Liz Skalka

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money. Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money.

And if his name sounds familiar, it's because Aaron Parnas is the son of Lev Parnas, who was implicated in Trump's first impeachment as Giuliani's Ukraine fixer. Lev Parnas is an anti-Trumper now with his own Substack
www.cjr.org/feature/aaro...

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money. Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money.

Parnas was cited in reporting by @taylorlorenz.bsky.social for @wired.com about a paid mentorship program funded by a liberal super PAC. Lorenz obtained documents that stipulated the creators could not discuss the program and were encouraged to push Dem talking points
www.cjr.org/feature/aaro...

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money. Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money.

Parnas has a bigger reach on social media than most, if not all, legacy media organizations, whose reporting and scoops he's accused of aggregating to build his own platform, at a time when trust in the media writ large is at historic lows
www.cjr.org/feature/aaro...

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money. Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money.

Aaron Parnas debuted on TikTok posting about pizza toppings and hair loss. Now, at 26, he's pivoted into journalism, landing interviews with leading Dems and becoming one of Substack's most popular creators—while accepting dark money. New @columjournreview.bsky.social
www.cjr.org/feature/aaro...

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money. Aaron Parnas, a twenty-six-year-old with a larger TikTok audience than some mainstream outlets and the most popular “news” Substack, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money.

Aaron Parnas, the top “news” Substacker, is making his own journalism rules—and taking dark money, by @lizskalka.bsky.social. www.cjr.org/feature/aaro...

Can ‘Ohio’s Anthony Fauci’ Stage a Political Comeback? Amy Acton oversaw public health for Ohio during Covid. Can she become governor?

Can ‘Ohio’s Anthony Fauci’ Stage a Political Comeback? politico.com/news/magazin... Great feature by @lizskalka.bsky.social on Amy Acton, the politician whose campaign is inherently forcing voters to remember life during the early days of the pandemic

Musk’s Cabinet Cameo: The Elephant in the Room Wore Black At the first cabinet meeting of his second term, President Trump asked Elon Musk to speak first. The man tasked with slashing the federal government spoke far more than anyone else, other than Mr. Tru...

“I actually just call myself a humble tech support,” the world’s richest man said, chuckling at this little bit of modesty. A few cabinet secretaries laughed along politely.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/u...

This Is What Happens When the DOGE Guys Take Over Inside the federal agencies where Elon Musk’s people have seized control, fear and uncertainty reign.

“The contractor had placed her government laptop in her closet at home, underneath a pile of clothes, in case DOGE was using it to listen to her private conversations. She said other colleagues had discussed stowing their laptop in their refrigerator.”
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

If Trump Succeeds, This Man May Be Why James Braid, Trump’s liaison to Capitol Hill, isn’t a household name. But the fate of the MAGA legislative agenda could be in his hands.

"Our role across the administration, but most especially in legislative affairs, is to be faithful stewards and implementers of that vision, not to contain or otherwise try to ameliorate what he’s trying to accomplish."
www.notus.org/james-braid-...

There's on a bomb on a laptop. Once it produces 2000 words/day, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 2000 words/day, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?

That's why I write.

DEI disaster doom loop

JUST IN: Another medical horror story in an affidavit from a USAID employee stationed overseas. Says his pregnant wife was not medevac-ed for emergency health care because of directives from DC. Took intervention of a U.S. senator to reverse — but was too late. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25...

Trump administration fires thousands for ‘performance’ without evidence, in messy rush Many probationary employees targeted in latest Trump cuts across agencies had excellent ratings; legal challenges are expected.

“The termination letters all struck the same note: Probationary workers were getting the ax for poor job performance. But many of those fired had just received positive reviews, or had not worked in the government long enough to receive even a single rating.”
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

People not too chicken to have (or rent) backyard chickens Hatching your own eggs? We break down the ROI.

Cost of owning backyard chickens: $500 for coop, $20 for food + emotional toll of cleaning chicken poop
www.axios.com/2025/02/15/e...

Introducing our HuffPosters Starter Pack! These are the HuffPost reporters and editors you need to follow 👇 go.bsky.app/QXcvrBR

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana becomes first state to completely ban TikTok; law expected to become litmus test for rest of United States.

👋🏾 This is our official page! — @huffpost.bsky.social