Good morning, Kitties. Today we have secret foreign money allegations, abandoned troops, armed agents visiting voters, plutonium production without adequate safeguards and another Trump family business arrangement that smells like a dumpster behind a seafood restaurant. The corruption is no longer hiding in smoke filled rooms. It has a Pentagon contract, a charter school invoice and several screenshots from Jared Kushner’s phone.
Shit Show Recap
- Vanity Fair reports that Dutch intelligence allegedly monitored Jared Kushner accessing secret accounts tied to more than $700 million in transfers. Apparently diplomacy now comes with offshore banking and a complimentary warlord.
- The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists warns that the government is accelerating plutonium pit production despite safety, cost and oversight concerns. Nothing says responsible nuclear policy like rushing the part that can erase civilization.
- NewsGirls interviewed former Pentagon officials who allege two advisers may possess damaging information giving them extraordinary influence over Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon may be running on blackmail, testosterone and whatever was left in the minibar.
- MeidasTouch published images and accounts from military personnel describing severe damage, poor preparation and abandonment at American bases, while noting that some claims remain unverified. Support the troops apparently means silence them before the photographs escape.
- FactCheck.org examines the week’s political claims, including attacks on Amy Acton and competing claims about Trump’s record. Facts remain stubborn little bastards, even when campaigns spend millions trying to smother them.
- Heather Ashley reports that Trump waived major sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia shortly before they were scheduled to begin. Putin ordered relief and his favorite drive through president delivered.
- Aaron Parnas traces five decades of Russian efforts to cultivate access to Donald Trump and influence American politics. Fifty years is less a red flag than an entire Soviet parade.
- MeidasTouch reports that the woman featured in Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad against Amy Acton was previously found guilty of animal neglect, although that ruling was later vacated over denial of counsel. Vivek spent millions shopping for character testimony and hired the villain from a kitten rescue commercial.
- The Hartmann Report argues that Starlink’s military importance and Elon Musk’s personal control present an unacceptable national security risk. Perhaps one billionaire should not have an off switch for another country’s survival.
- Andy O’Brien reports that staff connected to the far right Maine Wire confronted and filmed Somali voters and interpreters in Lewiston. Apparently journalism now means frightening brown people near ballots and calling the footage content.
- OpenSecrets reports that Byron Donalds entered the final stretch of Florida’s governor race with roughly $33 million more available than David Jolly. Florida democracy is free, but the premium package costs about $149 million.
- TiffinOhio.net found that public retirement funds lost nearly $7.5 million in reported value across collapses involving biotechnology companies tied to Vivek Ramaswamy. Teachers supplied the pension money while Vivek supplied the exciting opportunity to watch it evaporate.
- The Tampa Bay Times found that charter schools paid more than $30 million to companies run by Erika Donalds, whose husband wants to govern Florida. Public education dollars took one look at the Donalds family and apparently developed Stockholm syndrome.
- Insider Paper reports that more than 40 North Korean government websites went dark during repeated nationwide connectivity failures. Even the dictatorship’s internet tried to defect.
- Action News 5 reports that Kohen Wiley’s family and attorney Ben Crump called the fatal police shooting of the one year old unjustified after viewing body camera footage. A child is dead, and his family deserves truth, transparency and justice without excuses.
- Axios reports that Trump must sit for a deposition by December 11 in the $10 billion defamation lawsuit he filed against the BBC. He ordered the courtroom special and now seems startled that it comes with questions under oath.
- Gen X Girl examines how criminals are attacking AI systems, stealing access and using the same tools to accelerate cybercrime. The robots are not overthrowing humanity yet because hackers are still busy stealing their passwords.
- Yahoo News covers unproven documentary allegations that Lindsey Graham paid male escorts, including one man who claims he was seventeen at the time. The claims require independent verification because hypocrisy is evidence of character, not proof of a crime.
- The PunchUp reports that warrantless searches by immigration agents could jeopardize the prosecution of a piano teacher accused of sexually abusing children. They were so committed to law enforcement that they may have helped wreck the case.
- The Sunny Apocalypse recaps resistance actions and growing disruptions at Trump rallies. His rallies now resemble assisted living dinner theater interrupted by the consequences of his own presidency.
- US Democratic Socialists reports that armed federal agents visited voters’ homes with target lists and questions about citizenship and voting. Nothing reassures voters about election integrity like a gun and an interrogation on the porch.
- Mother Jones reports that Anna Paulina Luna’s husband owns part of a drone company tied to about $37 million in Pentagon awards. She promised to drain the swamp and apparently installed a defense contractor gift shop.
- ProPublica found that Education Department civil rights investigations fell sharply while complaints involving discrimination and sexual violence continued pouring in. The Civil Rights Office has become an automated reply telling survivors their trauma is outside business hours.
- MS NOW reports that the Justice Department watchdog declined to investigate prosecutors who falsely accused Olympian David Hearn of damaging the Reflecting Pool. The government ruined the man’s name, dropped the charge and filed accountability under absolutely not.
- ABC News reports that the deaths of two CIA agents during a Mexican drug lab operation helped trigger a rare treason case against a former Chihuahua attorney general. International cooperation has become a crime scene with diplomatic immunity.
- Montreal Gazette reports that a Quebec judge authorized a $600 million class action concerning intimate material allegedly published without consent on Pornhub and related sites. Survivors were treated like inventory, and now the warehouse may finally face a bill.
- Oakland Report reports that damaged fiber and copper lines disabled Oakland’s emergency communications system, forcing 911 calls to be rerouted through Alameda County. America built artificial intelligence but left emergency services attached to stealable wire.
Today’s stories share one rancid little heartbeat. Powerful people keep treating public institutions as personal businesses, voters as suspects, soldiers as disposable props and survivors as administrative clutter. But reporters, families, whistleblowers and investigators keep dragging the evidence into daylight, where even the best funded coverup eventually starts to smell.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- Street Medicine Institute supports medical teams and community partners who bring health care directly to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council works to improve health care and end homelessness through research, training, policy advocacy, and partnerships with health care providers.
What We Are Watching Today
- 10:00 AM EDT
House Education Committee Field Hearing on Education Freedom Tax Credit and School Choice Policies Live - 10:30 AM EDT
Ohio Governor Candidate Ramaswamy (R) Campaigns at Pancake Breakfast Live - 11:00 AM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Troy Jackson (D-ME) Casts Absentee Ballot - 11:00 AM EDT
Governor Candidate Rep. John James (R-MI) Tours Manufacturing Facility in Livonia, MI - 11:30 AM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate James Talarico (D-TX) Casts Ballot in Austin, TX - 1:00 PM EDT
U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) Attends VFW Home Ribbon Cutting Event - 1:15 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R-OH) Holds Rally in Delaware, Ohio - 2:00 PM EDT
Pres. Trump Campaigns for GOP Candidates in Fort Myers, Florida - 2:00 PM EDT
NASA Administrator Discusses Plans to Return Astronauts to the Moon - 5:45 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R-OH) & Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) Campaign at Pumpkin Show - 6:00 PM EDT
Governor Candidate Jocelyn Benson (D-MI) Holds Rally with Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) - 8:00 PM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate James Talarico (D-TX) Makes a Campaign Tour Stop in Austin, TX - 4:30 PM: Pennsylvania 11th Congressional District: Nancy Mannion (D) vs. Lloyd Smucker (R). Watch live on WGAL or YouTube.
- 7:00 PM: Andrew Yang vs. Scott Jennings: Political debate in New York City. Event information. Livestream not confirmed.
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Investigate Jared Kushner’s Secret Foreign Bank Accounts
- Send a message now demanding that Congress advance a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United and related decisions, restore congressional and state authority to limit political spending, and protect the voices of everyday voters.
- Sign the petition: Tell Congress to investigate Meta and break up the mega-corporation for the sake of democracy, a free internet, and our elections.
- Tell Flock Safety: Stop Giving Stalkers a Tracking Tool
- Sign if you agree: It is long past time for Congress to take back tariff power from Donald Trump and put an end to his destructive trade war.
- Demand Accountability for Settler Violence in the West Bank
- Sign if you agree: Congress must put an end to Donald Trump’s war on clean energy.
- Tell Congress: Investigate Trump’s Big Pharma profits
- Factory Farms Pollute More Than Data Centers
3. Verify your voter registration status and help at least one other person check theirs
4. Save contact information for local legal aid and voting support organizations
5. Attend an Event
- Sunday, October 25, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM: Voices of the Vote: Voting Rights Open Mic | Virtual nationwide storytelling, poetry and personal experiences focused on voting rights.
- Friday, October 23, 3:30 to 5:30 PM: Georgia Voter Outreach Phone Bank | Virtual calls to Georgia voters about early voting and the November election.
6. Contact Your Lawmakers Directly
- Release the Epstein Files: “My name is [Name], and I’m a constituent. I’m asking you to demand the release of all legally disclosable Epstein records, investigate missing documents, and protect survivor identities. Will the representative publicly support independent oversight?”
- Protect Voting Rights: “I’m calling to demand strong federal voting rights protections. Voters deserve accessible polling places, protection from intimidation, and fair elections. What is the senator doing to protect those rights before November?”
- Demand ICE Accountability: “I’m asking Congress to investigate allegations of unlawful immigration enforcement, require transparency in detention facilities, and protect due process. Will the representative support independent investigations and public reporting?”
- Protect Healthcare Access: “Please oppose legislation that would reduce access to affordable healthcare, Medicaid, or essential medical services. Families need healthcare protections, not additional barriers. What specific action will the senator take?”
- Stop Government Surveillance Abuses: “I’m concerned about government access to Americans’ personal information through commercial data brokers. Please support stronger privacy protections, meaningful warrant requirements, and oversight of surveillance contracts.”
- Protect the Right to Protest: “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Please defend First Amendment protections, demand accountability for unlawful interference with demonstrations, and oppose measures that criminalize peaceful dissent.”
7. Who Are We Boycotting This Week?
- Target: Boycott over the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives and demands for stronger protections against ICE enforcement.
- Home Depot: Boycott over immigration enforcement activity near stores and demands to protect workers and customers.
- Amazon: Boycott over Amazon Web Services contracts supporting immigration enforcement and surveillance.
- Whole Foods: Included in the broader Amazon boycott because Amazon owns the grocery chain.
- Starbucks: Labor boycott supporting workers seeking union contracts and improved working conditions.
- T-Mobile: Labor boycott over allegations of union busting and interference with workers’ organizing rights.
