elia ayoub
@ayoub.bsky.social
Writer, Journalist, Historian, Podcaster. Authoritarianism, hauntology, alternative futures. Eng/Fr/Esp/It/ع
In Brighton, from Lebanon.
I do @thefirethesetimes.com and give online classes. Newsletter: hauntologies.net
In Brighton, from Lebanon.
I do @thefirethesetimes.com and give online classes. Newsletter: hauntologies.net
Pinned
Support Elia Ayoub
Support Elia Ayoub
ko-fi.com
Weekly-ish reminder that an easy way to support my work is through ko-fi.com/eliaayoub
I know these are difficult times, so no worry if you can't
I know these are difficult times, so no worry if you can't
Your regular reminder that one of Reform’s key policy proposals on their own website is to turn the UK into a “crypto hub”
KIM: When Binance founder Zhao pleaded guilty to violating money laundering laws & was sent to prison, Binance injected billions into Trump's business & Zhao was pardoned. Is that a conflict?
BESSENT: I'm unfamiliar with any of that
KIM: Is it a conflict?
BESSENT: Again, I'm not going to respond
BESSENT: I'm unfamiliar with any of that
KIM: Is it a conflict?
BESSENT: Again, I'm not going to respond
February 5, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Your regular reminder that one of Reform’s key policy proposals on their own website is to turn the UK into a “crypto hub”
Reposted by elia ayoub
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
January 30, 2026 at 11:58 PM
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
Reposted by elia ayoub
Wow! What sounded like the entire AEW Dynamite audience in Las Vegas tonight chanted "Fuck ICE! Fuck ICE!" in unison before the main event
February 5, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Wow! What sounded like the entire AEW Dynamite audience in Las Vegas tonight chanted "Fuck ICE! Fuck ICE!" in unison before the main event
Reposted by elia ayoub
TNN reporter Mira Lazine (@thefreeradical.org) found a community in Minneapolis. Now, that community is under attack by a fascist regime — and fighting back.
Here’s her look of the realities on the ground, where exhaustion and terror exist alongside defiance and hope:
Here’s her look of the realities on the ground, where exhaustion and terror exist alongside defiance and hope:
My City Is Under Occupation: A Trans Reporter’s Dispatch From Minneapolis
TNN reporter Mira Lazine found a community in Minneapolis. Now, that community is under attack — and fighting back. Here’s her look of the realities on the ground.
transnews.network
February 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
TNN reporter Mira Lazine (@thefreeradical.org) found a community in Minneapolis. Now, that community is under attack by a fascist regime — and fighting back.
Here’s her look of the realities on the ground, where exhaustion and terror exist alongside defiance and hope:
Here’s her look of the realities on the ground, where exhaustion and terror exist alongside defiance and hope:
Reposted by elia ayoub
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Identified: the El Paso BORTAC crew rampaging through the Midwest
One violent duo in particular, U.S. Border Patrol agents Michael Sveum (EZ-2) and Edgar Vazquez (EZ-17), have been frequently seen alongside former commander-at-large Greg Bovino terrorizing crowds wi...
unraveledpress.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 PM
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Reposted by elia ayoub
DHS should be abolished. Visiting high schools where people vote has nothing to do with its mandate.Suppressing the vote improves the security of no one.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/homela...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/homela...
Homeland Security responds with statement after agents visited Ponitz high school
Three officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security visited Ponitz Career Technology High School Monday to investigate allegations of voter fraud, said David Lawrence, Dayton Public Schools ...
www.daytondailynews.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:29 PM
DHS should be abolished. Visiting high schools where people vote has nothing to do with its mandate.Suppressing the vote improves the security of no one.
www.daytondailynews.com/local/homela...
www.daytondailynews.com/local/homela...
What will it take for Labour to get rid of Starmer? He consistently makes bad decisions and it’s almost impressive
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Starmer has ‘full confidence’ in Morgan McSweeney, No 10 says amid calls for his sacking – as it happened
Some backbenchers blame Pm’s chief of staff for Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
What will it take for Labour to get rid of Starmer? He consistently makes bad decisions and it’s almost impressive
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by elia ayoub
The morning after mass layoffs, The Washington Post publishes this as their lead editorial. The owner and publisher clearly have no idea why they are losing subscribers. Meanwhile they have destroyed a storied brand.
Support independent media. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
February 5, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The morning after mass layoffs, The Washington Post publishes this as their lead editorial. The owner and publisher clearly have no idea why they are losing subscribers. Meanwhile they have destroyed a storied brand.
Support independent media. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Support independent media. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0
Palantir out of the UK
Here's an impressive Zack Polanski on Starmer, Mandelson, McSweeney and Thiel – and on the importance of sometimes putting country before party politics.
[SOUND ON 🔊]
[SOUND ON 🔊]
February 5, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Palantir out of the UK
Reposted by elia ayoub
Today is #westernmonarchday. Western Monarchs need our help.
This winter, the count of Western monarch butterflies along the California coast was the third-lowest since 1997. “Our window for action is narrowing, and our conservation efforts must accelerate.”
One way to help: Plant more native milkweed. www.latimes.com/environment/...
One way to help: Plant more native milkweed. www.latimes.com/environment/...
West Coast monarch butterfly populations hit historic low. This may be the 'new normal'
The latest count of western monarch butterfly populations is the third-lowest yet, after 2024 and 2020.
www.latimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Today is #westernmonarchday. Western Monarchs need our help.
Fast forward a few years and the BBC, which is paid for by our taxes including the taxes of trans people, uses sentences like “a biological male who identifies as a woman”
Trans people were the proving grounds to normalize the made up term "biological sex"to roll back decades of progress on gender equality. When you get bioessentialist language, suddenly everything from gender roles to marriage becomes an argument about "biology."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Meet the mastermind behind Trump’s definition of "woman"
May Mailman’s anti-trans crusade could threaten gender equality for all.
www.motherjones.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Fast forward a few years and the BBC, which is paid for by our taxes including the taxes of trans people, uses sentences like “a biological male who identifies as a woman”
To write this sentence about Nigel Farage in 2026 is amazing: “On occasion, he is quite unlike other politicians, with flashes of honesty you wouldn't hear from others”
I’m sorry for repeating the word gaslighting a lot, but this is that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m sorry for repeating the word gaslighting a lot, but this is that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Inside Reform: Laura Kuenssberg follows Farage's party as it experiences the glare of scrutiny
The BBC has spent time interviewing senior figures and witnessing Reform's work at the largest council it runs.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
To write this sentence about Nigel Farage in 2026 is amazing: “On occasion, he is quite unlike other politicians, with flashes of honesty you wouldn't hear from others”
I’m sorry for repeating the word gaslighting a lot, but this is that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m sorry for repeating the word gaslighting a lot, but this is that.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
When I worked in Switzerland researching the tobacco and fossil fuel lobbies, I learned of a word that describes this: pantouflage.
Pantoufle means slippers, so it essentially means politicians getting cozy jobs as their next job.
I believe it’s called a revolving door in English.
Pantoufle means slippers, so it essentially means politicians getting cozy jobs as their next job.
I believe it’s called a revolving door in English.
It was always about the next job.
Epstein reviewed a draft of Mandelson's memoir - he said "as currently written the chances of a JPMorgan position would be zero"
Mandelson not remotely shocked by this. He just thought JPM wouldn't read it.
Epstein reviewed a draft of Mandelson's memoir - he said "as currently written the chances of a JPMorgan position would be zero"
Mandelson not remotely shocked by this. He just thought JPM wouldn't read it.
February 5, 2026 at 9:10 AM
When I worked in Switzerland researching the tobacco and fossil fuel lobbies, I learned of a word that describes this: pantouflage.
Pantoufle means slippers, so it essentially means politicians getting cozy jobs as their next job.
I believe it’s called a revolving door in English.
Pantoufle means slippers, so it essentially means politicians getting cozy jobs as their next job.
I believe it’s called a revolving door in English.
Reposted by elia ayoub
oh wow tilting towards the right and sucking up to billionaires didn't bring the subscribers flooding in, huh?
As The Washington Post cleaved off a third of its workforce, chief executive Will Lewis and owner Jeff Bezos were nowhere to be found—leaving the storied institution to profusely bleed while its top leaders hid from accountability.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/washington...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/washington...
Bezos’ WashPost Bloodletting
As The Washington Post cleaved off a third of its workforce, chief executive Will Lewis and owner Jeff Bezos were nowhere to be found—leaving the storied institution to profusely bleed while its top l...
www.status.news
February 5, 2026 at 3:54 AM
oh wow tilting towards the right and sucking up to billionaires didn't bring the subscribers flooding in, huh?
Reposted by elia ayoub
What's that you say!
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Trans athletes may not have fitness advantage in women’s sport, landmark study finds
Findings suggest physical performance in trans women converges toward that of cis women over time
www.independent.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:44 AM
What's that you say!
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It’s so great and smart that people who explicitly want to destroy democracy are allowed to run for elections in a democracy
some of the chaps running for the far-right Forum for Democracy (FvD) in local elections in the Netherlands - guys who’ve praised the Nazi occupation of NL, praise Breivik an Tarrant as “the divine duo” and more
February 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
It’s so great and smart that people who explicitly want to destroy democracy are allowed to run for elections in a democracy
Reposted by elia ayoub
anyways i need democrats to realize that trump is trying to fuck with the midterms ***specifically because he is afraid that he, donald trump, will be impeached and then end up back in court and then die in prison*** and then i need to them to literally never shut up about impeaching his bitch ass
February 4, 2026 at 8:07 AM
anyways i need democrats to realize that trump is trying to fuck with the midterms ***specifically because he is afraid that he, donald trump, will be impeached and then end up back in court and then die in prison*** and then i need to them to literally never shut up about impeaching his bitch ass
Reposted by elia ayoub
whoever figures out a way to bundle independent journalism subscriptions will be a hero
i know that this is an unpopular take, but everyone starting their own newsletter as a revenue stream is not a sustainable model for writing and reporting or for people who love and want to pay for media.
A lot of people cannot just start a paid newsletter or become freelancers to sustain their careers. The sports, metro, and international desks did work that requires *team* resources, like legal checks, documents, access to archives, and long-term beat experience.
February 4, 2026 at 8:05 PM
whoever figures out a way to bundle independent journalism subscriptions will be a hero
Deepak Chopra knew exactly what Epstein was doing and sought to join in on the ‘fun’.
Another predator given millions.
Another predator given millions.
Deepak Chopra in the Epstein Files writing, "God is a construct, Cute girls are real." In this same exchange, he responds to Epstein, asking, "Did you find me a cute israeli? :)" with "Cute girls are aware when they make noises." www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Deepak Chopra knew exactly what Epstein was doing and sought to join in on the ‘fun’.
Another predator given millions.
Another predator given millions.
A number of male ‘journalists’ smeared and mocked Ava Cordero when she denounced Epstein in 2007.
And note that the terfs who have spent years attacking trans women have had nothing to say about JK Rowling inviting Epstein to the Cursed Child play
And note that the terfs who have spent years attacking trans women have had nothing to say about JK Rowling inviting Epstein to the Cursed Child play
And infact the first woman to come forward against Jeffrey Epstein in 2007 19 years ago was ava Cordero a Trans woman
February 4, 2026 at 7:11 PM
A number of male ‘journalists’ smeared and mocked Ava Cordero when she denounced Epstein in 2007.
And note that the terfs who have spent years attacking trans women have had nothing to say about JK Rowling inviting Epstein to the Cursed Child play
And note that the terfs who have spent years attacking trans women have had nothing to say about JK Rowling inviting Epstein to the Cursed Child play
Reposted by elia ayoub
Every complaint I had against Chomsky concerned the same problem: the way he excused or dismissed atrocities committed by his team: ie regimes and forces opposed to Western hegemonic power. As his friend, Epstein was given the same pass.
In other words, it's not an anomaly.
It's the same story.
In other words, it's not an anomaly.
It's the same story.
1. Noam Chomsky's response to the first tranche of Epstein docs - arrogant, high-handed, obfuscatory and, we now know, dishonest - reminded me of something: his response to my questions about genocide denial, 15 years ago. 🧵
www.monbiot.com/2012/05/21/2...
www.monbiot.com/2012/05/21/2...
Correspondence with Noam Chomsky
This is supporting material for the article See No Evil.
www.monbiot.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Every complaint I had against Chomsky concerned the same problem: the way he excused or dismissed atrocities committed by his team: ie regimes and forces opposed to Western hegemonic power. As his friend, Epstein was given the same pass.
In other words, it's not an anomaly.
It's the same story.
In other words, it's not an anomaly.
It's the same story.
Do I know someone who knows someone (etc) who knows Ms Rachel? I would love to interview her on @thefirethesetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Do I know someone who knows someone (etc) who knows Ms Rachel? I would love to interview her on @thefirethesetimes.com
Reposted by elia ayoub
Scrapping the two child limit is not enough. The overall benefit cap must go too.
The Government's own assessment shows at least 200,000 children in poverty will not be helped if only the two-child limit is removed.
This cruel legacy of austerity must finally end.
The Government's own assessment shows at least 200,000 children in poverty will not be helped if only the two-child limit is removed.
This cruel legacy of austerity must finally end.
February 4, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Scrapping the two child limit is not enough. The overall benefit cap must go too.
The Government's own assessment shows at least 200,000 children in poverty will not be helped if only the two-child limit is removed.
This cruel legacy of austerity must finally end.
The Government's own assessment shows at least 200,000 children in poverty will not be helped if only the two-child limit is removed.
This cruel legacy of austerity must finally end.
This is by definition gaslighting. That is not what Democrats want, and the polling is absolutely clear.
A clear majority was ICE abolished and prosecuted.
Get rid of that morally bankrupt man.
A clear majority was ICE abolished and prosecuted.
Get rid of that morally bankrupt man.
Democrats want commonsense reform for ICE:
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
February 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
This is by definition gaslighting. That is not what Democrats want, and the polling is absolutely clear.
A clear majority was ICE abolished and prosecuted.
Get rid of that morally bankrupt man.
A clear majority was ICE abolished and prosecuted.
Get rid of that morally bankrupt man.