Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 26/01/2026Watching federal agents open fire on protesters & civilians in Minneapolis looks like scenes from Tehran where security forces suppress dissent with violence. This isn’t normal policing — it’s state terror. #Minnesota #ICE #Authoritarianism 001
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 17/11/2025Listen to the madness anywhere you get your podcasts. Step right up. The circus is real, the stakes are high, & we’re the only ones telling you how the tricks work. 🎪 Follow our hosts @aziwankenobi.bsky.social , @thefoxandtheowl.bsky.social , @sierramontoya.bsky.social @aaronmccall.bsky.social 033
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariAlt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 18/11/2025What begins as “voter verification” today could be expanded later to background checks, travel screening, benefit investigations, or other government systems setting a precedent for federal data use the public never agreed to. On November 18, 2025, secretaries of state from ten states sent a formal 120055
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariJason Dogwood 💙 🏳️🌈 🌱 @jasondogwood.bsky.social · 20/11/2025A president who speaks of death for dissent isn’t defending a nation, he’s claiming a throne. He names enemies so others will swing the sword. Power that fears questions always reaches for blood. Don’t give him the submission he’s seeking. Stand when he demands you kneel. #AuthoritarianAlert 581403497
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 20/11/2025Have you heard our newest podcast? It features some lore from our host about the D.A.R.E program! Check it out on our substack or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! substack.com/profile/1184... 053
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 20/11/2025Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Diversity is a strength, and corporate America is seeing what happens in real time when you try to betray people’s trust and capitulate in advance to this corrupt administration. 031
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 20/11/2025For all of our overachievers out there - read up on this article for a sneak peak into what we’ll be talking about next week! www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...newyorker.comHow Jessica Reed Kraus Went from Mommy Blogger to MAHA MavenThe founder of “House Inhabit” has grown her audience during the second Trump Administration with political gossip and what she calls “quality conspiracy.” 021
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariAaron McCall @aaronmccall.bsky.social · 18/11/2025If you’re looking for a new podcast - I’d love to suggest @griftypod.bsky.social - it’s fun, it’s political and none of us launder bad opinions from the NYT editorial board. 063
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 18/11/2025Have you listened to our new podcast this week? Grifty team shares their past with the D.A.R.E program… which was a multi level marketing scheme all along? Give it a listen and comment below what you thought!griftydispatch.substack.comDARE, Transvestigations, and Why America Loves the Wrong ProblemsE46: DAREdevils and Transvestigations and the Country Having a Public Meltdown 053
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 17/11/2025🚨 BREAKING🚨 Doritos & Cheetos are going dye free after MAHA’s latest push, but it reads like the public health version of a Band Aid on a bullet wound. Dr. Céline Gounder says the risks of dye are tiny compared to the mountain of salt, sugar, & fat driving our health crisis. More on substack.substack.comGrifty Podcast (@griftypod)Doritos and Cheetos are going dye free after MAHA’s latest push, but it reads like the public health version of putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. PepsiCo is releasing the new “Simply NKD” line on... 2115
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariGrifty Pod @griftypod.bsky.social · 17/11/2025Hello Bluesky, we’re Grifty. A weekly podcast by and about false idols, built for anyone clawing their way through late-stage capitalism without selling their soul for a promo code. We drag scams, tech-bro hallucinations, wellness hucksters, and whatever crawls out of the algorithmic swamp. 1102
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 19/10/2025Thieves pulled off a 7 minute heist at the Louvre in Paris, stealing jewels of “incalculable” value. 3 masked men used a service lift to reach Apollo Gallery, cut through cases w/ small chainsaws & fled on a scooter with nine pieces of royal jewelry Netflix, do you thing. www.bbc.com/news/live/c6...bbc.comThieves steal jewels of 'incalculable' value in seven-minute heist at Louvre museum in ParisFrance's Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the incident happened as the museum opened this morning. 041
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 28/09/2025At a Hindu festival in India celebrating goddess Durga, parade organizers depicted Trump as a demon figure, a symbolic gesture of the festival’s traditional story of the goddess defeating evil forces. Personally I find his depiction to be too handsome and skinny to accurately show him for who he is 041
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 03/09/2025President Trump’s decision to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama is one of the most reckless moves in recent memory. It abandons hardened infrastructure designed for nuclear survival in favor of unstable ground, all to score political points. 🧵 270
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 30/08/2025Donald Trump is on his way to the golf course. Please stop spreading misinformation. 240
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 30/08/2025California Strong 💪 Commissioner Sean Duryee: “The California Highway Patrol will offer security protection to Vice President Kamala Harris after Donald Trump revoked her Secret Service detail.” www.latimes.com/california/s...latimes.comCalifornia Highway Patrol to protect Kamala Harris after Trump pulls Secret Service detail, sources sayKamala Harris to get CHP protection after President Trump pulls Secret Service 091
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 08/06/2025If you’re a member of the National Guard or active-duty military & given orders forcing you to violate constitutional rights of citizens: you have options & you do not have to follow unlawful orders. Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487 for confidential guidance. Your conscience matters 1179
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 08/06/2025Fellow So Cal folks: If you spot ICE activity report it by calling the LA Rapid Response Network 1-888-624-4752. And if you or someone you know is detained, use the National Bail Fund Network for support: communityjusticeexchange.org/en/nbfn-directory. Stay safe and look out for one another.communityjusticeexchange.orgNational Bail Fund Network — Community Justice Exchange 073
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariThe Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 28/05/2025International students contributed $44 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-2024 school year. Economists warn that the loss of international students would affect not just the schools that depend on their tuition but local and state economies, as well.washingtonpost.comHere’s how much international students contribute to the U.S. economyInternational students contributed $44 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-2024 school year. Their loss could hurt more than just universities’ bottom line. 1521093
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 28/05/2025People are spiraling into psychosis after talking to AI, and it’s spreading fast. My new piece looks at how generative AI, QAnon-era conspiracy culture, and America’s collapsing mental health system are creating a dangerous new wave of delusion. open.substack.com/pub/azadehjo...open.substack.comPsychosis Fueled by Generative AI Are Tearing Families Apart As Some Claim Chatbots Represent Spiritual Higher ConsciousnessSomething profoundly disorienting is happening, and it’s starting to break through the surface not in science fiction, but in living rooms, emergency rooms, therapy offices, and psychiatric wards. 084
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 27/05/2025What do secondhand jets, “metabolic Marxists,” & Diddy saga have in common? They’ve all landed on the latest episode of Grifty, where we stir the grifts & sprinkle in some shockingly wholesome brain news. Catch our latest episode wherever you get your podcasts, just search GRIFTY & hit play. 010
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Cold plunges aren’t healing. They’re rebranded psychiatric punishment, sold back to us through influencer marketing and pseudoscience. The latest research says they don’t even work. Read my full deep dive: open.substack.com/pub/azadehjo...open.substack.comFrom Asylums to Ice Tubs: How Cold Plunges Went from Psychiatric Control to Wellness Trend & Why Science Now Says They Don’t WorkCold water sells. 091
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 17/05/2025This man dropped $640 of his hard earned cash on a Trump watch for his wife, only to receive one that says “RUMP.” He said he expected it to “have the integrity of the president of the United States.” Turns out… it does. #itsacult #griftersgonnagrift 261
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 17/05/2025The American Federation Of Musicians stands up for Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen after Trumps attacks today. 070
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 16/05/2025Want to understand why Republicans are doing what they’re doing? GOP Hates You & Wants You to Have a Harder Life.Having a steady & reliable supply of cheap labor to maintain high profits requires widespread poverty,ignorance, death, and disease. So their policy agenda is built around creating thatcommondreams.orgThe GOP Hates You and Wants You to Have a Harder Life | Common DreamsHaving a steady and reliable supply of cheap labor to maintain high profits requires widespread poverty, ignorance, death, and disease. So their policy agenda is built around creating that. 081
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 16/05/2025‘What ever happened to Never Forget?’: 9/11 families blast Trump for warm embrace of Saudi officials Exclusive: Retired firefighter and 9/11 responder Adam Lake said of the president, “Really, this guy’s not for anybody but himself.” www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...independent.co.ukAs Trump embraces Saudis, 9/11 families continue to yearn for accountabilityExclusive: Retired firefighter and 9/11 responder Adam Lake said of the president, “Really, this guy’s not for anybody but himself.” 000
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Pam Bondi's Qatar Links Under Scrutiny Over Trump's Luxury Plane Gift — oh, and FYI she still hasn’t released the Epstein files www.newsweek.com/pam-bondi-qa...newsweek.comPam Bondi's Qatar links under scrutiny over Trump's luxury plane giftAttorney General Bondi's links to Qatar as a foreign lobbyist for the country are in the spotlight again amid news of Trump's new Air Force One. 040
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Illinois governor is first in US to block federal access to personal data on autism apnews.com/article/rfk-...apnews.comIllinois governor is first in US to block federal access to personal data on autismIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed an executive order protecting the privacy of autism-related health data. 0121
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Georgia become second US state to shield maker of Roundup weed killer from some cancer claims. FYI, the other state is North Dakota — both are deep red Republican states. And the hypocrisy of MAHA supporting Republicans continues apnews.com/article/baye...apnews.comGeorgia becomes second US state to shield maker of Roundup weed killer from some cancer claimsGeorgia has become the second state to provide a legal protections to the manufacturer of a popular weed killer. Legislation signed by Georgia Gov. 030
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 06/05/2025Breaking: India has launched a military offensive against Pakistan, raising alarm across the region. Both nations possess nuclear arsenals, and analysts warn the escalation could draw in Iran and spiral into a broader regional conflict. 100
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 06/05/2025While the Met Gala dazzled, the Trump admin quietly began clawing back NEA grants already awarded to arts orgs across the U.S. This isn’t budget tightening—it’s cultural erasure. My latest: on power, censorship, and the future of American art. open.substack.com/pub/azadehjo...open.substack.comThe Disappearing Act: On the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Cuts and the Trump Administration’s War on American CultureThe same night celebrities climbed the Met Gala stairs under a storm of flashbulbs, draped in couture and symbolism, another event was unfolding—quieter, far more devastating. 052
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Email mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start and other child safety net programs apnews.com/article/chil...apnews.comEmail mistake reveals secret plans to end research on Head Start and other child safety net programsA Department of Health and Human Services employee has emailed dozens of people this week, mistakenly including plans to slash research related to child safety net programs. 011
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Black Americans aren’t sitting out the protests - The Strategic Resistance: Why Black America Is Playing the Long Game blackpressusa.com/the-strategi...blackpressusa.comThe Strategic Resistance: Why Black America Is Playing the Long GameBLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The misconception that Black communities are inactive fundamentally misunderstands our sophisticated resistance strategies. Protesting must be strategic. Timing, context, and ... 080
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Republicans who claim to support states’ rights and oppose federal overreach just voted to block California from banning gas car sales by 2035. Both the Senate parliamentarian & Government Accountability Office said Congress doesn’t have the authority to interfere with California’s climate policy.washingtonpost.comHouse votes to block California from banning sales of gas cars by 2035Both the Senate parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office have concluded that Congress lacks authority to block California’s climate policy. 020
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariLisa Braithwaite @coachlisab.bsky.social · 01/05/2025You've probably seen this account... 121
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Immigrant detainees in Texas, USA 4/28/25 credit: Paul Ratje/Reuters 042
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Isn’t it hilarious how nobody even has to name the person in the tweet? Like, we all just collectively nodded and said, “Yeah, we know exactly who that’s about.” That’s not fame—that’s a personality diagnosis. 1200
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariChris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 01/05/2025On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared likely to OK the first religious charter school in the country — a significant escalation of the religious supremacy movement that the right’s majority on the Court has been advancing for years.lawdork.comSCOTUS majority appears likely to OK nation's first religious charter schoolA ruling for Oklahoma's charter school board would further increase the role of religion in public life — and change public education in America. 2727289
Reposted by Azadeh GhafariMorgan J Freeman @mjfree.bsky.social · 01/05/2025If you watch 100 seconds of video on the 100 Days of Trump's hellish second term — pls watch this one of JB Pritzker and pls share it. 481807828
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Robert De Niro shows “love and support” for his daughter Airyn after coming out as trans: “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is . . . I love all my children.” deadline.com/2025/04/robe...deadline.comRobert De Niro Shows “Love & Support” For Daughter Airyn After She Came Out As Trans: “I Love All My Children”Robert De Niro is expressing his support for his daughter Airyn De Niro after coming out as trans. 0101
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025"The EV maker has faced declining sales and profits, with investor concerns mounting over Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has led efforts to cut federal jobs. It is also unclear if Musk - being a member of the board himself — was aware of the effort”wsj.comExclusive | Tesla Board Opened Search for a CEO to Succeed Elon MuskWith profits and the stock price sinking, board members told Musk he needed to spend more time at the company. 031
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Gen X didn’t sell out. They bought in to conspiracy, cynicism, and comfort. They once blasted Rage Against the Machine; now they echo its very ethos. In 2024, Gen X voted for Trump at higher rates than Boomers . Dive into the data and discover how the ‘slacker’ generation became the backbone of MAGAopen.substack.comHow Gen X Went from Raging Against the Machine to Swallowing Misinformation While “Doing Their Own Research”There was a time when Generation X stood as the emblem of skepticism, the cohort that questioned authority and championed individualism. 161
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Days before May Day 2025, 55,000 LA County @SEIU721 members are on strike! This is what worker power looked like in downtown Los Angeles. 181
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Democrats win landslide in safe Iowa seat, claim ‘rebuke of Trump’ www.newsweek.com/democrats-wi...newsweek.comDemocrats win landslide in safe Iowa seat, claim "rebuke of Trump"Democrat Angel Ramirez has defeated Republican Bernie Hayes in an Iowa special election for the State House. 031
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 29/04/2025RFK Jr. plans to end lifesaving Narcan program, even after surviving his own heroin addiction www.latintimes.com/rfk-jr-end-g...latintimes.comRFK Jr. to End 'Godsend' Narcan Program That Helped Reduce Overdose Deaths Despite His Past Heroin AddictionDespite overcoming heroin addiction himself, RFK Jr. is backing plans to cut a critical Narcan program that helped reduce overdose deaths. 160
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 29/04/2025China just made it official: all tariffs on American goods are staying put, and they’re not interested in negotiating. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...bloomberg.comChina Vows to Stand Firm, Urges Nations to Resist ‘Bully’ TrumpChina’s top diplomat warned countries against caving in to US tariff threats, as the Trump administration hints at the possible use of new trade tools to pressure Beijing. 060
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 27/04/2025Macron refuses to shake hands with Trump at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ funeral 090
Azadeh Ghafari @aziwankenobi.bsky.social · 26/04/2025Virginia Giuffre, the brave survivor who sued Prince Andrew and exposed Epstein’s network which led to others coming forward, has died by suicide at 41 Meanwhile, Donald Trump — who promised to release the Epstein files — has failed to do so. Read my full story: open.substack.com/pub/azadehjo...open.substack.comVirginia Giuffre, Epstein and Prince Andrew Accuser, Dead at 41 by Suicide - Trump still hasn’t released the Epstein FilesSome devastating news: 0132