Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com data reporter👩🏻💻
neuroscience/genomics PhD 🧠
[email protected] ✉️
caitlingilbert.24 on signal
@caitlingilbertdata on tiktok/ig
🎭⚽️🎮 + other intrusive thoughts
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/caitlin-gilbert/
neuroscience/genomics PhD 🧠
[email protected] ✉️
caitlingilbert.24 on signal
@caitlingilbertdata on tiktok/ig
🎭⚽️🎮 + other intrusive thoughts
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/caitlin-gilbert/
Pinned
Here’s how TikTok ‘power users’ end up scrolling 4 hours a day or more
Washington Post reporters analyzed data from over 800 TikTok users to learn how the app turns people into power users, some of whom spend hours per day scrolling.
wapo.st
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
TRUMP they still have that Phantom of the Opera musical on Broadway
MAMDANI it's an immersive theatrical experience now. it's called Masquerade
TRUMP that Phantom's a jerk, isn't he
MAMDANI it's an immersive theatrical experience now. it's called Masquerade
TRUMP that Phantom's a jerk, isn't he
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 PM
TRUMP they still have that Phantom of the Opera musical on Broadway
MAMDANI it's an immersive theatrical experience now. it's called Masquerade
TRUMP that Phantom's a jerk, isn't he
MAMDANI it's an immersive theatrical experience now. it's called Masquerade
TRUMP that Phantom's a jerk, isn't he
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
The frontline CDC staff first asked to change the vaccines-autism website to promote a false link between the two wouldn't do so, @lenasun.bsky.social discovered wapo.st/3X9Mr43
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on rejecting vaccines-autism link
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who voted to confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he pledged not to remove language stating vaccines do not cause autism from the CDC website, condemne...
wapo.st
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The frontline CDC staff first asked to change the vaccines-autism website to promote a false link between the two wouldn't do so, @lenasun.bsky.social discovered wapo.st/3X9Mr43
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
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 Caitlin Gilbert
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Tracking the spread of bird flu using genetic markers, satellite imagery, property records, and more reminds me of John Snow’s Cholera investigation/map. Howe’s Hens is the modern day Broad Street Pump. Amazing work from @natlash.bsky.social & @chrisalcantara.com. www.propublica.org/article/meth...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Tracking the spread of bird flu using genetic markers, satellite imagery, property records, and more reminds me of John Snow’s Cholera investigation/map. Howe’s Hens is the modern day Broad Street Pump. Amazing work from @natlash.bsky.social & @chrisalcantara.com. www.propublica.org/article/meth...
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
So so excited to welcome the very talented @chrishacker.me to @wpdatateam.bsky.social!! Chris is our team's newest hire, joining us as a computational journalist embedded on the national desk. 🙌
November 11, 2025 at 4:28 PM
So so excited to welcome the very talented @chrishacker.me to @wpdatateam.bsky.social!! Chris is our team's newest hire, joining us as a computational journalist embedded on the national desk. 🙌
stellar coverage of the CHD conference this past weekend from @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
‘God is an anti-vaxxer’: Inside the conference celebrating RFK Jr.’s rise
An anti-vaccine conference in Austin celebrated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rise to political power, highlighting his influence in Trump’s Washington.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
stellar coverage of the CHD conference this past weekend from @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Of the 6 million veterans receiving disability payments last year, about 1.5 million were designated 100 percent disabled — a nearly ninefold increase since 2021. A whole industry has popped up around getting people to 100% by @caitlingilbert.bsky.social, @reinlwapo.bsky.social & Craig Whitlock:
The unregulated industry that coaches veterans to pile on benefits
The number of vets receiving 100 percent disability ratings has surged in recent years. For-profit firms, influencers and the VA play a large role in the trend.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Of the 6 million veterans receiving disability payments last year, about 1.5 million were designated 100 percent disabled — a nearly ninefold increase since 2021. A whole industry has popped up around getting people to 100% by @caitlingilbert.bsky.social, @reinlwapo.bsky.social & Craig Whitlock:
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Meta earns $3.5 billion every six months from showing Faceboon and Instagram users 15 billion “higher legal risk” scam ad impressions a day, internal documents state.
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Meta earns $3.5 billion every six months from showing Faceboon and Instagram users 15 billion “higher legal risk” scam ad impressions a day, internal documents state.
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
That haul vastly exceeds how much the company expects regulators
To fine it for running scam ads.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
my poll site this morning in Brooklyn was the most packed I’ve ever seen it (there were actual lines!) for *any* election in the past five years
November 4, 2025 at 2:18 PM
my poll site this morning in Brooklyn was the most packed I’ve ever seen it (there were actual lines!) for *any* election in the past five years
October 30, 2025 at 2:46 AM
plugging the great Industry soundtracks from Nathan Micay as *excellent* music for coding
October 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
plugging the great Industry soundtracks from Nathan Micay as *excellent* music for coding
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Such an amazing article and very well-written. Really happy I got to chat with @caitlingilbert.bsky.social about the problems of social media, specifically TikTok. The harm of TikTok constantly engaging its users can be linked to studies showing that overuse of social media decreases well-being.
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Here’s how TikTok ‘power users’ end up scrolling 4 hours a day or more
Washington Post reporters analyzed data from over 800 TikTok users to learn how the app turns people into power users, some of whom spend hours per day scrolling.
wapo.st
October 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Such an amazing article and very well-written. Really happy I got to chat with @caitlingilbert.bsky.social about the problems of social media, specifically TikTok. The harm of TikTok constantly engaging its users can be linked to studies showing that overuse of social media decreases well-being.
third time seeing this beauty for jane krakowski’s debut as mary 😌
October 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
third time seeing this beauty for jane krakowski’s debut as mary 😌
genuinely fell to the ground when I heard the D’Angelo news. rest in power, king.
October 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
genuinely fell to the ground when I heard the D’Angelo news. rest in power, king.
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Parlays have become incredibly popular, with many betting apps encouraging these high-stakes multi-leg bets. But as legs are added, the chance of winning drops faster than the growth of the potential payout - which means sportsbooks have the advantage. Explore the math and and try your own bets:
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Parlays have become incredibly popular, with many betting apps encouraging these high-stakes multi-leg bets. But as legs are added, the chance of winning drops faster than the growth of the potential payout - which means sportsbooks have the advantage. Explore the math and and try your own bets:
always read Lauren + Rachel
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick
Read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com deep dive on Casey Means
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com deep dive on Casey Means
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick
Casey Means, the surgeon general nominee, has criticized the medical establishment. She could be put in position to change it.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
always read Lauren + Rachel
Such great work!!!
How America’s favorite sports bet is fueling sportsbook profits
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Parlays are becoming more popular, accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Post analysis of betting data. Bettors lose billions a year on these bets.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/inter...
Americans can’t stop betting parlays. Sportbooks are cashing in.
As betting booms, parlays are accounting for an increasing share of the money wagered on sports, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Such great work!!!
Was so great to talk in-person about our latest TikTok reporting with Tom Llamas last night! Thanks to the great folks at NBC for having me.
Segment at 30:39: youtu.be/4jH6LmHI1UE?...
Segment at 30:39: youtu.be/4jH6LmHI1UE?...
Top Story with Tom Llamas - Oct. 8 | NBC News NOW
YouTube video by NBC News
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Was so great to talk in-person about our latest TikTok reporting with Tom Llamas last night! Thanks to the great folks at NBC for having me.
Segment at 30:39: youtu.be/4jH6LmHI1UE?...
Segment at 30:39: youtu.be/4jH6LmHI1UE?...
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Today in Reliable Sources:
How TikTok hooks you; Ted Cruz's anti-censorship fight; creative public TV fundraiser; and much more: cnn.it/4nMYIr0
How TikTok hooks you; Ted Cruz's anti-censorship fight; creative public TV fundraiser; and much more: cnn.it/4nMYIr0
October 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Today in Reliable Sources:
How TikTok hooks you; Ted Cruz's anti-censorship fight; creative public TV fundraiser; and much more: cnn.it/4nMYIr0
How TikTok hooks you; Ted Cruz's anti-censorship fight; creative public TV fundraiser; and much more: cnn.it/4nMYIr0
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
So grateful to the news engineers, researchers, lawyers and technicians who helped guide us in the proper way to handle folks' personal data. It was a TREMENDOUS lift to deal with this much (15 million unique videos watched 50-some million times!) and to make sure no personal info was compromised
I very rarely have direct contact on newsroom projects anymore, but this is cool because I did work with folks to help with the original collection protocol to make sure this information was handled and stored privately and wouldn't leave us with a re-identifiable dataset.
How does TikTok keep its millions of users scrolling, swiping and staring at their phones?
With readers' help, we collected data from more than 1,000 TikTok users to find out: https://wapo.st/4nC6Nyr
With readers' help, we collected data from more than 1,000 TikTok users to find out: https://wapo.st/4nC6Nyr
October 7, 2025 at 11:52 PM
So grateful to the news engineers, researchers, lawyers and technicians who helped guide us in the proper way to handle folks' personal data. It was a TREMENDOUS lift to deal with this much (15 million unique videos watched 50-some million times!) and to make sure no personal info was compromised
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Here’s how TikTok ‘power users’ end up scrolling 4 hours a day or more
Washington Post reporters analyzed data from over 800 TikTok users to learn how the app turns people into power users, some of whom spend hours per day scrolling.
wapo.st
October 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Here’s how TikTok ‘power users’ end up scrolling 4 hours a day or more
Washington Post reporters analyzed data from over 800 TikTok users to learn how the app turns people into power users, some of whom spend hours per day scrolling.
wapo.st
October 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM
🤳EXCLUSIVE: We analyzed real data from over 800 U.S. TikTok users to reveal how the app transforms casual users into power users.
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Extremely proud of this one, over a year in the making w/ @richardsima.bsky.social Leslie Shapiro @asteckelberg.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social
wapo.st/4obueib
Reposted by Caitlin Gilbert
Taxpayers will spend $193 billion this year to compensate 6.9 million disabled veterans on the presumption that their ability to work is impaired. Yet we found many claims are for minor afflictions like hair loss, acne + varicose veins. By Craig Whitlock, Lisa Rein & @caitlingilbert.bsky.social:
How some veterans exploit $193 billion VA program, due to lax controls
The Department of Veterans Affairs spends billions on dubious and even fraudulent disabilities benefits. Meanwhile, some deserving cases wait.
wapo.st
October 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Taxpayers will spend $193 billion this year to compensate 6.9 million disabled veterans on the presumption that their ability to work is impaired. Yet we found many claims are for minor afflictions like hair loss, acne + varicose veins. By Craig Whitlock, Lisa Rein & @caitlingilbert.bsky.social:
EXCLUSIVE: Veterans are swamping the VA with dubious disability claims, including cases of fraud totaling tens of millions of dollars. 100% disability is now the most common rating.
our first story in our series on the VA’s disability program, with Craig Whitlock and Lisa Rein:
wapo.st/3VN0qw9
our first story in our series on the VA’s disability program, with Craig Whitlock and Lisa Rein:
wapo.st/3VN0qw9
How some veterans exploit $193 billion VA program, due to lax controls
The Department of Veterans Affairs spends billions on dubious and even fraudulent disabilities benefits. Meanwhile, some deserving cases wait.
wapo.st
October 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Veterans are swamping the VA with dubious disability claims, including cases of fraud totaling tens of millions of dollars. 100% disability is now the most common rating.
our first story in our series on the VA’s disability program, with Craig Whitlock and Lisa Rein:
wapo.st/3VN0qw9
our first story in our series on the VA’s disability program, with Craig Whitlock and Lisa Rein:
wapo.st/3VN0qw9