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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.”

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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 17h
Meanwhile, just a few blocks down the street, I was privileged to moderate a highly relevant conversation with @bradleyonishi.bsky.social about his excellent new book American Caesar, thanks to Millions of Conversations. 4/4
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 17h
A few scenes from outside Peter Thiel's third Anti-Christ lecture Monday in downtown Nashville... 3/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 17h
A few scenes from outside Peter Thiel's third Anti-Christ lecture Monday in downtown Nashville... 2/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 17h
A few scenes from outside Peter Thiel's third Anti-Christ lecture Monday in downtown Nashville... 1/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 11/10/2026
This opening by Bob Smietana is perfection! A must read!
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/10/2026
The Disturbing New Christian Nationalist Argument for Subjugating Women
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 07/10/2026
Next Monday night, you can either go to hear Peter Thiel talk about the Anti-Christ in downtown Nashville - or you can walk down the street to the Public Library to hear @bradleyonishi.bsky.social and I talk about Thiel - and Brad’s new book. There are just a few tickets left.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 6/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 5/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 4/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 3/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 2/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/10/2026
Scenes from outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel's second Anti-Christ lecture in Nashville. I bet you recognize a face or two! 1/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 04/10/2026
For the last two days, I’ve been inside the Christian nationalist “Holy Wars” conference - with access I never imagined possible. I am still processing everything I’ve experienced. More soon at ConfrontTheHate.com. Subscribe now!
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 30/09/2026
NEW: Eight years after the Tree of Life shooting, survivors and advocates gathered to confront extremism and build practical paths toward tolerance. My latest at ConfrontTheHate.com.
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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.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 22/09/2026
As CNN, MS NOW, Politico Booted, White Nationalist Outlet Snags White House Press Slot 1/
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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/
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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.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/09/2026
Brad Onishi’s American Caesar is an essential companion to Gil Duran’s Nerd Reich. (More below)
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/09/2026
Don’t Have the Right Blood? You’re Not a Real American, Far-Right Influencer Argues
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 18/09/2026
Once you hear his theory, it might sound familiar... 2/
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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/
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 18/09/2026
Join @bradleyonishi.bsky.social and myself tonight for a great conversation about his new book, American Caesar.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 16/09/2026
William Wolfe thinks his interpretation of Jesus' teachings is "winning."
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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/...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 03/09/2026
And more:
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 03/09/2026
More from my review of The Nerd Reich:
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 27/08/2026
In American Caesar, Brad Onishi warns of three well-connected political movements already working to undermine U.S. democracy as we have known it. But instead of blaming the Jews, they fault “traitorous elites and inferior invaders.” (Link below.)
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 19/08/2026
Congrats, @gilduran.com! Looking forward to diving in!
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 12/08/2026
Former SPLC employee Heidi Beirich faces federal fraud charges over alleged informant payouts and stolen documents as the DOJ expands its prosecution. Here's what I know. www.confrontthehate.com/p/frequent-t...
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 11/08/2026
ANALYSIS: Despite public attacks from President Donald Trump and DOJ leadership, a federal ruling says lawyers for the Southern Poverty Law Center can't probe prosecutors' motives. (Link below.)
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 11/08/2026
Thank you, Flaming Feminist Candles, for making my day! I am in good company with John Oliver of @lastweektonight.com! 😂😂😂
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 10/08/2026
ICYMI: On the six-month anniversary of this project, as I continue to explore ways to reach audiences about these critical issues, check out these two new videos. www.confrontthehate.com/p/first-look...
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 09/08/2026
Ok, this is cool! Someone sent me a pic of his purchase at Nashville’s Tomato Fest! If you know the vendor, I would love to get one!
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 08/08/2026
Bravo! Be sure to check out this new Bloomberg podcast, “Our Town,” that focuses on the Christian nationalists who moved into Jackson County, Tennessee! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 07/08/2026
Ouch!
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 07/08/2026
THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED: Marsha Blackburn WINS GOP nomination for Tennessee governor; Congressman Andy Ogles, who positioned himself as a Christian Crusader LOSES nomination for re-election to former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/08/2026
The list speaks volumes…
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 06/08/2026
Another day of dealing with Andy Ogles’ shenanigans! We were invited to an event at a Metro Nashville Head Start program with RFK Jr. and Ogles. The congressman’s comms director made up some story about why we could not come in - which, as you will see, quickly fell apart. 🙄p
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 04/08/2026
ARE WE BEING SHUT OUT?
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 03/08/2026
A New Chapter: 'Hate Comes to Main Street' Becomes 'Confront the Hate, Find the Hope' What does that mean, and how can you join the fight? Please check out the link below.
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 01/08/2026
In the GOP primary for Tennessee governor, Congressman John Rose sends new letter to U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, asking her to release the documents from last year’s investigation of her office - an investigation that I first revealed. What do you think?
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Phil Williams @philinvestigates.com · 28/07/2026
Looks like the neo-Nazi crowd is triggered by my latest reporting! 🤷‍♂️
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