Brian Wasik
@brianrwasik.bsky.social
Virologist. Evolutionary biologist.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Collective, racist punishment.
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Collective, racist punishment.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
I am a little tired of being yelled at for this but apparently not tired about: heroin addiction is not RFK’s problem. He’s a sociopath. Most addicts aren’t. Honestly, walk into an NA meeting, grab the first person with a few years to be head of HHS and they’d probably do a better job than Bobby.
This is what happens when you put a privileged, 14 year heroin addict in charge of health. Duh
November 27, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I am a little tired of being yelled at for this but apparently not tired about: heroin addiction is not RFK’s problem. He’s a sociopath. Most addicts aren’t. Honestly, walk into an NA meeting, grab the first person with a few years to be head of HHS and they’d probably do a better job than Bobby.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Reposted by Brian Wasik
If any of the allegations are true, Nuzzi covering for RFK Jr. directly played a role in the gutting of America's public health infrastructure, the defenestrating of the CDC and the promotion of the lie that vaccines causing autism.
If the Nuzzi blast radius doesn't impact both the new editor of VF and the NYT profiler, then something wrong. Holy shit.
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
If any of the allegations are true, Nuzzi covering for RFK Jr. directly played a role in the gutting of America's public health infrastructure, the defenestrating of the CDC and the promotion of the lie that vaccines causing autism.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Why is the head of the world’s preeminent medical science research institute relying on an anonymous, anti-vax, software engineer known only as “Ben” for his COVID epidemiology?
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
HHS Science Is Rotting From the Head
How RFK Jr and Jay Bhattacharya Are Undermining Science at HHS
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Why is the head of the world’s preeminent medical science research institute relying on an anonymous, anti-vax, software engineer known only as “Ben” for his COVID epidemiology?
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
The answer does not bode well for the future of science based medicine.
open.substack.com/pub/drbobmor...
🧪 #episky #NIH
Reposted by Brian Wasik
There has always been a type of person who becomes a journalist because they want to get next to power or success or fame. It is dumb to be reflexively cynical and suggest that that is all, or most, journalists. But they're the dangerous ones, and what's frustrating is, they're not hard to spot.
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 PM
There has always been a type of person who becomes a journalist because they want to get next to power or success or fame. It is dumb to be reflexively cynical and suggest that that is all, or most, journalists. But they're the dangerous ones, and what's frustrating is, they're not hard to spot.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
i’m so happy for him
November 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
i’m so happy for him
Reposted by Brian Wasik
This is true. It is the best email I got this year.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
This is true. It is the best email I got this year.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
I gather there are two alternate means to become a staff journalist at a large US national news organization:
- practice exemplary journalism
- be a sociopath
- practice exemplary journalism
- be a sociopath
November 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I gather there are two alternate means to become a staff journalist at a large US national news organization:
- practice exemplary journalism
- be a sociopath
- practice exemplary journalism
- be a sociopath
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Now here’s the kind of news you drop going into a long holiday weekend. Maybe no one will notice. 🤡
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Now here’s the kind of news you drop going into a long holiday weekend. Maybe no one will notice. 🤡
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Man this pope keeps getting such great and easy PR.
In newly leaked audio, Peter Thiel admits he urged JD Vance to ignore Pope Leo XIV on moral questions — including the ethical development of AI.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
NEW: JD Vance’s Top Donor Suggests Pope Leo XIV is Antichrist
In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he’s urged Vance to ignore the pope on moral questions — and simply pray for him.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Man this pope keeps getting such great and easy PR.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Me, an atheist: Your holiness I stand ready to join the crusade against the demonic computers
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Me, an atheist: Your holiness I stand ready to join the crusade against the demonic computers
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Biden commuted their death sentences, so Trump retaliated by making their lives living hell, putting them in the country's most brutal prison, where they "spend 22 to 24 hours a day locked alone inside concrete cells that are smaller than a standard parking space."
Pure, pointless cruelty.
Pure, pointless cruelty.
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Biden commuted their death sentences, so Trump retaliated by making their lives living hell, putting them in the country's most brutal prison, where they "spend 22 to 24 hours a day locked alone inside concrete cells that are smaller than a standard parking space."
Pure, pointless cruelty.
Pure, pointless cruelty.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Reporting from Boston papers makes it seem very plausible that Trump's Press Secretary had his paramilitary detain the mother of her nephew, because she was no longer romantically involved with her brother and he wanted her out of the picture.
“After Ferreira was detained, Dos Santos Rodrigues said Michael Leavitt Sr. and his father, Bob Leavitt, reached out to her.”
“‘They just kept saying, ‘Tell her to self-deport,’” she recalled. “Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.’” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/26/m...
“‘They just kept saying, ‘Tell her to self-deport,’” she recalled. “Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.’” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/26/m...
‘Brazil is not her home.’ Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, brought to US as child, detained by ICE. - The Boston Globe
Bruna Ferreira, 33, was brought to the United States as a child in 1998. She is now in removal proceedings in Louisiana.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reporting from Boston papers makes it seem very plausible that Trump's Press Secretary had his paramilitary detain the mother of her nephew, because she was no longer romantically involved with her brother and he wanted her out of the picture.
Again, Bobby cosplays as a scientist.
Just as authoritarians co-opt language of liberal democracy to best undermine it... the anti-vaccine movement readily appeals to professionals with accreditation, 'studies,' and 'evidence' that are carefully massaged to their pre-determined world view.
Just as authoritarians co-opt language of liberal democracy to best undermine it... the anti-vaccine movement readily appeals to professionals with accreditation, 'studies,' and 'evidence' that are carefully massaged to their pre-determined world view.
Well-reported, this story is quite revealing.
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
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...
November 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Again, Bobby cosplays as a scientist.
Just as authoritarians co-opt language of liberal democracy to best undermine it... the anti-vaccine movement readily appeals to professionals with accreditation, 'studies,' and 'evidence' that are carefully massaged to their pre-determined world view.
Just as authoritarians co-opt language of liberal democracy to best undermine it... the anti-vaccine movement readily appeals to professionals with accreditation, 'studies,' and 'evidence' that are carefully massaged to their pre-determined world view.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Imagine going through life like this
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Imagine going through life like this
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Just a disgraceful person. Utterly a bottom feeder.
November 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Just a disgraceful person. Utterly a bottom feeder.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
Well-reported, this story is quite revealing.
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
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 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Well-reported, this story is quite revealing.
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
It seems that RFK, Jr. may be genuinely trying to evaluate scientific evidence, but he cherry-picks evidence to support his preconceived views and dismisses other evidence as corrupt.
#ScienceNotScience
1/4
I only eat food that is bad and that you don't like. Go ahead. Flame me.
November 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I only eat food that is bad and that you don't like. Go ahead. Flame me.
Reposted by Brian Wasik
"Recently, I found myself asking: What would military theorist Carl von Clausewitz say about the quest for peace between Russia and Ukraine? Perhaps he might write a letter like the one below."
@markhertling.bsky.social channels the "On War" author on Ukraine: lnk.thebulwark.com/4pzTkrK
@markhertling.bsky.social channels the "On War" author on Ukraine: lnk.thebulwark.com/4pzTkrK
A Letter from Clausewitz to Secretary Rubio
Channeling the author of ‘On War’ on the U.S. pursuit of peace in Ukraine.
lnk.thebulwark.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Recently, I found myself asking: What would military theorist Carl von Clausewitz say about the quest for peace between Russia and Ukraine? Perhaps he might write a letter like the one below."
@markhertling.bsky.social channels the "On War" author on Ukraine: lnk.thebulwark.com/4pzTkrK
@markhertling.bsky.social channels the "On War" author on Ukraine: lnk.thebulwark.com/4pzTkrK