Sign in

Phil Williams

@philinvestigates.com
104K followers 1.2K following 2.1K posts

Defending democracy. Confronting hate. Speaking truth to power - and the angry mob. NewsChannel 5 chief investigative reporter. Chancellor, duPont, Peabody awards. RTDNA Lifetime Achievement. Pulitzer finalist. Per John Oliver: “Nashville’s Nosiest Bitch.”

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Phil Williams
Neil @neilc-atl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
More great reporting from @philinvestigates.com
open.substack.com
SPECIAL REPORT: How a Neo-Nazi Publisher Exploited Target, Amazon, and Books-A-Million
Following an inquiry by ConfrontTheHate.com, Target quickly removed an extremist publisher's catalog—while Amazon and Books-A-Million keep titles active for now.
1124
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 28/09/2026
Three national retailers—Target, Amazon, and Books-A-Million—have hosted dozens of titles from Antelope Hill Publishing, an entity designated by hate-group monitors as a primary distributor of racist and antisemitic books. 1/ www.confrontthehate.com/p/exclusive-...
confrontthehate.com
SPECIAL REPORT: How a Neo-Nazi Publisher Exploited Target, Amazon, and Books-A-Million
Following an inquiry by ConfrontTheHate.com, Target quickly removed an extremist publisher's catalog—while Amazon and Books-A-Million keep titles active for now.
4151106
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 28/09/2026
Three national retailers—Target, Amazon, and Books-A-Million—have hosted dozens of titles from Antelope Hill Publishing, an entity designated by hate-group monitors as a primary distributor of racist and antisemitic books. 1/ www.confrontthehate.com/p/exclusive-...
confrontthehate.com
SPECIAL REPORT: How a Neo-Nazi Publisher Exploited Target, Amazon, and Books-A-Million
Following an inquiry by ConfrontTheHate.com, Target quickly removed an extremist publisher's catalog—while Amazon and Books-A-Million keep titles active for now.
4151106
Reposted by Phil Williams
Josh Cowen @joshcowenmi.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
“Our voucher school will absolutely make sure your child is learning. No, we don’t need to take the same test as your local public school to prove it to you.”
418627
Reposted by Phil Williams
Tina Says #VoteOutTheCorruption @trcfwtt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
No one does better journalism than @philinvestigates.com. Not even close! @scottstedman.bsky.social @jamiepeppard.bsky.social
33010
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 24/09/2026
In Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, the footer of GOP candidate Charlie Hatcher’s website less than a month ago proclaimed that he was “pro-Trump.” Now, he’s just Charlie Hatcher.
1516957
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 22/09/2026
While CNN, MSNOW, and Politico are being locked out of the White House, who is being let in? My latest post examines the outlet with documented ties to white nationalist figures—and what this shift means for government accountability. Read the full breakdown below.
9614243
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 22/09/2026
As CNN, MS NOW, Politico Booted, White Nationalist Outlet Snags White House Press Slot 1/
214666
Reposted by Phil Williams
Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I stopped engaging with critics of the "White House Press Corps" because life is hard enough but if you're going to do so, you should know who now makes up the White House Press Corp. Also: Phil Williams is a treasure.
418242
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 22/09/2026
Knoxville's Compass follows up on my "Confront the Hate" reporting about the far-right Young Republican group that I linked to a racist, antisemitic, misogynistic, Christian nationalist account on X. 1/
113343
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 22/09/2026
While CNN, MSNOW, and Politico are being locked out of the White House, who is being let in? My latest post examines the outlet with documented ties to white nationalist figures—and what this shift means for government accountability. Read the full breakdown below.
9614243
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/09/2026
Don’t Have the Right Blood? You’re Not a Real American, Far-Right Influencer Argues
3129186
Reposted by Phil Williams
Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
White House correspondents, D.C. bureau chiefs, and media execs: The German government expelled Dorothy Thompson from the country in August 1934. She's remembered and respected today for her important coverage and analysis over the next decade of the German regime. Be like Dorothy Thompson.
7544211047
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/09/2026
Brad Onishi’s American Caesar is an essential companion to Gil Duran’s Nerd Reich. (More below)
15316
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/09/2026
Don’t Have the Right Blood? You’re Not a Real American, Far-Right Influencer Argues
3129186
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 18/09/2026
Far-right influencer C.Jay Engel helped popularize the term “Heritage American.” Now, he’s pushing the discredited theory of “blood memory.” 1/
1511046
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 18/09/2026
Join @bradleyonishi.bsky.social and myself tonight for a great conversation about his new book, American Caesar.
2296
Reposted by Phil Williams
Dr. Bradley Onishi @bradleyonishi.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Nashville, let’s get it. See you next month!
0224
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 16/09/2026
Thanks to the incredible work of attorney Paul McAdoo and the @rcfp.org, we may soon have more insight into the now-abandoned FBI investigation of Tenn. Congressman Andy Ogles. www.rcfp.org/ogles-search...
rcfp.org
TN news outlet wins court battle for records about seizure of Rep. Andy Ogles’s cell phone
A Reporters Committee attorney helped NewsChannel 5 successfully challenge the sealing of search warrants concerning a sitting congressman.
318051
Reposted by Phil Williams
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 16/09/2026
Chuds: Ackshully, it's not fascism... Peter Thiel guru Curtis Yarvin:
Curtis Yarvin standing in from of "L'Ultimo Fascismo" sign and tweeting "fascismo" means "you can just do things."
2229485
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 16/09/2026
William Wolfe thinks his interpretation of Jesus' teachings is "winning."
108925
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 16/09/2026
Mark your calendars! I’m looking forward to this conversation with @bradleyonishi.bsky.social! open.substack.com/live-stream/...
15413
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 15/09/2026
Southern Baptist Activist Asks: ‘Who Would Jesus Deport?’ His Answer: ‘Everyone’ How a leading SBC figure reimagines Christian compassion—and what it says about America’s largest Protestant denomination www.confrontthehate.com/p/southern-b...
confrontthehate.com
Southern Baptist Activist Asks: ‘Who Would Jesus Deport?’ His Answer: ‘Everyone’
How a leading SBC figure reimagines Christian compassion—and what it says about America’s largest Protestant denomination
218535
Reposted by Phil Williams
Rob Davies @byrobdavies.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Just me and another journo parent in the school group chat racing each other to say that no, London hasn't got much more dangerous. *Hannah is typing...* My thumbs speed up, desperate to be first with the news.
0271
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 14/09/2026
Hellava story!!!
319178
Reposted by Phil Williams
Jane French @janefrench.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
28 minutes. Yes, a must watch.
2337
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 14/09/2026
Activist @shannonrwatts.bsky.social on the vile misogyny of Brandon Herrera - and the support he's getting from House Speaker Mike Johnson.
212129
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 13/09/2026
A must watch! Activist @shannonrwatts.bsky.social on misogynistic GOP congressional candidate Brandon Herrera, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the hate we ignore! Please watch, then tell me what you think! www.confrontthehate.com/p/shannon-wa...
confrontthehate.com
Shannon Watts on Brandon Herrera, Mike Johnson, and the Hate We Ignore
Gun safety activist Shannon Watts speaks out on gendered harassment, political toxicity, and why female voters hold the key to breaking the fever.
210937
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 13/09/2026
A must watch! Activist @shannonrwatts.bsky.social on misogynistic GOP congressional candidate Brandon Herrera, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the hate we ignore! Please watch, then tell me what you think! www.confrontthehate.com/p/shannon-wa...
confrontthehate.com
Shannon Watts on Brandon Herrera, Mike Johnson, and the Hate We Ignore
Gun safety activist Shannon Watts speaks out on gendered harassment, political toxicity, and why female voters hold the key to breaking the fever.
210937
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 12/09/2026
I loved this conversation with @shannonrwatts.bsky.social! Subscribe to confrontthehate.com to get the full video when it's released.
312322
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 12/09/2026
I loved this conversation with @shannonrwatts.bsky.social! Subscribe to confrontthehate.com to get the full video when it's released.
312322
Reposted by Phil Williams
Flamingal @flamingal.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Listen to the podcast, Our Town that follows the group trying to take over this community. Doug Wilson is featured prominently.
2327
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 11/09/2026
For almost two years, some residents in Jackson County have been resisting what they view as a far-right takeover of their community. The latest controversy: a proposed drone manufacturing facility right in the middle of downtown Gainesboro. Thoughts? www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
newschannel5.com
Proposed drone manufacturing facility sparks intense backlash in tiny Tennessee town
For almost two years, some residents in Jackson County have been resisting what they view as a far-right takeover of their community.
37622
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/09/2026
Journalist @gilduran.com on the critical Bulwark review - a real outlier - of The Nerd Reich. Watch the full interview at ConfrontTheHate.com.
17917
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/09/2026
“In a democracy, the people should not be afraid of the billionaires. The billionaires should be afraid of the people.” My interview with Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich, is a must watch! www.confrontthehate.com/p/the-nerd-r...
confrontthehate.com
‘The Nerd Reich’: Inside Silicon Valley’s War on Democracy
Gil Durán reveals the hidden blueprint, surveillance contracts, and radical ideology shaping modern tech power—and why it's closer to reality than you think.
628988
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/09/2026
“In a democracy, the people should not be afraid of the billionaires. The billionaires should be afraid of the people.” My interview with Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich, is a must watch! www.confrontthehate.com/p/the-nerd-r...
confrontthehate.com
‘The Nerd Reich’: Inside Silicon Valley’s War on Democracy
Gil Durán reveals the hidden blueprint, surveillance contracts, and radical ideology shaping modern tech power—and why it's closer to reality than you think.
628988
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/09/2026
My interview with @gilduran.com, author of the NYT-bestseller The Nerd Reich, was fascinating. Subscribe to get the full video when it's released on Thursday. ConfrontTheHate.com.
27617
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 08/09/2026
In the story of the day that evil walked through the door of a San Diego-area synagogue, Christian nationalist Pastor Andrew Isker sees another victim: the shooter. As Isker sees it, the real culprit was society’s hypersensitivity about antisemitism. www.confrontthehate.com/p/tennessee-...
confrontthehate.com
Tennessee Pastor Blames Fight Against Antisemitism for 2019 Synagogue Attack
Andrew Isker's new treatise doesn't just defend antisemitic tropes—it frames a San Diego-area synagogue shooter as a victim of hypersensitivity about antisemitism.
1011330
Reposted by Phil Williams
Alex @purplechrain.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
“The antisemitic conspiracy theorist only committed a mass shooting at a synagogue because society victimized him by not listening to and embracing his bigoted conspiracy theories.” - an actual argument this pastor made
19830
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 08/09/2026
In the story of the day that evil walked through the door of a San Diego-area synagogue, Christian nationalist Pastor Andrew Isker sees another victim: the shooter. As Isker sees it, the real culprit was society’s hypersensitivity about antisemitism. www.confrontthehate.com/p/tennessee-...
confrontthehate.com
Tennessee Pastor Blames Fight Against Antisemitism for 2019 Synagogue Attack
Andrew Isker's new treatise doesn't just defend antisemitic tropes—it frames a San Diego-area synagogue shooter as a victim of hypersensitivity about antisemitism.
1011330
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 08/09/2026
Have you checked out Bloomberg’s new “Our Town” podcast about what has been happening in Gainesboro, Tennessee? This interview with the podcasters will explain it all.
19422
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 07/09/2026
Podcasters Meribah Knight and Susan Berfield discuss their new investigative series, "Our Town," and how Gainesboro, Tennessee, became ground zero for a national movement. www.confrontthehate.com/p/a-far-righ...
confrontthehate.com
Inside the Far-Right Experiment to Reshape Rural America
Podcasters Meribah Knight and Susan Berfield discuss their new investigative series, "Our Town," and how Gainesboro, Tennessee, became ground zero for a national movement.
212841
Reposted by Phil Williams
Thomas Long @rayosunlong.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Really interesting stuff here, that opens a window to how national political issues are being foisted upon rural Americans… and how rural Americans are rejecting the assumptions that were made about them… and refusing to be defined by the narrow lenses of political messengers.
0314
Reposted by Phil Williams
Chris Petersen @cpetersen-cs.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Fascinating stuff... Seems like the outsiders coming in were starting with a lot of the stereotypes about Tennessee... Oops!
0224
Reposted by Phil Williams
Antifa H.R. Manager on Blueskee @starfinder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Another example of the value of local journalism:
0274
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 07/09/2026
Podcasters Meribah Knight and Susan Berfield discuss their new investigative series, "Our Town," and how Gainesboro, Tennessee, became ground zero for a national movement. www.confrontthehate.com/p/a-far-righ...
confrontthehate.com
Inside the Far-Right Experiment to Reshape Rural America
Podcasters Meribah Knight and Susan Berfield discuss their new investigative series, "Our Town," and how Gainesboro, Tennessee, became ground zero for a national movement.
212841
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 05/09/2026
Have you listened to the fantastic new Bloomberg podcast “Our Town”? It is the story of what is happening in Gainesboro, TN. You will definitely want to watch my interview with the two podcasters. Subscribe NOW to get the full video when it's released.
313028
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 05/09/2026
Have you listened to the fantastic new Bloomberg podcast “Our Town”? It is the story of what is happening in Gainesboro, TN. You will definitely want to watch my interview with the two podcasters. Subscribe NOW to get the full video when it's released.
313028
Reposted by Phil Williams
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 03/09/2026
As I read journalist @gilduran.com’s provocative new book over a long weekend, an unnerving realization took hold—in my hands was the most urgent warning for American democracy I have ever encountered. www.confrontthehate.com/p/the-most-u...
confrontthehate.com
'The Nerd Reich': An Urgent Warning for American Democracy
Decades of investigating government corruption couldn't prepare me for Gil Durán’s chilling account of Silicon Valley’s authoritarian ambitions.
21900344
Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 03/09/2026
As I read journalist @gilduran.com’s provocative new book over a long weekend, an unnerving realization took hold—in my hands was the most urgent warning for American democracy I have ever encountered. www.confrontthehate.com/p/the-most-u...
confrontthehate.com
'The Nerd Reich': An Urgent Warning for American Democracy
Decades of investigating government corruption couldn't prepare me for Gil Durán’s chilling account of Silicon Valley’s authoritarian ambitions.
21900344