Walker Bragman
@walkerbragman.bsky.social
He/Him. Dad. Journo tracking dark money and attacks on public health. JD, ADHD, occasional cartoonist.
Co-founder of Accountability Journalism Institute. Accountabilityjournalism.org
Signal: walkerbragman.44
Reporting: https://www.importantcontext.news
Co-founder of Accountability Journalism Institute. Accountabilityjournalism.org
Signal: walkerbragman.44
Reporting: https://www.importantcontext.news
Pinned
“Out Of His Depth,” “Sold His Soul,” “Clueless”: NIH Staffers Speak Out About Director Bhattacharya
Widespread dissatisfaction over the NIH’s “continuous free fall” has people speaking out.
www.importantcontext.news
NEW: Important Context spoke with a dozen people working at NIH about Director Jay Bhattacharya.
The descriptions were universally unflattering, painting the health economist as ineffectual, dishonest, ideological, arrogant, and uncommitted to science.
www.importantcontext.news/p/out-of-his...
The descriptions were universally unflattering, painting the health economist as ineffectual, dishonest, ideological, arrogant, and uncommitted to science.
www.importantcontext.news/p/out-of-his...
Reposted by Walker Bragman
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hey Jon Stewart, jokes about wearing masks aren't funny
Critics of the Daily Show host say he's a hypocrite.
www.motherjones.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
NIH Director boosts post from Andrew Kaczynski thanking people for helping him raise $200,000 for childhood cancer research.
Kaczynski’s daughter Francesca died from pediatric brain cancer in 2020.
In March, the National Cancer Institute will stop funding the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
Kaczynski’s daughter Francesca died from pediatric brain cancer in 2020.
In March, the National Cancer Institute will stop funding the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
December 29, 2025 at 6:40 PM
NIH Director boosts post from Andrew Kaczynski thanking people for helping him raise $200,000 for childhood cancer research.
Kaczynski’s daughter Francesca died from pediatric brain cancer in 2020.
In March, the National Cancer Institute will stop funding the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
Kaczynski’s daughter Francesca died from pediatric brain cancer in 2020.
In March, the National Cancer Institute will stop funding the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
The way neofascist regimes literally describe themselves when condemning their alleged foes is equal parts Orwellian and comical
Bhattacharya’s career wouldn’t be where it is without the disinformation-censorship regime that is Covid contrarianism—a prelude to the comprehensive anti-science of MAHA
Bhattacharya’s career wouldn’t be where it is without the disinformation-censorship regime that is Covid contrarianism—a prelude to the comprehensive anti-science of MAHA
I know there’s a lot happening right now, but we shouldn’t lose sight of how nutty it is to see something like this coming from the director of the National Institutes of Health.
December 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The way neofascist regimes literally describe themselves when condemning their alleged foes is equal parts Orwellian and comical
Bhattacharya’s career wouldn’t be where it is without the disinformation-censorship regime that is Covid contrarianism—a prelude to the comprehensive anti-science of MAHA
Bhattacharya’s career wouldn’t be where it is without the disinformation-censorship regime that is Covid contrarianism—a prelude to the comprehensive anti-science of MAHA
I know there’s a lot happening right now, but we shouldn’t lose sight of how nutty it is to see something like this coming from the director of the National Institutes of Health.
December 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I know there’s a lot happening right now, but we shouldn’t lose sight of how nutty it is to see something like this coming from the director of the National Institutes of Health.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
How did a "free speech" group help right-wing dark money interests gut protections for trans and nonbinary students?
Our investigation follows the money to reveal a coordinated legal attack on student civil rights.
www.accountabilityjournalism.org/dark-money/h...
Our investigation follows the money to reveal a coordinated legal attack on student civil rights.
www.accountabilityjournalism.org/dark-money/h...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students — AJI
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio. This piece has been updated from its original email version. A prominent fr...
www.accountabilityjournalism.org
December 28, 2025 at 2:28 AM
How did a "free speech" group help right-wing dark money interests gut protections for trans and nonbinary students?
Our investigation follows the money to reveal a coordinated legal attack on student civil rights.
www.accountabilityjournalism.org/dark-money/h...
Our investigation follows the money to reveal a coordinated legal attack on student civil rights.
www.accountabilityjournalism.org/dark-money/h...
Reposted by Walker Bragman
it’s crazy how obvious it is that donald trump has been actively part of the epstein coverup for half a decade now and he’s just still the president
Julie K. Brown is a reporter for the Miami Herald who did groundbreaking work on Epstein beginning in 2018, including groundbreaking work on the disgusting coverup by Alex Acosta.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
December 29, 2025 at 5:38 AM
it’s crazy how obvious it is that donald trump has been actively part of the epstein coverup for half a decade now and he’s just still the president
This thread. Oh my god this thread.
Read it. Especially if you’re a reporter.
Pursue justice. Journalism—or law, for that matter—not grounded in the pursuit of justice is worthless.
Read it. Especially if you’re a reporter.
Pursue justice. Journalism—or law, for that matter—not grounded in the pursuit of justice is worthless.
This comment is pernicious. It was made during a v public disagreement w the author of new piece critical of FIRE. The comment tries to disqualify any journalist who opposes injustice from covering injustice.
That is wrongheaded, especially at this v dangerous moment for the US.
That is wrongheaded, especially at this v dangerous moment for the US.
December 29, 2025 at 5:34 AM
This thread. Oh my god this thread.
Read it. Especially if you’re a reporter.
Pursue justice. Journalism—or law, for that matter—not grounded in the pursuit of justice is worthless.
Read it. Especially if you’re a reporter.
Pursue justice. Journalism—or law, for that matter—not grounded in the pursuit of justice is worthless.
Jon Stewart is actually really bad on public health stuff.
He promoted COVID lab leak conspiracy nonsense, giving liberals the permission structure needed to embrace it.
This fits squarely in with that. Dude clearly internalized a lot of bad info.
He promoted COVID lab leak conspiracy nonsense, giving liberals the permission structure needed to embrace it.
This fits squarely in with that. Dude clearly internalized a lot of bad info.
Jon Stewart and the pod saves guys mocking people who wear masks while talking about What Is To Be Done is exactly what Jon Stewart and the pod saves guys are, it's the most Jon Stewart and pod saves guys thing possible.
December 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Jon Stewart is actually really bad on public health stuff.
He promoted COVID lab leak conspiracy nonsense, giving liberals the permission structure needed to embrace it.
This fits squarely in with that. Dude clearly internalized a lot of bad info.
He promoted COVID lab leak conspiracy nonsense, giving liberals the permission structure needed to embrace it.
This fits squarely in with that. Dude clearly internalized a lot of bad info.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
Reposted by Walker Bragman
The celebration and digital metastasization of conspiratorial thinking culminating with the U.S. head of health and human services believing that and governing as if modern diseases don’t emerge naturally, pandemics are all manmade, and science (not the complexities of nature) is to blame.
Kennedy is ramping up his attacks on vaccines. Conspiracy theories are central to that agenda of undermining faith in public health, medicine, and experts.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
RFK Jr. Claims 'Vaccine Research' Likely Responsible for HIV and the Spanish Flu
Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed vaccine research was responsible for diseases like HIV, RSV, Lyme disease, and the Spanish flu.
www.rollingstone.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The celebration and digital metastasization of conspiratorial thinking culminating with the U.S. head of health and human services believing that and governing as if modern diseases don’t emerge naturally, pandemics are all manmade, and science (not the complexities of nature) is to blame.
Kennedy is ramping up his attacks on vaccines. Conspiracy theories are central to that agenda of undermining faith in public health, medicine, and experts.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
RFK Jr. Claims 'Vaccine Research' Likely Responsible for HIV and the Spanish Flu
Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed vaccine research was responsible for diseases like HIV, RSV, Lyme disease, and the Spanish flu.
www.rollingstone.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Kennedy is ramping up his attacks on vaccines. Conspiracy theories are central to that agenda of undermining faith in public health, medicine, and experts.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Walker Bragman
ICYMI: I wrote about FIRE.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
www.importantcontext.news
December 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ICYMI: I wrote about FIRE.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
bluesky is where elder millennials enjoying internet retirement meet younger millennials with untreated depression
December 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM
bluesky is where elder millennials enjoying internet retirement meet younger millennials with untreated depression
Reposted by Walker Bragman
I’d argue that being disabled makes me an insightful disability reporter.
I’m just going to say this (not diving back into an argument or attacking anyone):
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
December 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I’d argue that being disabled makes me an insightful disability reporter.
I’m just going to say this (not diving back into an argument or attacking anyone):
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
December 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I’m just going to say this (not diving back into an argument or attacking anyone):
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
Now this is a great cartoon.
December 28, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Now this is a great cartoon.
Opens with “I’m not taking the time to read the article” but feels confident enough to criticize my work.
December 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Opens with “I’m not taking the time to read the article” but feels confident enough to criticize my work.
ICYMI: I wrote about FIRE.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
www.importantcontext.news
December 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ICYMI: I wrote about FIRE.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
The group supported a lawsuit by a far-right group against an Ohio school board over its anti-bullying policy, arguing it violated the rights of students who wished to misgender their trans/nonbinary peers.
FIRE has a long record of siding with anti-trans folks/groups.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
Some ~personal news~
Yes, I'm being sued by Matt Taibbi
Does that make me the realest free speech warrior?
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Some ~personal news~
Reposted by Walker Bragman
At a time when transgender Americans are under attack at the federal, state, and local level, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) teamed up with the Manhattan Institute to support a lawsuit by Parents Defending Education targeting a school board policy protecting trans kids.
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
www.importantcontext.news
December 27, 2025 at 5:03 AM
At a time when transgender Americans are under attack at the federal, state, and local level, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) teamed up with the Manhattan Institute to support a lawsuit by Parents Defending Education targeting a school board policy protecting trans kids.
Reposted by Walker Bragman
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
www.importantcontext.news
December 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
Reposted by Walker Bragman
this is bizarre on Ken's part. he was accurately and fully quoted. more, Walker made his position on the case quite clear before Ken provided the quote.
hard to see any takeaway except that Ken's being an asshole.
hard to see any takeaway except that Ken's being an asshole.
December 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
this is bizarre on Ken's part. he was accurately and fully quoted. more, Walker made his position on the case quite clear before Ken provided the quote.
hard to see any takeaway except that Ken's being an asshole.
hard to see any takeaway except that Ken's being an asshole.
I will drop this.
But before I do, I have to note that it is excruciatingly clear that Ken is really mad that my reporting highlighted FIRE’s ties to big right-wing money.
He’s comparing the revelations of publicly available tax filings as something akin to a “Pharma-Rothschild conspiracy.”
But before I do, I have to note that it is excruciatingly clear that Ken is really mad that my reporting highlighted FIRE’s ties to big right-wing money.
He’s comparing the revelations of publicly available tax filings as something akin to a “Pharma-Rothschild conspiracy.”
December 27, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I will drop this.
But before I do, I have to note that it is excruciatingly clear that Ken is really mad that my reporting highlighted FIRE’s ties to big right-wing money.
He’s comparing the revelations of publicly available tax filings as something akin to a “Pharma-Rothschild conspiracy.”
But before I do, I have to note that it is excruciatingly clear that Ken is really mad that my reporting highlighted FIRE’s ties to big right-wing money.
He’s comparing the revelations of publicly available tax filings as something akin to a “Pharma-Rothschild conspiracy.”
At a time when transgender Americans are under attack at the federal, state, and local level, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) teamed up with the Manhattan Institute to support a lawsuit by Parents Defending Education targeting a school board policy protecting trans kids.
NEW: A prominent free speech group helped right-wing dark money score a legal win against an Ohio school board and its anti-bullying policy, which protected transgender and nonbinary students.
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
www.importantcontext.news/p/how-a-free...
How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
www.importantcontext.news
December 27, 2025 at 5:03 AM
At a time when transgender Americans are under attack at the federal, state, and local level, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) teamed up with the Manhattan Institute to support a lawsuit by Parents Defending Education targeting a school board policy protecting trans kids.
In other words: more dead people, including kids.
December 27, 2025 at 4:32 AM
In other words: more dead people, including kids.