The hottest Corruption Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Was Epstein's Empire a Kremlin Honeytrap?

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 16 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. The released Epstein documents show more disturbing evidence than expected that many powerful men regularly visited his island and were linked to sexual misconduct.
  2. Bold claims that Epstein was a Kremlin 'honeytrap' or Putin’s wealth manager are dramatic but remain unproven and deserve caution and further investigation.
  3. Large counts of Putin mentions in the files often come from forwarded news clippings, so raw mention totals don’t by themselves prove a direct personal connection.

Ecuador's Gangster Warlords and the Murder of a Presidential Candidate

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 727 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. Ecuador's democracy is impacted by gang violence, including the recent assassination of a presidential candidate.
  2. Gangsters in Ecuador have evolved into powerful political players, involving themselves in activities like drug trafficking and extortion.
  3. Crime wars involving mafia networks and corrupt security forces threaten the political and social fabric of Latin American societies.

Berenson v. Biden: The Potential and Significance

COVID Reason • 1566 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Journalist Alex Berenson is suing President Biden and others for orchestrating a public-private censorship campaign against him.
  2. Mainstream media has been silent about Berenson's case, highlighting the issue of censorship in the Covid era.
  3. The lawsuit could lead to uncovering significant information about the Covid era, challenging government censorship and the influence of powerful entities.

Timeline: The Sabotage of the Clinton Foundation Investigation

The Reactionary • 61 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Leadership at the DOJ and FBI undermined the Clinton Foundation probe early on, causing the investigation to stall.
  2. Prosecutors and agency officials refused cooperation and delayed release of key materials and witness interviews, which obstructed investigative progress across administrations.
  3. Newly disclosed internal records and related reports suggest high-level corruption or incompetence helped protect alleged Clinton influence-for-money schemes.
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Dossier Center Investigation: Through diplomatic channels

Unmasking Russia • 334 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. The son of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev managed to cope with sanctions by receiving help from the family of the Norwegian ambassador, who provided ships for his work on the Arctic shelf.
  2. Nikolai Patrushev, a former FSB director and influential figure in Russia, has family members involved in important business dealings related to offshore projects in the Arctic.
  3. Connections between the son of the Norwegian ambassador to Russia and Andrey Patrushev are revealed in business transactions involving companies related to the Arctic shelf and oil and gas fields.

New Yorkers Aren’t Judging Eric Adams

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 760 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Many New Yorkers are not reacting strongly to Mayor Eric Adams' recent corruption indictment. Instead of judgment, there seems to be a sense of indifference or acceptance among residents.
  2. People in the community still show excitement and support for the mayor when they see him in public. Teenagers and locals are eager to take photos with him, showing a positive image despite the scandal.
  3. The situation reflects a broader attitude where some voters may overlook political scandals if they feel a personal connection to the leader. It shows how charisma can outweigh controversy for some constituents.

Gulag For You

Points And Figures • 959 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Corruption in Illinois is rampant, especially within its government and judicial systems. Many residents feel they can't get a fair trial due to biased and corrupt officials.
  2. The case of Steve Fanady shows how the judicial system can mistreat individuals, holding them indefinitely while ignoring their rights. His situation raises concerns about the motivations behind such actions.
  3. Many believe that political leaders prioritize their power and financial interests over the welfare of citizens. This has led to calls for better investigative journalism to expose and address these corrupt practices.

Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Sexual Blackmail Networks (w/ Nick Bryant) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 300 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. There seems to be a large network of powerful people involved in sexual abuse and trafficking, which is often hidden from the public. Despite this, many people want to know the truth.
  2. Efforts to hold these powerful individuals accountable are often blocked by those in authority. This includes investigations that have gone nowhere or have been deliberately kept from the public eye.
  3. The media's reluctance to cover stories about high-profile cases, like Epstein's, is partly because the very people who run these media companies are often friends with those involved.

Why are we badly governed?

In My Tribe • 1032 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Governments often choose leaders based on their ability to navigate politics rather than their skills in managing and delivering results. This leads to poor governance because the focus is not on actually solving problems.
  2. Unlike businesses that need to perform to survive, governments tend to take on too many roles and rarely stop doing something, even if it is not effective. This makes them inefficient and less effective.
  3. Limitations in government activities can lead to better governance. Businesses succeed by focusing on a few things they do well, while governments often try to do everything without a clear focus, leading to clumsiness.

Fraudulent Businesses Paid The Equivalent Of The GDP Of Somalia

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Reports allege massive fraud by sham businesses—especially daycare centers—siphoning large amounts of taxpayer money while services and children were unaccounted for.
  2. Elected officials responded with partisan defensiveness and rhetoric, and some were accused of avoiding direct answers about who enabled the fraud instead of pursuing accountability.
  3. Community members and advocates say people are harmed and are demanding criminal investigations and prosecutions so those responsible are held to account.

My Explosive Interview With Narco "Mini Lic"

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 511 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. The interview sheds light on the complexities of the Mexican drug trade and the involvement of high-profile cartel members.
  2. Dámaso's background as a narco junior and his interactions with powerful cartel figures offer insight into the inner workings of the criminal underworld.
  3. The interview also touches on the intersection of narco politics, including cartel involvement in elections and negotiations with government officials.

Biden Administration Implicated In Brazilian Court’s Attack On Congressman Fighting Censorship And Corruption

Michael Shellenberger • 923 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. A Brazilian congressman named Marcel Van Hattem is facing an investigation for speaking out against censorship and corruption. This marks a worrying trend of increased government control over free speech in Brazil.
  2. Van Hattem is well-known for exposing government corruption and has gathered a significant following on social media. His popularity highlights the public's desire for transparency and free expression.
  3. The investigation against Van Hattem challenges the tradition of protecting congressional speech in Brazil. Legal experts have raised concerns, suggesting this move could backlash against the government and strengthen demands for accountability.

An illustration of the high cost of low state (fiscal) capacity in Liberia

An Africanist Perspective • 494 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. The high cost of low state capacity in Liberia impacts public services and infrastructure, highlighting the need for economic growth over only focusing on governance and corruption.
  2. Poverty in Liberia severely limits the government's fiscal capacity, affecting its ability to provide public goods and services. The country's annual budget per capita is significantly lower than other regions, making it challenging to maintain essential services.
  3. The US Ambassador to Liberia pointed out significant mismanagement of funds in critical sectors like healthcare and education. This points to a need for better spending of allocated funds and an improvement in service delivery to benefit the citizens.

The Mafia State

The Chris Hedges Report • 575 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. The current economic system is leading to great inequality, where the rich get richer while many others suffer. This creates a 'mafia state' that prioritizes the wealthy and exploits the rest.
  2. The degradation of environmental and social protections is harmful to everyone. Decisions being made today are damaging the planet and the well-being of many people.
  3. Reforming this system is not enough; systemic change is needed. Collective action and new ideas for social structure can help address these deep-rooted issues.

Donald Trump and AG Pam Bondi Have Just Put Themselves Into An Epic Epstein Catch-22 That No One Is Talking About Yet

Proof • 61 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Reopening the Epstein investigation has added procedural constraints and public scrutiny that make quietly burying or shielding files much harder.
  2. That move creates a catch-22 for Trump and AG Pam Bondi: any overt attempt to hide records would heighten suspicion and legal exposure, while leaving the probe open risks more damaging revelations.
  3. Commonly suggested secretive gambits in the press now look unlikely to work, because the way the inquiry was restarted reduces the plausible paths for suppressing the Epstein files.

Bring back the bosses!

A User's Guide to History • 255 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Politicians in the past like Plunkitt mixed philanthropy with smart politics to gain support.
  2. The approach of providing needed services in exchange for votes persisted for decades in American cities.
  3. A more practical approach to politics, focused on problem-solving and bettering lives, could be beneficial in modern public affairs.

Meryl Nass on WHO "Tyranny Treaty"

Kevin’s Newsletter • 432 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. Dr. Meryl Nass is speaking out against the WHO "Tyranny Treaty" and facing backlash for prescribing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to COVID patients.
  2. Dr. E. Michael Jones is critical of the Anti-Defamation League and Elon Musk is supporting the hashtag #BanTheADL.
  3. There is ongoing criticism of NATO's role in Libya and the Washington Post's framing of the catastrophe.

There’s Nothing More Corrupting Than Flying Private

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 681 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Flying on a private plane can disconnect people from everyday experiences and reality. It's like stepping away from the human connection that comes with regular travel.
  2. Owning or using a private plane can change a person's behavior and priorities, leading to a loss of moral grounding.
  3. The associations and connections made through private travel, especially with controversial figures, can highlight deeper issues of influence and corruption in society.

US bank bailout benefited billionaires, exposing corruption: 'I understand why Americans are angry'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 418 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, it lobbied to remove regulations and then received a bailout, benefiting billionaires. Americans are angry at the corruption.
  2. US banks collapsed in March 2023, leading to massive bailouts for wealthy depositors, showing a pattern of blatant corruption and regulatory capture in Washington.
  3. The banking crisis is far from over as unrealized losses on investment securities have reached over $600 billion, indicating a potential larger collapse ahead due to rising market interest rates.

An Unprecedented Act

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 412 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a significant UFO legislation: the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023.
  2. The legislation contains detailed definitions of terms like 'legacy programs', 'non-human intelligence', and 'unidentified anomalous phenomena'.
  3. The bill explores the potential use of eminent domain to recover UFO technology and biological materials from private entities, sparking controversy.

American Governance Is Not Corrupt Enough

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 487 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Corruption can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, like faster project approvals. In some cases, letting officials profit from development could actually help communities grow and thrive.
  2. Many politicians aren't as wealthy as people think, and there's little evidence of widespread corruption in government. The average net worth of Congress members isn't that much higher than that of other Americans their age.
  3. Regulations and red tape can hinder progress and development. Sometimes, relaxing those restrictions can lead to better results for society, even if it means embracing a bit of 'good' corruption.

The First Annual NonZero Awards

Nonzero Newsletter • 576 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. The NonZero Awards celebrate significant events and people from the previous year, recognizing both good and bad moments in media and politics.
  2. Corruption in politics often becomes a spectacle, with some cases, like those involving certain politicians, described in a humorous and exaggerated manner.
  3. The rise of AI has opened new discussions and concerns, notably regarding its use in both everyday tasks and potentially dangerous contexts, like propaganda.

Choose Topeka.

News Items • 196 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. Criminal groups from China have expanded globally beyond drug trafficking and money laundering.
  2. Chinese criminal groups are involved in poaching, wildlife trafficking, cybercrime, fraud, and people trafficking.
  3. These criminal networks provide various services to the Chinese government and Communist Party, including building networks of corruption and influence.

DOGE and the budget audit of doom

bad cattitude • 462 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. The new players in Washington are determined to shake things up, working outside the old systems to create real change. Expect to see major shifts in government operation due to their influence.
  2. Government agencies are overwhelmed and struggling to maintain control as corruption and inefficiency are exposed. The push for more transparency means many hidden layers of mismanagement could be revealed.
  3. Without accountability for spending, many federal programs and jobs could be cut. The focus will shift to ensuring that taxpayer money is used properly, potentially cleaning up long-standing issues.

A simple test to determine whether you have truly lost your mind (and assess the extent of the reversible damage)

Beck of the Pack • 176 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. The article discusses the importance of being critical of mainstream media and not allowing oneself to be swayed by false narratives.
  2. There is a focus on recognizing the questionable actions and behaviors of powerful individuals, such as politicians and media personalities.
  3. The writer emphasizes the need for readers to stay informed, question information sources, and be aware of potential brainwashing tactics that can influence perceptions.

Former Boudin staffer Ryan Khojasteh and police commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone to challenge SFDA Brooke Jenkins

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Former Boudin staffer Ryan Khojasteh and police commissioner Max Carter-Oberstone plan to challenge SFDA Brooke Jenkins.
  2. There may be a consideration for Joe Alioto Veronese to run for DA again after finishing third in the 2022 race.
  3. DA Brooke Jenkins is facing challengers but has shown effectiveness in reducing crime rates and prosecuting drug dealers.

January 2, 2026

Letters from an American • 23 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor promising a new era where City Hall uses its power to expand opportunity and restore New Deal–style public investments for everyday workers.
  2. One of his first acts was to revoke many executive orders from the previous mayor as a direct anti‑corruption move meant to restore trust in government after high‑profile legal scandals.
  3. Major media and polling signaled trouble for Republicans: reporters flagged signs of aging and health questions about President Trump, and his provocative social posts added to concerns about the party's standing heading into the 2026 midterms.

Weekend Update #143: A Week Which Demonstrates Why Ukraine Is So Important

Phillips’s Newsletter • 169 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption
  1. Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies are facing pressure from the government, which could harm their independence. This move raised concern among the people who value their fight against corruption.
  2. Despite being criticized and feeling let down by their allies, Ukrainians remain determined to protect their democratic values and fight for a European future.
  3. The recent backlash against government decisions shows Ukraine's strong civil society, which is willing to stand up for freedom even during tough times, unlike in many other countries.

Weekend Update #144: The Triumph Of Ukrainian Civil Society (And The Degradation Of Ours)

Phillips’s Newsletter • 158 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics Corruption
  1. Ukrainian civil society is powerful and has shown resilience, especially by opposing government actions that threaten anti-corruption agencies. This unity indicates a strong desire for a better future.
  2. Recent ranged attacks by Ukraine on Russian logistics suggest a more aggressive military strategy, but it's unclear if they can maintain this momentum over time.
  3. Criticism of leaders, like Zelensky, doesn't weaken the democratic efforts in Ukraine; rather, it strengthens them by holding officials accountable and pushing for a transparent government.