Ellin Stein
@ellinst.bsky.social
Arts journo (now mostly Slate and Byline Times),
MA Screenwriting lecturer @Goldsmiths UoL, authorina https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393074093, tech fumbler
MA Screenwriting lecturer @Goldsmiths UoL, authorina https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393074093, tech fumbler
Reposted by Ellin Stein
BONDI: "You didn't ask Merrill Garland anything about Epstein"
Let me explain in simple terms: DOJ was actively prosecuting during Biden's presidency; documents were sealed by judges and remained so until Maxwell exhausted her appeals; Biden Government insisted on not interfering with the DOJ.
Let me explain in simple terms: DOJ was actively prosecuting during Biden's presidency; documents were sealed by judges and remained so until Maxwell exhausted her appeals; Biden Government insisted on not interfering with the DOJ.
February 11, 2026 at 7:34 PM
BONDI: "You didn't ask Merrill Garland anything about Epstein"
Let me explain in simple terms: DOJ was actively prosecuting during Biden's presidency; documents were sealed by judges and remained so until Maxwell exhausted her appeals; Biden Government insisted on not interfering with the DOJ.
Let me explain in simple terms: DOJ was actively prosecuting during Biden's presidency; documents were sealed by judges and remained so until Maxwell exhausted her appeals; Biden Government insisted on not interfering with the DOJ.
Reposted by Ellin Stein
She does not want people to view her head spinning around. "360 degree move" Disgrace to the Rule of Law with her CrackerJack Box Law License. Disgrace
abcnews.com/US/doj-drops...
abcnews.com/US/doj-drops...
DOJ drops charges against another client of AG Pam Bondi's brother Brad
For the second time in less than a month, the DOJ has dropped charges against a client represented by Brad Bondi, the brother of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
abcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:24 PM
She does not want people to view her head spinning around. "360 degree move" Disgrace to the Rule of Law with her CrackerJack Box Law License. Disgrace
abcnews.com/US/doj-drops...
abcnews.com/US/doj-drops...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
She spent the whole morning performatively screaming at Congressmen, but this image of Bondi saying nothing and refusing to turn around will be the only real takeaway from her testimony today.
Likely-historic photo by NBC News of all the Epstein victims asked to raise their hands if they've not yet been asked to meet with the DOJ as Bondi testifies in foreground
February 11, 2026 at 6:31 PM
She spent the whole morning performatively screaming at Congressmen, but this image of Bondi saying nothing and refusing to turn around will be the only real takeaway from her testimony today.
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Job growth in the supposedly terrible Biden economy of 2023-24 averaged 192k per month. With 2021-22 it's even higher.
In the supposedly great pre-COVID Trump economy of 2/17-2/20, it averaged 181k.
Now one month of 130k is praised as strong growth, because standards are lower for one special boy.
In the supposedly great pre-COVID Trump economy of 2/17-2/20, it averaged 181k.
Now one month of 130k is praised as strong growth, because standards are lower for one special boy.
February 11, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Job growth in the supposedly terrible Biden economy of 2023-24 averaged 192k per month. With 2021-22 it's even higher.
In the supposedly great pre-COVID Trump economy of 2/17-2/20, it averaged 181k.
Now one month of 130k is praised as strong growth, because standards are lower for one special boy.
In the supposedly great pre-COVID Trump economy of 2/17-2/20, it averaged 181k.
Now one month of 130k is praised as strong growth, because standards are lower for one special boy.
Reposted by Ellin Stein
"Yeah, everyone just go ahead and delete TikTok now if you haven't already."
TikTok Refuses to Confirm or Deny That It's Providing User Data to ICE
TikTok refuses to confirm or deny that ICE is obtaining detailed information about its users via private data brokers.
trib.al
February 11, 2026 at 3:03 AM
"Yeah, everyone just go ahead and delete TikTok now if you haven't already."
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Trump posts a picture showing Canada and Greenland as part of the US. As I note today, his rhetoric violates the U.N. Charter: It requires members to “refrain … from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” wapo.st/3MsWi3c
February 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Trump posts a picture showing Canada and Greenland as part of the US. As I note today, his rhetoric violates the U.N. Charter: It requires members to “refrain … from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” wapo.st/3MsWi3c
Reposted by Ellin Stein
I’ve never felt unsafe in this bougie neighborhood a day in my life. This is a 25 mph zone, full of fancy bars and restaurants, a curling club, salons, boutiques, and one of the busiest coffee shops around. They are doing their damndest to wreck everything here.
This is the aftermath of an ICE kidnapping a few blocks from my home in St. Paul—an hour ago. A quiet street full of broken glass and at least three wrecked cars. The target of the kidnapping was taken away by ambulance. He was on a stretcher and covered by a sheet, though a cop said he was alive.
February 11, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I’ve never felt unsafe in this bougie neighborhood a day in my life. This is a 25 mph zone, full of fancy bars and restaurants, a curling club, salons, boutiques, and one of the busiest coffee shops around. They are doing their damndest to wreck everything here.
Reposted by Ellin Stein
now add this tradition to the list bsky.app/profile/phil...
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:21 PM
now add this tradition to the list bsky.app/profile/phil...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
holy hell
today is just a banner day for the mass repression and erasure of all reliable information huh
today is just a banner day for the mass repression and erasure of all reliable information huh
They closed the CIA World Factbook and deleted it entirely.
February 4, 2026 at 11:23 PM
holy hell
today is just a banner day for the mass repression and erasure of all reliable information huh
today is just a banner day for the mass repression and erasure of all reliable information huh
Reposted by Ellin Stein
holy shit -- Bondi's new tactic is refusing to answer Democratic questions, then using time during the next Republican questioner to smear the previous Democratic member and accuse them of being complicit in violence crimes
February 11, 2026 at 6:40 PM
holy shit -- Bondi's new tactic is refusing to answer Democratic questions, then using time during the next Republican questioner to smear the previous Democratic member and accuse them of being complicit in violence crimes
Reposted by Ellin Stein
ICE CRIME WAVE
ICE affiliated with alleged sex trafficker—among other monsters www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
ICE affiliated with alleged sex trafficker—among other monsters www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
ICE affiliated with alleged sex trafficker—among other monsters
Police in Minnesota announced Tuesday that a background checker for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement has been arrested as part of an sex trafficking sting. The ...
www.dailykos.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:20 PM
ICE CRIME WAVE
ICE affiliated with alleged sex trafficker—among other monsters www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
ICE affiliated with alleged sex trafficker—among other monsters www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Republicans are pushing the SAVE America Act to choke off the vote. Passports to register. National photo ID to vote. Database purges to wipe out voters. Millions of citizens silenced so the GOP can cling to power.
We see it. We stop it.
#HandsOffHerVote
We see it. We stop it.
#HandsOffHerVote
February 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Republicans are pushing the SAVE America Act to choke off the vote. Passports to register. National photo ID to vote. Database purges to wipe out voters. Millions of citizens silenced so the GOP can cling to power.
We see it. We stop it.
#HandsOffHerVote
We see it. We stop it.
#HandsOffHerVote
Reposted by Ellin Stein
I suspect that will be WhatsApps etc from Mandelson the politician using back channels. Not Mandelson as HM Ambassador signing off the constant stream of reporting from the Embassy as a whole. An important distinction: we need an effective diplomacy for a world of disorder. End
February 9, 2026 at 9:36 AM
I suspect that will be WhatsApps etc from Mandelson the politician using back channels. Not Mandelson as HM Ambassador signing off the constant stream of reporting from the Embassy as a whole. An important distinction: we need an effective diplomacy for a world of disorder. End
Reposted by Ellin Stein
They have been told they are being monitored by the Iranian state, despite being in exile.
Their families are interrogated and threatened with asset seizures.
Extraordinary pressure being put on BBC Persian service journalists:
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Their families are interrogated and threatened with asset seizures.
Extraordinary pressure being put on BBC Persian service journalists:
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
BBC Persian journalists say Iran monitoring them and targeting their families
Reporters say relatives in Iran have been questioned and persecuted in an effort to curb coverage of unrest
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
They have been told they are being monitored by the Iranian state, despite being in exile.
Their families are interrogated and threatened with asset seizures.
Extraordinary pressure being put on BBC Persian service journalists:
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Their families are interrogated and threatened with asset seizures.
Extraordinary pressure being put on BBC Persian service journalists:
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
NEW: The UK’s media regulator Ofcom accused of abandoning “any pretence” of guarding against misleading/biased coverage, as it refuses to investigate GB News interview with Donald Trump.
Some had pointed to this as a test case for Ofcom.
No comment from GB News
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Some had pointed to this as a test case for Ofcom.
No comment from GB News
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Ofcom under fire after refusing to investigate ‘misleading’ GB News Trump interview
US president not challenged over false claims climate change is ‘hoax’ and parts of London have sharia law
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:06 PM
NEW: The UK’s media regulator Ofcom accused of abandoning “any pretence” of guarding against misleading/biased coverage, as it refuses to investigate GB News interview with Donald Trump.
Some had pointed to this as a test case for Ofcom.
No comment from GB News
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Some had pointed to this as a test case for Ofcom.
No comment from GB News
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
BBC Radio 4 6pm news today is not impartial.
When is their Chief Political correspondent, Chris Mason, joining GBNews?
When is their Chief Political correspondent, Chris Mason, joining GBNews?
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
BBC Radio 4 6pm news today is not impartial.
When is their Chief Political correspondent, Chris Mason, joining GBNews?
When is their Chief Political correspondent, Chris Mason, joining GBNews?
Reposted by Ellin Stein
For 8 years my stories had to include: "Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, but I review all technology with the same critical eye."
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
The truth about covering tech at Bezos’s Washington Post
And why ‘We the users’ matters more than ever
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 PM
For 8 years my stories had to include: "Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, but I review all technology with the same critical eye."
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Don't Worry - the Men Who Stole the American Dream Are Doing Just Fine
I decided to take a look at executives involved in the 2008 financial crisis, which crushed the American dream for millions of families, only to find out, most of them are thriving in Trump's America
I decided to take a look at executives involved in the 2008 financial crisis, which crushed the American dream for millions of families, only to find out, most of them are thriving in Trump's America
Don't Worry - the Men Who Stole the American Dream Are Doing Just Fine
I decided to take a look at executives involved in the 2008 financial crisis, which crushed the American dream for millions of families, only to find out, most of them are thriving in Trump's America
www.bettedangerous.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Don't Worry - the Men Who Stole the American Dream Are Doing Just Fine
I decided to take a look at executives involved in the 2008 financial crisis, which crushed the American dream for millions of families, only to find out, most of them are thriving in Trump's America
I decided to take a look at executives involved in the 2008 financial crisis, which crushed the American dream for millions of families, only to find out, most of them are thriving in Trump's America
Reposted by Ellin Stein
This is innovation - from a Swedish pioneer, and more efficient, quieter and cheaper to operate:
economist.com/science-and-...
(from The Economist)
economist.com/science-and-...
(from The Economist)
“Flying” electric boats could remake urban transport
The convergence of three technologies has made possible the reinvention of the hydrofoil
economist.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:17 AM
This is innovation - from a Swedish pioneer, and more efficient, quieter and cheaper to operate:
economist.com/science-and-...
(from The Economist)
economist.com/science-and-...
(from The Economist)
Reposted by Ellin Stein
NEW: BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
NEW: BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Reposted by Ellin Stein
The annual change in GDP topped 15% in only five years since 1929 -- four times under FDR and once under Truman.
Conservatives at the time, and since, denounced those presidents for practicing "socialism," which Trump claims is the top problem constricting the economy today.
Conservatives at the time, and since, denounced those presidents for practicing "socialism," which Trump claims is the top problem constricting the economy today.
TRUMP: We can grow at 15 percent. I think more than that!
KUDLOW: Well, 15 is a big number sir
TRUMP: But Larry, you can do it. We used to grow at 15 percent because we had spirit. Today we have a lot of communism
KUDLOW: Well, 15 is a big number sir
TRUMP: But Larry, you can do it. We used to grow at 15 percent because we had spirit. Today we have a lot of communism
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
The annual change in GDP topped 15% in only five years since 1929 -- four times under FDR and once under Truman.
Conservatives at the time, and since, denounced those presidents for practicing "socialism," which Trump claims is the top problem constricting the economy today.
Conservatives at the time, and since, denounced those presidents for practicing "socialism," which Trump claims is the top problem constricting the economy today.
Attention, European and Latin American football fans. Still planning on coming?
ICE plans to have a presence at the World Cup this summer, acting director Todd Lyons said Tuesday.
ICE will be at the World Cup, director says
Trump's immigration crackdown fuels a backlash that could affect how fans and teams engage with the World Cup.
www.axios.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Attention, European and Latin American football fans. Still planning on coming?
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Aaand there you go: Trump’s sudden about-face on the most important Canada-US border crossing came after meeting with the billionaire family that owns the rival bridge. Nice scoop, confirming suspicions of everyone who has followed this file and is familiar with Trump www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/w...
Bridge Owner Lobbied Administration Before Trump Blasted Competing Span to Canada
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Aaand there you go: Trump’s sudden about-face on the most important Canada-US border crossing came after meeting with the billionaire family that owns the rival bridge. Nice scoop, confirming suspicions of everyone who has followed this file and is familiar with Trump www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/w...
Hold up - "nannies"? Multiple nannies? For four children? With two parents present?
VAN HOLLEN: Did you in fact make the visit to Epstein's private island?
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
LUTNICK: I did have lunch w/ him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my 4 children and nannies. We had lunch on the island. That's true. For an hour. We left with all of my children
February 11, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Hold up - "nannies"? Multiple nannies? For four children? With two parents present?
Reposted by Ellin Stein
Lots of insights here, including:
1. 350k Russian soldiers KIA, more than any post-WWII war
2. Russia advancing only 15-70 *meters* a day during major offensives
3. Payouts for soldier deaths concentrated mostly in the poorest regions like Tuva (25x more likely to die than soldier from Moscow)
1. 350k Russian soldiers KIA, more than any post-WWII war
2. Russia advancing only 15-70 *meters* a day during major offensives
3. Payouts for soldier deaths concentrated mostly in the poorest regions like Tuva (25x more likely to die than soldier from Moscow)
Russian army casualties in Ukraine surge
Rising number of men killed or missing in action makes a military breakthrough for Moscow less likely, officials say
www.ft.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Lots of insights here, including:
1. 350k Russian soldiers KIA, more than any post-WWII war
2. Russia advancing only 15-70 *meters* a day during major offensives
3. Payouts for soldier deaths concentrated mostly in the poorest regions like Tuva (25x more likely to die than soldier from Moscow)
1. 350k Russian soldiers KIA, more than any post-WWII war
2. Russia advancing only 15-70 *meters* a day during major offensives
3. Payouts for soldier deaths concentrated mostly in the poorest regions like Tuva (25x more likely to die than soldier from Moscow)