Mike Ludwig
@mludwig.bsky.social
I'm the senior staff reporter at Truthout.org
Pinned
Mike Ludwig
@mludwig.bsky.social
· Oct 9
Tenants Launch US’s First Ever Rent Debt Strike Against Corporate Landlord
Nine tenants organized by the Debt Collective are refusing to pay back rent, hoping to inspire others to do the same.
truthout.org
Tenants Launch US’s First Ever Rent Debt Strike Against Corporate Landlord
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Here's a fun fact to share with relatives: Trump promised over and over to slash our energy bills in half but also embraced the fossil fuel industry's rush to export as much fracked gas as possible.
Now winter heating bills are up 22% over 2024, even though the US is the world's top gas producer!
Now winter heating bills are up 22% over 2024, even though the US is the world's top gas producer!
Trump’s Embrace of Natural Gas Exports Is Driving Up Energy Bills for Consumers
US households paid $12 billion more for natural gas over the first nine months of Trump’s term, about $124 per family.
truthout.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Here's a fun fact to share with relatives: Trump promised over and over to slash our energy bills in half but also embraced the fossil fuel industry's rush to export as much fracked gas as possible.
Now winter heating bills are up 22% over 2024, even though the US is the world's top gas producer!
Now winter heating bills are up 22% over 2024, even though the US is the world's top gas producer!
Trump’s Expanded Drug War Will Make Overdose Crisis Worse, Experts Say
Trump declares fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" -- it's not, and it's not made in Venezuela either -- while his administration slashes budgets for mental health and addiction treatment.
truthout.org/articles/tru...
Trump declares fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" -- it's not, and it's not made in Venezuela either -- while his administration slashes budgets for mental health and addiction treatment.
truthout.org/articles/tru...
Trump’s Expanded Drug War Will Make Overdose Crisis Worse, Experts Say
An executive order declaring fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction could remove supports that keep people alive.
truthout.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Trump’s Expanded Drug War Will Make Overdose Crisis Worse, Experts Say
Trump declares fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" -- it's not, and it's not made in Venezuela either -- while his administration slashes budgets for mental health and addiction treatment.
truthout.org/articles/tru...
Trump declares fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" -- it's not, and it's not made in Venezuela either -- while his administration slashes budgets for mental health and addiction treatment.
truthout.org/articles/tru...
He keeps saying this
Trump just claimed he brought peace to the Middle East for the first time in 3000 years.
December 18, 2025 at 2:08 AM
He keeps saying this
Reposted by Mike Ludwig
"Such an overhaul at #FEMA would leave cities and states shouldering the costs of disaster preparation, response, and recovery — costs most states cannot afford — and put disaster victims at risk of serious harm, especially those with fewer financial resources..."
Survivors of deadly floods, wildfires, and tornadoes converged on DC this week to demand accountability from Noem as the Trump admin guts FEMA.
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
Survivors Slam Kristi Noem Over FEMA’s Response to Deadly Disasters
FEMA workers say the agency is being gutted under Trump, putting disaster victims at risk.
truthout.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
"Such an overhaul at #FEMA would leave cities and states shouldering the costs of disaster preparation, response, and recovery — costs most states cannot afford — and put disaster victims at risk of serious harm, especially those with fewer financial resources..."
Survivors of deadly floods, wildfires, and tornadoes converged on DC this week to demand accountability from Noem as the Trump admin guts FEMA.
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
Survivors Slam Kristi Noem Over FEMA’s Response to Deadly Disasters
FEMA workers say the agency is being gutted under Trump, putting disaster victims at risk.
truthout.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Survivors of deadly floods, wildfires, and tornadoes converged on DC this week to demand accountability from Noem as the Trump admin guts FEMA.
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
“That means the next time a hurricane or horrific wildfires materialize we may again experience a disturbing FEMA fiasco on par with Hurricane Katrina."
"Disney's landmark OpenAI deal is a huge endorsement of AI-created content by one of the world's foremost creative companies..."
...and a sure sign the internet is about to get flooded with Mickey bangin Cinderella bangin Sam Altman
...and a sure sign the internet is about to get flooded with Mickey bangin Cinderella bangin Sam Altman
December 11, 2025 at 9:22 PM
"Disney's landmark OpenAI deal is a huge endorsement of AI-created content by one of the world's foremost creative companies..."
...and a sure sign the internet is about to get flooded with Mickey bangin Cinderella bangin Sam Altman
...and a sure sign the internet is about to get flooded with Mickey bangin Cinderella bangin Sam Altman
Despite a new state law making it a crime punishable by a year of hard labor in prison to interfere with immigration enforcement, and mass surveillance of social media and Reddit by state and federal cops, New Orleanians are determined to protect immigrants from ICE sweeps -- and it's working.
New Orleans Resists ICE Invasion Despite Surveillance and State Repression
Before ICE descended on New Orleans, GOP lawmakers made it a crime to interfere with immigration enforcement.
truthout.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Despite a new state law making it a crime punishable by a year of hard labor in prison to interfere with immigration enforcement, and mass surveillance of social media and Reddit by state and federal cops, New Orleanians are determined to protect immigrants from ICE sweeps -- and it's working.
Microsoft Faces Reckoning Over Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
The tech giant and its executives could face legal liability in the US, EU and UN for aiding and abetting “atrocity crimes” in Palestine, legal groups say.
Microsoft shareholders will vote on proposal for human rights transparency on Dec. 5
The tech giant and its executives could face legal liability in the US, EU and UN for aiding and abetting “atrocity crimes” in Palestine, legal groups say.
Microsoft shareholders will vote on proposal for human rights transparency on Dec. 5
Microsoft Faces Reckoning for Assisting Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
The tech giant could face legal liability for aiding and abetting “atrocity crimes” in Palestine, legal groups say.
truthout.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Microsoft Faces Reckoning Over Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
The tech giant and its executives could face legal liability in the US, EU and UN for aiding and abetting “atrocity crimes” in Palestine, legal groups say.
Microsoft shareholders will vote on proposal for human rights transparency on Dec. 5
The tech giant and its executives could face legal liability in the US, EU and UN for aiding and abetting “atrocity crimes” in Palestine, legal groups say.
Microsoft shareholders will vote on proposal for human rights transparency on Dec. 5
Hi everyone, I've been off work for a few weeks with a broken arm. No fun story to tell, I just fell off a bicycle late night outside the French Quarter, go figure. I had surgery and am recovering fine.
And now I am back to reporting on the rise of authoritarianism and the movements fighting back!
And now I am back to reporting on the rise of authoritarianism and the movements fighting back!
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Hi everyone, I've been off work for a few weeks with a broken arm. No fun story to tell, I just fell off a bicycle late night outside the French Quarter, go figure. I had surgery and am recovering fine.
And now I am back to reporting on the rise of authoritarianism and the movements fighting back!
And now I am back to reporting on the rise of authoritarianism and the movements fighting back!
"The plight of Nigeria’s Christians has been an animating subject for American conservatives for years, with some of Trump’s top allies, including Sen. Ted Cruz..."
Save the Nigerian Christians, but let the Palestinian Christians get blown up. So Jesus comes back. Right.
Save the Nigerian Christians, but let the Palestinian Christians get blown up. So Jesus comes back. Right.
Trump saw a segment on Fox News. Within an hour, he was laser-focused on Christians’ treatment in Nigeria | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump was heading to Florida on Friday, watching Fox News, when he saw the network run a story on how Christians were being targeted by Islamic groups in Nigeria, two sources familiar...
www.cnn.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
"The plight of Nigeria’s Christians has been an animating subject for American conservatives for years, with some of Trump’s top allies, including Sen. Ted Cruz..."
Save the Nigerian Christians, but let the Palestinian Christians get blown up. So Jesus comes back. Right.
Save the Nigerian Christians, but let the Palestinian Christians get blown up. So Jesus comes back. Right.
Here's how the progressive mayoral candidates in this story did yesterday:
Buffalo: Sean Ryan wins
NYC: Mamdani wins
Syracuse: Sharon Owen wins
Albany: Dorcey Applyrs wins
Seattle: Too close to call
Minneapolis: Goes to 2nd round, incumbent Jacob Frey with slight lead over socialist Omar Fateh
Buffalo: Sean Ryan wins
NYC: Mamdani wins
Syracuse: Sharon Owen wins
Albany: Dorcey Applyrs wins
Seattle: Too close to call
Minneapolis: Goes to 2nd round, incumbent Jacob Frey with slight lead over socialist Omar Fateh
Voters in major cities head to the polls today to choose between establishment Democrats and progressives focused on affordability and upending the status quo. “People are very frustrated with the broken status quo that doesn’t seem to be working for working people.”
From the Coasts to Rust Belt, Progressive Candidates Take On Dem Establishment
“What is being pushed by the corporate wing of the party is increasingly unattractive to voters,” said an organizer.
truthout.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Here's how the progressive mayoral candidates in this story did yesterday:
Buffalo: Sean Ryan wins
NYC: Mamdani wins
Syracuse: Sharon Owen wins
Albany: Dorcey Applyrs wins
Seattle: Too close to call
Minneapolis: Goes to 2nd round, incumbent Jacob Frey with slight lead over socialist Omar Fateh
Buffalo: Sean Ryan wins
NYC: Mamdani wins
Syracuse: Sharon Owen wins
Albany: Dorcey Applyrs wins
Seattle: Too close to call
Minneapolis: Goes to 2nd round, incumbent Jacob Frey with slight lead over socialist Omar Fateh
Reposted by Mike Ludwig
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday, marking a historic win for the left over a high-powered, moneyed coalition of establishment forces that came together in hopes of defeating him.
Read more: bit.ly/3WB0AqR
Read more: bit.ly/3WB0AqR
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday, marking a historic win for the left over a high-powered, moneyed coalition of establishment forces that came together in hopes of defeating him.
Read more: bit.ly/3WB0AqR
Read more: bit.ly/3WB0AqR
Reposted by Mike Ludwig
Former vice president Dick Cheney has died, at 84, with the blood of millions on his hands. His legacy will far outlive him as the man responsible for wars that have killed and displaced millions abroad; and who worked diligently to lay the groundwork for fascist authoritarianism in the U.S.
War Criminal Dick Cheney Dead at 84, With Blood of Millions on His Hands
Cheney’s legacy more than outlives him; he reshaped the very structures of war and authoritarianism at home and abroad.
truthout.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Former vice president Dick Cheney has died, at 84, with the blood of millions on his hands. His legacy will far outlive him as the man responsible for wars that have killed and displaced millions abroad; and who worked diligently to lay the groundwork for fascist authoritarianism in the U.S.
These centrist pundits moaning about the "trans issue" drive me nuts. Democrats don't lose cuz of trans athletes or whatever, Dems lose cuz they respond to culture wars like fickle, bumbling idiots who want to please everyone, which is impossible. It's literally GOP trick!
October 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
These centrist pundits moaning about the "trans issue" drive me nuts. Democrats don't lose cuz of trans athletes or whatever, Dems lose cuz they respond to culture wars like fickle, bumbling idiots who want to please everyone, which is impossible. It's literally GOP trick!
Elected Officials in Chicago Look for Tools to Squeeze ICE Out of Public Spaces
I spoke to Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez in Chicago about keeping ICE agents out of courtrooms and alerting community groups when feds come knocking.
Being undocumented is civil offense, not a criminal one!
I spoke to Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez in Chicago about keeping ICE agents out of courtrooms and alerting community groups when feds come knocking.
Being undocumented is civil offense, not a criminal one!
Elected Officials in Chicago Look for Tools to Squeeze ICE Out of Public Spaces
A county commissioner pledges to leave “no stone unturned” in the city’s fight to slow ICE abductions.
truthout.org
October 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Elected Officials in Chicago Look for Tools to Squeeze ICE Out of Public Spaces
I spoke to Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez in Chicago about keeping ICE agents out of courtrooms and alerting community groups when feds come knocking.
Being undocumented is civil offense, not a criminal one!
I spoke to Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vasquez in Chicago about keeping ICE agents out of courtrooms and alerting community groups when feds come knocking.
Being undocumented is civil offense, not a criminal one!
This is a really important story from Politico. Say what you will about Charlie Kirk, he projected the image of the ultimate contrarian Young Republican college kid owning the libs.
And here's what Young Republican group chats look like:
And here's what Young Republican group chats look like:
‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat
Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.
www.politico.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This is a really important story from Politico. Say what you will about Charlie Kirk, he projected the image of the ultimate contrarian Young Republican college kid owning the libs.
And here's what Young Republican group chats look like:
And here's what Young Republican group chats look like:
Tenants Launch US’s First Ever Rent Debt Strike Against Corporate Landlord
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Tenants Launch US’s First Ever Rent Debt Strike Against Corporate Landlord
Nine tenants organized by the Debt Collective are refusing to pay back rent, hoping to inspire others to do the same.
truthout.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Tenants Launch US’s First Ever Rent Debt Strike Against Corporate Landlord
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Remember Debt Collective, the group that helped start the student debtors movement? They've announced the "EQR Nine," who are refusing to pay back rent to the nation's fifth largest landlord.
truthout.org/articles/ten...
Reposted by Mike Ludwig
"Anarchists run Portland" seems to suggest a lack of understanding of what anarchy actually means.
Kristi Noem says that anarchists run Portland and that she threatened local officials that if they didn't comply, DHS would send 4 times as many ICE agents.
October 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Anarchists run Portland" seems to suggest a lack of understanding of what anarchy actually means.
The Bezos-mandated right turn at WaPo is on full display. On October 7, what's left of the editorial board praises Israel, no mention of Gaza civilians above the fold.
There's also a nice profile of a grinning conversion "therapist" who says being queer is just like having an eating disorder.
There's also a nice profile of a grinning conversion "therapist" who says being queer is just like having an eating disorder.
October 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Bezos-mandated right turn at WaPo is on full display. On October 7, what's left of the editorial board praises Israel, no mention of Gaza civilians above the fold.
There's also a nice profile of a grinning conversion "therapist" who says being queer is just like having an eating disorder.
There's also a nice profile of a grinning conversion "therapist" who says being queer is just like having an eating disorder.
Trump’s ICE Has Started Targeting Activists, Not Just Immigrants
As Trump sucks up more of our data, ICE added online activists to its target list, demanding Meta hand over personal info attached to Instagram accounts for StopIce.net and more.
My report includes tips on how to protect yourself!
As Trump sucks up more of our data, ICE added online activists to its target list, demanding Meta hand over personal info attached to Instagram accounts for StopIce.net and more.
My report includes tips on how to protect yourself!
Trump’s ICE Has Started Targeting Activists, Not Just Immigrants
ICE demanded Meta hand over personal information attached to Instagram accounts that track immigration raids.
truthout.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Trump’s ICE Has Started Targeting Activists, Not Just Immigrants
As Trump sucks up more of our data, ICE added online activists to its target list, demanding Meta hand over personal info attached to Instagram accounts for StopIce.net and more.
My report includes tips on how to protect yourself!
As Trump sucks up more of our data, ICE added online activists to its target list, demanding Meta hand over personal info attached to Instagram accounts for StopIce.net and more.
My report includes tips on how to protect yourself!
Actual quote from Secretary of War (grrrr) Pete Hegseth, addressing the top US military brass during the unprecedented meeting today:
"No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”
"No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”
September 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Actual quote from Secretary of War (grrrr) Pete Hegseth, addressing the top US military brass during the unprecedented meeting today:
"No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”
"No more beardos. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”
On top of everything else, the Trump admin is pushing to open the last remaining truly wild wilderness up for logging and development.
Ag Sec Brooke Rollins gave the public little time to comment on the proposal -- and 99% are opposed. Will the forests be saved by the admin's sheer incompetence?
Ag Sec Brooke Rollins gave the public little time to comment on the proposal -- and 99% are opposed. Will the forests be saved by the admin's sheer incompetence?
Trump Wants to Open Up 45 Million Acres of Roadless Wilderness to Logging
A push to repeal the Roadless Rule that protects the few ecosystems that remain truly wild faces mass public opposition.
truthout.org
September 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
On top of everything else, the Trump admin is pushing to open the last remaining truly wild wilderness up for logging and development.
Ag Sec Brooke Rollins gave the public little time to comment on the proposal -- and 99% are opposed. Will the forests be saved by the admin's sheer incompetence?
Ag Sec Brooke Rollins gave the public little time to comment on the proposal -- and 99% are opposed. Will the forests be saved by the admin's sheer incompetence?
Reposted by Mike Ludwig
Sen. Jack Reed has said that the Pentagon has provided Congress with “no evidence” to back its claims on the legitimacy of the boat strike that killed 11 people who experts say were civilians. “They have offered no positive identification that iits crew were members of Tren de Aragua.”
Top Senator Says Pentagon Has “No Evidence” to Legitimize Caribbean Boat Strike
“There is no evidence — none — that this strike was conducted in self-defense,” said Sen. Jack Reed.
buff.ly
September 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Sen. Jack Reed has said that the Pentagon has provided Congress with “no evidence” to back its claims on the legitimacy of the boat strike that killed 11 people who experts say were civilians. “They have offered no positive identification that iits crew were members of Tren de Aragua.”