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Aaron Schaffer

@aaronschaffer.com

5.9K followers 420 following 190 posts

news researcher doing OSINT things and more at @washingtonpost.com. signal: aaronschaffer.01 https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/aaron-schaffer/

www.washingtonpost.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · Nov 15

Noticing a bunch of new followers on here recently and I wanted to say hi and introduce myself! I’m on the @washingtonpost.com news research team, where I dig into court records, databases, online footprints, archives, and a million other things! Oh, and I’m also a member of @postguild.bsky.social

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

omg @this.peculiar.day did a simit photoshoot www.ft.com/content/d413...

An ode to simit, Istanbul’s chewy, timeless superfood

This golden, sesame-crusted delight offers a delicious taste of Turkey’s past

www.ft.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

And credit to @asafeliashalev.bsky.social, who first reported on the filing: bsky.app/profile/asaf...

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 5d

www.jta.org/2025/10/03/i...

Israel to spend up to $4.1m on Christian PR campaign in western U.S., filings show - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

San Diego firm contracted to geofence churches, recruit pastors and tour an “October 7th Experience” exhibit as part of Israel's expanded global outreach efforts.

www.jta.org

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

"Will geofence same targeted churches running digital ads that are both pro-Isreal and anti-Palestinian"

"Will identify Social Media influencers to hire in exchange for favorable coverage"

"Will optimize SEO traffic so that favorable coverage is increased and unfavorable information is decreased."

A slide that says "Activities - Digital backup"

Underneath that, it says:
• Will develop website and maintain through a 1-year period, even if the bulk of grassroots activities are complete within 4-6 months
• Will geofence same targeted churches running digital ads that are both pro-Isreal and anti-Palestinian
• Will geofence attendees of our events to follow up with social media advertising.
• Will identify Social Media influencers to hire in exchange for favorable coverage
• Will manage the creation and shooting of sympathetic TV style commercial(s)
• Will distribute materials via social media
• Will optimize SEO traffic so that favorable coverage is increased and unfavorable information is decreased.

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

A couple slides that caught my eye:

A slide that says "Activity"; underneath that it says:

• Combat low American Evangelical Christian approval of the Nation of Israel
• Use biblical arguments to highlight the importance of Israel and the Jewish People to
Christians
• Educate Christians on the historical importance of Israel and its significance in the region
• Increase awareness of Palestinian ties to Hamas and support for terrorism within Evangelical populations
• Counter new and evolving pro-Palestinian messaging as the global narrative shifts

A slide that says "Goals"; underneath that it says:

Use a combination of personal and professional outreach to the Christian Community, combined with digital targeting and social media outreach to increase positive associations with the Nation of Israel while linking the Palestinian population with extremist factions.

Large-scale Christian Outreach and Education to individual Christians and to Christian leaders (Pastors and Professors).

Impressive physical displays of Pro-Israel educational materials.

Comprehensive Digital targeting and heavy Geofencing of ALL Christian churches in select markets.

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

I will note from the outset that the filing (see screenshot) seems to be saying that some of their planned activities are "still undecided and fluid."

But it's still a fascinating document to to read through. Here's the full filing, some highlights to come: efile.fara.gov/docs/7653-Ex...

A screenshot of the filing. It says "8. Describe fully the nature and method of performance of the above indicated agreement or understanding."

Underneath that, it says: "Christian outreach through various grassroots and digital targeting of christians in the western Us. we will create a mobile museum to display at churches, christian colleges, and christian events. we will target and distribute pro-Israel information online and through targeted geofencing and digital online tools. We will have teams of people reaching out to Churches and Pastors and possibly even Christian social media influencers. Some of this is still undecided and fluid, but these are the outlets we have planned and proposed."

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 3d

👀 A new FARA filing lays out strategy by a firm hired by Israel's foreign ministry to geofence US churches and Christian colleges to deliver "targeted pro-Israel content and sympathetic anti-Hamas messaging to engaged audiences" in the "largest Christian Church Geofencing Campaign in US History"

A slide that says "Targeted Geofencing Strategy" at the top of the page.

Underneath it has three sections:
The first says "Church Targeting"; underneath, it says "The largest Christian Church Geofencing Campaign in US History. It will be used to distribute our messages and encourage Christians and Pastors to reach out to us and follow our channels"
The second section says "College Campus Focus". It says "Target Christian Churches on Sundays, and Christian Colleges on weekdays with targeted ads for those who enter the regions. Ads will continue to track those who entered our target zones."
Another section says "Precision Engagement"; it says "Precision location-based targeting ensures only our target market sees ads, maximizing the effectiveness of our outreach"

At the bottom of the page, it says "This geofencing campaign would create a digital perimeter around key Christian gathering places, delivering targeted pro-Israel content and sympathetic anti-Hamas messaging to engaged audiences."

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Reposted by Aaron Schaffer

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 7d

Jane Goodall has died at 91.

Her startling observations about chimpanzee behaviors revolutionized not only scientific understanding of the capabilities and inner lives of primates, but also long-held notions about what it means to be human. https://wapo.st/476clLO

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 8d

Wow this opinion storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

storage.courtlistener.com

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 10d

This seems pretty nuanced, no? The techniques discussed in the application (if we're talking about the same one) include logging into Telegram tokens/keys on a seized iPhone, and powering on the iPhone and "using the Telegram application to login to the Subject Account on Telegram’s online webpage"

Reposted by Aaron Schaffer

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 12d

Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals to travel on short notice from around the world to hear him make a short speech on military standards and the “warrior ethos.”

New details emerge on Hegseth’s unusual mass gathering of top brass

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has summoned hundreds of generals for what is expected to be a short lecture on the “warrior ethos.” But top brass is bracing for possible firings or demotions.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 13d

A screenshot from Gerrit's video showing Gerrit's face with the "Smiling Face with Horns Emoji" superimposed over it

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 13d

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of the U.S. military’s generals and admirals to gather on short notice — and without a stated reason — at a Marine Corps base in Virginia next week, sowing confusion and alarm after firings of senior leaders www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Hegseth orders rare, urgent meeting of hundreds of generals, admirals

The Pentagon has summoned military officials from around the world for a gathering in Virginia. Top generals and their staffs don’t know the reason for the meeting.

www.washingtonpost.com

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 18d

Posted again, includes Lindsey Halligan's full name now truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, “same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia???...

truthsocial.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 19d

“A reporter who publishes only what the government ‘authorizes’ is doing something other than reporting,” said @katiefallow.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is imposing strict new rules that would severely limit the ability of journalists to report on the Pentagon.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 21d

D.C. Council passes measure to allow covid vaccine without a prescription
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

D.C. Council passes measure to allow covid vaccine without a prescription

The council voted to allow pharmacies to administer vaccine shots without prescriptions for residents 65 and older and other adults with risk factors.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 23d

whaaaaat there's a new season of futurama?!?

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 23d

About two hours before Tyler Robinson turned himself in, he appears to have confessed to friends in an online chat. “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all,” said a Discord message from an account belonging to Robinson. “It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.” wapo.st/4gop4MV

‘It was me’: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting appears to confess in Discord chat

‘Im sorry for all of this’ read a message from the suspect’s account, according to two people familiar with the message and screenshots obtained by The Post.

wapo.st

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 23d

‘It was me’: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting appears to confess in Discord chat wapo.st/4gop4MV

‘It was me’: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting appears to confess in Discord chat

‘Im sorry for all of this’ read a message from the suspect’s account, according to two people familiar with the message and screenshots obtained by The Post.

wapo.st

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 26d

"Trump health officials plan to link coronavirus vaccines to the deaths of 25 children as they consider limiting which Americans should get the shots, according to four people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe confidential information." wapo.st/47LFKvL

Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists

The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.

wapo.st

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 28d

"Zoomed in and stabilized, the footage shows a person who appears to be in dark clothing running for approximately two seconds before going out of frame as the camera pans. The roof is roughly 140 yards from where Kirk had just been shot." wapo.st/4n46a0y

Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · 28d

NEW: A video enhanced by The Washington Post shows a person running across a roof overlooking the courtyard where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot seconds earlier. Gift link: wapo.st/4n46a0y

Video shows person running on roof immediately after Kirk shooting

A video enhanced by The Washington Post shows a person running across a roof overlooking the courtyard where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot seconds earlier.

wapo.st

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Reposted by Aaron Schaffer

The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · Sep 8

Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has given Congress a copy of the 2003 birthday book, including the letter with Trump’s signature that he has said doesn’t exist.

Read more: 🔗 on.wsj.com/4nGGdnJ

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · Sep 7

This video appears to have been taken months ago: www.facebook.com/639562152/vi...

2.5K views · 49 reactions | what the hell is happening in this country? #chicago via @p_biancaaaaaa | Chauncey Dandridge

what the hell is happening in this country? #chicago via @p_biancaaaaaa.

www.facebook.com

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Reposted by Aaron Schaffer

Scott Nover @scottnover.bsky.social · Sep 6

Business Insider yanked 40 essays with suspect bylines. A @washingtonpost.com probe into these mass retractions found key links between the bogus writer “Margaux Blanchard” and another individual, suggesting a broader scheme. Here’s what I found: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Business Insider yanked 40 essays with suspect bylines. Are they related?

“Margaux Blanchard” appears to be one dubious element of a broader scheme to peddle bogus articles to a number of publications.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Aaron Schaffer @aaronschaffer.com · Sep 2

"D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) on Tuesday welcomed federal law enforcement officials to stay in D.C. indefinitely, a powerful indication of her willingness to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s effort to take over public safety in the capital city." www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Bowser welcomes federal law enforcement presence indefinitely

Bowser issued an executive order Tuesday requiring local coordination with federal law enforcement “to the maximum extent allowable by law.” The order gives no expiration date.

www.washingtonpost.com

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