iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 7m

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Trump’s midterm convention in Dallas hurt his standing in the Texas Senate race, according to a report by The New York Times. www.usatoday.com/story/news/s...

usatoday.com

Report: Paxton says Trump convention in Texas hurt his campaign

The New York Times obtained an audio recording of Paxton speaking to conservative donors and lobbyists.

021

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 1h

Today is International Blasphemy Day, observed to coincide with the anniversary of the 2005 publication of satirical drawings of Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, setting off a furor by Muslims.

030

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 4h

It’s unclear why Senate Republicans thought it was a good idea to remind people of Trump’s attempt to overthrow an election when the midterms are less than forty days away. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-...

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

September 29, 2026

The scene that unfolded today at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee was a snapshot of politics in the U.S.

0144

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Trump, who is constitutionally prohibited from running for president again, has raised over $400 million through his super PAC, MAGA Inc. Trump has made it clear that he has complete authority over the funds, although such direct control is prohibited by law. open.substack.com/pub/populari...

open.substack.com

How MAGA Inc. raised so much money

Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump, who is constitutionally prohibited from running for president again, has raised over $400 million through his super PAC, MAGA Inc.

4239

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

US Sen. John Fetterman accidentally say he's a 'lifelong Republican'. Accidental Flub. Sure, John. See US Sen. John Fetterman accidentally say he's a 'lifelong Republican' www.usatoday.com/story/news/s...

usatoday.com

See US Sen. John Fetterman accidentally say he's a 'lifelong Republican'

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman accidentally called himself a "lifelong Republican" when asked why he won't become an independent.

18144

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 4h

“Reading is fundamental, you stupid chowderheads. We all learned that, back in grade school.” Jeff Tiedrich explains profanity Warning ‼️ open.substack.com/pub/jefftied...

open.substack.com

Are you smarter than the White House’s new AI chatbot? Let’s find out.

Also: Jack Smith is definitely smarter than every Republican

141

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Trump’s administration told a federal appeals court that barring him from adding his name to the Kennedy Center would be an "existential" threat to the building because only he has the expertise and fundraising potential to save the venue. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Trump admin calls court block on Kennedy Center repairs 'existential' threat

Trump administration lawyers called a judge's block on his plans to renovate the Kennedy Center and add his name an 'existential' threat to venue.

581

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

usatoday.com

See US Sen. John Fetterman accidentally say he's a 'lifelong Republican'

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman accidentally called himself a "lifelong Republican" when asked why he won't become an independent.

18144

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A Republican senator squashed a bipartisan push to prohibit the Trump administration from demolishing the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

GOP senator blocks effort to bar Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee blocked a bipartisan effort to prevent President Donald Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center.

265

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Trump administration is using federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security to pay for a series of controversial television ads that promote Trump weeks before the midterm election, according to government records and lawmakers from both parties. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Trump using Homeland Security funds to pay for TV ads before midterms

The Trump administration is using Homeland Security money to air pro-Trump ads on TV before the midterms, according to documents and lawmakers.

3109

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Trump administration filed a response to a Democratic National Committee lawsuit that seeks records about plans to seize or inspect ballots, voting machines or other election materials during the midterms. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

democracydocket.com

Trump DOJ responds to DNC lawsuit, offers no records on ballot seizure plans

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 13-page answer did not deny whether the Trump administration has considered such plans, identify whether responsive records exist or offer a timeline for producing th...

074

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Republicans launched a program for Wisconsin election observers to identify discrepancies with voting machines in the state. The new program appears to mark an escalation from typical poll watching activities and could lead to longer wait times for voters. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

democracydocket.com

GOP trained Wisconsin election observers to target voting machines in pivotal swing state

The new RNC program appears to mark an escalation from typical poll watching activities.

275

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

open.substack.com

How MAGA Inc. raised so much money

Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump, who is constitutionally prohibited from running for president again, has raised over $400 million through his super PAC, MAGA Inc.

4239

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

“It’s time—past time, really—for courts to hold this administration in contempt when it is. No bending over backward, no second chances. If the president of the United States fails to comply with court orders, he needs to be held to account.” joycevance.substack.com/p/consequenc...

joycevance.substack.com

Consequences

Last Thursday, the White House, almost as soon as Judge Kelly entered his order forcing the administration to restore access to CNN, MSNOW, and Politico, began searching for play in the joints.

3174

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“Not only have the 'followers of Christ' made it their rule to hack to bits all those who do not accept their beliefs, they have also massacred each other, in the name of their 'religion of love,' under banners proclaiming their faith in Him who had expressly commanded them to love one another.”

4257

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

When Trump states that the economy is now far better than it was when he took over in January 2025 — a lie he tells repeatedly — MAGA believe him, even though they’re struggling more now than they did then. They have surrendered their critical judgement. robertreich.substack.com/p/maga-repub...

robertreich.substack.com

The MAGA Factor

What separates Trump voters who consider themselves MAGA from Trump voters who do not?

492

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A resident captured a shark swimming up his flooded New Jersey street over the weekend as a powerful nor'easter slammed his Surf City neighborhood. Strike up the “Jaws’ soundtrack. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

usatoday.com

'Is that a shark?' Shark spotted swimming through nor'easter-flooded street

A New Jersey resident captured video of a shark swimming through floodwaters in his Surf City neighborhood as a strong nor'easter swept through the region.

2128

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

“There you have it, folks — according to President Fucknut McScramblebrain, we have the best poverty. We have poverty like few thought possible. Maybe even the greatest poverty of all time.” A dose of Tiedrich to start your week. Profanity Warning ‼️ open.substack.com/pub/jefftied...

open.substack.com

What the fuck is this ‘let them eat cake’ bullshit from the White House?

What thimble-brain thought this was a good idea?

6206

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

At his midterm convention in Dallas, Trump told the assembled sycophants to “cheat like hell” in the coming election. We are now five weeks out from what is arguably this country’s most important midterm election since 1866 at the end of the civil war. steady.substack.com/p/trumps-che...

steady.substack.com

Trump’s Cheat-To-Win Strategy

Because he fears he can’t prevail any other way

31513

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

usatoday.com

'Is that a shark?' Shark spotted swimming through nor'easter-flooded street

A New Jersey resident captured video of a shark swimming through floodwaters in his Surf City neighborhood as a strong nor'easter swept through the region.

2128

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

robertreich.substack.com

The MAGA Factor

What separates Trump voters who consider themselves MAGA from Trump voters who do not?

492

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

4257

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

open.substack.com

What the fuck is this ‘let them eat cake’ bullshit from the White House?

What thimble-brain thought this was a good idea?

6206

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A technology can change civilization without the company that invented it being a terrific investment. www.morningbrew.com/stories/mfs-...

morningbrew.com

AI will change everything, but whether it pays investors is another story

When AI transforms everything, who collects the profits?

110

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Once AI goes from answering questions to autonomously using tools, websites, credentials, files and computers, containment becomes a substantially harder engineering problem. www.axios.com/2026/09/26/o...

axios.com

Scoop: Top AI companies probing tens of thousands of security incidents

The massive scale of security incidents points to control problems for AI companies.

162

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The Trump administration is using public dollars to pay for a television ad that features Trump urging Americans to "defeat communism," while touting his economic record and personal resilience. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Trump uses public funds for 'Love me' ad that promotes himself

The White House is using public funds for a TV ad that promotes President Trump and his record, calling it a "public service announcement."

71412

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Republican candidates facing increasingly dire prospects in the midterm election are starting to stiff-arm their unpopular standard-bearer, breaking with Trump as he threatens to drag down the party. Republicans jump ship as Trump's anchor weighs heavy on party. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Republicans jump ship as Trump's anchor weighs heavy on party

Republican midterm candidates are increasingly breaking from President Trump, whose approval rating is at a record low five weeks from the election.

9164

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

“As another stupid week comes to a close here in America, let’s look back at the dumbest fucking shit that happened.” Jeff Tiedrich supplies the goods with humor. Profanity Warning ‼️ open.substack.com/pub/jefftied...

open.substack.com

this week in stupid: September 26 edition

furries fly it, Donny fries it, and so much more...

092

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed Friday that Missouri cannot use a gerrymandered congressional map for this year’s midterm elections, closing out a yearlong redistricting legal battle. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

democracydocket.com

In a win for voters, Supreme Court blocks Missouri’s gerrymandered map for midterms

The Supreme Court’s ruling, which is a victory for pro-voting groups, comes after Missouri has already sent ballots for the upcoming election to overseas and absentee voters.

2203

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Democrats' potential to win the majority in Congress – or at least in the House of Representatives – is seeming more likely, according to separately released Sept. 25 NBC News polling and analysis by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Democrats poised to win control in Congress, polls and analysts say

Another analysis and polling average adds to the list of predictions that Democrats can win control of at least one chamber of Congress in midterms.

392

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Good News Friday brought to you by Jeff Tiedrich. Profanity Warning ‼️ open.substack.com/pub/jefftied...

open.substack.com

we could all use a Good News Friday

so let’s have one

590

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Breaking News: In a dangerous decision for voters, the Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to overhaul a federal immigration database into a vast, centralized and deeply flawed database of Americans’ personal information to initiate registration purges. www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...

nbcnews.com

Supreme Court allows Trump administration to use expanded database for potential voter purges

Critics have said the data could lead to U.S. citizens being kicked off the voter rolls, but the justices noted the law prohibits broad voter purges in the weeks leading up to an election.

5159

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Despite rising political anxiety over the Iran war, senators narrowly rejected a war powers resolution 49/50, seeking to halt Trump ‘s military action, which has been largely blamed for the spike in gas prices and become a flashpoint in the midterm election. apnews.com/article/war-...

apnews.com

Senate rejects resolution to halt the Iran war as gas prices upend midterms

Despite increasing political anxiety over Iran war, senators narrowly rejected a war powers resolution.

282

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Oracle is acting like your defiant roommate who said he won’t pay rent until the toilet is fixed. The company warned the developer of a massive New Mexico AI data center that it’ll delay contract payments if the project doesn’t come online as planned by 2028. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/24/o...

cnbc.com

Oracle sends 'force majeure' notice about data center project — stock drops 3%

Oracle is reportedly looking to delay payment on Project Jupiter if the data center fails to come online in 2028

030

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you had money on New York suing Polymarket about two months after it went after rival prediction market Kalshi, it’s time to cash in. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/24/n...

cnbc.com

Polymarket countersues New York state over ‘unregulated gambling’ allegation

State attorney general Letitia James claims Polymarket has violated the state's gambling laws.

081

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 7.03% yesterday. That’s up from 6.3% a year ago and represents the first time mortgages have breached the psychologically significant 7% mark in 20 months. That’s likely to hit the already stagnant housing market hard. www.npr.org/2026/09/24/n...

npr.org

Mortgage rates have just surpassed 7% for the first time in well over a year

Rates have climbed more than a full percentage point since the U.S. war against Iran started.

170

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Trump can’t keep CNN, MS NOW, and Politico off his US taxpayers’ lawn, at least for now. After he barred them from the White House, journalists from these outlets regained access yesterday following a judge’s early morning order to temporarily block Trump’s ban. www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

nbcnews.com

CNN, MS NOW and Politico allowed back at the White House after judge blocked Trump’s ban

All three outlets had been turned away earlier Thursday despite a judge’s order that the White House temporarily reinstate their access.

180

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

MAGA is falling apart, and Trump either lives in a fantasy world or hopes to stem that collapse by issuing propaganda that will convince voters he is actually winning. More on the Press war from Heather Cox Richardson. ⬇️ heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-...

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

September 24, 2026

After a hearing yesterday about Trump’s Friday ban of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House campus, very early this morning—I was still awake writing yesterday’s letter—U.S.

251

Reposted by Mack Butterfield

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In any other time, the president defying a federal judge would be considered a constitutional crisis. In the Trump era, it’s just Thursday. There was no pool coverage of the morning’s summit with the Chinese. The network television pool refused. steady.substack.com/p/he-said-xi...

steady.substack.com

He Said, Xi Said

Trump spent his day kowtowing

2298

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Several are hoping that over the next decade the EU will be joined by Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, and that this new World EU will devise a structure that enables it to work collaboratively and forcefully for the good of the world. robertreich.substack.com/p/what-to-pl...

robertreich.substack.com

What to plan for in the U.S. if you’re a foreign leader?

Here’s what I’m hearing

1172

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

steady.substack.com

He Said, Xi Said

Trump spent his day kowtowing

2298

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A grand jury in Utah indicted a former United States Postal Service carrier on allegations he unlawfully threw away mail he was assigned to deliver, including hundreds of mail-in ballots to registered voters. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

usatoday.com

Mail carrier indicted after allegedly tossing over 300 mail-in ballots

Ex-Utah postal worker Damon Matai Seei, 34, faces federal charges after allegedly tossing hundreds of mail-in ballots in a church parking lot dumpster.

62512

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

One of the defining features of the authoritarian playbook is not punishment, but the anticipation of punishment. If institutions believe that resistance will be too costly, they may comply before the costs ever arrive. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...

usatoday.com

DEI initiatives didn't cost companies. Just the opposite. | Opinion

Firms that kept DEI, whether due to executive decisions or shareholder pressure, performed as well in the stock market as those that rolled it back.

0116

Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The Texas governor's race is starting to look less safe for Republicans, with two election forecasters moving it toward a toss-up as polling trends edge toward Democrats. www.usatoday.com/story/news/s...

usatoday.com

Gov. Greg Abbott faces growing challenge in Texas governor's race

Abbott still leads the latest Texas governor poll, but two forecasters now rate the race a toss-up as Hinojosa narrows the gap. See what's shifting.

1154