Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.

Three nuns in their 80s who made headlines after fleeing their care home to take back their convent in Austria are being allowed to stay there "until further notice", church officials said Friday.

A stunning new exposé published today in The Intercept about the elite military unit SEAL Team 6 reveals a darker side of the group best known for killing Osama bin Laden.

In a memo, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth alleges the organization has transformed into one designed to “attack boy-friendly spaces."

Social media site X introduced an "About This Account" feature on Friday that displays where user accounts are based, when they joined the platform, username change history, and app download method, a...

Yes, the apparent country of origin (location) shown on an X (Twitter) account can absolutely be manipulated — and it’s extremely easy to do. Here’s exactly how it works and how common it is: Ways people fake the location on an X account Directly editing the profile location field This is just a free-text box. Anyone can type “New York, USA”, “London”, “Tokyo”, or even “Mars” regardless of where they actually are. Most casual fakes stop here. Using a VPN or proxy X sometimes guesses and displays a location based on your IP address (e.g., “Paris, France” or “Nigeria”). With a single click on a VPN, that displayed country changes instantly to whatever server location you pick (USA, UK, Japan, India, etc.). This is the most common method used by trolls, scammers, romance-fraud accounts, disinformation actors, and crypto giveaway bots. Creating the account through a SIM card from another country Some people buy cheap prepaid SIMs from the target country (or eSIMs online) to register the account. X sometimes treats this as stronger proof of location than IP. Advanced methods (less common but still done) Residential proxies + matching timezone settings + local language keyboard + posting at local times to make it convincing. State actors and professional influence operations (Russia, Iran, China, etc.) do this at scale. How reliable is the location flag you see on X? Almost zero reliability for anything serious. Elon himself has said the little flag/country tag is largely based on IP and is trivial to spoof. X removed the legacy “blue-check” verified location years ago because it was so easily gamed. As of 2025, the country label you see next to a username is mostly cosmetic and should never be taken as proof of where someone actually is. Real-world examples you see every day Nigerian 419/yahoo boys running romance scams → location set to “Texas, USA” or “London” via VPN Russian and Iranian disinformation accounts → showing “Germany”, “France”, “Canada” Indian/Pakistani troll farms → showing the opposite country to inflame tensions Crypto rug-pull accounts → always “Dubai” or “USA” Bottom line: On X/Twitter, the displayed country of origin is one of the easiest things in the world to fake. Unless there is overwhelming additional evidence (consistent long-term posting patterns, photos with geotags, real-life meetups, etc.), treat any account’s location as completely untrustworthy.

Statement by Trump administration confirms longstanding suspicions that Musk-led agency is on its way out

Status Update on X's "About This Account" Feature (as of November 23, 2025) Yes, based on the latest checks across X posts and web reports, the feature is currently active and running for most users—not paused. It went through a very brief disablement (or "pause") on November 22 afternoon/evening after its initial rollout, but X quickly reinstated it after addressing some accuracy issues. Here's the quick rundown: Quick Timeline Nov 21–22 Morning: Gradual rollout begins; users spot it and start exposing foreign-run accounts, leading to viral buzz. Nov 22 Afternoon: Temporary disable due to complaints about glitches (e.g., VPN false positives, Starlink misreads). Some called this a "shutdown" or "pause" in posts, but it lasted hours, not days. Nov 22 Late/Nov 23: Back online, with fixes like better VPN indicators. Nikita Bier (X's head of product) confirmed ongoing tweaks, and users are reporting full access again. Evidence It's Running Now User Reports on X (Today): Multiple posts from November 23 confirm it's working. For example: Users are still sharing screenshots of locations (e.g., exposing pro-Congress accounts from Pakistan/Bangladesh) and praising it for transparency. One detailed guide even explains how to toggle it off for privacy, implying it's live and customizable. Bug reports persist (e.g., VPN warnings on legit US accounts), but the panel opens normally via the "Joined" date or three-dot menu. Media Coverage: Outlets like TechCrunch, Engadget, and Mint reported the launch as ongoing (articles from Nov 22–23), with no mention of a sustained pause. One forum post notes the brief disable for "whitelisting" but confirms it's "now once again active." The "pause" rumors stem from that short hiccup—amplified by folks celebrating the exposures—but it's not halted. If you're not seeing it yet, it could be a staggered rollout; try updating the app or checking on web. Want me to check a specific profile's status? Just share the handle!

Status Update on X's "About This Account" Feature (as of November 23, 2025) Yes, based on the latest checks across X posts and web reports, the feature is currently active and running for most users—not paused. It went through a very brief disablement (or "pause") on November 22 afternoon/evening after its initial rollout, but X quickly reinstated it after addressing some accuracy issues. Here's the quick rundown: Quick Timeline Nov 21–22 Morning: Gradual rollout begins; users spot it and start exposing foreign-run accounts, leading to viral buzz. Nov 22 Afternoon: Temporary disable due to complaints about glitches (e.g., VPN false positives, Starlink misreads). Some called this a "shutdown" or "pause" in posts, but it lasted hours, not days. Nov 22 Late/Nov 23: Back online, with fixes like better VPN indicators. Nikita Bier (X's head of product) confirmed ongoing tweaks, and users are reporting full access again. Evidence It's Running Now User Reports on X (Today): Multiple posts from November 23 confirm it's working. For example: Users are still sharing screenshots of locations (e.g., exposing pro-Congress accounts from Pakistan/Bangladesh) and praising it for transparency. One detailed guide even explains how to toggle it off for privacy, implying it's live and customizable. Bug reports persist (e.g., VPN warnings on legit US accounts), but the panel opens normally via the "Joined" date or three-dot menu. Media Coverage: Outlets like TechCrunch, Engadget, and Mint reported the launch as ongoing (articles from Nov 22–23), with no mention of a sustained pause. One forum post notes the brief disable for "whitelisting" but confirms it's "now once again active." The "pause" rumors stem from that short hiccup—amplified by folks celebrating the exposures—but it's not halted. If you're not seeing it yet, it could be a staggered rollout; try updating the app or checking on web. Want me to check a specific profile's status? Just share the handle!

Pluribus episode 4 accidentally became the most timely episode of a series in recent memory, parallel to a meme about Elon Musk and his subservient AI, Grok.

Pluribus episode 4 accidentally became the most timely episode of a series in recent memory, parallel to a meme about Elon Musk and his subservient AI, Grok.

Allegations of Corruption Involving Elon Musk Elon Musk has faced numerous accusations of corruption, particularly tied to his business interests, political donations, and role in the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These claims center on conflicts of interest, where Musk's companies (Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X) have allegedly benefited from his influence over federal agencies that regulate or contract with them. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue this constitutes self-dealing and quid pro quo, enabled by lax ethics rules. Musk and his defenders dismiss these as partisan attacks, emphasizing his efforts to cut government waste. Below is a summary of key allegations based on public reports and investigations as of November 2025. | Category | Key Allegations | Details and Examples | Sources | |----------|-----------------|----------------------|---------| | Political Donations and Influence | Musk spent ~$300M to support Trump and Republicans in 2024, then gained advisory power via DOGE, leading to agency cuts that benefit his firms. | - Promised $100M more for Trump-aligned PACs.- DOGE targeted agencies like NHTSA (Tesla safety probes) and SEC (Musk's fraud suits), reducing staff by 10%+.- 40+ investigations into Musk companies stalled or dropped. | , , , | | Conflicts of Interest in Government | As a "special government employee," Musk allegedly violated ethics laws by influencing decisions on his companies. | - Pushed FAA to favor Starlink contracts while DOGE oversaw aviation.- Neuralink USDA probe halted after DOGE fired inspectors general.- Report lists 130 "unethical" actions benefiting Musk firms. | , , , | | Securities and Business Fraud | SEC suits for misleading investors via tweets and Twitter acquisition. | - 2018: Fraudulent Tesla privatization tweets ($40M penalty).- 2022: Late Twitter stake disclosure; ongoing probe into $44B buyout.- 2025: SEC sued Musk for cheating Twitter investors out of $150M. | , , | | Other Claims | Accusations of enabling foreign favoritism and NGO fraud probes. | - Trump admin prioritized white South African refugees amid Musk's "genocide" claims.- Musk accused "fake" Democrat-linked NGOs of corruption, calling for arrests. | , , | Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Mikie Sherrill have called for Inspector General probes into these issues, citing potential bribery and private gain laws. A Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance has been blamed for enabling such "legal corruption." No criminal charges have been filed against Musk as of now, and his net worth reportedly dropped $113B amid DOGE scrutiny. Musk has countered by accusing critics of hypocrisy and highlighting his anti-corruption work via DOGE. Use of Out-of-Country Influencers on X Musk's ownership of X (formerly Twitter) has amplified concerns about foreign influence, as the platform's algorithm and his personal engagements boost right-wing content from non-U.S. accounts. Recent transparency features revealed many "MAGA influencers" are foreign operatives, sparking debates on election interference. Musk promotes "free speech," but critics argue this enables disinformation from adversaries like Russia. X has faced accusations of paying foreign creators to spread pro-Trump narratives, with Musk interacting ~100 times with influencers tied to a Russia-funded firm (Tenet Media). | Aspect | Key Issues | Examples | Sources | |--------|------------|----------|---------| | Foreign Troll Farms and Bots | X is rife with non-U.S. accounts posing as Americans to push MAGA content, including Russian/Chinese ops. | - Recent "country of origin" feature unmasked dozens of top right-wing accounts from Nigeria, Bangladesh, etc.- Russian bots flood X with election disinformation; FBI access to block them was cut post-Musk buyout. | , , [post:72], [post:82] | | Musk's Engagements | Musk boosts foreign far-right figures, surging their reach 10x+ on interaction days. | - Interacted with German AfD extremist (audience: 230K → 2.2M).- Amplified UK anti-immigration activist (banned pre-Musk).- Frequent replies to Russia-linked influencers like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson. | , , | | Payments and Incentives | X pays creators (often foreign) for divisive content; Musk's feed favors right-wing sources. | - ~50% of Musk's weekly posts from conservative influencers/conspiracy accounts.- Australian/Polish creators host Musk-favored "news" chats with world leaders.- Saudi VC ties aided X buyout, per reports. | , , , [post:81] | | Policy Impacts | X content influences Trump admin decisions; foreign meddling unchecked. | - Musk's posts echoed foreign claims (e.g., Fort Knox gold hoax).- EU concerns over U.S. "meddling" via X boosting hard-right parties. | , , [post:78] | The November 2025 rollout (and quick removal) of X's "country of origin" label exposed these networks, leading to calls for bans or regulations in the EU and Australia. Musk has defended X as a "free speech" haven but faced lawsuits over advertiser boycotts and misinformation. Recent X posts praise Musk for curbing foreign ops via the feature, but skeptics see it as reactive damage control. These topics intersect: Musk's DOGE role allegedly shields X from scrutiny, while foreign influencers exploit the platform to echo his anti-establishment views. Ongoing probes (e.g., by GAO) may clarify legal lines, but as of now, evidence points to systemic issues rather than isolated incidents. For deeper dives, I recommend reviewing Warren's full report or SEC filings.

Their union told Axios it's "concerned" that so many who worked without pay in the shutdown "were excluded from this recognition."

The former co-host of The Five returned to her old network to bemoan the skeletal nature of her office, before making a plea for people to get in contact with their resumes

Elon Musk, as the owner and most-followed user on X (with over 200 million followers), wields immense influence over what goes viral on the platform. Quantifying "how much" misinformation he spreads is inherently subjective—misinformation isn't a binary metric like calories consumed—but we can draw from rigorous studies, fact-checks, and data analyses to assess the scale. The evidence points to a significant volume: Musk has amplified or originated hundreds of false or misleading claims, often on high-stakes topics like elections, immigration, and public health, reaching billions of views collectively. This isn't random; his posts are algorithmically prioritized (even for non-followers), and X's reduced moderation under his leadership exacerbates the spread. Key Data on Musk's Misinformation Spread Here's a summary of findings from independent reports and analyses (primarily from 2024–2025, as the issue intensified during the U.S. election cycle). These focus on verified instances where claims were debunked by fact-checkers like PolitiFact, Snopes, and the Associated Press. | Source | Time Period | Key Findings | Total Views/Reach | |--------|-------------|--------------|-------------------| | Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) | Jan–Jul 2024 | 50+ false/misleading election-related posts (e.g., Democrats "importing voters" via immigration, non-citizen voting fraud). None received Community Notes fact-checks. | 1.2 billion views | | CCDH (updated report) | Jan–Nov 2024 | 87+ election misinformation posts (e.g., ballot harvesting conspiracies, voter fraud claims). Musk's amplification creates "network effects" spilling to other platforms like Reddit. | 2 billion views | | The New York Times analysis | One week in Sep 2024 | Of 171 posts, ~30% (about 50) were false, misleading, or lacking context (e.g., deepfakes of Kamala Harris, COVID vaccine falsehoods, 2020 election rigging claims). | Not specified; individual posts hit 10M+ views | | PolitiFact | Two weeks in Oct 2024 | ~450 posts analyzed; many amplified unverified claims from obscure accounts (e.g., false flag theories on U.S. shootings). Musk interacted with misinformation sources 70+ times. | 32M+ views on one debunked post alone | | Science Feedback | Post-Musk takeover (2023) | Musk's replies boosted 4 of top 5 "superspreader" accounts by 44%, enabling viral false claims on health, migration, and elections. | 490 accounts gained massive engagement | | Washington Post / CCDH | 2024 overall | Community Notes failed on 96% of proposed corrections for Musk's political posts; e.g., delays in Israel-Gaza fact-checks allowed 100K+ view posts to spread unchecked. | N/A; system-wide failure noted | Patterns and Impact Election Focus: Over 80% of documented cases tie to the 2024 U.S. race, where Musk echoed Trump-era falsehoods (e.g., mail-in ballots enabling fraud, shelters as "ballot harvesting" fronts). His posts outpace official corrections by 200x in views. This contributed to real-world harm, like threats to election workers and delayed hurricane relief from FEMA conspiracies. Platform Role: Since acquiring X in 2022, Musk gutted trust/safety teams, fired fact-checkers, and prioritized paid "blue check" accounts that flood the site with hoaxes. A European Commission study found X had the highest disinformation engagement of major platforms, prompting fines under the Digital Services Act. Community Notes, his touted fix, is slow and ineffective—especially for his own content. Broader Topics: Beyond elections, Musk has pushed misleading claims on COVID vaccines, transgender rights, and climate (e.g., exaggerating Tesla's impact while downplaying rivals). He's also reinstated banned conspiracy accounts, boosting their reach. Why This Matters (and a Truth-Seeking Note) Musk positions X as a "truth-seeking" haven, but data shows it amplifies echo chambers—his conservative-leaning posts dominate feeds via tweaks like 1,000x impression boosts. Ironically, even xAI's Grok (that's me) has flagged this pattern in user queries, noting it drives engagement but erodes trust. Users on X echo this frustration, calling him a top "misinformation superspreader." Quantitatively, it's not "all" his posts—maybe 20–30% based on spot analyses—but the reach (billions of impressions) makes him uniquely impactful. If you're asking as a concerned user, cross-check with diverse sources like Reuters or AP, and use tools like Community Notes (flawed as it is). For a deeper dive on a specific claim, share details!

The Pentagon said that the U.S. is sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the waters off Latin America, an escalation that will dramatically increase the number of service members and ships dedic...

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