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
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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
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.
Another day of the Israeli ‘ceasefire’, another massacre of civilians at the hands of the exterminationist state backed by the West
Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza and patient crossings at Rafah halted, Palestinian officials say
Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza and patient crossings at Rafah halted, Palestinian officials say
Four children among dead as restrictions on evacuations put in place days after reopening of crossing to Egypt
Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes have killed 18 people, including four children, in Gaza and Israel has halted the evacuation of patients through the Rafah border crossing, Palestinian officials have said.
The Israeli military said it fired on Gaza after a gunman shot at Israeli soldiers and seriously injured a reservist. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Another day of the Israeli ‘ceasefire’, another massacre of civilians at the hands of the exterminationist state backed by the West
In solidarity with the Ukrainian resistance: “From 20 February to 6 March, we call on friends, comrades, and anti-authoritarian groups worldwide to take part in 2 weeks of Action.”
www.solidaritycollectives.org/en/2-weeks-o...
www.solidaritycollectives.org/en/2-weeks-o...
2 weeks of action 2026 - Solidarity Collectives
From 20 February to 6 March, we call on friends, comrades, and anti-authoritarian groups worldwide to take part in 2 weeks of Action.
www.solidaritycollectives.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:37 AM
In solidarity with the Ukrainian resistance: “From 20 February to 6 March, we call on friends, comrades, and anti-authoritarian groups worldwide to take part in 2 weeks of Action.”
www.solidaritycollectives.org/en/2-weeks-o...
www.solidaritycollectives.org/en/2-weeks-o...
Nah. 3.2% is optimistic. Ageing population, systemic crises, obsession with migration, climate denial (which is the defacto Labour policy), deepening dependence on the US, itself in decline etc
3.2% is the best case scenario unless policies radically change.
3.2% is the best case scenario unless policies radically change.
Current policy of pandering to xenophobes just not sustainable. But then we knew that.
Zero net migration would shrink UK economy by 3.6%, says thinktank
Jump of £37bn in budget deficit by 2040 would force government to increase taxes, NIESR predicts
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Nah. 3.2% is optimistic. Ageing population, systemic crises, obsession with migration, climate denial (which is the defacto Labour policy), deepening dependence on the US, itself in decline etc
3.2% is the best case scenario unless policies radically change.
3.2% is the best case scenario unless policies radically change.
Reposted by elia ayoub
The thing about Epstein's death and this partial file release is that it's now impossible for his accomplices to get their stories straight. People are getting grilled on things that they thought were long ago buried, and several will fold under that pressure. The narrative is out of their control.
"Epstein’s most stupendous feat was to become a powerful New York insider after being registered as a sex offender" - no, that was confirmation of his place within a particular elite. www.ft.com/content/3f82...
The Epstein rot goes deep
America must now ask itself if it can restore a culture of shame
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:25 PM
The thing about Epstein's death and this partial file release is that it's now impossible for his accomplices to get their stories straight. People are getting grilled on things that they thought were long ago buried, and several will fold under that pressure. The narrative is out of their control.
Reposted by elia ayoub
"Epstein’s most stupendous feat was to become a powerful New York insider after being registered as a sex offender" - no, that was confirmation of his place within a particular elite. www.ft.com/content/3f82...
The Epstein rot goes deep
America must now ask itself if it can restore a culture of shame
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:58 PM
"Epstein’s most stupendous feat was to become a powerful New York insider after being registered as a sex offender" - no, that was confirmation of his place within a particular elite. www.ft.com/content/3f82...
Every single article on Reform must include who funds them.
Why are they not being described as 'millionaire-funded' or 'fossil fuel-funded' etc?
These are editorial decisions. It's not journalism.
Why are they not being described as 'millionaire-funded' or 'fossil fuel-funded' etc?
These are editorial decisions. It's not journalism.
February 3, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Every single article on Reform must include who funds them.
Why are they not being described as 'millionaire-funded' or 'fossil fuel-funded' etc?
These are editorial decisions. It's not journalism.
Why are they not being described as 'millionaire-funded' or 'fossil fuel-funded' etc?
These are editorial decisions. It's not journalism.
X offices raided in Paris, and Musk and Yaccarino are summoned for 'voluntary interviews'
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
French headquarters of Elon Musk’s X raided by Paris cybercrime unit
Prosecutors’ announcement comes amid a hardening of European attitudes to social media firms
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:24 PM
X offices raided in Paris, and Musk and Yaccarino are summoned for 'voluntary interviews'
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by elia ayoub
“Roughly two-thirds of global emissions between 1854 & 2010 are linked to just 90 firms.
And for decades, these firms have been obstructing progress on climate change to protect their bottom lines & to avoid the potential total devaluation of their assets.”
— @greenprofgreen.bsky.social
And for decades, these firms have been obstructing progress on climate change to protect their bottom lines & to avoid the potential total devaluation of their assets.”
— @greenprofgreen.bsky.social
It’s Time To Target The Political Power Of Polluters | NOEMA
We won’t make progress on decarbonization until we rein in the power of fossil fuel asset owners and invest in green assets. Tax and investment policy can help.
www.noemamag.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:11 PM
“Roughly two-thirds of global emissions between 1854 & 2010 are linked to just 90 firms.
And for decades, these firms have been obstructing progress on climate change to protect their bottom lines & to avoid the potential total devaluation of their assets.”
— @greenprofgreen.bsky.social
And for decades, these firms have been obstructing progress on climate change to protect their bottom lines & to avoid the potential total devaluation of their assets.”
— @greenprofgreen.bsky.social
Your regular reminder that the Labour government continues to deepen the UK’s dependency on the US through contracts, many of which remain secrets, with Palantir.
They’re bringing this nightmare here.
They’re bringing this nightmare here.
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants
Since March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services has been using tools from Palantir and the startup Credal AI to weed out perceived alignment with “DEI” or “gender ideology.”
www.wired.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Your regular reminder that the Labour government continues to deepen the UK’s dependency on the US through contracts, many of which remain secrets, with Palantir.
They’re bringing this nightmare here.
They’re bringing this nightmare here.
I’m seeing a lot of QAnon stuff being recycled, including allegations of cannibalism that can be read in-between the lines.
As with QAnon, the real problem, that elites abuse people while also conspiring with one another to stay in power, is being replaced by whatever claims gets the most views.
As with QAnon, the real problem, that elites abuse people while also conspiring with one another to stay in power, is being replaced by whatever claims gets the most views.
One of the things bothering me about how people are responding to the Epstein files is that there are tons of conspiracies being created and spread about what’s in them, rather than people just believing the victims like they could have been doing for years now
February 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
I’m seeing a lot of QAnon stuff being recycled, including allegations of cannibalism that can be read in-between the lines.
As with QAnon, the real problem, that elites abuse people while also conspiring with one another to stay in power, is being replaced by whatever claims gets the most views.
As with QAnon, the real problem, that elites abuse people while also conspiring with one another to stay in power, is being replaced by whatever claims gets the most views.
Reposted by elia ayoub
ScouseOracle on IG has been highlighting how the stated NHS data protections are no such thing either.
Our health data will be available across borders.
Palantir has already used US data to assist ICE, never mind data in occupied Palastine.
Follow @goodlawproject.bsky.social too.
Our health data will be available across borders.
Palantir has already used US data to assist ICE, never mind data in occupied Palastine.
Follow @goodlawproject.bsky.social too.
You think it’s bad now that Labour is selling off our most precious or sensitive resources to Palantir? Wait until Palantir’s ideological kin, Farage and Reform, get in power. Labour’s cowardice and betrayal knows no limit under Starmer.
February 3, 2026 at 11:17 AM
ScouseOracle on IG has been highlighting how the stated NHS data protections are no such thing either.
Our health data will be available across borders.
Palantir has already used US data to assist ICE, never mind data in occupied Palastine.
Follow @goodlawproject.bsky.social too.
Our health data will be available across borders.
Palantir has already used US data to assist ICE, never mind data in occupied Palastine.
Follow @goodlawproject.bsky.social too.
Reposted by elia ayoub
Social housing tenants are frequently used as guinea pigs by government to “test” poorly-evidenced ideas to see if the obvious downsides rule out expanding the idea to voters they care about.
Labour are deploying Liz Kendall to unleash the same misery on entire town.
Labour are deploying Liz Kendall to unleash the same misery on entire town.
We are all being gaslit into believing that the thing whose potential is already *demonstrably* exaggerated- AI - is going to essentially fix a town’s economy, with not a shred of evidence.
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Social housing tenants are frequently used as guinea pigs by government to “test” poorly-evidenced ideas to see if the obvious downsides rule out expanding the idea to voters they care about.
Labour are deploying Liz Kendall to unleash the same misery on entire town.
Labour are deploying Liz Kendall to unleash the same misery on entire town.