David Gilbert
@davidgilbert.bsky.social
Reporter @WIRED covering disinformation, online extremism, and election hucksters. https://www.wired.com/author/david-gilbert/
Got a tip? Get in touch
• Email: [email protected]
• Signal: @DavidGilbert.01
Got a tip? Get in touch
• Email: [email protected]
• Signal: @DavidGilbert.01
Pinned
"The government of Israel has engaged in systematic and widespread crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, including indiscriminate and deliberate attacks against the civilians of Gaza which killed more than 59,000 adults & children" — @genocidescholars.bsky.social
It's that simple...
It's that simple...
Manisha doing God's work here to show just how desperate Musk is to be seen as funny....
Elon Musk claims Grok's "epic vulgar roasts" can "make people really laugh at a party" so I took him up on it and used my coworkers as guinea pigs: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk Said Grok’s Roasts Would Be ‘Epic’ at Parties—So I Tried It on My Coworkers
It went about as well as you’d expect.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Manisha doing God's work here to show just how desperate Musk is to be seen as funny....
Reposted by David Gilbert
A must-read from @davidgilbert.bsky.social on Roblox and what’s going on with #FreeSchlep.
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
He Hunted Alleged Groomers on Roblox. Then the Company Banned Him
YouTuber “Schlep" built a huge following tracking down alleged child predators on Roblox before being kicked off. The platform is facing multiple lawsuits over child safety.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
A must-read from @davidgilbert.bsky.social on Roblox and what’s going on with #FreeSchlep.
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
Schlep is a developer and YouTuber, who has spent years working to identify groomers and pedophiles who use Roblox as a hunting ground to identify vulnerable children.
Then Roblox banned him
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
Then Roblox banned him
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
He Hunted Alleged Groomers on Roblox. Then the Company Banned Him
YouTuber “Schlep" built a huge following tracking down alleged child predators on Roblox before being kicked off. The platform is facing multiple lawsuits over child safety.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Schlep is a developer and YouTuber, who has spent years working to identify groomers and pedophiles who use Roblox as a hunting ground to identify vulnerable children.
Then Roblox banned him
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
Then Roblox banned him
www.wired.com/story/he-hun...
Yesterday on Truth Social, Trump shared a screenshot of a pro-Trump MAGA account on X asking if foreign-born citizens should be barred from holding elected office.
The X account in question is being run from Africa
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
The X account in question is being run from Africa
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Trump Is Boosting MAGA X Accounts Operating Overseas
A new feature on X revealed that many influential MAGA accounts are not actually based in the US. President Donald Trump has continued sharing their posts anyway.
www.wired.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Yesterday on Truth Social, Trump shared a screenshot of a pro-Trump MAGA account on X asking if foreign-born citizens should be barred from holding elected office.
The X account in question is being run from Africa
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
The X account in question is being run from Africa
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Reposted by David Gilbert
WIRED is hiring for a senior politics reporter who will write our weekly newsletter; detailed job description below. This role will be based in New York or DC and report to me; the salary range is $95,000 - $132,000. condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
November 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
WIRED is hiring for a senior politics reporter who will write our weekly newsletter; detailed job description below. This role will be based in New York or DC and report to me; the salary range is $95,000 - $132,000. condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
On Truth Social, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES just posted this 100% real, absolutely-not-AI-generated video of himself playing football with the "really smart and cool" Ronaldo in the Oval Office....
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
On Truth Social, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES just posted this 100% real, absolutely-not-AI-generated video of himself playing football with the "really smart and cool" Ronaldo in the Oval Office....
It is hard to overstate just how fringe QAnon was when Marjorie Taylor Greene began posting videos about it (it wasn't even called QAnon yet).
Now, eight years later, her anger at Trump over Epstein can be linked directly to her QAnon beliefs...
www.wired.com/story/how-do...
Now, eight years later, her anger at Trump over Epstein can be linked directly to her QAnon beliefs...
www.wired.com/story/how-do...
How Donald Trump Lost Control of the Epstein Spin Cycle
Donald Trump has spent years benefiting from the QAnon's Jeffrey Epstein obsession. That’s all changing.
www.wired.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It is hard to overstate just how fringe QAnon was when Marjorie Taylor Greene began posting videos about it (it wasn't even called QAnon yet).
Now, eight years later, her anger at Trump over Epstein can be linked directly to her QAnon beliefs...
www.wired.com/story/how-do...
Now, eight years later, her anger at Trump over Epstein can be linked directly to her QAnon beliefs...
www.wired.com/story/how-do...
Reposted by David Gilbert
When asked how we got ahead on DOGE, I’ve told people that a key insight was that Elon Musk was claiming he could cut a sum greater than all discretionary non-defense spending and been taken to be making a joke.
seriously, can anyone give me a reason why reporters refuse to express huge budget numbers, that they know are meaningless to their audience, in a context that makes them understandable -- such as a percentage of the budget? I NEVER get an answer to this question.
If every budget number was presented as a percent of budget, percent of GDP, and percent of 10 year GDP, a large fraction of the population would have a pretty good understanding of the relative sizes of these items and budget proposals pretty quickly
November 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
When asked how we got ahead on DOGE, I’ve told people that a key insight was that Elon Musk was claiming he could cut a sum greater than all discretionary non-defense spending and been taken to be making a joke.
Young Mormons Built an App to Help Men Quit Gooning
"At a certain point, you enter what I can really only describe as a trance state. I plan a session for when I have no responsibilities and devote that time to my own enjoyment" — Josh, a gooner from Arizona
www.wired.com/story/young-...
"At a certain point, you enter what I can really only describe as a trance state. I plan a session for when I have no responsibilities and devote that time to my own enjoyment" — Josh, a gooner from Arizona
www.wired.com/story/young-...
Young Mormons Built an App to Help Men Quit Gooning
The Relay app allows users to track their porn-free streaks and get group support. Its creators say they’re taking a stand against porn and AI erotica.
www.wired.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Young Mormons Built an App to Help Men Quit Gooning
"At a certain point, you enter what I can really only describe as a trance state. I plan a session for when I have no responsibilities and devote that time to my own enjoyment" — Josh, a gooner from Arizona
www.wired.com/story/young-...
"At a certain point, you enter what I can really only describe as a trance state. I plan a session for when I have no responsibilities and devote that time to my own enjoyment" — Josh, a gooner from Arizona
www.wired.com/story/young-...
Gen Alpha is already tired of AI slop and brainrot, and they are pining for memes that mean something....so is the Great Meme Reset coming?
@waterslicer.bsky.social finds out
www.wired.com/story/the-gr...
@waterslicer.bsky.social finds out
www.wired.com/story/the-gr...
The ‘Great Meme Reset’ Is Coming
From Jack Dorsey to Gen Alpha, everyone seemingly wants to go back to the internet of a decade ago. But is it possible to reverse AI slop and brain rot?
www.wired.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Gen Alpha is already tired of AI slop and brainrot, and they are pining for memes that mean something....so is the Great Meme Reset coming?
@waterslicer.bsky.social finds out
www.wired.com/story/the-gr...
@waterslicer.bsky.social finds out
www.wired.com/story/the-gr...
Two weeks ago Stewart Rhodes relaunched the Oath Keepers with a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise $75K.
By last week, it had only received 16 donations
Over the last 5 days, despite promotion on Alex Jones' Infowars, it's received only 3 more donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
By last week, it had only received 16 donations
Over the last 5 days, despite promotion on Alex Jones' Infowars, it's received only 3 more donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Stewart Rhodes Relaunched the Oath Keepers. Even Old Oath Keepers Don’t Care
Militia leader Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack, is asking potential new members and supporters to send money. Former allies are unconvinced.
www.wired.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Two weeks ago Stewart Rhodes relaunched the Oath Keepers with a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise $75K.
By last week, it had only received 16 donations
Over the last 5 days, despite promotion on Alex Jones' Infowars, it's received only 3 more donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
By last week, it had only received 16 donations
Over the last 5 days, despite promotion on Alex Jones' Infowars, it's received only 3 more donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Bonus, you also get to work with me...
we're hiring a senior politics writer at @wired.com -- come work with me!
Senior Writer, Politics
WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change t...
condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Bonus, you also get to work with me...
Reposted by David Gilbert
we're hiring a senior politics writer at @wired.com -- come work with me!
Senior Writer, Politics
WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change t...
condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
we're hiring a senior politics writer at @wired.com -- come work with me!
Fuentes—rightly—sees Trump's comments last night about his interview with Tucker Carlson as a tacit endorsement of his hate-filled America First ideology, which continues to gain traction within the GOP.
Read about how he plans to take conquer America here:
www.wired.com/story/nick-f...
Read about how he plans to take conquer America here:
www.wired.com/story/nick-f...
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Fuentes—rightly—sees Trump's comments last night about his interview with Tucker Carlson as a tacit endorsement of his hate-filled America First ideology, which continues to gain traction within the GOP.
Read about how he plans to take conquer America here:
www.wired.com/story/nick-f...
Read about how he plans to take conquer America here:
www.wired.com/story/nick-f...
"Europe faces an existential choice: build genuine technological sovereignty now, or accept governance by platforms whose architects view democracy as an obsolete operating system."
authoritarian-stack.info
authoritarian-stack.info
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
authoritarian-stack.info
November 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
"Europe faces an existential choice: build genuine technological sovereignty now, or accept governance by platforms whose architects view democracy as an obsolete operating system."
authoritarian-stack.info
authoritarian-stack.info
MAGA: "Release the Epstein files"
Trump: "No"
Congress: "Here are 20,000 documents with deeply troubling messages from Epstein about Trump."
MAGA: "It's a hoax"
www.wired.com/story/maga-w...
Trump: "No"
Congress: "Here are 20,000 documents with deeply troubling messages from Epstein about Trump."
MAGA: "It's a hoax"
www.wired.com/story/maga-w...
All MAGA Wanted Was the Epstein Files. Now They're Ignoring Them
For years, MAGA influencers demanded the release of the Epstein files. Now that 20,000 documents have been released, many raising questions about Donald Trump, they're shrugging.
www.wired.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
MAGA: "Release the Epstein files"
Trump: "No"
Congress: "Here are 20,000 documents with deeply troubling messages from Epstein about Trump."
MAGA: "It's a hoax"
www.wired.com/story/maga-w...
Trump: "No"
Congress: "Here are 20,000 documents with deeply troubling messages from Epstein about Trump."
MAGA: "It's a hoax"
www.wired.com/story/maga-w...
THE OATH KEEPERS ARE BACK!!!!!!
But my investigation suggests that no one seems to care....not even former members
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
But my investigation suggests that no one seems to care....not even former members
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Stewart Rhodes Relaunched the Oath Keepers. Even Old Oath Keepers Don’t Care
Militia leader Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack, is asking potential new members and supporters to send money. Former allies are unconvinced.
www.wired.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
THE OATH KEEPERS ARE BACK!!!!!!
But my investigation suggests that no one seems to care....not even former members
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
But my investigation suggests that no one seems to care....not even former members
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
This headline/article is inaccurate because Rhodes DOES NOT HAVE A PARDON.
Trump commuted his sentence to time served but his conviction still stand. He is still a felon.
Rhodes has been lobbying the White House for a full pardon, but hasn't been successful.
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Trump commuted his sentence to time served but his conviction still stand. He is still a felon.
Rhodes has been lobbying the White House for a full pardon, but hasn't been successful.
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This headline/article is inaccurate because Rhodes DOES NOT HAVE A PARDON.
Trump commuted his sentence to time served but his conviction still stand. He is still a felon.
Rhodes has been lobbying the White House for a full pardon, but hasn't been successful.
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Trump commuted his sentence to time served but his conviction still stand. He is still a felon.
Rhodes has been lobbying the White House for a full pardon, but hasn't been successful.
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
The actual FBI using a Nazi-filled social media platform run by a far-right emboldening transphobe to debunk an unpublished story from a right-wing conspiracy theorist who recently platformed one of America's biggest antisemites.....perfectly sums up 2025
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The actual FBI using a Nazi-filled social media platform run by a far-right emboldening transphobe to debunk an unpublished story from a right-wing conspiracy theorist who recently platformed one of America's biggest antisemites.....perfectly sums up 2025
In 2017, Epstein portrayed himself as a middleman, capable of pasing messages from Trump to Bill Gates
Great scoop from @timmarchman.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/jeffre...
Great scoop from @timmarchman.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/jeffre...
Jeffrey Epstein Claimed Intimate Knowledge of Donald Trump’s Views in Texts With Bill Gates Adviser
In text messages from 2017, Jeffrey Epstein seemingly represented himself as positioned to pass information from the Trump White House to Bill Gates through an intermediary.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
In 2017, Epstein portrayed himself as a middleman, capable of pasing messages from Trump to Bill Gates
Great scoop from @timmarchman.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/jeffre...
Great scoop from @timmarchman.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/jeffre...
"Republicans have a Nazi problem"
I spoke to @vox.com's Today Explained about Nick Fuentes and the growing influence he is having on the GOP
Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/4jcM...
I spoke to @vox.com's Today Explained about Nick Fuentes and the growing influence he is having on the GOP
Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/4jcM...
Republicans have a Nazi problem
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 PM
"Republicans have a Nazi problem"
I spoke to @vox.com's Today Explained about Nick Fuentes and the growing influence he is having on the GOP
Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/4jcM...
I spoke to @vox.com's Today Explained about Nick Fuentes and the growing influence he is having on the GOP
Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/4jcM...
Stewart Rhodes relaunched the anti-government Oath Keepers militia almost two weeks ago.
Former members tell me they've no intention of rejoining and a crowdfunding campaign to raise $75k has so far received only 16 donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Former members tell me they've no intention of rejoining and a crowdfunding campaign to raise $75k has so far received only 16 donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Stewart Rhodes Relaunched the Oath Keepers. Even Old Oath Keepers Don’t Care
Militia leader Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack, is asking potential new members and supporters to send money. Former allies are unconvinced.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Stewart Rhodes relaunched the anti-government Oath Keepers militia almost two weeks ago.
Former members tell me they've no intention of rejoining and a crowdfunding campaign to raise $75k has so far received only 16 donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Former members tell me they've no intention of rejoining and a crowdfunding campaign to raise $75k has so far received only 16 donations
www.wired.com/story/stewar...
Thankfully Fox News is making sure its readers are being informed about ALL the big news stories of the day (particularly the bombshell Michelle Obama Grand Canyon outfit news)
They are definitely not ignoring any big breaking story that looks bad for Trump.....definitely not
They are definitely not ignoring any big breaking story that looks bad for Trump.....definitely not
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thankfully Fox News is making sure its readers are being informed about ALL the big news stories of the day (particularly the bombshell Michelle Obama Grand Canyon outfit news)
They are definitely not ignoring any big breaking story that looks bad for Trump.....definitely not
They are definitely not ignoring any big breaking story that looks bad for Trump.....definitely not
Jake stood up for his colleagues this week....Now he needs a little help. Please help if you can.
Hey everyone, thank you so much for the outpouring of support.
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
Click here to support Jake Lahut's story *LahutRentFund
*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.
spot.fund
November 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Jake stood up for his colleagues this week....Now he needs a little help. Please help if you can.
Jake was an incredible colleague to work with, producing incredible scoops and always happy to help out and share his expertise with everyone else in the newsroom. I'm obviously sad to see him go but equally looking forward to what he does next.
I was one of the four people who got canned.
In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com
In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Jake was an incredible colleague to work with, producing incredible scoops and always happy to help out and share his expertise with everyone else in the newsroom. I'm obviously sad to see him go but equally looking forward to what he does next.