Tess Owen
@tessowen.bsky.social
Senior video correspondent for WSJ. Previous: words & reporting in New Yorker, NY Mag, Guardian, WIRED & VICE News etc. Send tips and say hi by email tess.owen@wsj.com, or signal tessowen.77
Pinned
Tess Owen
@tessowen.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Inside the Patriot Wing
January 6 rioters are running their jail block like a gang. They’re leaving more radicalized than ever.
nymag.com
I wanted to share a story I wrote for NY Mag last month, about jailed January 6ers, and the cult-like community they'd formed behind bars.
The story starts with a scene from inside the DC jail, when J6ers watched Trump get shot on live TV.
nymag.com/intelligence...
The story starts with a scene from inside the DC jail, when J6ers watched Trump get shot on live TV.
nymag.com/intelligence...
How was this 5 years ago? Feels so much more recent, perhaps because the dust never fully settled since, and because this country is still fighting for control of the narrative of that day
January 6, 2026 at 1:26 PM
How was this 5 years ago? Feels so much more recent, perhaps because the dust never fully settled since, and because this country is still fighting for control of the narrative of that day
damn all I did was listen to one Coldplay album
December 28, 2025 at 8:26 PM
damn all I did was listen to one Coldplay album
Reposted by Tess Owen
Great piece that does a lot to explain one of the most curious characters of the MAGA world…
The last story I did as a freelancer is finally out!
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
She’s Married to the Architect of Trump’s Darkest Policies. She Wants America to Love Her. It’s Not Going Well.
I spent a month in her head. I was surprised by what I found.
slate.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Great piece that does a lot to explain one of the most curious characters of the MAGA world…
Reposted by Tess Owen
This is like Ticketmaster shit. Amazing.
December 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This is like Ticketmaster shit. Amazing.
If you’re in the Epstein line, stay in the Epstein line
December 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
If you’re in the Epstein line, stay in the Epstein line
Reposted by Tess Owen
Nick Fuentes and the groypers have their first candidate: Florida governor candidate James Fishback. And yes, he has some age of consent allegations.
My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com:
www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-f...
My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com:
www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-f...
Meet the First Groyper Politician
James Fishback’s campaign may not be flashy but it sure is fashy.
www.thebulwark.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Nick Fuentes and the groypers have their first candidate: Florida governor candidate James Fishback. And yes, he has some age of consent allegations.
My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com:
www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-f...
My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com:
www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-f...
the scammers are refining their art of seduction
December 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
the scammers are refining their art of seduction
big scoop from reuters:
pardoned j6-ers are.... advising DOJ officials" "weaponization working group" on whether to bring charges against prosecutors who worked on j6 cases.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
pardoned j6-ers are.... advising DOJ officials" "weaponization working group" on whether to bring charges against prosecutors who worked on j6 cases.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
They prosecuted the Capitol rioters. Now the rioters and the DOJ are after them.
After Trump’s mass pardons of the U.S. Capitol rioters, some have gained influence inside the Justice Department. The January 6 prosecutors describe mounting threats, harassment and fear of lasting da...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
big scoop from reuters:
pardoned j6-ers are.... advising DOJ officials" "weaponization working group" on whether to bring charges against prosecutors who worked on j6 cases.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
pardoned j6-ers are.... advising DOJ officials" "weaponization working group" on whether to bring charges against prosecutors who worked on j6 cases.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Tess Owen
This is an absolutely riveting portrait of Katie Miller, and answers some of the questions I had about how she ended up married to Stephen. Fantastic reporting and storytelling by @tessowen.bsky.social.
She’s Married to the Architect of Trump’s Darkest Policies. She Wants America to Love Her. It’s Not Going Well.
I spent a month in her head. I was surprised by what I found.
slate.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
This is an absolutely riveting portrait of Katie Miller, and answers some of the questions I had about how she ended up married to Stephen. Fantastic reporting and storytelling by @tessowen.bsky.social.
The last story I did as a freelancer is finally out!
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
She’s Married to the Architect of Trump’s Darkest Policies. She Wants America to Love Her. It’s Not Going Well.
I spent a month in her head. I was surprised by what I found.
slate.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The last story I did as a freelancer is finally out!
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast
slate.com/news-and-pol...
One of the more disturbing, dystopian stories I’ve read in some time:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/m...
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
One of the more disturbing, dystopian stories I’ve read in some time:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/m...
very interested to learn more about the plot. turtle island liberation front has been characterized as leftist. if they were planning to target civilians —rather than property or government assets— that would mark a significant shift for leftist terrorism
I’m finding it increasingly hard to report anything delivered by “official sources” in the US. Could be true, could be a coverup, could be completely made up for nefarious ends.
It’s a country now where no one really has any idea what’s actually going on.
It’s a country now where no one really has any idea what’s actually going on.
December 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
very interested to learn more about the plot. turtle island liberation front has been characterized as leftist. if they were planning to target civilians —rather than property or government assets— that would mark a significant shift for leftist terrorism
Reposted by Tess Owen
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
happy Hanukkah to all my dear friends who celebrate, and im so very sorry that this year’s festivities are beginning with so much pain.
December 15, 2025 at 1:36 AM
happy Hanukkah to all my dear friends who celebrate, and im so very sorry that this year’s festivities are beginning with so much pain.
Some news: today is my first day at @wsj.com as a senior video correspondent! I’m so excited about joining this incredible team and I can’t wait to dive in
December 8, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Some news: today is my first day at @wsj.com as a senior video correspondent! I’m so excited about joining this incredible team and I can’t wait to dive in
Completely baffled by this. What a fumble.
Brittany is an incredible journalist (and an icon) and knows music and pop culture better than anyone. So excited to see what she ends up doing next. Frankly, I think RS needed her a lot more than she needed RS.
Brittany is an incredible journalist (and an icon) and knows music and pop culture better than anyone. So excited to see what she ends up doing next. Frankly, I think RS needed her a lot more than she needed RS.
some personal news: after 11 years i was laid off from rolling stone! kind of surreal feeling to start over but excited to see what's next 🫶
December 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Completely baffled by this. What a fumble.
Brittany is an incredible journalist (and an icon) and knows music and pop culture better than anyone. So excited to see what she ends up doing next. Frankly, I think RS needed her a lot more than she needed RS.
Brittany is an incredible journalist (and an icon) and knows music and pop culture better than anyone. So excited to see what she ends up doing next. Frankly, I think RS needed her a lot more than she needed RS.
Reposted by Tess Owen
Wrote a whole chapter on Van Dyke in my Proud Boys book — described him as the physical manifestation of a human hand grenade.
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
He’s an Unapologetic Fascist Who ‘Despises’ Democracy. He Still Wants You to Vote for Him.
He was once leader of the Proud Boys, has posted racist threats online, and sports a white nationalist tattoo.
thebarbedwire.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Wrote a whole chapter on Van Dyke in my Proud Boys book — described him as the physical manifestation of a human hand grenade.
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
Should be an interesting campaign.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/12/02/j...
so how does the “anarchist” characterization come into play? or was that misleading information that was given out as a way to muddy the narrative around this
SCOOP: The Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told the FBI he believed in 2020 election conspiracy theories.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he believed 2020 election conspiracy theories
The suspect has been cooperating with the FBI, according to sources, and is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday.
www.nbcnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
so how does the “anarchist” characterization come into play? or was that misleading information that was given out as a way to muddy the narrative around this
i am withering away after seeing this comment on one of those “hipster millennial nostalgia” videos
December 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
i am withering away after seeing this comment on one of those “hipster millennial nostalgia” videos
Per FBI: the suspected j6 pipe bomber seemingly started experimenting with building explosives as early as 2019, when he purchased the same components that were later used in the devices found on j6
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Affidavit In Support – #1, Att. #1 in United States v. COLE (D.D.C., 1:25-mj-00276) – CourtListener.com
SEALED COMPLAINT as to BRIAN J. COLE, JR (1). (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit In Support) (zmcg) (Main Document 1 replaced on 12/4/2025) (zmcg). (Attachment 1 replaced on 12/4/2025) (zmcg). (Main Document...
storage.courtlistener.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Per FBI: the suspected j6 pipe bomber seemingly started experimenting with building explosives as early as 2019, when he purchased the same components that were later used in the devices found on j6
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
WOW
December 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
WOW
growing increasingly concerned that we are all hapless pawns in some sort of elaborate sex game between journalists who have a lot of z’s in their names
December 2, 2025 at 1:25 AM
growing increasingly concerned that we are all hapless pawns in some sort of elaborate sex game between journalists who have a lot of z’s in their names
Reposted by Tess Owen
BIG NEWS! So excited to announce my new role as senior enterprise editor @ms.now, where I’ll work alongside @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social to build on our incredible coverage at the intersection of politics, extremism and culture.
This is a dream team, I can’t wait to get started. Watch this space!
This is a dream team, I can’t wait to get started. Watch this space!
December 1, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BIG NEWS! So excited to announce my new role as senior enterprise editor @ms.now, where I’ll work alongside @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social to build on our incredible coverage at the intersection of politics, extremism and culture.
This is a dream team, I can’t wait to get started. Watch this space!
This is a dream team, I can’t wait to get started. Watch this space!
filing under the (surprisingly large category) of : once-good journalists absolutely losing the fucking plot
November 27, 2025 at 2:17 AM
filing under the (surprisingly large category) of : once-good journalists absolutely losing the fucking plot