Senior reporter at The Bulwark. Email: sommer - at- thebulwark.com. Signal: willsommer.38
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Facing millions in legal bills, Candace Owens is asking Trump to save her from Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron's lawsuit over the trans Brigitte conspiracy theory. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com is here! www.thebulwark.com/p/candace-ow...
Two MAGA influencers held a late-night brawl in a gravel lot, and the consequences have echoed through TPUSA for months. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-brawl-...
MAGA has a new hero: a whistleblower who claims she saw Bill Barr frame Trump for election fraud in 2020. But she's also an accused fraudster on an epic scale, on the run from the FBI, and stole pictures of a baby to make it look like her own. @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/flimsy-mag...
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer had a disastrous deposition in her lawsuit against HBO's Bill Maher. Among the mishaps: Loomer tries to evade a question by claiming MTG keeps Arby's sandwiches in her pants. www.thebulwark.com/p/laura-loom...
Tucker Carlson is getting pummeled by Nick Fuentes and his groyper army. Has Tucker lost his touch with the right's angry young men? My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/infamous-g...
With Laura Loomer's influence at an all-time high, her critics on the right say her moves suspiciously align with the interests of a pharma company whose new drug has been linked to acute liver failure. My latest False Flag for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-dieha...
Candace Owens is facing a serious lawsuit from Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. I talked with libel experts about Owens's chances—they say it's not looking good. Also: Owens claims Trump begged her to stop talking about the story. The WH weighs in: www.thebulwark.com/p/candace-ow...
Dan Bongino's overwrought attempt to hype up Trump's Russiagate distraction appears to have backfired, convincing QAnon believers that the administration is about to bust a pedophile cabal. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/dan-bongin...
There's a good moment in this new WSJ profile of Tim Pool where Pool complains that the Justice Dept exposed Russia's $100k-per-video payments to him. He then proceeds to gamble away $200 at lunch. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Will Trump ever get out of his Jeffrey Epstein mess? Will the president pardon Ghislaine Maxwell? I'm discussing Trump's myriad Epstein problems today at 1:30 ET with @thebulwark.com members. substack.com/chat/87281
This is grotesque. A civil society group effectively being destroyed utterly meritless litigation because of expression that antagonized a politically-connected billionaire. Who ludicrously claims to be a champion of free speech.
As Trump's DOJ meets with Ghislaine Maxwell, Trump's right-wing media allies are preparing for the unthinkable: teaming up with a convicted sex-trafficker to save Trump. MAGA's "Free Ghislaine" campaign is already underway. My latest for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-inche...
Trump is dangling the prospect of an Obama arrest to get past his Jeffrey Epstein problems. But so far, his followers don't seem to be buying it. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-big-...
Steve Bannon, who claims to be very interested in uncovering the truth about Jeffrey Epstein, has 15 hours of filmed interviews with Epstein himself. Why won't he release them? www.mtracey.net/p/what-is-st...
A new sign of trouble at Bari Weiss's University of Austin—Larry Summers resigns from advisory board over the university's direction.
Why can't Trump get past Jeffrey Epstein? More importantly: why can't his base? I talked with @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social about it on this new episode of The Ezra Klein Show. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/o...
The Epstein battle lines have been drawn! A look at MAGA's five factions in the Epstein civil war. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/five-maga-...
A MAGA investment company promoted by right-wing media stars like Hugh Hewitt and Erick Erickson has collapsed, leaving fans wondering if they've been scammed. One conservative says he put in $450K. My False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/another-bl...
Why did Trump close the Jeffrey Epstein investigation so abruptly? I talked with Epstein expert @tarapalmeri.bsky.social for the @thebulwark.com. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvB0...
New MAGA rationale for Epstein case shutdown: the client list names are so powerful that prosecution would mean global chaos, so Trump decided to let them get away with it. This idea emerged on Tim Pool last night, and several panelists (though not Tim) supported Trump doing so.
MAGA is melting down over the Justice Dept's new Epstein memo—with all eyes on AG Pam Bondi's claim that she had the now apparently nonexistent client list on her desk. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-world...
What happened in the intervening four months between this Bondi statement and the DOJ report on Epstein?
Trumpworld is going wild over a new FBI report that supposedly proves China stole the 2020 election. But I read the report, and it turns out the source of their evidence is significantly crazier than they claim. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/youll-neve...
"Anyone who demands that a masked ICE agent show identification might be made to fit this description. As could anyone standing within 50 feet of the word 'Communist.'" Yes, they can take your citizenship. Today's Triad from @jvl.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/can-trump-...
The leaders of an alleged female “orgasm cult” facing 20 years in federal prison are cozying up to MAGA media figures like Dr. Phil, in an apparent bid for a pardon from Trump. My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/orgasm-cul...
RFK Jr.'s push for every American to wear a fitness "wearable" by 2029 has infuriated his MAHA fans. And this time, they've got a good point! My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maha-fury-...
Future CBS owner David Ellison has been eying a role for Bari Weiss at CBS News, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social reports, potentially as a "60 Minutes" correspondent. (Paywall) www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
The Iran bombing put the MAGA doves in a tough place, with most deciding to get into the war bloodlust anyway. Cleverly, a pair of pro-Trump twins claimed that they both supported the war AND opposed it. My False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-doves...
Very kind thank you!
Trump's new focus on "remigration"—an idea borrowed from the European ultra-right that means forcing non-white people, even legal citizens, out of the country—portends something sinister. I discuss with @gregsargent.bsky.social on the Daily Blast podcast: newrepublic.com/article/1968...
Essential point in this exchange with @willsommer.bsky.social: Trump-Miller have to target noncriminals for deportation because it's the only way to get the numbers they need to try for "full-scale ethnic change." Terror is central to this. Will is very good here: newrepublic.com/article/1968...
Those boys would never get mixed up in something like this! Too pure!
The neo-Nazi crypto community has been torn apart by drama. At issue: an extremist who frequently hosted Kash Patel on his show, and now stands accused of ripping off his best Nazi buddy with a memecoin. My False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com is here: www.thebulwark.com/p/they-did-n...
This Saturday holds the potential to create enough gravitational pull that seeing the future beyond it becomes impossible. www.thebulwark.com/p/kent-state...
After the LA immigration crackdown, white nationalist Nick Fuentes says his groypers have defeated Charlie Kirk and their other foes in the GOP. He’s right. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-gr...
Big development in the state of American men: Oliver Anthony of "Rich Men North of Richmond" fame has released a divorce anthem about his ex-wife getting 50% of his money. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DH6...
Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in LA is driven by a social media feedback loop with the MAGA faithful, with each side pushing each other to go further. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-viciou...
I went on the Mission Implausible podcast to talk with @johnsipher.bsky.social and Jerry O'Shea. I think it's an interesting episode, check it out! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
MAGA world has been rocked by allegations that registering the Amish wasn't that important after all. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-world...
Bluesky, it’s all happening here!
This @vanityfair.com investigation of RFK lieutenant Calley Means is a must-read, and includes compelling evidence that his claim to fame as a Coca-Cola whistleblower is totally made up. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/c...
Thank you, appreciate you checking it out!
The defamation trial of MyPillow's Mike Lindell started today—and he says he's going to testify. I talked to the pillow maestro himself for this week's False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/mike-linde...
The @newyorker.com has a great new profile of fascist ideologue Curtis Yarvin / Mencius Moldbug, who's been praised by JD Vance. Yarvin insisted on wearing a bike helmet in college classes, and was dubbed "helmet-head" by his classmates. And it gets crazier! www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Trump is on a pardon spree. But there's one MAGA hero he can't get out of prison—and it's driving Trump's supporters nuts. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-can-...
WATCH: @samsteindc.bsky.social and @willsommer.bsky.social react to Elon Musk trashing Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
It's definitely an evocative name!
Right-wing operative James O'Keefe is out with a self-pitying documentary about how much his employees hated him. O'Keefe illustrates his apology with a picture of John the Baptist getting his head cut off (2nd newsletter item). @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/maha-disar...
More trouble in MAHA land? A top anti-vaccine RFK Jr. lieutenant is quitting the MAHA organization, saying he wants to be able to criticize RFK and the Trump administration. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/maha-disar...
I'm on this week's episode of @onthemedia.bsky.social talking about the MAGA backlash to the FBI, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
He was accused of stealing a pregnant woman's sandwich.
Conspiracy theorists on the right believe world elites are preparing bunkers for an apocalyptic "geophysical event," thanks to a big boost from Tucker Carlson. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/are-you-pr...
Some of y’all noticed I’ve been uncharacteristically offline. This is why, and I remain on leave for a few weeks to handle a PTSD relapse. CJR was dogged in its pursuit of my story. Because of what I do and who I am, I felt that I had to answer their questions honestly. www.cjr.org/feature-2/we...
I'm doing an AMA. Come hang. www.reddit.com/r/thebulwark...
Disturbing story about star journalist Wesley Lowery here. bsky.app/profile/colu...
This is a real image from the new James O'Keefe "documentary."
"Instead of being given... trust from the conspiracists, Bongino is now being treated as a 'deep state traitor' for telling them that the wild theories he used to preach... aren’t true." @willsommer.bsky.social on conspiracy-theory arsonists who are trying—and failing—to put out fires they started.
Conspiracy theories are driving Trumpworld, from its appointments to the furious MAGA backlash to Dan Bongino. My latest False Flag for @thebulwark.com members: www.thebulwark.com/p/real-reaso...
The White House is threatening a federal investigation into Business Insider and Politico—all because of an article comparing Donald Trump Jr. to Hunter Biden. My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-whit...
The Trump administration says they're screening new immigrants for antisemitic statements on social media. That rule apply doesn't apply to one of the much-feted white Afrikaner refugees, who has plenty of negative ideas about Jews. www.thebulwark.com/p/an-afrikan...
Laura Loomer has never been more influential. But critics charge her influence is up for sale to the highest bidder, especially after she developed a sudden interest in Venezuelan oil law. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/is-laura-l...
The fallout from a MAGA party that's been compared to the "Fyre Festival" is roiling Washington, resulting in police reports and costing a Daily Caller reporter his job. There was also a breakdancing puppet. My latest newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-world...
Kari Lake announced that Voice of America will carry news content from the right-wing One America News Network. VOA staffers are outraged and said this violates the government-funded news broadcaster's congressional mandate. My latest for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
Big things cooking at @thebulwark.com, happy to be here! www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
It’s real!
Some wisdom from the MAHA movement.
Leading pro-Trump figures are embracing a woman who called a black child the n-word, saying she's a hero against cancel culture. So far, she's raised more than $600K. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/she-called...
SCOOP: Two Democratic aides and a lawmaker told @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has discouraged further member excursions to El Salvador
Michael Flynn was a hero to MAGA conspiracy theorists. But now, his family is the target of a conspiracy theory. www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-premi...
Pete Hegseth's Pentagon bumbling is tearing pro-Trump media apart. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-media...
“If you buy that Caldwell was a leaker, that means the America First movement had a mole at its heart—and that Hegseth was oblivious. Carlson’s version suggests Hegseth is being manipulated into axing his closest advisers by entrenched groups pushing for a war.” www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-media...
The Bongino stuff is my favorite storyline going.
Tim Pool, White House correspondent!
Deputy FBI director Dan Bongino keeps pointing his fans towards his bad press. What's he up to?! My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social www.thebulwark.com/p/dan-bongin...
A Muslim community's plan to develop housing in Texas is becoming the new "Ground Zero mosque," and already figures in the GOP Senate primary. My new newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/is-this-te...
A top Trump appointee at State has already been lambasted for his lack of experience. Now he's given a bizarre speech that draws inspiration from Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us." My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/most-ridic...
Dan Bongino is facing a growing backlash from his MAGA fans, who claim he's not doing anything as deputy FBI director. My latest False Flag newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/dan-bongin...
Big story from @oliverdarcy.bsky.social — the White House has been suppressing and censoring pool reports. www.status.news/p/white-hous...
If tariffs go bad and MAGA needs a scapegoat, they'll probably quickly remember that Scott Bessent is a George Soros protege.
Comedian turned MAGA personality Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault. apnews.com/article/uk-r...
Laura Loomer's attempt to purge the national security council has reportedly succeeded — Axios reports a "bloodbath" there after Loomer met with Trump yesterday in the Oval Office. www.axios.com/2025/04/03/t...
As Democrats look for a liberal Joe Rogan, massively popular hip-hop YouTuber @adam22ster.bsky.social is ready to step up. But for now, elected Dems have spurned him. Is it the Lisa Simpson tattoo on his face? I investigate for @thebulwark.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/hip-hop-lo...
Laura Loomer met with Trump yesterday in the Oval Office about her plans to purge the National Security Council. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/u...
I'm appearing on some Bulwark pods and elsewhere! And as for my own pod — maybe someday! :)
Trump's right-wing media allies say the idea of Trump 2028 is just for owning the libs. But Trump voters say they're open to an unconstitutional third term. My newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social is out now! www.thebulwark.com/p/when-ownin...
Two weeks ago RFK said the opioid crisis is a public health emergency Nine days later he announced he’s decimating the agency leading the federal response New from me, at my new home @thebulwark.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Layoffs at Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire, just a few weeks after CEO Jeremy Boreing, who was trying to become a sort of conservative media entertainment mogul, stepped down. The cuts reportedly include the Daily Wire's kids division, which included a sort of Bluey-style show about chinchillas.
On this week's @onthemedia.bsky.social I spoke with... @willsommer.bsky.social about the lies and obfuscations surrounding Signalgate. @jacobsilverman.com about the brazen corruption and grift in the crypto world, facilitated and led by the president: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
Right-wing YouTuber Tim Pool has made it to the White House pool — someone from his “Timcast” channel will be part of today’s pool duty covering the president. Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
"The point is to create a climate in which agents of the state routinely wear masks to conceal their identities and street abductions are not out of the ordinary." // great read from @jvl.bsky.social www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-th...
Interesting split in RFK Jr.'s constituency — RFK Jr. acolyte and White House habitué Jessica Reed Kraus warns RFK to back off any crackdown on "popper" party-drugs.
Grim news from Joe Rogan world: Joe is getting into polio vaccine skepticism, and just had a guest who said polio wasn't that big a deal. Not good!
One-time Trump pal Laura Loomer is still waiting on her White House press pass. Even pleas to high-level staffers haven't managed to get her inside the briefing. The latest issue of my False Flag newsletter for @BulwarkOnline is here! www.thebulwark.com/p/white-hous...
No immediate pod plans but definitely will be doing more podcast appearances!
BREAKING: Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg weighs releasing Trump war planning texts. Watch his conversation with @timmiller.bsky.social from today's Bulwark Podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxzV...
MAGA influencers are erupting over a potential payola scandal. The latest issue of False Flag, my new newsletter for @thebulwark.bsky.social, is here: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-influ...
All is not well in the House of Shapiro. @samsteindc.bsky.social and @willsommer.bsky.social break it down.
“The energy on the young right-wing internet is headed in an increasingly radical, Nick Fuentes-style direction, and Boreing and his crew look dull by comparison.” @willsommer.bsky.social
Thanks, I'm having a great time!
Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire media empire has been shaken up by the mysterious exit of his pugnacious CEO. Was a pricey Games of Thrones-style TV production to blame? www.thebulwark.com/p/mysterious...