Wendy Siegelman
@wendysiegelman.bsky.social
Independent journalist covering Trmp, kleptocracy, far-right networks, OSINT, bylines Daily Beast, Guardian, Buzzfeed, Byline Times, footnote in Senate Intel Russia report, subscribe to http://NewsTRACS.com, tips: [email protected]
Trump, Crypto and a New Age of Corruption
Report on how Trump profits from crypto deals (World Liberty Financial, memecoins, Trump Media etc) and $ from foreign actors & corp interests, while regulations scale back, from @democrats-judiciary.house.gov
democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Report on how Trump profits from crypto deals (World Liberty Financial, memecoins, Trump Media etc) and $ from foreign actors & corp interests, while regulations scale back, from @democrats-judiciary.house.gov
democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Trump, Crypto and a New Age of Corruption
Report on how Trump profits from crypto deals (World Liberty Financial, memecoins, Trump Media etc) and $ from foreign actors & corp interests, while regulations scale back, from @democrats-judiciary.house.gov
democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Report on how Trump profits from crypto deals (World Liberty Financial, memecoins, Trump Media etc) and $ from foreign actors & corp interests, while regulations scale back, from @democrats-judiciary.house.gov
democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
US Treasury imposed a penalty of $4,677,552 on a US person, acting through Atlanta, Georgia real estate company King Holdings LLC in 2023-2024, for violating OFAC's Russia sanctions by mortgaging, renovating & selling property owned by a blocked individual
ofac.treasury.gov/media/934781...
ofac.treasury.gov/media/934781...
ofac.treasury.gov
November 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
US Treasury imposed a penalty of $4,677,552 on a US person, acting through Atlanta, Georgia real estate company King Holdings LLC in 2023-2024, for violating OFAC's Russia sanctions by mortgaging, renovating & selling property owned by a blocked individual
ofac.treasury.gov/media/934781...
ofac.treasury.gov/media/934781...
AlphaTon Capital announced they submitted offer to acquire majority stake in Forbes Media Holdings (not clear who offer was submitted to)
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Ex Cambridge Analytica exec Brittany Kaiser is CEO of AlphaTon, which I reported has links to people who worked in Russia
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Ex Cambridge Analytica exec Brittany Kaiser is CEO of AlphaTon, which I reported has links to people who worked in Russia
Former Cambridge Analytica executive Brittany Kaiser's latest gig is CEO of crypto firm AlphaTon Capital - new research shows multiple people linked to this business have connections to Russia, and a company co-founder was a Brexit supporter, my latest:
Former Cambridge Analytica executive Brittany Kaiser’s latest gig is CEO of crypto firm AlphaTon Capital – which has several links to people from Russia
Former Cambridge Analytica executive Brittany Kaiser is now CEO of AlphaTon, a crypto company with several links to Russia.
newstracs.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
AlphaTon Capital announced they submitted offer to acquire majority stake in Forbes Media Holdings (not clear who offer was submitted to)
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Ex Cambridge Analytica exec Brittany Kaiser is CEO of AlphaTon, which I reported has links to people who worked in Russia
www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Ex Cambridge Analytica exec Brittany Kaiser is CEO of AlphaTon, which I reported has links to people who worked in Russia
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of the Fugees was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years in prison for a case in which he was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
Fugees rapper Pras Michel sentenced to 14 years in prison over illegal donations to Obama campaign
Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of the Fugees has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a case in which he was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of the Fugees was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years in prison for a case in which he was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Alt5 Sigma, a key partner in Trump's crypto venture World Liberty Financial, told SEC it suspended CEO Peter Tassiopoulos mid-October, an email says he was placed on “temporary leave” over a month earlier, potentially violating disclosure rules, by @zacheverson.com
www.forbes.com/sites/zachev...
www.forbes.com/sites/zachev...
Trump Crypto Partner Alt5 Sigma May Have Violated SEC Rules With Filing On CEO
One of Trump's key business partners told the SEC it suspended its CEO in mid-October. Internal records suggest he was on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
www.forbes.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Alt5 Sigma, a key partner in Trump's crypto venture World Liberty Financial, told SEC it suspended CEO Peter Tassiopoulos mid-October, an email says he was placed on “temporary leave” over a month earlier, potentially violating disclosure rules, by @zacheverson.com
www.forbes.com/sites/zachev...
www.forbes.com/sites/zachev...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
NEW: Trump has offered his personal support to MAGA influencer Nick Sortor and invited him to the White House as a star journalist. While Sortor was at an event with Trump, Bondi, Patel and Noem, a warrant for his arrest was active in Kentucky.
jacquelinesweet.substack.com/p/maga-influ...
jacquelinesweet.substack.com/p/maga-influ...
MAGA influencer invited to White House as a favorite Trump "journalist" has an active warrant for his arrest
A woman said he stole her dog, then assaulted her after she rebuffed his sexual advances. Now Nick Sortor is facing arrest in Kentucky for violating his probation.
jacquelinesweet.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: Trump has offered his personal support to MAGA influencer Nick Sortor and invited him to the White House as a star journalist. While Sortor was at an event with Trump, Bondi, Patel and Noem, a warrant for his arrest was active in Kentucky.
jacquelinesweet.substack.com/p/maga-influ...
jacquelinesweet.substack.com/p/maga-influ...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The Crypto Industry’s $28 Billion in ‘Dirty Money’
As Trump champions crypto, funds from scammers and other criminal groups flow onto major crypto exchanges - such as Binance, OKX and others - last month Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
As Trump champions crypto, funds from scammers and other criminal groups flow onto major crypto exchanges - such as Binance, OKX and others - last month Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
The Crypto Industry’s $28 Billion in ‘Dirty Money’
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The Crypto Industry’s $28 Billion in ‘Dirty Money’
As Trump champions crypto, funds from scammers and other criminal groups flow onto major crypto exchanges - such as Binance, OKX and others - last month Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
As Trump champions crypto, funds from scammers and other criminal groups flow onto major crypto exchanges - such as Binance, OKX and others - last month Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
With Epstein in the news, here are 2 pieces I wrote
From 2018: Epstein's 1980's boss Steven Hoffenberg spent 18 yrs in jail for $475M ponzi scheme - later claimed Epstein was co-conspirator who owed investors $1 Bil, Hoffenberg launched a pro-Trump PAC that claimed to have $50M in-kind donations
From 2018: Epstein's 1980's boss Steven Hoffenberg spent 18 yrs in jail for $475M ponzi scheme - later claimed Epstein was co-conspirator who owed investors $1 Bil, Hoffenberg launched a pro-Trump PAC that claimed to have $50M in-kind donations
Complaint against Jeffrey Epstein for $475M ponzi scheme losses
In 1995 Steven Hoffenberg pleaded guilty to a ponzi scheme. In 2016 he attempted to reclaim money for victims from Jeffrey Epstein.
newstracs.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
With Epstein in the news, here are 2 pieces I wrote
From 2018: Epstein's 1980's boss Steven Hoffenberg spent 18 yrs in jail for $475M ponzi scheme - later claimed Epstein was co-conspirator who owed investors $1 Bil, Hoffenberg launched a pro-Trump PAC that claimed to have $50M in-kind donations
From 2018: Epstein's 1980's boss Steven Hoffenberg spent 18 yrs in jail for $475M ponzi scheme - later claimed Epstein was co-conspirator who owed investors $1 Bil, Hoffenberg launched a pro-Trump PAC that claimed to have $50M in-kind donations
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
New: A site licensing Trump's name is selling merch with the presidential seal — including a $20 beer-pong set with “Presidential themed balls.”
Federal law says you can’t manufacture or sell likenesses of the seal without authorization.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
Federal law says you can’t manufacture or sell likenesses of the seal without authorization.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
Trump-Licensed Presidential Seal Beer Pong Set Could Violate Federal Law
A site affiliated with Lee Greenwood sells merchandise with the seal—such as a $20 beer pong set with “Presidential themed balls”—and pays licensing fees to a Trump LLC.
www.forbes.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
New: A site licensing Trump's name is selling merch with the presidential seal — including a $20 beer-pong set with “Presidential themed balls.”
Federal law says you can’t manufacture or sell likenesses of the seal without authorization.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
Federal law says you can’t manufacture or sell likenesses of the seal without authorization.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Kristi Noem-Tied Firm Secretly Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Campaign
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
BREAKING: (Gift) New Epstein emails reveal that Epstein claimed he had kompromat on President Trump. www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
New Epstein emails claim Trump ‘spent hours’ with victim
Democrats on the House Oversight say the emails provide evidence of a cover-up by the White House
www.miamiherald.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
BREAKING: (Gift) New Epstein emails reveal that Epstein claimed he had kompromat on President Trump. www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
NEW: Trump says America needs more foreign workers.
His company requested a record 184 of them for 2025.
me, for @Forbes
1/
His company requested a record 184 of them for 2025.
me, for @Forbes
1/
Trump Organization Sought Record Number Of Foreign Workers In 2025
Labor Department data show President Donald Trump’s businesses applied to hire at least 184 foreign workers for seasonal jobs at golf courses, a winery and Mar–a-Lago.
www.forbes.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
NEW: Trump says America needs more foreign workers.
His company requested a record 184 of them for 2025.
me, for @Forbes
1/
His company requested a record 184 of them for 2025.
me, for @Forbes
1/
A few notes on the 1730 page Jack Smith subpoena released by Chuck Grassley
Jan 6th is mentioned almost 100 times
Various Trump PACs (200+ times)
Bradley Parscale (286)
Andrew Surabian (262)
Gary Coby (236)
Along w/Parscale, Surabian, Coby companies
www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
Jan 6th is mentioned almost 100 times
Various Trump PACs (200+ times)
Bradley Parscale (286)
Andrew Surabian (262)
Gary Coby (236)
Along w/Parscale, Surabian, Coby companies
www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
November 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A few notes on the 1730 page Jack Smith subpoena released by Chuck Grassley
Jan 6th is mentioned almost 100 times
Various Trump PACs (200+ times)
Bradley Parscale (286)
Andrew Surabian (262)
Gary Coby (236)
Along w/Parscale, Surabian, Coby companies
www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
Jan 6th is mentioned almost 100 times
Various Trump PACs (200+ times)
Bradley Parscale (286)
Andrew Surabian (262)
Gary Coby (236)
Along w/Parscale, Surabian, Coby companies
www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
an incredible takedown of tech bros & their AI derangement syndrome
November 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
an incredible takedown of tech bros & their AI derangement syndrome
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
Alex Spiro, a lawyer for clients such as Jay-Z, Alex Baldwin, Eric Adams and Elon Musk is an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media - Thumzup is acquiring DogeHash Technologies, a firm that appeared a few months ago, in a deal valued at $135 to $150 million
newstracs.com/alex-spiro-i...
newstracs.com/alex-spiro-i...
Elon Musk lawyer Alex Spiro invested in Doge venture with Don Jr.
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is chairman of a Dogecoin treasury company and an investor in a Dogecoin venture with Don Jr.
newstracs.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Alex Spiro, a lawyer for clients such as Jay-Z, Alex Baldwin, Eric Adams and Elon Musk is an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media - Thumzup is acquiring DogeHash Technologies, a firm that appeared a few months ago, in a deal valued at $135 to $150 million
newstracs.com/alex-spiro-i...
newstracs.com/alex-spiro-i...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is the new chairman of Cleancore Solutions which is pursuing a Doge coin treasury strategy and an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media which is also pursuing a Dogecoin treasury strategy, new from me:
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is chairman of a Dogecoin treasury company and an investor in a Dogecoin venture with Donald Trump Jr.
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is chairman of a Dogecoin treasury company and an investor in a Dogecoin venture with Donald Trump Jr.
newstracs.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is the new chairman of Cleancore Solutions which is pursuing a Doge coin treasury strategy and an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media which is also pursuing a Dogecoin treasury strategy, new from me:
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is the new chairman of Cleancore Solutions which is pursuing a Doge coin treasury strategy and an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media which is also pursuing a Dogecoin treasury strategy, new from me:
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is chairman of a Dogecoin treasury company and an investor in a Dogecoin venture with Donald Trump Jr.
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is chairman of a Dogecoin treasury company and an investor in a Dogecoin venture with Donald Trump Jr.
newstracs.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Celebrity and Elon-Musk-lawyer Alex Spiro is the new chairman of Cleancore Solutions which is pursuing a Doge coin treasury strategy and an investor with Donald Trump Jr. in Thumzup Media which is also pursuing a Dogecoin treasury strategy, new from me:
Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has taken a controlling stake in Israeli spyware maker NSO and has appointed former Trump US ambassador to Israel David Friedman the new executive chairman
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...?
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...?
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Hollywood producer Robert Simonds has taken a controlling stake in Israeli spyware maker NSO and has appointed former Trump US ambassador to Israel David Friedman the new executive chairman
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...?
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli...?
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
“We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
“We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
Reposted by Wendy Siegelman
“We're seeing a level of proliferation of bodies & body piles from space that's unlike anything I've ever seen…”
Human rights investigator Nathaniel Raymond explains how more people could be killed within a week in Sudan, compared to the past two years in Gaza.
🔗 zeteo.com/p/sudans-dea...
Human rights investigator Nathaniel Raymond explains how more people could be killed within a week in Sudan, compared to the past two years in Gaza.
🔗 zeteo.com/p/sudans-dea...
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“We're seeing a level of proliferation of bodies & body piles from space that's unlike anything I've ever seen…”
Human rights investigator Nathaniel Raymond explains how more people could be killed within a week in Sudan, compared to the past two years in Gaza.
🔗 zeteo.com/p/sudans-dea...
Human rights investigator Nathaniel Raymond explains how more people could be killed within a week in Sudan, compared to the past two years in Gaza.
🔗 zeteo.com/p/sudans-dea...