@jonathangentry.bsky.social
Reposted
I feel like "attention hacking" is most of politics now. The Minnesota aid fraud story is becoming a perfect example.
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I feel like "attention hacking" is most of politics now. The Minnesota aid fraud story is becoming a perfect example.
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
Reposted
This conversation goes to familiar territory. Soon, influencers ask whether Melissa Hortman, the Democrat assassinated earlier this year, was killed to cover up the fraud. This is an insane allegation. At least one MN GOP senator says: Knock this off.
December 29, 2025 at 1:39 AM
This conversation goes to familiar territory. Soon, influencers ask whether Melissa Hortman, the Democrat assassinated earlier this year, was killed to cover up the fraud. This is an insane allegation. At least one MN GOP senator says: Knock this off.
Reposted
Bigger problem is the willingness of so-called legitimate journalists to launder right wing bullshit that may contain a kernel of truth but is in totality a lie.
December 29, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Bigger problem is the willingness of so-called legitimate journalists to launder right wing bullshit that may contain a kernel of truth but is in totality a lie.
Reposted
why is the race of a criminal relevant? Unless it’s part of the description of a criminal that is currently at large, the only purpose of calling attention to their race is as red meat for racists.
December 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
why is the race of a criminal relevant? Unless it’s part of the description of a criminal that is currently at large, the only purpose of calling attention to their race is as red meat for racists.
Reposted
It feels like we have entered an era that to cover news, you must include meta-news about the analysis and context in general, not just of the singular story at issue but perhaps the absence of coverage about similar stories that are ignored.
December 29, 2025 at 4:31 AM
It feels like we have entered an era that to cover news, you must include meta-news about the analysis and context in general, not just of the singular story at issue but perhaps the absence of coverage about similar stories that are ignored.
Reposted
Meanwhile, committing the largest health care fraud in U.S. history means you get to be a Republican senator.
www.justice.gov/archive/opa/...
www.justice.gov/archive/opa/...
#386: 06-26-03 LARGEST HEALTH CARE FRAUD CASE IN U.S. HISTORY SETTLED HCA INVESTIGATION NETS RECORD TOTAL OF $1.7 BILLION
www.justice.gov
December 29, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Meanwhile, committing the largest health care fraud in U.S. history means you get to be a Republican senator.
www.justice.gov/archive/opa/...
www.justice.gov/archive/opa/...
Reposted
and once again shoutout to the beltway political press that turned a blind eye to his race-baiting campaign and treated him like the coming of christ
December 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
and once again shoutout to the beltway political press that turned a blind eye to his race-baiting campaign and treated him like the coming of christ
Reposted
I don't use a paywall, mostly because I want my work to be read. So I'm entirely reliant on readers who support my work. This is both how I primarily make my living and how I fund my reporting trips.
You can subscribe here:
radleybalko.substack.com
If you're wary of supporting Substack . . .
You can subscribe here:
radleybalko.substack.com
If you're wary of supporting Substack . . .
December 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I don't use a paywall, mostly because I want my work to be read. So I'm entirely reliant on readers who support my work. This is both how I primarily make my living and how I fund my reporting trips.
You can subscribe here:
radleybalko.substack.com
If you're wary of supporting Substack . . .
You can subscribe here:
radleybalko.substack.com
If you're wary of supporting Substack . . .
Reposted
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
The roundup -- and a request for your support
My year-end pitch for your paid subscription
radleybalko.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
Reposted
"illegal riverbed mining continues unabated. And when an environmental activist, Dilip Mahato, spoke out against a local sand mafia, he was murdered in cold blood. His family is still awaiting justice."
While profits and prestige flow upward, the environmental and social costs often settle quietly in the valleys where the limestone is mined and the dust never fully clears.
Nepal’s not so concrete future
While profits and prestige flow upward, the environmental and social costs often settle quietly in the valleys where the limestone is mined and the dust never fully clears.
globalvoices.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"illegal riverbed mining continues unabated. And when an environmental activist, Dilip Mahato, spoke out against a local sand mafia, he was murdered in cold blood. His family is still awaiting justice."
Reposted
WHEN DO WE START BOMBING RUSSIANS WHO ARE KILLING CHRISTIANS IN UKRAINE?
If Trump is bombing "terrorist scum who have been targeting and killing Christians in" Nigeria, why not in 85% Christian Ukraine?
Trump lies: Putin wants Ukraine to succeed
NEW COUNTDOWN PODCAST HERE: tinyurl.com/mwahmrze
If Trump is bombing "terrorist scum who have been targeting and killing Christians in" Nigeria, why not in 85% Christian Ukraine?
Trump lies: Putin wants Ukraine to succeed
NEW COUNTDOWN PODCAST HERE: tinyurl.com/mwahmrze
December 29, 2025 at 5:15 AM
WHEN DO WE START BOMBING RUSSIANS WHO ARE KILLING CHRISTIANS IN UKRAINE?
If Trump is bombing "terrorist scum who have been targeting and killing Christians in" Nigeria, why not in 85% Christian Ukraine?
Trump lies: Putin wants Ukraine to succeed
NEW COUNTDOWN PODCAST HERE: tinyurl.com/mwahmrze
If Trump is bombing "terrorist scum who have been targeting and killing Christians in" Nigeria, why not in 85% Christian Ukraine?
Trump lies: Putin wants Ukraine to succeed
NEW COUNTDOWN PODCAST HERE: tinyurl.com/mwahmrze
Reposted
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Reposted
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
Reposted
Miller can't even watch a warm Christmas program without thinking about how much he hates brown people.
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Miller can't even watch a warm Christmas program without thinking about how much he hates brown people.
Reposted
How are these fits of presidential incontinence never covered as their own news events in NYT? Hours of sick hateful bile from the curdled joyless leader of the Christian nationalists sitting in the ruins of the tinsel trimmed White House he’s demolishing — seems like a story to me.
December 27, 2025 at 3:32 AM
How are these fits of presidential incontinence never covered as their own news events in NYT? Hours of sick hateful bile from the curdled joyless leader of the Christian nationalists sitting in the ruins of the tinsel trimmed White House he’s demolishing — seems like a story to me.
Reposted
This administration lied about the people it sent to an overseas torture prison. It lies about the people it’s deporting. It lies every day to gain political advantage. Not a chance in hell they won’t lie about huge swaths of people they suspect might vote for the other party.
December 27, 2025 at 12:31 AM
This administration lied about the people it sent to an overseas torture prison. It lies about the people it’s deporting. It lies every day to gain political advantage. Not a chance in hell they won’t lie about huge swaths of people they suspect might vote for the other party.
Reposted
A Philly school principal told The Inquirer they’re experiencing what they call “the season when we get charter kids.”
We dig into a practice that several administrators claim drives troubled students from charters to district institutions.
We dig into a practice that several administrators claim drives troubled students from charters to district institutions.
It’s an open secret that some charter schools push out kids with behavioral problems, Philly principals say
www.inquirer.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:05 AM
A Philly school principal told The Inquirer they’re experiencing what they call “the season when we get charter kids.”
We dig into a practice that several administrators claim drives troubled students from charters to district institutions.
We dig into a practice that several administrators claim drives troubled students from charters to district institutions.
Reposted
watching my favorite christmas movie and what is possibly the great american comedy about class and race
December 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM
watching my favorite christmas movie and what is possibly the great american comedy about class and race
Reposted
Have to highlight the absurdity in a public discourse that holds the idea of systemic racism out as exotic and academic while also reporting that one of the two major parties in the country is making racism an explicit central pillar of their party identity.
This is NYT headline morning after JD’s grotesque hot blast of white supremacist nativism at Turning Point’s hate-fest?!
December 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Have to highlight the absurdity in a public discourse that holds the idea of systemic racism out as exotic and academic while also reporting that one of the two major parties in the country is making racism an explicit central pillar of their party identity.
Reposted
And the danger of this sort of open bigotry in an administration that tried to overturn the will of a multiracial electorate and is eviscerating civil rights protections and voting rights, continues to treated by too many as mere politics and not a dangerous entrenchment of white rule.
December 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
And the danger of this sort of open bigotry in an administration that tried to overturn the will of a multiracial electorate and is eviscerating civil rights protections and voting rights, continues to treated by too many as mere politics and not a dangerous entrenchment of white rule.
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The VP of the US can give a speech saying no one has to be ashamed to be white anymore — the type of mainstream political speech we haven’t seen since before the civil rights acts, and the rhetoric is treated as merely divisive with few pointing out the obvious truth that white men remain in power.
December 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The VP of the US can give a speech saying no one has to be ashamed to be white anymore — the type of mainstream political speech we haven’t seen since before the civil rights acts, and the rhetoric is treated as merely divisive with few pointing out the obvious truth that white men remain in power.
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One can post white supremacist talking points all day every day while your company was facing multiple race discrimination complaints and your racism is viewed as so beside the point that you are offered a trillion pay package.
December 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
One can post white supremacist talking points all day every day while your company was facing multiple race discrimination complaints and your racism is viewed as so beside the point that you are offered a trillion pay package.
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For years now, moderates have decried the division of identity politics of Democrats, ignoring of course that the Republican Party was defined by identity politics itself — the identity of whiteness. Now that it’s explicit the inability to call it out and to cover it aptly is starkly disappointing.
December 22, 2025 at 5:06 PM
For years now, moderates have decried the division of identity politics of Democrats, ignoring of course that the Republican Party was defined by identity politics itself — the identity of whiteness. Now that it’s explicit the inability to call it out and to cover it aptly is starkly disappointing.
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Weird how The Free Press was able to publish all of these without comment from the Washigton University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
December 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Weird how The Free Press was able to publish all of these without comment from the Washigton University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Reposted
But why has nobody asked Pennywise for his side of the story?
December 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
But why has nobody asked Pennywise for his side of the story?