Eliot Higgins
@eliothiggins.bsky.social
Founder and creative director of Bellingcat and director of Bellingcat Productions BV. Author of We Are Bellingcat.
Pinned
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.
Russia's deeply unsuccessful Matryoshka fake news campaign has now started using Cameo videos to deepfake the voices of celebrities, here's a few examples featuring Bruce Boxleitner, Dolph Lundgren, David Yost, and Neil Newborn.
February 13, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Russia's deeply unsuccessful Matryoshka fake news campaign has now started using Cameo videos to deepfake the voices of celebrities, here's a few examples featuring Bruce Boxleitner, Dolph Lundgren, David Yost, and Neil Newborn.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Wow: Meta has been working on plans to add facial recognition technology to its AI smart glasses. nyti.ms/3Os1oxf
And this was the company’s cynical view on when, and how, to do it:
And this was the company’s cynical view on when, and how, to do it:
February 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Wow: Meta has been working on plans to add facial recognition technology to its AI smart glasses. nyti.ms/3Os1oxf
And this was the company’s cynical view on when, and how, to do it:
And this was the company’s cynical view on when, and how, to do it:
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Judges have rejected an appeal from the defense, arguing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is not fit to stand trial.
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Judges have rejected an appeal from the defense, arguing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is not fit to stand trial.
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:15 AM
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Top lawyer at Goldman Sachs resigns after revelation of Epstein relationship www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Top lawyer at Goldman Sachs resigns after revelation of Epstein relationship
Emails show Kathy Ruemmler had close ties to convicted sexual abuser she called ‘Uncle Jeffrey’
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Top lawyer at Goldman Sachs resigns after revelation of Epstein relationship www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
This is just unconscionable man
February 13, 2026 at 1:43 AM
This is just unconscionable man
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
These are efforts to make cures for multiple sclerosis, herpes — affects hundreds of millions in the US alone! — and shingles.
This is mindblowing, amazing stuff.
But these efforts for cures require a predictable regulatory environment, where decisions are made based on science & and pub health.
This is mindblowing, amazing stuff.
But these efforts for cures require a predictable regulatory environment, where decisions are made based on science & and pub health.
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
These are efforts to make cures for multiple sclerosis, herpes — affects hundreds of millions in the US alone! — and shingles.
This is mindblowing, amazing stuff.
But these efforts for cures require a predictable regulatory environment, where decisions are made based on science & and pub health.
This is mindblowing, amazing stuff.
But these efforts for cures require a predictable regulatory environment, where decisions are made based on science & and pub health.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
"In one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane, according to people familiar with the incident."
But "they eventually reinstated the pilot because no one else was available to fly them home." 😂
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
But "they eventually reinstated the pilot because no one else was available to fly them home." 😂
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS
Secretary faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown and self-promotional style; White House to wind down Minnesota operations.
www.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:10 AM
"In one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane, according to people familiar with the incident."
But "they eventually reinstated the pilot because no one else was available to fly them home." 😂
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
But "they eventually reinstated the pilot because no one else was available to fly them home." 😂
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
🚨BREAKING: An election-denying former Donald Trump campaign staffer who was subpoenaed by the FBI over his role in the attempt to steal the 2020 election is now taking credit for writing the sweeping voter suppression bill passed by the House Wednesday that could disenfranchise millions.
Election denier involved in fake electors plot wrote much of SAVE America Act, Trump-aligned think tank claims
“I’m here to do everything I can to make this work,” Thomas Lane wrote in a December 2020 email to other organizers of the Trump campaign’s fake electoral plot in Arizona.
www.democracydocket.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM
🚨BREAKING: An election-denying former Donald Trump campaign staffer who was subpoenaed by the FBI over his role in the attempt to steal the 2020 election is now taking credit for writing the sweeping voter suppression bill passed by the House Wednesday that could disenfranchise millions.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Bondi Spying On Congressional Epstein Searches Should Be A Major Scandal
Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Among the more notable exchanges was when Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who were in the audience to stand up…
Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Among the more notable exchanges was when Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who were in the audience to stand up…
Bondi Spying On Congressional Epstein Searches Should Be A Major Scandal
Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Among the more notable exchanges was when Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who were in the audience to stand up and indicate whether Bondi's DOJ had ever contacted them about their experiences. None of them had heard from the Justice Department. Bondi wouldn't even look at the victims as she frantically flipped through her prepared notes.
www.techdirt.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Bondi Spying On Congressional Epstein Searches Should Be A Major Scandal
Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Among the more notable exchanges was when Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who were in the audience to stand up…
Yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee. Among the more notable exchanges was when Rep. Pramila Jayapal asked some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims who were in the audience to stand up…
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Q: Were you aware that Lutnick visited Epstein's island?
TRUMP: I wasn't, but from what I hear he was there with his wife and children. I was never there.
TRUMP: I wasn't, but from what I hear he was there with his wife and children. I was never there.
February 12, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Q: Were you aware that Lutnick visited Epstein's island?
TRUMP: I wasn't, but from what I hear he was there with his wife and children. I was never there.
TRUMP: I wasn't, but from what I hear he was there with his wife and children. I was never there.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Background: Péter Magyar’s then-girlfriend Evelin Vogel secretly wore a wire, recording their private talks—audio later leaked in Orbán’s propaganda. As their relationship collapsed, she was allegedly bought off by Orbán’s people and began acting as a honey trap, Magyar claims.
February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Background: Péter Magyar’s then-girlfriend Evelin Vogel secretly wore a wire, recording their private talks—audio later leaked in Orbán’s propaganda. As their relationship collapsed, she was allegedly bought off by Orbán’s people and began acting as a honey trap, Magyar claims.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
💥Dramatic turn in Hungary’s election race: Orbán rival Péter Magyar says that in 2024 his ex-girlfriend set a honey trap to secretly record them having sex—footage he claims Orbán’s camp plans to publish to ruin and blackmail him.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM
💥Dramatic turn in Hungary’s election race: Orbán rival Péter Magyar says that in 2024 his ex-girlfriend set a honey trap to secretly record them having sex—footage he claims Orbán’s camp plans to publish to ruin and blackmail him.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
U.S. judge rejects BBC's stay application in Trump defamation case reut.rs/4kAdrVo
U.S. judge rejects BBC's stay application in Trump defamation case
A U.S. judge has rejected the BBC's application to stay discovery in the $10 billion lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over its editing of a speech that made it appear he directed supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol, court documents showed on Thursday.
reut.rs
February 12, 2026 at 6:45 PM
U.S. judge rejects BBC's stay application in Trump defamation case reut.rs/4kAdrVo
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Q: Have you fired that staffer who posted the video that included the Obamas?
Trump: No I haven't. That was a video that's been shown all over the place before that was posted, it's a very strong piece on voter fraud
Trump: No I haven't. That was a video that's been shown all over the place before that was posted, it's a very strong piece on voter fraud
February 12, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Q: Have you fired that staffer who posted the video that included the Obamas?
Trump: No I haven't. That was a video that's been shown all over the place before that was posted, it's a very strong piece on voter fraud
Trump: No I haven't. That was a video that's been shown all over the place before that was posted, it's a very strong piece on voter fraud
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
congrats clap for yourself
Fetterman: "I met with Secretary Noem. I've always treated her with respect. I refuse and never will engage in the kinds of sexist terms like 'ICE Barbie' that the left media will use."
February 12, 2026 at 6:14 PM
congrats clap for yourself
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
SLOTKIN: So the fact we have ICE agents saying out loud to people they're trying to arrest that 'we're gonna put you in a database,' they are making that up?
LYONS: We do not do that
LYONS: We do not do that
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM
SLOTKIN: So the fact we have ICE agents saying out loud to people they're trying to arrest that 'we're gonna put you in a database,' they are making that up?
LYONS: We do not do that
LYONS: We do not do that
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
GALLEGO: Why is the agent who shot Renee Good holding a camera phone & weapon?
LYONS: The US attorney was requiring to have video leading up to arrests, so officials have used phones for that
GALLEGO: Maybe you shouldn't be trying to be an influencer and wielding a weapon at the same time
LYONS: The US attorney was requiring to have video leading up to arrests, so officials have used phones for that
GALLEGO: Maybe you shouldn't be trying to be an influencer and wielding a weapon at the same time
February 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
GALLEGO: Why is the agent who shot Renee Good holding a camera phone & weapon?
LYONS: The US attorney was requiring to have video leading up to arrests, so officials have used phones for that
GALLEGO: Maybe you shouldn't be trying to be an influencer and wielding a weapon at the same time
LYONS: The US attorney was requiring to have video leading up to arrests, so officials have used phones for that
GALLEGO: Maybe you shouldn't be trying to be an influencer and wielding a weapon at the same time
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Judge says Pentagon 'trampled' on Sen. Mark Kelly's rights, blocks effort to demote him over 'illegal orders' video www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Judge says Pentagon 'trampled' on Sen. Mark Kelly's rights, blocks effort to demote him over 'illegal orders' video
The Pentagon moved to downgrade Kelly’s military retirement rank and pay over a video he appeared in that urged the military and intelligence community not to follow illegal orders.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Judge says Pentagon 'trampled' on Sen. Mark Kelly's rights, blocks effort to demote him over 'illegal orders' video www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
"Epstein had pitched [art school dept chair] on a potential art exhibit titled 'Statutory' that would showcase underage models dressed to look older than they were."
He was really just upfront with it.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
He was really just upfront with it.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Professors in the Epstein Files Begin to Face Consequences
Several faculty members who spoke regularly with Epstein have been stripped of their titles or teaching duties.
www.insidehighered.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:53 PM
"Epstein had pitched [art school dept chair] on a potential art exhibit titled 'Statutory' that would showcase underage models dressed to look older than they were."
He was really just upfront with it.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
He was really just upfront with it.
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
stp.guy7 suggests the existence of stp.guys 1-6.
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 12, 2026 at 5:16 PM
stp.guy7 suggests the existence of stp.guys 1-6.
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Join us live in one hour: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
February 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Join us live in one hour: discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Reposted by Eliot Higgins
Bit of a stonking week in podcast listening:
* @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and @masnick.com on the return of comments
* Ezra Klein, Cory Doctorow and Tim Wu on the internet we ended up with
* @arusbridger.bsky.social and @lionelbarber.bsky.social interviewing @eliothiggins.bsky.social.
Links here:
* @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and @masnick.com on the return of comments
* Ezra Klein, Cory Doctorow and Tim Wu on the internet we ended up with
* @arusbridger.bsky.social and @lionelbarber.bsky.social interviewing @eliothiggins.bsky.social.
Links here:
Journalism insight in your lugholes
Three fabulous podcast episodes that are well worth your time.
onemanandhisblog.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Bit of a stonking week in podcast listening:
* @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and @masnick.com on the return of comments
* Ezra Klein, Cory Doctorow and Tim Wu on the internet we ended up with
* @arusbridger.bsky.social and @lionelbarber.bsky.social interviewing @eliothiggins.bsky.social.
Links here:
* @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and @masnick.com on the return of comments
* Ezra Klein, Cory Doctorow and Tim Wu on the internet we ended up with
* @arusbridger.bsky.social and @lionelbarber.bsky.social interviewing @eliothiggins.bsky.social.
Links here:
"Threads has gone woke, Beryl!"
Threads director Mick Jackson has expressed worry over the upcoming remake’s focus on finding “hope even in the most challenging of times.”
“That one phrase worried me,” he tells Empire. “Hope is not part of nuclear war.”
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies/news/...
“That one phrase worried me,” he tells Empire. “Hope is not part of nuclear war.”
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies/news/...
February 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
"Threads has gone woke, Beryl!"