Justin Baragona
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justinbaragona.bsky.social
Justin Baragona
@justinbaragona.bsky.social
Senior reporter at The Independent

Past: Zeteo media columnist, senior media reporter at The Daily Beast.

Tips/hate mail: [email protected]

You can also hit me up on Signal at 314.941.6421
So we're now back to peddling the same "Hugo Chavez rigged the voting machines" nonsense that led to Fox News losing $787 million.

www.mediamatters.org/benny-johnso...
Benny Johnson: "I have that from the highest possible sources that Venezuela runs election-rigging operations in our country and in others through their electronic voting machines"
www.mediamatters.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“It’s pretty rich they’re calling this THINGS THAT MATTER... It should really be called, things Bari Weiss wants to lecture America about. And after the first so-called Town Hall, it’s pretty clear America doesn’t want to be lectured at by Bari Weiss.”

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
CBS launches town hall series featuring JD Vance following Bari Weiss’ ratings flop
Following the Bari Weiss-moderated sitdown with Erika Kirk that was a massive ratings flop, CBS News has doubled down on the format and is launching a new town hall series in partnership with Weiss’ “...
www.independent.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
Arguing that an Article II contingent election is not really an "election," that's the good stuff. Founders really didn't appreciate the bullshit people would try to pull with their language www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Exclusive | Trump Told by Alan Dershowitz Constitutionality of Third Term Is Unclear
Trump’s former lawyer presented him with his forthcoming book that concludes the Constitution is ambiguous on the question.
www.wsj.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:28 PM
After the Erika Kirk town hall with Bari Weiss flopped this weekend, CBS News has decided to turn it into a whole series.

The network announced that it will be called "Things That Matter" and will be in conjunction with The Free Press. The next town hall will feature -- JD Vance.
December 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.

Holy. Shit.

www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
It's wild that all these sports media outlets are reporting on Nacua's comments about the refs and not at all focusing on the antisemitic touchdown dance part of this story.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has an issue with NFL referees.

Nacua criticized NFL officiating on a live stream with popular streamers Adin Ross and N3on.
December 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The president is trying to extort cash from broadcast news networks now, saying they should "pay significant amounts of money for using this very valuable Public space" for interviewing elected officials who aren't deferential to him.
December 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM
It looks like Trump is acknowledging that Dan Bongino is out at the FBI.
Trump on Bongino: "Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show."
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
New Quinnipiac poll:

57% favor path to legalization for undocs vs 35% who back deporting them

Trump underwater on immigration (44-54) and on deportations (42-55)

Meanwhile DHS's Twitter feed is a white nationalist sewer pit and Gregory Bovino is swaggering around like an occupying general
December 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
When reached by MS NOW, Bongino declined to confirm or deny the reports of his plans, adding, “Print whatever you’d like. No one believes you anyway. Thanks.”

www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI’s No. 2 quietly tells colleagues he’s moving on
Controversial deputy director has cleared out his office, sources tell MS NOW.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
“With the change in Administration earlier this year, the FCC’s website and materials required updating. That work continues to ensure that they reflect the positions of the agency’s new leadership,” an FCC spox told me, acknowledging the quick edit today.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
FCC quickly edits website after pro-Trump chair claims it’s not an independent agency
‘Congress long ago determined that the FCC is an independent expert agency,’ FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who now says the agency is not independent, said in 2018.
www.independent.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
FCC quickly edits website after pro-Trump chair claims it’s not an independent agency
‘Congress long ago determined that the FCC is an independent expert agency,’ FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who now says the agency is not independent, said in 2018.
www.independent.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A very apt observation here...
December 17, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Everyone is 12
December 17, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Amazing!

Sen. Lujan gets Brendan Carr to claim that the FCC is "not an independent agency," pointing out that the FCC's website actually says IT IS an independent agency and wondering if the website should be changed because of Carr's declaration.
December 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Scott Jennings has gotten yet another promotion.

He's now taking over the radio time slot previously filled by Charlie Kirk -- and once commanded by Rush Limbaugh.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
CNN’s MAGA defender Scott Jennings tapped to take over Charlie Kirk’s radio time slot
The time slot is one of the most coveted in conservative media, as it was once occupied by right-wing talk icon Rush Limbaugh.
www.independent.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The New York Times is reporting that Dan Bongino is preparing to exit the FBI within the next few weeks and has already been clearing out his office.

He's expected to go right back into podcasting upon his departure.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/u...
Eager for Center Stage, Patel Casts Aside Caution in Statements as F.B.I. Leader
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This feels like the trailer for a low-rent psychological thriller
December 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Just in case you were wondering what Armie Hammer was up to these days, courtesy of Lachlan Cartwright's Breaker newsletter.
December 17, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Donald, the Dove
December 17, 2025 at 3:22 AM
For years, this dude has believed that stealth planes are literally invisible.
Trump: "The only time anybody could see those planes was when those bomb chutes open up, because it becomes totally un-stealth. You're going in, you go like this. As soon as it goes like this, for some reason the plane is totally visible. Not good. I watched it happening. I watched it go bing bing"
December 17, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by Justin Baragona
Brown University released a statement about a Palestinian student that's being smeared online as the shooting suspect.

Not going to share his post because it includes the student's personal info but one of those spreading this harmful rumor was the spokesperson for Turning Point USA, Andrew Kolvet.
December 17, 2025 at 12:23 AM
While Warner Bros' board is set to reject Paramount's latest takeover bid, largely over concerns about the financing and foreign (i.e. Saudi) investments, Jared Kushner is now backing out of the deal.

www.axios.com/2025/12/16/k...
Jared Kushner's firm backs out of Paramount's Warner Bros. bid
The newsThe Warner Bros. board is expected to announce that it plans to reject Paramount's $30-a-share all-cash offer for the company.
www.axios.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM