The hottest Political Scandals Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Barack Obama Now Squarely in Russiagate Crosshairs

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 14470 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. New documents suggest that Barack Obama played a central role in alleged political sabotage during the Trump election in 2016. This could change how people remember his presidency.
  2. The investigation into the Trump-Russia narrative is shifting focus, with more evidence being pursued that may include actions taken during Biden's time in office.
  3. Tulsi Gabbard's team is gathering information to hold higher officials accountable for their actions, and more releases of related documents are expected soon.

Nearly a Decade Later, the Unmasking Scandal Comes Full Circle

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8638 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Devin Nunes was investigated for looking into potential abuses of surveillance programs during Obama's presidency. Recent findings seem to support his claims.
  2. Documents have surfaced showing that there were efforts within the House Intelligence Committee to unmask names of Trump associates, sparking renewed concerns about surveillance abuse.
  3. There is a sense of optimism among some officials that the issues surrounding the misuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) are being revisited after years of stagnation.

Classified Leaks Back in Focus in Russiagate Investigation

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7751 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Senator Adam Schiff is being investigated for allegedly leaking classified information against former President Trump. A whistleblower has shared that this was discussed in a staff meeting.
  2. These claims have surfaced recently, although investigations have been going on for a long time. The FBI has information about interviews with a staffer who reported these leaks.
  3. The situation is complex, involving various investigations into how classified information was handled. Both the media and Congress have been looking into these leaks for years.

Centrism's Anger Problem

The Ruffian • 215 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Political Scandals
  1. Centrism is an attitude that prizes calm, proportion, competence and evidence-based, practical problem-solving over emotional reactions.
  2. Because centrists avoid strong emotion, they struggle to express or channel public anger and can seem politically impotent when scandals or populist fury take hold.
  3. Focusing on episodic scandals or old revelations can distract from bigger, concrete problems like the economy, housing and public services, and some issues legitimately demand anger.
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Why is Russiagate's Origin Story Redacted?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8352 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. The FBI recently released a document linked to the Russiagate investigation, but most of it was redacted, creating more questions about its content. This redaction raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the FBI.
  2. This investigation into Donald Trump as a possible Russian agent began soon after he fired FBI Director James Comey, which is unusual and raises doubts about the reasons behind the probe. People are questioning what evidence there was to justify this serious investigation.
  3. The idea of someone being 'unwittingly' involved in activities for the Russian government is confusing and has sparked discussions about the validity of such broad investigations. Many experts think these types of probes often lack a solid legal foundation.

Trump’s Spy Chief Alleges a “Treasonous Conspiracy.” Is She Right?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 885 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Tulsi Gabbard, the former director of national intelligence, has accused Barack Obama of being involved in a treasonous conspiracy during Trump's transition to the presidency.
  2. Gabbard claims that high-level officials rushed out a false intelligence assessment about Russia's election interference to damage Trump's reputation even before he took office.
  3. She has called for a Justice Department investigation into these accusations, which, if proven true, could be a major scandal in American history.

The Real Hunter Biden Scandal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2703 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Hunter Biden was pardoned by President Biden, which some see as a sign of favoritism. It raises questions about fairness in the justice system.
  2. There’s a belief among some that certain people have more power and can avoid consequences for their actions. This idea was highlighted by a comment from Congressman Dean Phillips.
  3. The manner in which the pardon was given is unusual, as it happened before Hunter Biden faced any sentencing, unlike past presidential pardons.

Will Democrats Go to Jail for Russiagate? Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 737 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. The Russiagate scandal involved accusations against Trump, but many believe it was based on weak evidence. Some are even suggesting that Obama might have been involved, sparking new debates.
  2. Syria is facing major challenges as its new government is accused of horrific massacres, raising doubts about whether the country can achieve unity and peace.
  3. In France, young wine producers are abandoning their vineyards, leading to a crisis in the wine industry. This abandonment has caused the government to pay winemakers to pull out their vines.

What the Jeffrey Epstein Fight Is Really About. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 769 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. The ongoing debates about Jeffrey Epstein reveal the deep divides in politics, particularly within Trump's base. Many people are still reacting strongly to the Epstein case, which keeps resurfacing in political discussions.
  2. Child sex abuse is a significant issue that often gets overlooked amid the Epstein scandal. It's important to recognize the broader problem of such abuse and the victims involved, rather than just focusing on Epstein himself.
  3. There's a trend in politics that revolves around alliances and conflicts, like between Trump and his supporters. These rifts show how complicated and ever-changing political loyalties can be.

Gabbard’s ‘Bombshell’ and the Real Russiagate Scandal. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 690 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Tulsi Gabbard made serious accusations against Barack Obama, suggesting he was part of a treasonous plot. People are questioning if these claims hold any truth.
  2. There are mixed opinions about the new Russiagate documents that Gabbard discussed, with some seeing them as significant while others view them as unimportant.
  3. Rahm Emanuel is talked about as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, raising questions about his ability to unite the Democratic Party.

Biden’s Hunter Hypocrisy, What’s Happening in Syria, and More

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2230 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father, President Biden, despite earlier claims that such a pardon would not happen. This has raised questions about honesty and the use of presidential powers.
  2. The situation in Syria is escalating, with rebel groups challenging the government's authority, which adds to the existing tensions in the Middle East.
  3. Many people struggle with smartphone addiction, as shown by an artist who quit her phone to regain control over her life and live in the moment.

Why Russiagate Is the Scandal That Shouldn’t Go Away

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 626 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. There's a belief that Donald Trump was a Russian asset during his presidency, but many argue this narrative seems ridiculous now. Trump's actions often went against what Russia wanted, like supporting Ukraine and criticizing Putin.
  2. Russiagate had a huge impact on politics and media for years, leading many to distrust the elite and the establishment. This situation has fueled a rise in populism across all political sides.
  3. New information from Tulsi Gabbard hints that the idea of Trump as a Russian asset may have come from the top levels of the Democratic Party and the government, showing how deep these narratives can go.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: Six Ways of Seeing a Scandal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. There are different views on the Trump and Epstein situation, showing tensions within Trump's supporters. It raises questions about loyalty and the reasons behind the divide.
  2. A recent story reveals a person who pretended to be a different race to get published, highlighting issues in the literary world. This raises discussions about authenticity and identity.
  3. NPR is losing funding because it has become more politically biased, which has impacted its relationship with the audience. It used to offer diverse programming that appealed to a broader range of people.

Singal vs. Singal: Anthony Weiner And Sex Addiction

Singal-Minded • 465 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Sex addiction isn't clearly defined and can sometimes excuse bad behavior. It's important to consider personal responsibility instead of labeling someone as a sex addict.
  2. The conversation around sexual behavior should be more complex, looking at emotional and psychological factors, rather than simplifying it to an addiction.
  3. There is a lot of confusion online about sex and porn addiction, and not every issue comes from a place of addiction. It's key to differentiate between normal behaviors and harmful actions.

The Real Truth Behind The Epstein Files

OK Doomer • 469 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Many believe we already know enough about the Epstein case, as there is a lot of evidence showing the powerful can escape real justice.
  2. People often get distracted by the Epstein files because it takes attention away from the abuse happening around them in everyday life.
  3. The fixation on this case can lead to a false sense of accountability, allowing powerful individuals to hide while society continues to grapple with their actions.

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 Political Scandals
  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.

assessing epstein

bad cattitude • 251 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Many people believe that Jeffrey Epstein had connections to powerful figures and that his death was suspicious. Some think these connections helped him avoid serious legal consequences.
  2. There are claims that key evidence related to Epstein, like videos and lists of people involved in his activities, has disappeared or never existed. This leads to doubts about transparency and trust in institutions.
  3. Some argue that if there really is evidence against powerful people, it should be made public for accountability. Keeping things hidden raises questions about whether those in power are compromised by their actions.

Don't mess with the Zohran

Philosophy bear • 214 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. A person named Zohran is being accused of misrepresenting his race to get into Columbia University. He marked himself as 'Black or African American' on his application because he grew up in Africa.
  2. While he made a questionable choice about his race, there isn't strong evidence that he intentionally lied. Many people pick options they think will help them, especially in competitive situations like college admissions.
  3. The issue has been made more complicated because the information about his application was leaked in a shady way. This raises questions about whether it's right to judge someone based on information that isn't ethically obtained.

What is Steve Bannon hiding about Jeffrey Epstein?

Michael Tracey • 161 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Steve Bannon has over 15 hours of interviews with Jeffrey Epstein that he hasn’t released. This footage could reveal important information about Epstein's life and activities.
  2. Bannon has been silent about why he won't share this footage, even though he often talks to journalists. People are curious about what he's hiding.
  3. The interviews included discussions about Epstein's relationships with powerful figures, including Donald Trump, which makes the content even more relevant and intriguing.

being honest about dishonesty

bad cattitude • 203 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Dishonesty in academia has become a major issue, especially in progressive studies. Many researchers manipulate data to fit their narratives rather than focusing on truthful outcomes.
  2. There is a conflict between facts and the narratives some groups promote. This often leads to the suppression of real data to support specific ideologies or agendas.
  3. It’s important to question the integrity of studies that align closely with political beliefs. If researchers prioritize their ideologies over honest research, it can damage the credibility of science.

Epstein

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 141 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. Discussing Jeffrey Epstein is tricky because it can sound absurd and upset people. It's a complex topic that many have strong opinions about.
  2. Epstein was definitely a criminal, but the stories that tie him to major political issues are often too vague and not well-supported.
  3. The writer thinks that the claims about hidden truths regarding Epstein and the government aren’t as believable as they seem. Some stories don’t hold up well under close scrutiny.

Here, Kitty!

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 147 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. There's a lot of drama happening among MAGA supporters, especially regarding conspiracy theories and scandals involving their leaders. It's like a catfight over who can believe the wildest stories.
  2. Some MAGA followers are frustrated by claims that there isn't a list of Epstein's clients, feeling it's a major betrayal of their beliefs. It's like they're being told to ignore big stories they think should matter.
  3. Amidst all the scandals, there's a sense that distractions will keep coming, and supporters are expected to just go along with it. It's like a never-ending cycle of controversy that they can't escape.

Under Trump, the CIA is still covering up its Russiagate fraud

Aaron Mate • 143 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Scandals
  1. A CIA review found that the intelligence community, during Trump’s presidency, had flaws in its 2017 report about Russian interference in the 2016 election. However, they did not challenge the main claim that Russia influenced the election.
  2. Investigations into Russiagate by the Trump administration often did not hold accountable the key figures involved or address the origins of the allegations. Many important documents remain hidden, preventing full accountability.
  3. The controversy surrounding Russiagate not only affected Trump's presidency but also had lasting impacts on U.S. foreign policy, particularly its relationship with Russia and the situation in Ukraine.