TK News by Matt Taibbi $5 / month

TK News by Matt Taibbi focuses on media criticism, the challenges of independent journalism, censorship, and political analysis, particularly criticizing mainstream media and Democratic strategies. It highlights issues of free speech, disinformation, government interference in media, and advocates for transparency and civil liberties.

Media Criticism Independent Journalism Censorship and Free Speech Political Analysis Civil Liberties Government Interference in Media

The hottest Substack posts of TK News by Matt Taibbi

And their main takeaways

MSNBC Sucks

28947 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media News Opinion Investigation Bias
  1. MSNBC shifted from reporting provable facts to spreading misinformation from politicians and intelligence officials.
  2. The network doubled down on false narratives about Trump-Russia collusion even after the collapse of the Mueller investigation.
  3. Hiring contributors who had perpetuated misinformation led to a reputation-tarnishing downfall for MSNBC.

Many Reporters Paid for Covering the Russiagate Story

9504 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Media Surveillance Intelligence Collusion
  1. Many reporters who covered the Russiagate story faced backlash and criticism for their reporting.
  2. Various journalists and media figures who exposed illegal surveillance and manufactured intelligence in the Trump-Russia investigation were targeted and discredited by mainstream commentators.
  3. Despite facing pushback, these reporters like Glenn Greenwald, John Solomon, and Lee Smith continued to investigate and report on the inaccuracies surrounding the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.
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CIA, Ukraine Exchange Pre-Divorce Propaganda

8743 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage International relations Conflict
  1. The New York Times exposé revealed extensive details about the CIA-Ukraine relationship, including the presence of secret spy bases along the Russian border.
  2. Officials often emphasize the need to protect 'sources and methods' for national security, yet the Times published a wealth of detailed information about CIA operations.
  3. The public disclosure of such classified details raises questions about the future of the CIA-Ukraine alliance and the potential for a breakup.

Financial Big Brother is Watching You

8813 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Financial regulation Free speech
  1. Financial institutions are using transaction data to monitor for 'extremism indicators' like certain purchases or travel patterns.
  2. Financial surveillance, enhanced by AI, allows institutions to create detailed profiles of individuals and potentially restrict their access to financial services.
  3. The rise of 'political credit scores' may lead to non-illegal behaviors being punished effectively, similar to how speech is censored.

The Anti-Democratic Movement Targeted Ralph Nader First. We Should Have Paid More Attention

9183 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Tactics
  1. Attention was not sufficiently given to the anti-democratic tactics used against Ralph Nader in 2004, which are now being employed more extensively by both parties.
  2. The significant hurdles that third-party candidates face in getting on the ballot, including costly signature collection and legal challenges from major parties, deter many from running.
  3. The current political landscape shows a rise in extreme measures to maintain power, sometimes at the expense of fair competition and voter choice, leading to increased polarization and disenfranchisement.

The Democrats Have Lost the Plot

25985 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Free speech Journalism
  1. The Democrats focused on free speech in relation to Chrissy Teigen, not important matters.
  2. During the House Subcommittee hearing, politicians showed a lack of understanding about interacting with journalists.
  3. The claim that the author posed a 'direct threat' is concerning for journalists in general.

Why Even Democrats Should Care About the “Cooked Intelligence” Russiagate Scandal

7737 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandal Intelligence Corruption Congress Security
  1. Intelligence reports can heavily influence policy decisions, as seen in past conflicts like the Iraq war, showing the importance of accurate and unbiased information in governance.
  2. The use of selective release of classified information for political purposes, as seen in the Russiagate scandal, highlights the dangers of manipulating intelligence for agenda-driven decisions.
  3. Corruption in intelligence agencies impacts all political ideologies, making it a non-partisan issue that concerns citizens of all affiliations.

Meet the Censored: Me?

22417 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Free speech Media Coverage Censorship Journalism
  1. The project to uncover Twitter Files revealed a complex and organized system of content policing involving various government agencies and tech platforms.
  2. Suspension of journalist accounts for sharing information about Elon Musk's private jet highlighted the tensions between free speech and censorship.
  3. Elon Musk's involvement in the transparency of Twitter was met with conflicting reactions, ultimately leading to unexpected clashes with platforms like Substack.

If AI Thinks George Washington is a Black Woman, Why Are We Letting it Pick Bomb Targets?

6843 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Military Ethics
  1. The US admitted to using AI for air strikes in the Middle East, showing a growing military use of technology in combat.
  2. Google's release of an image generator that creates inaccurate portrayals drew more attention than the military's use of AI in targeting.
  3. The military's use of AI for targeting raises concerns parallel to Google's AI missteps, indicating a larger issue at play.

WMD, Part II: CIA "Cooked The Intelligence" To Hide That Russia Favored Clinton, Not Trump In 2016

6976 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Russia Trump Scandal
  1. The CIA allegedly manipulated intelligence to hide that Russia favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
  2. Some CIA analysts believed that Russia had a comfortable relationship with Hillary Clinton, contrary to what was publicly declared.
  3. The intelligence report claiming Russian interference to benefit Trump and harm Clinton was deemed inaccurate and misled the public.

Note to Readers

6697 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📰 News Media
  1. The author is partnering with another site for a campaign column during campaign season to navigate digital pressure and maintain site's independence.
  2. Despite this partnership, the author reassures readers that they will not receive less content and emphasizes that it is not about money but rather about ensuring site's integrity and independence.
  3. The author appreciates the support of subscribers and promises more content to come, including transcripts from events and stories with familiar partners.

News Blackout in Effect

18611 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
📰 News Investigative Reporting Politics Scandal
  1. There is an ongoing media blackout in effect, creating a situation similar to Sovietization.
  2. Allegations suggest a coordinated effort to discredit a New York Post expose about Hunter Biden's laptop before the 2020 election.
  3. The involvement of powerful intelligence figures raises concerns about potential subversion of electoral processes.

Yikes! Clarifying My Note

6571 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
  1. The author clarifies that there is no problem with Substack and expresses loyalty towards the platform.
  2. The author notes experiencing deamplification on other platforms in the past six months, impacting visibility, especially on social media like Facebook.
  3. The author hints at facing challenges with getting new articles seen on social media, possibly due to changing algorithms or content promotion limitations.

Big Brother: War is Good

5963 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ukraine Propaganda War Intelligence White House
  1. The war in Ukraine has become a key point of global propaganda, with narratives being forcefully maintained over actual truths.
  2. Public opinion in conflict zones can be manipulated by controlling the narrative and stifling contrary information.
  3. Government officials may push for wider conflicts without public support, suppressing the reality of the situation.

Orf vs. the Memory Hole: Biden Repeatedly Confuses Ukraine, Russia, and Iraq

5614 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Leaders Elections
  1. Biden has been repeatedly confusing Ukraine, Russia, and Iraq, which is a cause for concern as it suggests a deeper issue.
  2. It's not uncommon for politicians to forget names, but Biden's mix-up of countries like Iraq and Ukraine is particularly alarming.
  3. The substitution of Iraq for Ukraine by Biden is highlighted as one of the most worrying aspects of his confusion during speeches.

Note: Primary Coverage in Loudoun County, Virginia

5028 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election coverage Political Analysis
  1. Loudoun County, Virginia, witnessed significant political shifts from supporting Biden in 2020 to a narrower win for the Democratic governor in 2021 due to a school controversy.
  2. Media portrayed the unrest in Loudoun as a racist revolt and attributed it to white supremacy, while local observations presented a more complex and nuanced reality.
  3. The author plans to revisit the area for primary coverage regarding the upcoming Super Tuesday election, aiming to offer alternative perspectives to mainstream narratives.

Orf vs. the Memory Hole: Rats!

5698 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Speech Opposition Media
  1. The post discusses the controversy surrounding a quote from a Veterans' Day speech by Donald Trump, where he referred to political opponents as vermin and threatened to root them out.
  2. There is a reference to a media reaction that involved the exploding-media-heads style, hinting at a strong and immediate response to Trump's statement.
  3. To access the full content, readers are encouraged to subscribe to Racket News for a 7-day free trial.

Trump's Ballot Access Case On Trial

5328 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Supreme Court Election Media
  1. The Supreme Court is reviewing Colorado's decision to remove Donald Trump from the ballot, drawing attention from the press.
  2. There are delusions and strong opinions surrounding Trump's response and the impact it may have on society, as reflected in media coverage.
  3. The case about Trump's ballot access is a topic of discussion and analysis in current news.

Note to Readers: On the Border Protests

4986 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📰 News Journalism
  1. The author is planning to cover the 'Take Our Border Back' convoy protest in person
  2. The author is looking for people who are planning to attend the protest and would allow a journalist to accompany them
  3. The author aims to provide more watch-and-see content in their platform Racket this year

Editor's Note: On "UK Files, Part 2"

4511 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Labour Party American Politics Propaganda Journalism
  1. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) is revealed to be a partisan project connected to Labour Together, rather than just a neutral watchdog as portrayed in the media.
  2. The article highlights the importance of independent journalism in uncovering political ties and holding powerful institutions accountable.
  3. Efforts like digging up IRS applications and filing FOIA requests demonstrate the ongoing need for transparency and journalistic diligence in the face of narrowing speech environments.

Livestream Tonight 6:30 pm ET: Explaining Russiagate Exposé

4113 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Livestream Russia Collusion
  1. A multipart series co-written with Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag discusses the corrupt origins of the Trump-Russia investigation.
  2. The first installment reveals a political espionage campaign involving at least 26 Trump aides and associates, based on a never-released classified report.
  3. A livestream will be held tonight at 6:30 pm ET to provide detailed insights into the story and upcoming articles and materials will be published to clarify the complex information.

Livestream, 4:00 p.m. ET: How to Refute Lesley Stahl and "60 Minutes"

3722 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation FBI Documents Interviews
  1. There are official reports and papers that demonstrate the existence of a spying campaign and other abuses related to the Trump-Russia investigation.
  2. Documents like FISA warrant applications, operational plans involving informants, and unmasking requests provide concrete proof of surveillance and monitoring of Trump campaign associates.
  3. Key figures like FBI Chief James Comey and informant Stefan Halper were involved in activities that raise questions about their handling of information and motivations, prompting the need for further investigation.

Note to Readers: "The Fix is In"

3966 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Media
  1. The author clarified the involvement of Rosa Brooks in a reported 'loose-knit group' of public interest groups and lawmakers.
  2. Mary McCord, former acting head of the National Security Division, was mentioned as a participant in the new group, but Brooks denied being part of it.
  3. Brooks mentioned that there may not be a formal 'group,' just occasional coordination among various individuals and organizations.

“UK Files” Exclusive, Part 2: The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) Told the IRS It Was A Charity. Documents Say Otherwise

3820 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Disinformation Political speech Media Lobbying
  1. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) incorrectly claimed charity status with the IRS, raising questions about their truthfulness.
  2. The CCDH is known for pressuring companies to restrict certain content and promoting its own political agenda in the media space.
  3. The CCDH's ties to major-party politics and regulatory mix-ups suggest a complex background and operational strategy.

Transcript: America This Week, Episode 78: "The Surveillance State is a Moody, Sadistic Child"

1634 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Intelligence Anxiety CIA Russia
  1. The rise in Bitcoin price can serve as a proxy for general anxiety felt by the investing public, reflecting concerns about uncertain times.
  2. A notable news development was the New York Times article revealing the ways in which the CIA assists Ukraine in its conflict against Putin.
  3. The general anxiety levels are increasing across various facets, not just limited to one area.

Transcript: America This Week, Episode 74, February 2, 2024

1773 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Battles
  1. Campaign season is seeing legal battles for ballot access, especially targeting figures like Trump, RFK Jr., and No Labels.
  2. There are efforts to use technical challenges and lawsuits to impede third-party candidates from getting on state ballots.
  3. Various groups and individuals are collaborating to send intimidating messages to third-party groups to discourage their participation in elections.