Eliot Higgins
@eliothiggins.bsky.social
Founder and creative director of Bellingcat and director of Bellingcat Productions BV. Author of We Are Bellingcat.
Pinned
America’s Slide Toward Simulated Democracy with Eliot Higgins
YouTube video by The Atlantic
www.youtube.com
I joined @cwarzel.bsky.social on the Galaxy Brain Podcast to explain some of the reasons why America, and a lot of other Western democracies, are sliding into authoritarianism and why it's probably inevitable
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvFh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvFh...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
If you’d like to read the actual 33-page defamation lawsuit Donald Trump has filed “for damages not less than $5,000,000,000”, then here it is:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Complaint – #1 in TRUMP v. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (S.D. Fla., 1:25-cv-25894) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against BBC STUDIOS DISTRIBUTION LIMITED, BBC STUDIOS PRODUCTIONS LIMITED, BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. Filing fees $ 405.00 receipt number AFLSDC-19044737, filed by DONALD J. TRUMP. (A...
storage.courtlistener.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
If you’d like to read the actual 33-page defamation lawsuit Donald Trump has filed “for damages not less than $5,000,000,000”, then here it is:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Preliminary thought is that this apparent quote indicates his lawyers have no evidence show was watched in US:
“Documentary's publicity, coupled with significant increases in VPN usage in Florida since its debut, establishes the immense likelihood that citizens of Florida accessed the Documentary“
“Documentary's publicity, coupled with significant increases in VPN usage in Florida since its debut, establishes the immense likelihood that citizens of Florida accessed the Documentary“
December 16, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Preliminary thought is that this apparent quote indicates his lawyers have no evidence show was watched in US:
“Documentary's publicity, coupled with significant increases in VPN usage in Florida since its debut, establishes the immense likelihood that citizens of Florida accessed the Documentary“
“Documentary's publicity, coupled with significant increases in VPN usage in Florida since its debut, establishes the immense likelihood that citizens of Florida accessed the Documentary“
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
So: Trump has finally filed a law suit against the BBC.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
December 16, 2025 at 7:37 AM
So: Trump has finally filed a law suit against the BBC.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
New from me!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
Bellingcat’s @koltai.bsky.social uncovers the Hungarian national behind two deepfake porn websites. The key figure rakes in profits and vacations in luxury hotels in Dubai and Bali, whilst website visitors create sexually explicit images and videos.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/12...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/12...
How We Found the Man Behind Two Deepfake Porn Sites
Business documents, website code and leaked data all led us back to one person profiting off non-consensual sexual imagery of women.
www.bellingcat.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New from me!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
After we reached out to the owner of these deepfake porn sites, they were removed offline and he deleted his socials.
Each time a site goes down, it's a win for me. Hopefully this guy never tries to get them up and running again.
Check out our investigation!
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
this is one of the most psychotic things Trump has ever posted
December 15, 2025 at 2:52 PM
this is one of the most psychotic things Trump has ever posted
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
The UK sanctions notice states there are “reasonable grounds to suspect” Abu Lulu is responsible for violence based on ethnicity and religion, and for the deliberate targeting of civilians.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK sanctions commanders responsible for Sudan atrocities and pledges additional humanitarian support as Cooper says atrocities must not go unpunished
The UK has sanctioned individuals suspected of atrocities including mass killings, sexual violence, and deliberate attacks on civilians in El Fasher, Sudan.
www.gov.uk
December 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The UK sanctions notice states there are “reasonable grounds to suspect” Abu Lulu is responsible for violence based on ethnicity and religion, and for the deliberate targeting of civilians.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
In one video, Abu Lulu is seen taunting around ten apparently unarmed captives before shooting at them at point-blank range. Using distinct terrain features seen in the footage from the surrounding area, and satellite imagery, Bellingcat geolocated the exact execution site (13.71387, 25.27922).
December 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
In one video, Abu Lulu is seen taunting around ten apparently unarmed captives before shooting at them at point-blank range. Using distinct terrain features seen in the footage from the surrounding area, and satellite imagery, Bellingcat geolocated the exact execution site (13.71387, 25.27922).
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
On Friday, the UK sanctioned Rapid Support Forces commander Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu. Bellingcat previously geolocated him in three videos filmed at the site of a mass killing near Al Fashir, Sudan.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/11...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/11...
Geolocating Darfur Killings of Those Escaping Al Fashir - bellingcat
Warning: Contains written descriptions of extreme violence including murder. All graphic footage has been omitted. A Bellingcat investigation has identified and verified the exact location of a mass k...
www.bellingcat.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
On Friday, the UK sanctioned Rapid Support Forces commander Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu. Bellingcat previously geolocated him in three videos filmed at the site of a mass killing near Al Fashir, Sudan.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/11...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
WSJ explains how FBI was able to solve Pipe Bomber case after so many years: an Agent wrote code to access T-Mobile data FBI HAD thought was corrupted.
Story confirms Cole is a Trump supporter and describes Agents are pissed bc Kash and Bongino are claiming credit.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Story confirms Cole is a Trump supporter and describes Agents are pissed bc Kash and Bongino are claiming credit.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
WSJ explains how FBI was able to solve Pipe Bomber case after so many years: an Agent wrote code to access T-Mobile data FBI HAD thought was corrupted.
Story confirms Cole is a Trump supporter and describes Agents are pissed bc Kash and Bongino are claiming credit.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Story confirms Cole is a Trump supporter and describes Agents are pissed bc Kash and Bongino are claiming credit.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
This is what happens when the FBI is run by two right-wing conspiracy theorist podcasters who spent the last 11 months purging almost anyone with institutional knowledge from the bureau. They're going to keep fucking this kind of thing up.
BREAKING: Authorities will release the person of interest in the Brown University shooting, officials said, as the investigation continues.
Live updates: Person of interest identified after 2 killed and 9 injured at Brown University
Live updates: 2 dead, 9 wounded in Brown University shooting; person of interest in custody
nbcnews.to
December 15, 2025 at 5:45 AM
This is what happens when the FBI is run by two right-wing conspiracy theorist podcasters who spent the last 11 months purging almost anyone with institutional knowledge from the bureau. They're going to keep fucking this kind of thing up.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
BREAKING NEWS: Two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter tell NBC News the suspect they believe is responsible for Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University is in custody. on.nbcboston.com/epA37Cm
LIVE UPDATES: Brown University shooter in custody, sources say
The school released several new updates overnight.
on.nbcboston.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
BREAKING NEWS: Two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter tell NBC News the suspect they believe is responsible for Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University is in custody. on.nbcboston.com/epA37Cm
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Incredible footage out of Australia, confirmed by NEWS AU, of a brave bystander neutralizing one of the terrorists in the Bondi Beach attack which took place during a Hanukkah gathering.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
December 14, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Incredible footage out of Australia, confirmed by NEWS AU, of a brave bystander neutralizing one of the terrorists in the Bondi Beach attack which took place during a Hanukkah gathering.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
This is like that Sideshow Bob stepping on a rake scene but the rakes are friends who politely can't take his shit anymore
Graham Linehan has such little self-awareness he *really* doesn’t understand how totally unhinged he seems in his ‘woe is me’ batshit crazy ranting! 😬
He’s the ‘cautionary tale’ of what obsessive ‘gender critical’ transphobia leads to: no friends, no life, and spaghetti carbonara for one!
He’s the ‘cautionary tale’ of what obsessive ‘gender critical’ transphobia leads to: no friends, no life, and spaghetti carbonara for one!
December 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is like that Sideshow Bob stepping on a rake scene but the rakes are friends who politely can't take his shit anymore
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
✈️👀No Venezuela deportation flight today as would be typical. Paused.
After months of twice-weekly U.S. deportation flights to Venezuela (Wednesdays and Fridays), the Venezuelan government announced that the U.S. has decided to pause today’s regularly scheduled flight. We haven’t tracked any flights to Caracas today. www.instagram.com/p/DSJW9DbjM7...
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
www.instagram.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
✈️👀No Venezuela deportation flight today as would be typical. Paused.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Trump appears 4 times in newly released Epstein photos released by House Democrats. Here they are. www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/p...
December 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Trump appears 4 times in newly released Epstein photos released by House Democrats. Here they are. www.cnn.com/2025/12/12/p...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Garcia: "Some of the other photos that we did not put out today are incredibly disturbing"
December 12, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Garcia: "Some of the other photos that we did not put out today are incredibly disturbing"
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
The Trump administration is killing civilians in the Caribbean and Pacific and trying to suppress videos of boat strikes and press coverage.
“Trump Has Appointed Himself, Judge, Jury, and Executioner”
Reporter Nick Turse, human rights attorney Dan Kovalik, and media lawyer Gregg Leslie discuss the boat strikes and attempts to stifle press coverage.
interc.pt
December 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Trump administration is killing civilians in the Caribbean and Pacific and trying to suppress videos of boat strikes and press coverage.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Bellingcat is a not-for-profit and our work would not be possible without the kind support of individual donors. Help us continue this work by donating today: www.bellingcat.com/donate/
Donate - bellingcat
Your donation to Bellingcat is a direct contribution to our research. With your support, we will continue to publish groundbreaking investigations on events of public interest worldwide to create impa...
www.bellingcat.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Bellingcat is a not-for-profit and our work would not be possible without the kind support of individual donors. Help us continue this work by donating today: www.bellingcat.com/donate/
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
The US-Russia 28-point peace proposal includes the recognition of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk as “de facto” Russian. Ownership of territories bordering the sea is critical for securing shipping routes and ports that play a vital role in supporting economic growth within these areas.
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The US-Russia 28-point peace proposal includes the recognition of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk as “de facto” Russian. Ownership of territories bordering the sea is critical for securing shipping routes and ports that play a vital role in supporting economic growth within these areas.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
The spokesperson also said the vessel Krasnodar was loading barley at the port of Kavkaz. Bellingcat checked available satellite imagery covering this port during the two journeys of the ship and found no vessels matching the length of Krasnodar.
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The spokesperson also said the vessel Krasnodar was loading barley at the port of Kavkaz. Bellingcat checked available satellite imagery covering this port during the two journeys of the ship and found no vessels matching the length of Krasnodar.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
The vessel is leased by Russian firm Petrokhleb-Kuban, a major player in Russian and international grain markets. Petrokhleb Kuban told Bellingcat it “categorically denies any allegations of involvement in the theft of grain from Ukrainian regions”.
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The vessel is leased by Russian firm Petrokhleb-Kuban, a major player in Russian and international grain markets. Petrokhleb Kuban told Bellingcat it “categorically denies any allegations of involvement in the theft of grain from Ukrainian regions”.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Ukrainian authorities told Bellingcat they “will seriously investigate this case” and that they recently "received assurances that Saudi authorities are actively counteracting the risks posed by shadow fleet operations and other violations of international maritime law.”
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Ukrainian authorities told Bellingcat they “will seriously investigate this case” and that they recently "received assurances that Saudi authorities are actively counteracting the risks posed by shadow fleet operations and other violations of international maritime law.”
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
While Saudi Arabia is the latest direct importer from Sevastopol, it is unclear if the authorities are aware of the origin of the cargo. ROR The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
While Saudi Arabia is the latest direct importer from Sevastopol, it is unclear if the authorities are aware of the origin of the cargo. ROR The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Bellingcat, and other outlets, have identified eight countries that have imported grain from occupied Crimea. These recent journeys indicate that Saudi Arabia has joined buyers in Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Venezuela and Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Russia’s Grain Smuggling Fleet Continues Undeterred - bellingcat
Bellingcat has identified yet another Russian-flagged vessel exporting grain from occupied Crimea to Houthi-controlled Yemen.
www.bellingcat.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Bellingcat, and other outlets, have identified eight countries that have imported grain from occupied Crimea. These recent journeys indicate that Saudi Arabia has joined buyers in Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Venezuela and Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
On both journeys, the ship turned off its AIS location data, hiding its presence in the port of Sevastopol. But satellite imagery confirms the ship was present at the port’s grain terminal. Satellite imagery: @vantortech
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
On both journeys, the ship turned off its AIS location data, hiding its presence in the port of Sevastopol. But satellite imagery confirms the ship was present at the port’s grain terminal. Satellite imagery: @vantortech