Maximillian Potter
@maxpotter.bsky.social
Writer-editor @protectdemocracy.org
Contributing Editor @vanityfair.com
NYT & WSJ Best Wine Book: “Shadows in the Vineyard” http://amzn.to/2H5ikFW
Ghost in some memoirs.
Facts are facts.
My opinions are my own.
https://linktr.ee/maximillianpotter
Contributing Editor @vanityfair.com
NYT & WSJ Best Wine Book: “Shadows in the Vineyard” http://amzn.to/2H5ikFW
Ghost in some memoirs.
Facts are facts.
My opinions are my own.
https://linktr.ee/maximillianpotter
On a day intended to be a moment when we reflect on what it means to love…the truth is America has become a place of heartlessness and cruelty.
Our story @chicagotribune.com: Chicago teen Ofelia Torres, whose father was detained by ICE while she fought cancer, dies. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/c...
February 15, 2026 at 6:52 AM
On a day intended to be a moment when we reflect on what it means to love…the truth is America has become a place of heartlessness and cruelty.
The Epstein files are the ultimate non-fiction allegory for much, if not everything corrupt and criminal that has been baked into how the “Epstein class” lives life and does business. The child sex trafficking is the central crime but Epstein was a conduit for a sprawling culture of gross.
It is shocking just how many NFL franchise owners are in the Epstein files, writes @edgeofsports.bsky.social. The sports media has largely ignored the story.
https://bit.ly/4cqkygS
https://bit.ly/4cqkygS
The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein's Inbox
The sports media is ignoring the story, but wealthy sports figures are all over the Epstein files.
bit.ly
February 14, 2026 at 10:20 PM
The Epstein files are the ultimate non-fiction allegory for much, if not everything corrupt and criminal that has been baked into how the “Epstein class” lives life and does business. The child sex trafficking is the central crime but Epstein was a conduit for a sprawling culture of gross.
Regardless of whether one agrees with that take, it is staggering omission to not so much as mention the positively *massive* technological changes, the repeal of fairness doctrine and the rise of Fox News propaganda profiteering. Which is at least included in the academic research she cites.
February 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Regardless of whether one agrees with that take, it is staggering omission to not so much as mention the positively *massive* technological changes, the repeal of fairness doctrine and the rise of Fox News propaganda profiteering. Which is at least included in the academic research she cites.
Reposted by Maximillian Potter
February 14, 2026 at 5:07 PM
More totally normal apple pie stuff.
(Delivered in that soulless robot tone of voice that would command a puppy to be still so she could get a better shot.)
(Delivered in that soulless robot tone of voice that would command a puppy to be still so she could get a better shot.)
Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."
February 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
More totally normal apple pie stuff.
(Delivered in that soulless robot tone of voice that would command a puppy to be still so she could get a better shot.)
(Delivered in that soulless robot tone of voice that would command a puppy to be still so she could get a better shot.)
It’s like being trapped in the worst high school ever.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed two Arkansas supreme court justices in 2024. State law prohibits them from running for their own positions this year, so the justices are running for each other’s seats instead.
Conservatives Play Musical Chairs to “Cement” Majority on Arkansas High Court
How seat-switching, plus a new state law, is helping gubernatorial appointees reap the benefits of incumbency before they’ve earned it from voters.
boltsmag.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:42 AM
It’s like being trapped in the worst high school ever.
Good. But not even close to the worst.
What about the so many exposed Trump lackeys who were far more "chummy" with Epstein-Bannon, Lutnick, Trump himself?
So much for the asinine nonsense that those who want the files revealed about Epstein's unctuous clients and enablers are only "after Trump.”
What about the so many exposed Trump lackeys who were far more "chummy" with Epstein-Bannon, Lutnick, Trump himself?
So much for the asinine nonsense that those who want the files revealed about Epstein's unctuous clients and enablers are only "after Trump.”
Breaking News: Goldman Sachs’s top lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, resigned after her extensive relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
Goldman Sachs General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler Resigns Over Epstein Ties
Kathryn Ruemmler, a former top Obama administration lawyer, is out at Goldman Sachs after emails showed she had a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the sex offender, spanning many years.
nyti.ms
February 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Good. But not even close to the worst.
What about the so many exposed Trump lackeys who were far more "chummy" with Epstein-Bannon, Lutnick, Trump himself?
So much for the asinine nonsense that those who want the files revealed about Epstein's unctuous clients and enablers are only "after Trump.”
What about the so many exposed Trump lackeys who were far more "chummy" with Epstein-Bannon, Lutnick, Trump himself?
So much for the asinine nonsense that those who want the files revealed about Epstein's unctuous clients and enablers are only "after Trump.”
Reposted by Maximillian Potter
NEW: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Congress today that local law enforcement in Colorado leaked word of a raid, allowing gang members to clear out of apartments.
Those apartments were being cleared out weeks earlier.
Tonight, ICE deleted social media posts with the claim.
Those apartments were being cleared out weeks earlier.
Tonight, ICE deleted social media posts with the claim.
February 13, 2026 at 5:56 AM
NEW: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Congress today that local law enforcement in Colorado leaked word of a raid, allowing gang members to clear out of apartments.
Those apartments were being cleared out weeks earlier.
Tonight, ICE deleted social media posts with the claim.
Those apartments were being cleared out weeks earlier.
Tonight, ICE deleted social media posts with the claim.
“Throughout Musk and the woman’s time together, she forwarded Epstein several of…the personal messages Musk sent to her and asked Epstein for guidance on the relationship. There is nothing…to suggest that Musk was aware of the backchannel correspondence with Epstein.”
I’m sorry. WHAT?! And WHAT?!
I’m sorry. WHAT?! And WHAT?!
Epstein engineered intimate relationship for Tesla’s Kimbal Musk, emails show
Elon Musk’s younger brother and the woman were involved for about six months between 2012 and 2013
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:51 AM
“Throughout Musk and the woman’s time together, she forwarded Epstein several of…the personal messages Musk sent to her and asked Epstein for guidance on the relationship. There is nothing…to suggest that Musk was aware of the backchannel correspondence with Epstein.”
I’m sorry. WHAT?! And WHAT?!
I’m sorry. WHAT?! And WHAT?!
I am shocked. Stunned. Just cannot believe this. Regardless, I fully trust this will be thoroughly investigated. Our national security has never been more secure. (Sarcasm is all I got right now.)
This is big news. Keep focused. Kushner just met Netanyahu and he also received 2 billion from Saudi Arabia. MBS used to say he had Kushner in his back pocket.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner
The substance of the conversation, which covered in part issues related to Iran, isn’t known.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:02 PM
I am shocked. Stunned. Just cannot believe this. Regardless, I fully trust this will be thoroughly investigated. Our national security has never been more secure. (Sarcasm is all I got right now.)
Corporations / shareholders will benefit, enriching themselves with blood money. While generations of Americans to come will now needlessly get sick and many die because of corporate poisoning, those enriching themselves will buy the rarified air and water they need. But enjoy the market bump.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Corporations / shareholders will benefit, enriching themselves with blood money. While generations of Americans to come will now needlessly get sick and many die because of corporate poisoning, those enriching themselves will buy the rarified air and water they need. But enjoy the market bump.
Two people are dead because masked thugs working for the leader of this guy’s party murdered them.
What kind of person votes for, enables a person who behaves this way? Rhetorical question.
What kind of person votes for, enables a person who behaves this way? Rhetorical question.
Ron Johnson to Keith Ellison: "Two people are dead because you encouraged them to put themselves into harm's way! And now you are exploiting those two martyrs. You ought to feel damn guilty about it. Yeah, sit there and smirk. Smirk. It's sick! It's despicable. You disgust me."
February 12, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Two people are dead because masked thugs working for the leader of this guy’s party murdered them.
What kind of person votes for, enables a person who behaves this way? Rhetorical question.
What kind of person votes for, enables a person who behaves this way? Rhetorical question.
What we are seeing in the “release” of the Epstein files are merely splinters of the whole, of decades of layers of abhorrent, criminal behavior among people who were above the law because they could buy the law, because they bought off people. Which is why none of it has been investigated.
February 12, 2026 at 6:57 AM
What we are seeing in the “release” of the Epstein files are merely splinters of the whole, of decades of layers of abhorrent, criminal behavior among people who were above the law because they could buy the law, because they bought off people. Which is why none of it has been investigated.
This drips with disgusting. In a just world, this would be investigated objectively, assertively and likely at the very least would end with disbarment and disgrace.
Wall Street attorney Brad Karp, who represented Epstein’s business associate, Leon Black, also coordinated surveillance on the woman
Jeffrey Epstein plotted with lawyer to try to have woman deported, documents reveal
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:51 AM
This drips with disgusting. In a just world, this would be investigated objectively, assertively and likely at the very least would end with disbarment and disgrace.
After so long and so much, they stood wanting only to be seen, to be recognized, because they wanted what had been done to them as children to be acknowledged, because acknowledging those crimes means you must concede there are criminals who have not faced justice. And the AG chose to look away.
Epstein survivors raise their hands to signal they've been ignored by Trump's DOJ as AG Pam Bondi refuses to look at them
(Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty)
(Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty)
February 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
After so long and so much, they stood wanting only to be seen, to be recognized, because they wanted what had been done to them as children to be acknowledged, because acknowledging those crimes means you must concede there are criminals who have not faced justice. And the AG chose to look away.
“This case is a prime example of federal prosecutors marching in lock step with the current administration’s efforts to chill dissent. Mr Redondo-Rosales was lawfully protesting … immigration policy when he was struck by a government vehicle and then tackled and beaten by three other officers…”
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Case dismissed against LA protester accused of assaulting federal officer with cloth hat
Judge says US government acted in ‘bad faith’ in case of Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, 36, who spent six months in jail
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:18 AM
“This case is a prime example of federal prosecutors marching in lock step with the current administration’s efforts to chill dissent. Mr Redondo-Rosales was lawfully protesting … immigration policy when he was struck by a government vehicle and then tackled and beaten by three other officers…”
Among the countless differences between Watergate and this Epstein bag of toxic grotesquerie is here the crimes—and there are *many* and as bad as they are based on what’s known, they will melt our frontal lobes when the full scope is known—the crimes are so much worse than the ongoing coverup.
February 11, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Among the countless differences between Watergate and this Epstein bag of toxic grotesquerie is here the crimes—and there are *many* and as bad as they are based on what’s known, they will melt our frontal lobes when the full scope is known—the crimes are so much worse than the ongoing coverup.
So much has been corrupted.
www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
February 11, 2026 at 12:06 AM
So much has been corrupted.
www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
Reposted by Maximillian Potter
In response to yesterday's news, Elly Brinkley, Staff Attorney at PEN America said, “Writing an op-ed is free speech, plain and simple, and that right applies to citizens and non-citizens alike. What happened to Öztürk was an unthinkable miscarriage of justice.” www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
Immigration judge terminates removal proceedings against Tufts student detained by Trump administration, attorneys say | CNN
An immigration judge terminated removal proceedings against Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, who was detained for over a month last year as part of the Trump administration’s effort t...
www.cnn.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
In response to yesterday's news, Elly Brinkley, Staff Attorney at PEN America said, “Writing an op-ed is free speech, plain and simple, and that right applies to citizens and non-citizens alike. What happened to Öztürk was an unthinkable miscarriage of justice.” www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/u...
Wouldn’t be here if not for the survivors and their legal representatives, and also Reps. Massie and Khanna—a bipartisan minority of two actually doing the right thing and who understand:
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
Todd Blanche gives away the game here.
Rep. Massie nails it.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act does not permit redacting the identifying information of the men involved!
1/2
Rep. Massie nails it.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act does not permit redacting the identifying information of the men involved!
1/2
February 10, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Wouldn’t be here if not for the survivors and their legal representatives, and also Reps. Massie and Khanna—a bipartisan minority of two actually doing the right thing and who understand:
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
Reposted by Maximillian Potter
The fact that her reaction is almost certainly opportunistic makes this more, not less, significant.
GOP Sen Lummis says she’s changed her mind after the new Epstein revelations today: “Initially my reaction to all this was, I don’t care. I don’t see what the big deal is. But now I see what the big deal is. The members of Congress who were pushing this were not wrong!”
February 10, 2026 at 1:59 AM
The fact that her reaction is almost certainly opportunistic makes this more, not less, significant.
Post a banger that isn’t in English.
youtu.be/_K1A3YIC3V0?...
youtu.be/_K1A3YIC3V0?...
February 10, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Post a banger that isn’t in English.
youtu.be/_K1A3YIC3V0?...
youtu.be/_K1A3YIC3V0?...
Really grateful for moments like this of just some no bullshit, uncomplicated straight-up calling us all out.
Crockett: "The US is falling apart, partially bc he's allowing for killings in the street, but also bc we have a 34 count convicted felon being shielded from any type of accountability as it relates to a child sex trafficking ring. I don't understand why we're pretending any of this is normal."
February 10, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Really grateful for moments like this of just some no bullshit, uncomplicated straight-up calling us all out.