The hottest Scandals Substack posts right now

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

You Can’t Groom an Adult

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 806 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. A woman publicly accused Daniel Biss of being a groomer, saying they had an inappropriate relationship when she was a 20-year-old undergraduate and he was 26.
  2. The piece stresses that the alleged relationship did not involve a minor, coercion, rape, or even sexual intercourse, suggesting it falls short of the worst forms of abuse usually associated with grooming.
  3. Because the claim surfaced just after Biss won a high-profile primary and the accuser has political ties, the allegation looks like it could be an opportunistic political hit rather than a clear-cut ethical or legal violation.

Lara Logan Did Nothing Wrong (Classic Takes)

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 3194 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Lara Logan has faced criticism from mainstream media for discussing ideas that some believe are now widely accepted as true. It's argued that certain significant scandals were initially dismissed as conspiracy theories.
  2. She emphasizes traditional values like sovereignty, national identity, and family as important aspects of society. Logan suggests that current challenges, like open borders, are linked to broader negative influences.
  3. There is a belief that influential figures and organizations are trying to shape the world in troubling ways. Logan expresses a strong conviction that these efforts will ultimately fail.

Will a Nazi Tattoo Cost Democrats the Senate?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 556 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Many Democrats and progressives are backing Graham Platner because they think he can win, even though he has been linked to a Nazi tattoo.
  2. Supporters are downplaying or ignoring his faux working-class background and his brushes with bigots to focus on flipping a Senate seat.
  3. Prioritizing electability over character concerns could hurt Democratic credibility and might backfire politically down the road.

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Bondi

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4490 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The hearing was dominated by Jeffrey Epstein disclosures, which pushed aside other important Department of Justice topics like the 2016 election and phone surveillance.
  2. The session was chaotic and loud, with repeated shouting matches and heated exchanges that stretched past four hours.
  3. Lawmakers accused the attorney general of partisan behavior, saying she was conciliatory with Republicans but combative with Democrats — a 'Jekyll and Hyde' routine.

Did You Hear About the Senator Who Did Something Sketchy?

The Critical Thinker • 119 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Language can be used to hide the truth or twist a story. It's important to question how things are said, not just what is said.
  2. There are specific ways language can be manipulated, like using the passive voice or euphemisms. These tricks make it hard to see who is really responsible for actions.
  3. When reading news or hearing reports, always think critically. Ask yourself if the wording is making you feel a certain way or if it’s covering up something important.
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Cooking Cowgirl Kristi

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 395 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Kristi Noem was an unusually flashy and controversial DHS secretary whose self-promotion and ethical missteps made her an easy target and led to her firing.
  2. MAGA supporters and leaders often turn on their own underlings, using them as scapegoats while avoiding direct criticism of the top leadership.
  3. The real problem is the leader’s corruption setting the tone for the movement, which fuels policy failures, internal infighting, and ongoing chaos.

The Jeffrey Epstein Saga is the Worst-Reported Story of All Time

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5063 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. News coverage of the Epstein case is deeply flawed and often prints easily debunked claims. That bad reporting has helped fuel conspiracy theories embraced across the political spectrum.
  2. Reporters frequently leave out inconvenient facts—like questionable witness claims, legal details, and weak evidence—and instead amplify sensational, unproven allegations. This creates a false narrative that overstates connections to famous people and intelligence services.
  3. The release of more documents will trigger fresh media frenzy and political spin, but the records are unlikely to prove the most dramatic conspiracies. Even if evidence is thin, the myth is likely to persist and be remembered as a lasting false legend.

Could Republicans blow the Texas Senate race?

Silver Bulletin • 473 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The Texas Republican primary is tilting toward Ken Paxton, a MAGA-aligned, scandal-plagued candidate who leads recent polls and looks likely to make the runoff.
  2. John Cornyn is underperforming despite huge establishment backing and massive spending, so he could miss the runoff or enter the general election weakened.
  3. Candidate quality still matters: nominating a controversial Republican like Paxton could make an otherwise GOP-favored Texas Senate race noticeably more competitive for Democrats, especially if Democrats pick a crossover-friendly nominee.

No Doubt Left: Russiagate Was a Cover-Up

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 14693 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Russiagate started as a distraction for Hillary Clinton to deflect attention from her email scandal. It became a big story that connected Donald Trump to Russia.
  2. Instead of investigating the supposed claims about Trump, intelligence agencies like the FBI and CIA ended up promoting the narrative, which was seen as a cover-up.
  3. The entire situation showed a failure in the political and media systems, where many people got involved in spreading unverified information without confirming its truth.

The Epstein Saga: Rod Dreher, Nellie Bowles, and Robby Soave on the Files and the Fallout. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 500 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The huge release of Epstein files has kept his crimes and elite connections at the center of public life, and how people interpret those documents can fuel widespread anger, conspiracy, or calls for major social change.
  2. Dumping millions of unvetted pages and media risks dragging innocent people into the scandal and exposing victims, creating a dangerous precedent where gossip and unverified claims spread with real consequences.
  3. The fallout reaches beyond the files themselves — journalists face scrutiny for past contacts, and the episode ties into larger debates about accountability, institutional trust, AI-powered watchdogs, and politicization of public institutions.

TGIF: Piddly, Stupid Stuff

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1905 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. U.S. forces reportedly struck an alleged Venezuelan drug boat and then hit survivors clinging to the wreckage, and a defense official saying he wasn’t present and calling it ‘the fog of war’ has raised questions about accountability.
  2. The United States Institute of Peace was renamed for Donald Trump, a move that comes off as self-aggrandizing and invites comparisons to past presidential honors.
  3. A weekly news roundup mixes snarky coverage of both trivial and serious stories—celebrity spats, tech vs. human driving, campus disability trends—and has added a new advice column called Tough Love.

The Price of Lies

Bulwark+ • 7999 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Individuals and organizations face high costs for spreading lies and defamation.
  2. Political decisions are often driven by cynicism instead of addressing urgent issues.
  3. Trump's financial challenges may have significant implications, despite his net worth.

At Last: John Brennan and James Comey Under Criminal Investigation for Russiagate

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7996 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. John Brennan and James Comey are under criminal investigation for their roles in the Russiagate allegations. This could lead to serious consequences for these high-ranking officials.
  2. The investigation will focus on whether Brennan and Comey committed perjury or conspiracy during their assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 election. This means they might have lied about what they knew.
  3. There's concern that the investigations may not be tough enough, as some important documents remain classified. Still, many believe there is strong evidence against both individuals.

The MAGA Crack-up. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 482 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The MAGA coalition is fracturing as internal fights among high-profile figures are reshaping the movement. That split makes Trump look powerful abroad but more contested and weaker at home.
  2. Britain’s fertility rate has dropped to a record low and births may soon be outnumbered by deaths, risking population shrinkage without immigration. This decline points to deep social and economic shifts influencing family decisions.
  3. A meme cryptocurrency tied to Eric Adams raised millions and then saw a $2.5 million withdrawal, suggesting a likely rug pull and highlighting how easily crypto can become political spectacle or scam. The episode underscores the real risks in novelty political fundraising via tokenized assets.

Moms for partying

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3793 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Partying has played a significant role in many people's lives with alcohol, drugs, and music.
  2. Recent scandals involving high-profile figures in the parental rights movement highlight the hypocrisy of some right-wing conservatives.
  3. The intersection of politics and morality can create uncomfortable situations and reveal hypocrisy.

Bill Clinton’s Epstein Problem—and America’s. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 607 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The DOJ's release of Epstein-related photos and documents has renewed intense scrutiny of powerful figures, especially Bill Clinton. It highlights how public pressure and politics can drive disclosure even when no criminal charges are filed.
  2. A major lawsuit claims social media companies knowingly helped create a youth mental-health crisis, likening their behavior to Big Tobacco and using internal documents as evidence. If the case succeeds, it could trigger big legal and regulatory changes for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
  3. Beyond those headlines, the news reflects wider cultural and policy shifts—from critiques of institutional failures after the Brown University shooting to debates about identity and fast-moving changes like federal marijuana rescheduling. These stories show growing tensions over public safety, social norms, and political priorities.

Jeffrey Epstein Was Obsessed With My Tweets Just Before His Death—And Now I Know Why

Proof • 125 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Newly released Epstein Files show that, in the weeks before his arrest and death, Jeffrey Epstein was obsessively focused on the thesis behind the 2019 book Proof of Conspiracy and on related tweets.
  2. The files reveal a surprising explanation for why he fixated on that thesis.
  3. The release includes alleged secret videos tied to Steve Bannon and other materials that hint at wider connections related to these revelations.

Two Drinks with. . . the College Football Booster Who Paid the Players

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 227 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Scandals
  1. Nevin Shapiro secretly paid and lavishly supported Miami football players with money, parties, trips, and other perks, directly breaking NCAA rules.
  2. He views himself as a pioneer whose actions foreshadowed later legal changes that let college players earn money from endorsements and compensation.
  3. He avoided detection for a long time, and now with Miami succeeding and players getting paid, he’s speaking openly about his role.

So I See I Am Quoted in the "New York Times"...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 376 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Scandals
  1. A prominent economist argued in the 2010s that with very low interest rates governments should spend to put people to work, and that ideas like secular stagnation and functional finance are relevant again; following those ideas could have improved economic outcomes.
  2. Fast, deep thinking and active engagement from a single trusted expert can strengthen public debate and left-of-center policy arguments, and losing such a voice would make collective reasoning weaker.
  3. Personal misconduct is serious and can rightly harm a reputation, but people have varied failure modes and friends have a role in holding them accountable while helping them become better contributors.

Of Secret Tunnels and Fake Lists

donaldjeffries • 1572 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. There are allegations of a secret tunnel under a synagogue in New York, sparking conspiracy theories and concerns about child abuse.
  2. The discovery of the tunnels has led to speculation and questions about what was happening down there, including the presence of high chairs and stained mattresses.
  3. The reactions to the tunnel discovery raise issues about religious privilege and how different scenarios involving different religious groups might be perceived and treated by the public and media.

Transcript - America This Week, Jul 25, 2025: "The Unified Field Theory of American Corruption"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1152 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. New evidence has surfaced that reveals hidden links between major American scandals, pointing to the importance of transparency in understanding corruption.
  2. The media has shown a pattern of attacking candidates like Tulsi Gabbard, often with little evidence, influenced by political agendas.
  3. There seems to be a growing awareness and demand for accountability regarding misinformation and manipulation in political discourse.

Lolitas and A-Listers on Epstein's Fantasy Island

donaldjeffries • 1415 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The imminent release of the list containing prominent names who flew on Jeffrey Epstein's 'Lolita Express' has caused a stir.
  2. Many big names in entertainment, including female celebrities, have been linked to Epstein's activities.
  3. The Epstein scandal raises questions about accountability and the power dynamics that shield the elite from justice.

KD Burner Gate

House of Strauss • 31 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Scandals
  1. Leaked messages tied to a Kevin Durant burner account reportedly insulted teammates and other high-profile figures, sparking a public scandal.
  2. Durant seems to favor being candid and keeping only a slight buffer between his private thoughts and the public, rather than strict secrecy.
  3. Media and NBA insiders reacted strongly and assume there’s some truth to the leaks, which raises awkward questions about team chemistry and trust.

Biden's Autopens Are a Distraction from the Real Scandal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 964 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Biden used an autopen to sign many pardons, which has sparked a lot of debate. Some people think the focus on the autopen is missing the bigger issues.
  2. He issued a record number of pardons, including some for family and friends, which many view as controversial. Notably, he granted a preemptive pardon to his son, Hunter Biden.
  3. Critics say Biden's actions raise questions about fairness and the justice system, especially since he pardoned some serious offenders. This has led to a lot of discussion about the appropriateness of his decisions.

Transcript - America This Week, Feb 7, 2025: "The Big Store: Politico, USAID, and Managed Reality."

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1375 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Mainstream media often receives significant funding from government contracts, which raises questions about their independence. It's hard to believe they can remain unbiased when they rely on such large amounts of money from the government.
  2. The money that media companies like Politico take from government sources can be seen as a form of corruption. This compromises their credibility when they report on issues like election integrity.
  3. Critics argue that publications that heavily report on political scandals should be held to high ethical standards. If they engage in questionable practices while accusing others of corruption, it undermines their trustworthiness.

The Gaetz of Hell

Discourse Blog • 963 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The House of Representatives voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker, making him the shortest-serving speaker in almost 150 years.
  2. Matt Gaetz is known as a fascist and a total scumbag within the GOP House caucus.
  3. Gaetz is seen as an unrepentant, shameless individual with no real beliefs or higher purpose.

Election Countdown, 20 Days to Go: Eyes Wide Open as We Near the End.

Breaking the News • 1115 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The economy is doing really well, which usually benefits the party in power. Strong economies often lead to successful elections for the candidates of the ruling party.
  2. There aren’t any major scandals surrounding the Democrats, unlike the troubles facing Trump. This gives the Democrats a cleaner slate going into the election.
  3. Despite positive factors for Democrats, polls show the election is still close. This leaves uncertainty about the outcome, as historical trends may not predict this race accurately.

Plans

FOIA Around And Find Out • 569 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. The author is resuming investigative work after a period of introspection.
  2. New FOIA requests are being submitted and funding is being secured for litigation.
  3. Despite disappointment with the Durham report, the author is determined to continue pursuing leads related to the DNC hack and related scandals.

So Long, Tucker.

SHERO • 550 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Fox News abruptly fired Tucker Carlson, its highest rated news host, possibly due to the Dominion settlement and associated costs.
  2. The decision to let go of Tucker Carlson was likely a result of weighing the risks and benefits, indicating calculated corporate decision-making.
  3. Tucker Carlson's pattern of lying, even about minor details, may have led to his dismissal from Fox News.

Sunday Strip: The Limited Hangout

Who is Robert Malone • 34 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Congress inserted broad redaction powers into law, which lets the government conceal potentially compromising involvement and allows politicians to avoid accountability for their role in that setup.
  2. Pride symbols and rainbow imagery are being placed in child-focused spaces like cartoons and events, and the piece claims this is intentional marketing aimed at attracting or grooming children.
  3. Many politicians are accused of hypocrisy for creating the redaction rules that protect their allies while later blaming others like the DOJ when those protections are used.

How the Sadistic Sex Games Trump and Epstein Played During a Seventeen-Year Friendship—As Told By Epstein Himself—Reveal the Epstein Secrets Trump Is Hiding

Proof • 141 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Trump and Epstein had a long friendship that reportedly involved disturbing sexual activities. This relationship raises serious concerns about Trump's character.
  2. Epstein's accounts suggest that there are deep secrets about Trump that he might be hiding. These revelations could have significant implications.
  3. The information presented is based on eyewitness accounts and brings to light troubling aspects of their friendship, highlighting the need for critical examination.

The Top Ten Most Incriminating Elements of the Newly Released 2003 Trump-Epstein Communication—Which Clearly Reads As Being About Pedophilia

Proof • 109 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. There are strong claims about a 2003 communication between Trump and Epstein that suggests serious misconduct. This is being referred to as a significant piece of evidence.
  2. The content of these communications is alleged to indicate inappropriate behavior involving minors. This has raised many eyebrows and concerns.
  3. Trump's responses to these allegations have been described as extreme, which some people interpret as attempts to hide the truth.

How we discovered Fauci's secret $15 million taxpayer-funded security detail

The Dossier • 341 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Dr. Fauci has received a $15 million security detail funded by taxpayers even after leaving his government job. This detail provided him with constant protection, which is unusual for someone who is no longer in office.
  2. The details about this security arrangement were hidden for a long time, and it took over a year of work to uncover this information. It highlights the challenges involved in obtaining transparency from government agencies.
  3. Many Americans are upset about the misuse of taxpayer funds for Fauci's security while others, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were denied similar protections. This has sparked calls for more accountability regarding how public money is spent.

Qatar-Gate

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Qatar spent a lot of money, about $200 billion, to host the World Cup, but it is also facing serious allegations of corruption and human rights violations. This has made them look bad despite their efforts to gain global attention.
  2. The Emir of Qatar runs a wealthy nation that has significant influence because of its natural gas and oil reserves. However, it operates more like a dictatorship without democracy or a free press.
  3. Recent scandals involving FIFA and the European Parliament have raised questions about Qatar's practices in lobbying and bribery. This is affecting their international reputation and causing investigations into their financial dealings.

Where's Dwayne Jones?

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 117 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. Dwayne Jones has been notably absent from the corruption trial of former SFPUC boss Harlan Kelly due to his involvement in Community Benefits programs.
  2. Jones has a history of questionable actions, including involvement in bid rigging scandals, connections to multiple mayors, and receiving millions in contracts.
  3. Despite scrutiny and controversies, Jones continues to receive lucrative contracts from agencies like SFPUC and the San Francisco Port Commission.

O Shocks

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 51 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. We're living in a time of big surprises that challenge what we believe to be true. These 'O Shocks' make many people rethink their understanding of reality.
  2. Many major news stories and scandals seem to disappear just as quickly as they appear. This creates confusion about what is really happening behind the scenes in our governments and institutions.
  3. Recent events show that things we thought were settled, like scientific truths and political narratives, are being questioned. This can make it hard for people to trust what they know.

EXCLUSIVE: Existence of a Secret, Hours-Long Eve-of-Iran War White House War Council Revealed—and It Was the Agents of Trump’s Business Partners Who Attended

Proof • 56 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals
  1. A secret meeting took place at the White House before the Iran War, which involved people connected to Trump's business partners. This raises many questions about their influence in politics.
  2. The report about this meeting was downplayed by CNN, making it seem less important than it actually is. This could be a big deal in understanding possible scandals in the administration.
  3. There are concerns about how these business connections might impact government decisions, especially regarding war and foreign policy. It highlights the need for transparency in political actions.