co-founded by Eric Trump
▶️were founding members of Don Jr.'s private club
The SEC has now agreed to dismiss a case against the twins' crypto exchange, per a filing made public on Friday.
S.E.C. Drops Case Against Cryptocurrency Firm Founded by Winklevoss Twins
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:51 PM
The Winklevoss twins:
▶️gave $1M+ each to a Trump cmte in 2024
▶️donated to the WH ballroom
▶️backed a crypto firm co-founded by Eric Trump
▶️were founding members of Don Jr.'s private club
The SEC has now agreed to dismiss a case against the twins' crypto exchange, per a filing made public on Friday.
▶️gave $1M+ each to a Trump cmte in 2024
▶️donated to the WH ballroom
▶️backed a crypto firm co-founded by Eric Trump
▶️were founding members of Don Jr.'s private club
The SEC has now agreed to dismiss a case against the twins' crypto exchange, per a filing made public on Friday.
A @nytimes.com video analysis shows that after agents restrained Alex Jeffrey Pretti & removed his gun from the skirmish, an agent appears to fire 4 shots at Petri.
That agent & another then fire 6 more shots at Pretti while he lies motionless on the ground.
That agent & another then fire 6 more shots at Pretti while he lies motionless on the ground.
Timeline: How the Shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti Unfolded (Gift Article)
A moment-by-moment analysis of video from the scene shows that Mr. Pretti was already restrained when fatal shots were fired, which appears to contradict the federal government’s account of the event.
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:33 PM
A @nytimes.com video analysis shows that after agents restrained Alex Jeffrey Pretti & removed his gun from the skirmish, an agent appears to fire 4 shots at Petri.
That agent & another then fire 6 more shots at Pretti while he lies motionless on the ground.
That agent & another then fire 6 more shots at Pretti while he lies motionless on the ground.
The $$$ partnership between sports media & betting “handcuffs a lot of sports outlets that could be reporting on the dangers of betting, rising addiction, the risks of corruption… there is a conspicuous silence,” @dannyfunt.bsky.social tells Breaking Points.
Former Fanduel CEO Admits Ads Are A LIE
YouTube video by Breaking Points
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The $$$ partnership between sports media & betting “handcuffs a lot of sports outlets that could be reporting on the dangers of betting, rising addiction, the risks of corruption… there is a conspicuous silence,” @dannyfunt.bsky.social tells Breaking Points.