Phil Williams
@philinvestigates.com
Defending democracy. Confronting hate. Speaking truth to power - and the angry mob. NewsChannel 5 chief investigative reporter. Chancellor, duPont, Peabody awards. RTDNA Lifetime Achievement. Pulitzer finalist. Per John Oliver: “Nashville’s Nosiest Bitch.”
Pinned
Phil Williams
@philinvestigates.com
· Jun 10
Peabody Award Acceptance, 2025
Phil Williams accepts his fifth George Foster Peabody Award, this one for his “Confronting Hate” investigation.
vimeo.com
I was recently honored to accept my fifth Peabody Award for our “Confronting Hate” investigation! vimeo.com/1091958048
Signing off for the holiday! Merry Christmas!
December 21, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Signing off for the holiday! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, @niemanlab.org, for asking me to join some of the smartest people in the business in looking ahead to the future of journalism in 2026. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/the-...
The year journalism fights back in the courts
"Think of it as the Dominion Voting System strategy for journalism."
www.niemanlab.org
December 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Thanks, @niemanlab.org, for asking me to join some of the smartest people in the business in looking ahead to the future of journalism in 2026. www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Phil Williams
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE!?
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
December 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE!?
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
QUICK SEARCH OF EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION:
109 hits on the word "Clinton."
2 hits on the word "Trump."
109 hits on the word "Clinton."
2 hits on the word "Trump."
December 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
QUICK SEARCH OF EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION:
109 hits on the word "Clinton."
2 hits on the word "Trump."
109 hits on the word "Clinton."
2 hits on the word "Trump."
CONSIDER THIS: Donald Trump acts like the decision to rename the Kennedy Center after him was an unexpected decision of the board. A key claim by this administration is that the Executive has complete authority. If true, Donald Trump could overrule the KC board.
He won’t.
He won’t.
December 19, 2025 at 1:47 AM
CONSIDER THIS: Donald Trump acts like the decision to rename the Kennedy Center after him was an unexpected decision of the board. A key claim by this administration is that the Executive has complete authority. If true, Donald Trump could overrule the KC board.
He won’t.
He won’t.
Prayers for the fact checkers tonight! 🙏🙏🙏
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Prayers for the fact checkers tonight! 🙏🙏🙏
Reposted by Phil Williams
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Ok, @bsky.app veterans, is there a safe and reliable tool for analyzing your account's following - for example, grouping based on the number of followers they have?
December 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Ok, @bsky.app veterans, is there a safe and reliable tool for analyzing your account's following - for example, grouping based on the number of followers they have?
Reposted by Phil Williams
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
'This isn't your granddad's KKK.' Inside the hate group expanding its presence in Tennessee
They are the largest hate group in America, wrapping themselves in the red-white-and-blue of the flag, marching into the middle of American cities and claiming to be patriots.
www.newschannel5.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
A neo-Nazi flipped us a bird in court, then the judge revoked his bond. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
A Christmas bird? Neo-Nazi's raised middle finger may keep him behind bars for the holidays
While there is no guarantee that Sean Kauffman will be served turkey this Christmas, he may be thinking of a bird of another type as he spends Christmas in the Perry County Jail.
www.newschannel5.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM
A neo-Nazi flipped us a bird in court, then the judge revoked his bond. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
HOW TO GET A TAXPAYER-FUNDED XMAS DINNER: White supremacist Sean Kauffmann was being taken into custody until he could post a higher bond on a DV charge. Then he shot a bird at NC5’s cam, landing himself 10 days in jail for contempt and getting his bond revoked. 🎥: Bryan Staples
December 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
HOW TO GET A TAXPAYER-FUNDED XMAS DINNER: White supremacist Sean Kauffmann was being taken into custody until he could post a higher bond on a DV charge. Then he shot a bird at NC5’s cam, landing himself 10 days in jail for contempt and getting his bond revoked. 🎥: Bryan Staples
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
'This isn't your granddad's KKK.' Inside the hate group expanding its presence in Tennessee
They are the largest hate group in America, wrapping themselves in the red-white-and-blue of the flag, marching into the middle of American cities and claiming to be patriots.
www.newschannel5.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
CNN has suddenly discovered Tennessee's Patriot Front compound that was a subject of an extensive NewsChannel 5 investigation back in March. Here is my report: 1/ www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
New York Young Republican Club gala draws white nationalist, far-right Germans - and Tennessee’s Andy Ogles politi.co/4pG0rzf
New York Young Republican Club gala draws white nationalist, far-right Germans as elected officials skip out
The annual soiree took place as young Republican groups across the country are reeling from POLITICO’s reporting on a racist and antisemitic chat group among prominent leaders.
politi.co
December 16, 2025 at 12:50 AM
New York Young Republican Club gala draws white nationalist, far-right Germans - and Tennessee’s Andy Ogles politi.co/4pG0rzf
To all who celebrate! 🕎
December 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
To all who celebrate! 🕎
Why is @CBSNews using the BBC to cover the Brown shooting?
December 13, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Why is @CBSNews using the BBC to cover the Brown shooting?
A neo-Nazi figure suddenly discovered during his own livestream Wednesday night that he was being sued for violating the civil rights of members of Nashville's Jewish community, leaving the normally bellicose character stunned and searching for words. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
'News to me:' Neo-Nazi learns he's being sued for civil rights violations during livestream
Neo-Nazi Jon Minadeo discovered during his own livestream that he was being sued for violating the civil rights of members of Nashville's Jewish community.
www.newschannel5.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A neo-Nazi figure suddenly discovered during his own livestream Wednesday night that he was being sued for violating the civil rights of members of Nashville's Jewish community, leaving the normally bellicose character stunned and searching for words. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!!! Thanks, everyone!!!
December 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!!! Thanks, everyone!!!
Thanks, Justin, for clipping to save me the effort! 😂
“I can tell you we’re Phil Williams fans.”
David Rubin of @thefireorg.bsky.social , representing Larry Bushart as he sues for getting locked up for 37 days in Perry County, implies Larry’s release 1 day after the @philinvestigates.com piece is no coincidence
Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DSK91_E...
David Rubin of @thefireorg.bsky.social , representing Larry Bushart as he sues for getting locked up for 37 days in Perry County, implies Larry’s release 1 day after the @philinvestigates.com piece is no coincidence
Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DSK91_E...
December 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Thanks, Justin, for clipping to save me the effort! 😂
MUST WATCH: For the past two years, I have been focused on the rise of hate in America. These are just some of the incredible stories that we uncovered in 2025. (Please watch and tell me what you think.) vimeo.com/1145649279
Confronting Hate 2025
This is "Confronting Hate 2025" by Phil Williams on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
MUST WATCH: For the past two years, I have been focused on the rise of hate in America. These are just some of the incredible stories that we uncovered in 2025. (Please watch and tell me what you think.) vimeo.com/1145649279
Thanks to @maddow.bsky.social amplifying my latest hate investigation, I am almost to my "100K by Christmas" goal!
December 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Thanks to @maddow.bsky.social amplifying my latest hate investigation, I am almost to my "100K by Christmas" goal!
Reposted by Phil Williams
I knew that President Trump’s grading himself on the economy reminded me of someone else!!!
December 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I knew that President Trump’s grading himself on the economy reminded me of someone else!!!
NEW INFORMATION: Neo-Nazi org scrambling after being de-platformed, civil rights lawyer applauds shutdown www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
Neo-Nazi org scrambling after being de-platformed, civil rights lawyer applauds shutdown
An attorney for a national civil rights organization is celebrating recent defeats for a neo-Nazi group that stirred up trouble in Nashville and hoping it is a sign of more to come.
www.newschannel5.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
NEW INFORMATION: Neo-Nazi org scrambling after being de-platformed, civil rights lawyer applauds shutdown www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
Reposted by Phil Williams
WATCH: Advocates for political violence among those welcomed to conference at Tennessee state park www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
Advocates for political violence among those welcomed to conference at Tennessee state park
For years, the guest list for an annual white nationalist gathering at Tennessee’s Montgomery Bell State Park has been a closely guarded secret.
www.newschannel5.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:18 AM
WATCH: Advocates for political violence among those welcomed to conference at Tennessee state park www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...