Renee DiResta
@noupside.bsky.social
🌐Studies influence, propaganda, platform design@Georgetown
✍🏼Lawfare,The Atlantic
📕Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality (invisiblerulers.com) —how influencers, algorithms, &online crowds shape public opinion
🦹🏻♀️Twitter Files supervillain
✍🏼Lawfare,The Atlantic
📕Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality (invisiblerulers.com) —how influencers, algorithms, &online crowds shape public opinion
🦹🏻♀️Twitter Files supervillain
Pinned
Renee DiResta
@noupside.bsky.social
· Apr 15
New from me: an essay on the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, and its remarkable 30 year history of witch hunts & blacklists.
It chronicles the progression of how industries & academia went from capitulation to defiance,& what we can take from that today
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/proc...
It chronicles the progression of how industries & academia went from capitulation to defiance,& what we can take from that today
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/proc...
Reposted by Renee DiResta
New episode of Misguided just launched with @noupside.bsky.social!
We discuss her path into social media research, how online groups shape belief, and why AI is shifting the information battle upstream, plus what institutions must do to rebuild trust.
We discuss her path into social media research, how online groups shape belief, and why AI is shifting the information battle upstream, plus what institutions must do to rebuild trust.
Bespoke Realities, Invisible Rulers, and the Battle for Truth
Renée DiResta joins me to discuss how online influence networks shape belief, who steers the information ecosystem, and why AI’s reference layer is becoming the next battleground for truth.
matthewfacciani.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
New episode of Misguided just launched with @noupside.bsky.social!
We discuss her path into social media research, how online groups shape belief, and why AI is shifting the information battle upstream, plus what institutions must do to rebuild trust.
We discuss her path into social media research, how online groups shape belief, and why AI is shifting the information battle upstream, plus what institutions must do to rebuild trust.
By me: a brief history of foreign agitators pretending to be Americans over the last decade, with most out to make a buck monetizing the culture war 💸(politics matter less than you think), and what X’s new feature shows…
open.substack.com/pub/agentsof...
open.substack.com/pub/agentsof...
On the Internet No One Knows You’re a “MAGA patriot” in Lagos
On X's new location feature...
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
By me: a brief history of foreign agitators pretending to be Americans over the last decade, with most out to make a buck monetizing the culture war 💸(politics matter less than you think), and what X’s new feature shows…
open.substack.com/pub/agentsof...
open.substack.com/pub/agentsof...
Reposted by Renee DiResta
This from @paulsperry.bsky.social is a bald-faced lie and contains no element of truth. I never received a “leak” of “highly sensitive details about an active investigation” from @jamescomey.bsky.social—in a October 2016 or at any other time, on Google or on any other platform. He links to nothing
November 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
This from @paulsperry.bsky.social is a bald-faced lie and contains no element of truth. I never received a “leak” of “highly sensitive details about an active investigation” from @jamescomey.bsky.social—in a October 2016 or at any other time, on Google or on any other platform. He links to nothing
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Read all of this. This is everything and everybody we were trying to warn about.
NEW: When RFK Jr. first told Trump that Tylenol might cause autism, the president wanted to tweet out a warning. Kennedy told him not to do that. There was nuance, and the drug companies would push back. “I don’t give a shit about that,” Trump responded. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
The Most Powerful Man in Science
Why is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. so convinced he’s right?
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Read all of this. This is everything and everybody we were trying to warn about.
The reason this is happening is a combination of 1) incentives and 2) supply meeting demand.
There is no more consistent result in studies of monetized propaganda than that the MAGA right is a particularly receptive niche.
There is no more consistent result in studies of monetized propaganda than that the MAGA right is a particularly receptive niche.
I see a lot of Paidchecks on X didn’t realize that a whole lot of people on social media lie about their location to grift off the naïveté of the rage-addled American right.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The reason this is happening is a combination of 1) incentives and 2) supply meeting demand.
There is no more consistent result in studies of monetized propaganda than that the MAGA right is a particularly receptive niche.
There is no more consistent result in studies of monetized propaganda than that the MAGA right is a particularly receptive niche.
I see a lot of Paidchecks on X didn’t realize that a whole lot of people on social media lie about their location to grift off the naïveté of the rage-addled American right.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I see a lot of Paidchecks on X didn’t realize that a whole lot of people on social media lie about their location to grift off the naïveté of the rage-addled American right.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Turns out this problem is real and it’s a thing those of us who worked on “disinformation” pointed out.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
The Senate homeland security committee's chair has asked researchers to turn over troves of documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more, according to a letter reviewed by WIRED.
www.wired.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:13 PM
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
A must read. Click through.
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A must read. Click through.
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
The Senate homeland security committee's chair has asked researchers to turn over troves of documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more, according to a letter reviewed by WIRED.
www.wired.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:13 PM
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Someone check on Bill Ackman
Q: would you feel comfortable living in NYC under a Mamdani administration ?
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
TRUMP: I would. I really would.
November 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Someone check on Bill Ackman
A crackpot with control over the infrastructure trying to force reality to bend to his fringe beliefs.
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A crackpot with control over the infrastructure trying to force reality to bend to his fringe beliefs.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
we just FOIA-sued for their comms with platforms about ICE tracking apps www.eff.org/press/releas...
EFF Demands Answers About ICE-Spotting App Takedowns
SAN FRANCISCO – The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sued the departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) today to uncover information about the federal government demanding that tech...
www.eff.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
we just FOIA-sued for their comms with platforms about ICE tracking apps www.eff.org/press/releas...
The lunatics are running the asylum.
Spent last Friday at a conference on the Digital Dark Ages and have been working on a paper on agnotology in this realm specifically and now the antivax cranks in power literally changed the government website today.
Spent last Friday at a conference on the Digital Dark Ages and have been working on a paper on agnotology in this realm specifically and now the antivax cranks in power literally changed the government website today.
November 20, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The lunatics are running the asylum.
Spent last Friday at a conference on the Digital Dark Ages and have been working on a paper on agnotology in this realm specifically and now the antivax cranks in power literally changed the government website today.
Spent last Friday at a conference on the Digital Dark Ages and have been working on a paper on agnotology in this realm specifically and now the antivax cranks in power literally changed the government website today.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Just wanna re-up in simple terms that when Biden talked to platforms, Jim Jordan launched years of investigations into everybody involved, said it was tyranny, censorship, etc.
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
DHS playing 'whack-a-mole' shooting down made-up ICE stories
The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up efforts to combat fake news, viral AI videos, and misinformation on ICE and Border Patrol.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Just wanna re-up in simple terms that when Biden talked to platforms, Jim Jordan launched years of investigations into everybody involved, said it was tyranny, censorship, etc.
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
Just wanna re-up in simple terms that when Biden talked to platforms, Jim Jordan launched years of investigations into everybody involved, said it was tyranny, censorship, etc.
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
DHS playing 'whack-a-mole' shooting down made-up ICE stories
The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up efforts to combat fake news, viral AI videos, and misinformation on ICE and Border Patrol.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Just wanna re-up in simple terms that when Biden talked to platforms, Jim Jordan launched years of investigations into everybody involved, said it was tyranny, censorship, etc.
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
And now they just straight up acknowledge that they talk to platforms too.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
Ok Matt Taibbi has posted.
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Ok Matt Taibbi has posted.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
The facts are complicated, but here’s a summary of what appears to have happened based on the filings and today’s hearing:
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The facts are complicated, but here’s a summary of what appears to have happened based on the filings and today’s hearing:
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Important piece on how we got here.
Brownstone raised millions to undermine COVID prevention policies.
Now at least 8 people with ties to Brownstone hold senior positions at federal health agencies, where they are restricting vaccines and cutting science funding.
Brownstone raised millions to undermine COVID prevention policies.
Now at least 8 people with ties to Brownstone hold senior positions at federal health agencies, where they are restricting vaccines and cutting science funding.
A Small Texas Think Tank Cultivated Covid Dissidents. Now They’re Running US Health Policy. - KFF Health News
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. In recent months, people with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exerc...
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Important piece on how we got here.
Brownstone raised millions to undermine COVID prevention policies.
Now at least 8 people with ties to Brownstone hold senior positions at federal health agencies, where they are restricting vaccines and cutting science funding.
Brownstone raised millions to undermine COVID prevention policies.
Now at least 8 people with ties to Brownstone hold senior positions at federal health agencies, where they are restricting vaccines and cutting science funding.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
I warmly recommend Josh Szeps's detailed analysis of why Tucker Carlson is the most talented and dangerous rhetorician on the right. youtube.com/watch?v=CURq...
How Tucker Carlson Manipulates An Argument
YouTube video by Josh Szeps
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I warmly recommend Josh Szeps's detailed analysis of why Tucker Carlson is the most talented and dangerous rhetorician on the right. youtube.com/watch?v=CURq...
Incredible stuff happening over at DHS, which is...talking to tech platforms ab deepfakes & disinfo? 👀 👀
Matt Taibbi hasn't yet spoken. Neither has Shellenberger. Mike Benz is posting about "The BBC, The CIA & The Marshall Plan Of The Mind".
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
Matt Taibbi hasn't yet spoken. Neither has Shellenberger. Mike Benz is posting about "The BBC, The CIA & The Marshall Plan Of The Mind".
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Incredible stuff happening over at DHS, which is...talking to tech platforms ab deepfakes & disinfo? 👀 👀
Matt Taibbi hasn't yet spoken. Neither has Shellenberger. Mike Benz is posting about "The BBC, The CIA & The Marshall Plan Of The Mind".
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
Matt Taibbi hasn't yet spoken. Neither has Shellenberger. Mike Benz is posting about "The BBC, The CIA & The Marshall Plan Of The Mind".
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3...
Don’t miss this one
At 4pm ET today, join @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @mollyroberts.bsky.social for a discussion of what happened at this morning's hearing on the grand jury proceedings in the prosecution of James Comey on Substack or YouTube.
Lawfare Live: Discussing Today's Hearing on the Comey Grand Jury Proceedings
At 4 pm ET, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes will sit down with Lawfare Senior Editors Anna Bower, Molly Roberts, and Roger Parloff to discuss today's hearing on the grand jury proceedings in t...
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Don’t miss this one
Paul Thacker is mad at me on X again...he's calling me a "fake academic" which I think is supposed to be a burn but is a term I've used myself since I don't have a PhD lol.
Anyway here's Paul's bio, which still lists a Harvard fellowship that he had for 2 years, 10 yrs ago. Fake academic what what?
Anyway here's Paul's bio, which still lists a Harvard fellowship that he had for 2 years, 10 yrs ago. Fake academic what what?
November 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Paul Thacker is mad at me on X again...he's calling me a "fake academic" which I think is supposed to be a burn but is a term I've used myself since I don't have a PhD lol.
Anyway here's Paul's bio, which still lists a Harvard fellowship that he had for 2 years, 10 yrs ago. Fake academic what what?
Anyway here's Paul's bio, which still lists a Harvard fellowship that he had for 2 years, 10 yrs ago. Fake academic what what?
Vaccine edition: “Why didn’t the people who got vaccinated to help end a global pandemic defend my choice not to? 😢”
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Vaccine edition: “Why didn’t the people who got vaccinated to help end a global pandemic defend my choice not to? 😢”
top-tier story about Tulsi apparently dropping soon...
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
top-tier story about Tulsi apparently dropping soon...
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
November 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News