Neda Toloui-Semnani
@nedats.bsky.social
Exhausted journalist. Journalism prof at Penn State.
Nedasemnani.com
Nedasemnani.com
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
Had an occasion to remember today that @nedats.bsky.social forced me to read A Little Life — the only book I've actually thrown across the room after finishing it — and I will never forget this sacrifice I made for our friendship.
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Had an occasion to remember today that @nedats.bsky.social forced me to read A Little Life — the only book I've actually thrown across the room after finishing it — and I will never forget this sacrifice I made for our friendship.
wtfffff is happening
EXCLUSIVE: Capitol Police are investigating a swastika found in GOP Rep. Dave Taylor’s office.
“The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms," Taylor said in a statement.
“The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms," Taylor said in a statement.
Capitol Police called to investigate swastika in GOP congressional office
An American flag altered to include an image of a swastika was found in Rep. Dave Taylor’s office.
www.politico.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:19 PM
wtfffff is happening
Congress and those toiling under the Dome are choosing hubris and a breathtaking viciousness to get what they want... By doing so, they are sacrificing the country itself and our right to a functioning legislative branch that checks the executive and serves the people.
rollcall.com/2025/10/15/r...
rollcall.com/2025/10/15/r...
Reporter recalls a time when shared humanity prevailed in Congress - Roll Call
After covering a place of quirks and kindness, former Roll Call reporter Neda Semnani laments that Congress has entered a ‘cruel era.’
rollcall.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Congress and those toiling under the Dome are choosing hubris and a breathtaking viciousness to get what they want... By doing so, they are sacrificing the country itself and our right to a functioning legislative branch that checks the executive and serves the people.
rollcall.com/2025/10/15/r...
rollcall.com/2025/10/15/r...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
EXCLUSIVE/BOMBSHELL: @bloomberg.com has obtained **18K** previously unreported emails from Jeffery Epstein's personal Yahoo account. The emails are disturbing & revelatory & reveal new details about Ghilaine Maxwell's role
FREE to read
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
FREE to read
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
![“Question,” Epstein wrote to Maxwell on May 23, 2008. “Which one do you prefer,,, lewd and lscivious conduct ,, or procuring minors for prostituion.”
At the time, he and his star-studded team of defense lawyers were closing in on a generous plea deal with federal and state officials in Florida, and Epstein was trying to negotiate the state charges to which he’d plead guilty. Maxwell’s response was matter-of-fact:
From: gmax <gmax[REDACTED]>
To: J. Epstein <jeeproject@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, May 23 2008 3:22 PM
Subject: Re:
I suppose Lewd and lecivious conduct..I would prefer lewd and lescivious conduct w/a prositute if possible](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eeitvtxcbjt3vmljqfmwzahz/bafkreidw4qmdfvf3j7jmvtgppacjdnk4ffdvzipnd4sgxqx7kpkwirqmaq@jpeg)
September 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
EXCLUSIVE/BOMBSHELL: @bloomberg.com has obtained **18K** previously unreported emails from Jeffery Epstein's personal Yahoo account. The emails are disturbing & revelatory & reveal new details about Ghilaine Maxwell's role
FREE to read
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
FREE to read
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
The MSNBC commentator saying that most political violence has historically come from the left just once again showed how we suffer from failing to learn history. Lynching, pogroms, race riots, the political violence that ended Reconstruction, and against the Civil Rights Movement. Come on.
September 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The MSNBC commentator saying that most political violence has historically come from the left just once again showed how we suffer from failing to learn history. Lynching, pogroms, race riots, the political violence that ended Reconstruction, and against the Civil Rights Movement. Come on.
I'm very confused and a little horrified that the @nytimes.com used this headline. What is the suggestion? Why endanger colleges, universities, educational institutions, and the minorities who work and study there? It's actually a wild choice
September 11, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm very confused and a little horrified that the @nytimes.com used this headline. What is the suggestion? Why endanger colleges, universities, educational institutions, and the minorities who work and study there? It's actually a wild choice
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
Appears person filmed being arrested is not a suspect and suspect is not in custody. CNN reports that University now says single shot came from a building 200 yards away. Certainly suggests an experienced marksman.
September 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Appears person filmed being arrested is not a suspect and suspect is not in custody. CNN reports that University now says single shot came from a building 200 yards away. Certainly suggests an experienced marksman.
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
as it feels like we are catapulting towards war, I want to remind people of @nedats.bsky.social’s beautiful memoir on her Iranian parents. It’s a powerful reminder of the humanity of the world and the lasting human costs of brutal regime, war and the existential battle for freedom and democracy.
They Said They Wanted Revolution: A Memoir of My Parent…
In They Said They Wanted Revolution, Neda Semnani tells…
www.goodreads.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
as it feels like we are catapulting towards war, I want to remind people of @nedats.bsky.social’s beautiful memoir on her Iranian parents. It’s a powerful reminder of the humanity of the world and the lasting human costs of brutal regime, war and the existential battle for freedom and democracy.
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
This thread is actually the perfect encapsulation of how weird it can be to live in DC
Also I legit lol’d at @edsbs.bsky.social’s “HELLO FRIEND HOW IS MOON TROOP” because I’m having a low-grade mental breakdown
Also I legit lol’d at @edsbs.bsky.social’s “HELLO FRIEND HOW IS MOON TROOP” because I’m having a low-grade mental breakdown
Well, I forgot my roommate from my summer 2012 apartment sublet in D.C. is now the Secretary of the Army, until tonight, when he told Fox News there is a troop on the moon
For those who do not have access or care to go to Twitter for the video, here is the video of the U.S. Secretary of the Army stating that there is currently a soldier on the moon:
June 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
This thread is actually the perfect encapsulation of how weird it can be to live in DC
Also I legit lol’d at @edsbs.bsky.social’s “HELLO FRIEND HOW IS MOON TROOP” because I’m having a low-grade mental breakdown
Also I legit lol’d at @edsbs.bsky.social’s “HELLO FRIEND HOW IS MOON TROOP” because I’m having a low-grade mental breakdown
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
Not taking anything away from Senator Padilla because he was treated atrociously
But I JUST want to remind everyone that the Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, a Black woman, was just indicted for just asking questions at an ICE detention center in her state
Keep that same energy of support for her
But I JUST want to remind everyone that the Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, a Black woman, was just indicted for just asking questions at an ICE detention center in her state
Keep that same energy of support for her
June 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Not taking anything away from Senator Padilla because he was treated atrociously
But I JUST want to remind everyone that the Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, a Black woman, was just indicted for just asking questions at an ICE detention center in her state
Keep that same energy of support for her
But I JUST want to remind everyone that the Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, a Black woman, was just indicted for just asking questions at an ICE detention center in her state
Keep that same energy of support for her
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
"And save what was known as the Iranian empire"... has Trump been talking to Pahlavi Shah-era monarchists???
Trump says he warned Iran and they wouldn’t listen. Suggests they cut a deal before another round of even more brutal attacks.
For those wondering how much daylight there was between Israel and the US.
11/
For those wondering how much daylight there was between Israel and the US.
11/
June 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
"And save what was known as the Iranian empire"... has Trump been talking to Pahlavi Shah-era monarchists???
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
I have no idea what he’s talking about when he says “Iranian Empire”. Is he talking about the Persian Empire from 2,500 years ago?
June 13, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I have no idea what he’s talking about when he says “Iranian Empire”. Is he talking about the Persian Empire from 2,500 years ago?
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
When I heard the mom of a trans girl say the night her daughter came out to her was the first time she'd ever seen her child happy, I knew it was a story I needed to share.
These are the stories the public isn't hearing. An honor to get to report on 3 family's journeys for @teenvogue.com.
These are the stories the public isn't hearing. An honor to get to report on 3 family's journeys for @teenvogue.com.
Why These Trans Teens and Their Families Risked Everything to Get Gender-Affirming Care
It’s as simple as love.
www.teenvogue.com
June 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
When I heard the mom of a trans girl say the night her daughter came out to her was the first time she'd ever seen her child happy, I knew it was a story I needed to share.
These are the stories the public isn't hearing. An honor to get to report on 3 family's journeys for @teenvogue.com.
These are the stories the public isn't hearing. An honor to get to report on 3 family's journeys for @teenvogue.com.
"Everyone fails, and everyone is hiding shame they believe nobody else will understand. ..You will fuck up, and you know what you should do after? Fucking apologize."
This is the best piece that will ever be written about our show! Thanks @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social! defector.com/there-will-n...
There Will Never Be Another 'WTF With Marc Maron' | Defector
I heard Marc Maron announce he was ending his podcast the way that I imagine he’d’ve wanted me to—while walking through my neighborhood in Los Angeles, through wired headphones, just a little too hopp...
defector.com
June 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"Everyone fails, and everyone is hiding shame they believe nobody else will understand. ..You will fuck up, and you know what you should do after? Fucking apologize."
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
this is just a chart of women entering the workforce
Full slide deck here from our talk yesterday on the gender divide and relationship recession, featuring many more countries and plenty of economic data too: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1lp1d...
June 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
this is just a chart of women entering the workforce
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
“No children are dying on my watch,” said Rubio. It's blatantly false. Credible estimates count 190K deaths so far.
In Kenya, I am seeing devastating impact, incl this child's starvation & many deaths directly caused by Rubio’s actions. More in my @msnbc.com clip. www.instagram.com/atul.gawande...
In Kenya, I am seeing devastating impact, incl this child's starvation & many deaths directly caused by Rubio’s actions. More in my @msnbc.com clip. www.instagram.com/atul.gawande...
Atul Gawande on Instagram: "“No children are dying on my watch,” said Rubio. It's blatantly false.
So far, 190,000 children and 90,000 adults have died due to the dismantling of USAID (even assuming...
9 likes, 0 comments - atul.gawande on May 24, 2025: "“No children are dying on my watch,” said Rubio. It's blatantly false.
So far, 190,000 children and 90,000 adults have died due to the dismantlin...
www.instagram.com
May 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
“No children are dying on my watch,” said Rubio. It's blatantly false. Credible estimates count 190K deaths so far.
In Kenya, I am seeing devastating impact, incl this child's starvation & many deaths directly caused by Rubio’s actions. More in my @msnbc.com clip. www.instagram.com/atul.gawande...
In Kenya, I am seeing devastating impact, incl this child's starvation & many deaths directly caused by Rubio’s actions. More in my @msnbc.com clip. www.instagram.com/atul.gawande...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
"This is what we were voting for!"
From a friend in academia:
>>I was with a public health professor from [major university] last weekend and he said that NIH is now euthanizing whole cohorts of animals from animal studies because there is nobody around to feed them<<
Great work.
From a friend in academia:
>>I was with a public health professor from [major university] last weekend and he said that NIH is now euthanizing whole cohorts of animals from animal studies because there is nobody around to feed them<<
Great work.
May 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
"This is what we were voting for!"
From a friend in academia:
>>I was with a public health professor from [major university] last weekend and he said that NIH is now euthanizing whole cohorts of animals from animal studies because there is nobody around to feed them<<
Great work.
From a friend in academia:
>>I was with a public health professor from [major university] last weekend and he said that NIH is now euthanizing whole cohorts of animals from animal studies because there is nobody around to feed them<<
Great work.
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
I get this question a lot. I don't have strong views on how transmasc people should dress, but since I often get the question, I've thought about it a bit. Will share some thoughts in this thread. 🧵
May 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I get this question a lot. I don't have strong views on how transmasc people should dress, but since I often get the question, I've thought about it a bit. Will share some thoughts in this thread. 🧵
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
this is a letter to the editor from a high school track runner who came in second to a trans girl in a race. her state house rep in maine started talking about it. so she wrote this: www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/r...
May 16, 2025 at 3:25 AM
this is a letter to the editor from a high school track runner who came in second to a trans girl in a race. her state house rep in maine started talking about it. so she wrote this: www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/r...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
Know a student in Oklahoma who will soon be taught about 2020 election “discrepancies”? I compiled a debunking in advance.
They may not get an A using this, but at least they’ll get an actual education.
Gift link: wapo.st/4m3cvcw
They may not get an A using this, but at least they’ll get an actual education.
Gift link: wapo.st/4m3cvcw
Opinion | Hey, Oklahoma students. Here’s your real ‘election fraud’ primer.
The state’s curriculum now teaches kids to be skeptical about the results of the 2020 election.
wapo.st
May 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Know a student in Oklahoma who will soon be taught about 2020 election “discrepancies”? I compiled a debunking in advance.
They may not get an A using this, but at least they’ll get an actual education.
Gift link: wapo.st/4m3cvcw
They may not get an A using this, but at least they’ll get an actual education.
Gift link: wapo.st/4m3cvcw
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
"The novelty of a website devoted to shock and gore, and the rebelliousness inherent in it, dies when your opinions become the official policy of the world's richest people and the government of the US," @bencollins.bsky.social tells @ryanhatesthis.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/4chan-...
www.wired.com/story/4chan-...
4chan Is Dead. Its Toxic Legacy Is Everywhere
It’s likely that there will never be a site like 4chan again. But everything now—from X and YouTube to global politics—seems to carry its toxic legacy.
www.wired.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
"The novelty of a website devoted to shock and gore, and the rebelliousness inherent in it, dies when your opinions become the official policy of the world's richest people and the government of the US," @bencollins.bsky.social tells @ryanhatesthis.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/4chan-...
www.wired.com/story/4chan-...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
Here’s our coverage, including the stories of 5 pregnant women who died after they couldn’t obtain timely medical care … www.propublica.org/series/life-...
Life of the Mother
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, doctors warned that women would die, but lawmakers who passed state abortion bans didn’t listen. The worst consequences are now becoming clear.
www.propublica.org
April 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Here’s our coverage, including the stories of 5 pregnant women who died after they couldn’t obtain timely medical care … www.propublica.org/series/life-...
Reposted by Neda Toloui-Semnani
New: My colleague and I looked into Jake Shields, a former-MMA fighter who now hosts a podcast that pushes Holocaust denial, white nationalism and male supremacist bigotry on Spotify, Youtube and Apple Podcasts [CW: anti-trans violence, antisemitism] 🧵
www.splcenter.org/resources/ha...
www.splcenter.org/resources/ha...
Podcast platforms host Jake Shields’ antisemitism bigotry and racism
This article contains references to graphic antisemitic, racist, misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ+ language. A former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter turned podcast host is spreading antisemitic conspirac...
www.splcenter.org
April 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
New: My colleague and I looked into Jake Shields, a former-MMA fighter who now hosts a podcast that pushes Holocaust denial, white nationalism and male supremacist bigotry on Spotify, Youtube and Apple Podcasts [CW: anti-trans violence, antisemitism] 🧵
www.splcenter.org/resources/ha...
www.splcenter.org/resources/ha...