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Russ Choma

@russchoma.bsky.social
15K followers 118 following 65 posts

Investigative reporter @Motherjones DC ex OpenSecrets.org tip me at rchoma @ motherjones.com

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Reposted by Russ Choma
Ian Gordon @idgordon.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“The problem here is not the fact the Trumps are affiliated with a bank. It’s the fact that Donald Trump can fire the bank regulator if the bank regulator doesn’t do what he says.” Latest from @russchoma.bsky.social:
motherjones.com
Why Trump’s crypto business wants to become a bank
Sen. Elizabeth Warren decries the first family’s latest crypto play as a “clear conflict of interest and corruption.”
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Anna Merlan @annamerlan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEW: I came across a bookseller who was afraid that a mysterious company trying to buy some of his rarest books was going to use them to train AI models. I went down the rabbithole with him, and was confused and altogether existentially weirded out by what I found www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
A bookseller confronts a mysterious company hunting his rarest books
Was a Kentucky retailer targeted by a destructive AI "predator"?
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 17/08/2026
Trump threatened to “bomb the shit out of” Oman on Monday. But there's a problem for the president: He has a lavish golf course there.
motherjones.com
Trump's bombing threats have a golf course problem
His Oman resort sits just miles from the strait where he's promising to send in the US military.
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Abby Vesoulis @abbyvesoulis.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
"There is a bruise that accompanies the injury that appears to be in a handprint... it appears that it was inflicted." We take you inside the room where a child protection specialist speaks to police about the fracture sustained by Rep. Max Miller's toddler. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Police footage shows Rep. Max Miller downplaying his daughter’s broken collarbone.
Go inside the room as detectives probe the abuse allegations.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Tim Murphy @timothypmurphy.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
sorry but does this seem like the kind of thing a congressman who banned a constituent from all six of his McDonald's franchises would do? or the same congressman who subsequently sold all six of his McDonald's to fund his re-election?
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 28/07/2026
Missed payments. Slashed staffing. Broken security. A patient who froze to death on the roof of a hospital. Inside American Healthcare System, the for-profit healthcare behemoth driving hospitals around the country to financial chaos.
motherjones.com
A for-profit hospital slashed costs. Then a patient froze to death on its roof.
A little-known company grew on promises to save distressed hospitals. Instead, it sunk them into financial chaos.
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Night of the Living Red Durkin @daedsider.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The success of Emily Wilson's translation had nothing to do with Christopher Nolan. The hardcover edition came out 9 years ago and was a huge success. The paperback has been in steady demand since 2018. My store has sold 75 copies (a lot for 1 book for us) and 66 of those were before January.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 25/07/2026
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) previously denied a report, also alleged in court records, that he pushed a girl down a flight of stairs in high school. But the woman recently told Mother Jones the alleged incident remains "one of the more traumatic nights of my life." Inside the investigation:
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Assault, misogyny, verbal threats: Records detail new allegations against Rep. Max Miller
Police reports and filings in a bitter custody dispute raise new questions about the conduct of an Ohio Republican as he campaigns for a third term.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 01/07/2026
Trump borrowed more than $50 million from Charles Schwab Bank last year. But what we don't know— 💰️ why he needed the funds 💰️ how he used the funds 💰️ what assets he pledged as collateral 💰️ the exact amount he borrowed 💰️ when it's due ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ @danalexander21.bsky.social for Forbes
forbes.com
Trump Took Out Mysterious Loan Last Year
Donald Trump secured a massive loan from Charles Schwab Bank last year, leaving his debt profile murkier than it has been in ages.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 27/04/2026
New: “How the Trumps’ Billion-Dollar Crypto Stake Depends on a Company That Helped Iran Evade Sanctions.” my first report for @publiccitizen.bsky.social 1/
citizen.org
Conflict Coin: How the Trumps' Billion-Dollar Crypto Stake Depends on a Company That Helped Iran Evade Sanctions - Public Citizen
Trumps’ World Liberty Financial is heavily dependent on Binance, a crypto exchange that pleaded guilty to helping Iran evade sanctions
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
It wouldn't be a Trump financial disclosure day w/out some mystery... like, who is Base Co. LTD, and why did they pay a $2m non-refundable fee to Trump? This from a Korean biz pub back in Feb suggests a construction co &/or liquor conglomerate? dbr.donga.com/kfocus/view/...
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 20/06/2026
Listen to the episode: revealnews.org/podcast/worl...
revealnews.org
The Beautiful Game Is More Unaffordable Than Ever - Reveal
Three reporters who love soccer dig into the World Cup. Why are tickets so expensive? Why is Gianni Infantino always on camera? And will Haiti win a game?
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 18/06/2026
Looks like JD Vance has become the fall guy if the deal with Iran fails...
motherjones.com
Republicans question the U.S.-Iran deal. Many are blaming JD Vance.
“The president is getting, I think, very poor advice when it comes to this deal,” Sen. Ted Cruz said.
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Postcard From The Past @pastpostcard.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
It may not have been worth bringing the accordion.
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Jordan Uhl @jordanuhl.com · 15/06/2026
The “Freedom 250” UFC fight at the White House features ad placement for the Saudis, along with gambling and crypto companies.
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
After reading this post last year, I saw this start to happen and helped out. It's a very good thing to think about next time you go to the pool.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
5/ Just pubbed this @russchoma.bsky.social piece on Javanka's slimy Albanian island resort deal, which has caused huge protests to break out, and why OTHER democracies do better at resisting such his crony capitalism. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
The key to fighting a Trump real estate deal: democracy
There's a reason the first family's construction projects go more smoothly in Saudi Arabia than in Albania.
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
As someone who covers crypto and thinks about it more than I’d like, I liked this. @benmckenzie.bsky.social has a real knack for articulating, in terms we all understand, what’s so unsettling about crypto. And he did so much better job grilling SBF on campaign donations than any of us journos did…
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 20/05/2026
“Having the IRS agree to no audits of the President, his family and their businesses is unheard of.”
motherjones.com
First, a $1.8 billion slush fund. Now Trump aims to weasel out of IRS audits “forever”
We're talking about a man whose company was convicted of criminal tax fraud.
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Michael Derby @michaelsderby.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Republican primary voters reject congressman who pressed for accountability for those involved with Epstein.
nytimes.com
Midterms Live Updates: Polls Close in Kentucky, Where Trump Critic Faces Tough Challenge
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Anna Merlan @annamerlan.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
NEW: I recently started seeing more and more videos featuring youthful Scientologists from “orgs” around the world, especially on TikTok. It turns out this is part of an coordinated campaign, and I spoke to some of the people who helped develop it: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Scientology’s extremely online pivot to video
On TikTok and Instagram, the church seeks youthful recruits—and a forum to battle critics.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 18/05/2026
Trump tried to build Australia’s tallest tower. It didn’t happen.
motherjones.com
Trump tried to build Australia’s tallest tower. It didn’t happen.
"The Trump brand was increasingly toxic."
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 17/05/2026
The president’s crypto partners are offering World Cup box seats to high-ranking coin holders.
motherjones.com
Trump meme coin contest: Win exclusive access to “World Football 2026 Final Game”!
The president's crypto partners are offering World Cup box seats to high-ranking coin holders.
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Crypto bloggers bragged about how they got into the Mar-a-Lago gala with trading strategies that meant they spent as little as $500 on $TRUMP, so this could actually be a really cheap way to see the WC final. Or the "World Football 2026 Final Game" as the website calls it...
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Anna Merlan @annamerlan.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
One thing about both the "missing scientists" and "dead holistic doctors" theories is that they tend to keep accruing mass for years. Anyone who has died or disappeared can eventually be drawn in, including people whose family members have begged for privacy. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
How the “missing scientists” conspiracy theory went mainstream after others failed
The fate of similar rumors suggests how our news ecosystem and political environment have mutated.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 11/05/2026
Deep, entertaining look at the scam that is crypto!
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Tim Murphy @timothypmurphy.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Thomas Massie has always been Thomas Massie. Sometimes that's disappointing and sometimes it's almost reassuring. Great glimpse from @smencimer.bsky.social www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Thomas Massie has always been a pain in the ass
Can the Kentucky Republican—inventor, farmer, gadfly, genius—survive standing up to Trump?
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Is that bad?
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 04/05/2026
For a little while, crypto mogul Justin Sun represented everything the digital currency industry could want from Donald Trump. But Blockchain Camelot is over, and the dueling lawsuits are here.
motherjones.com
Trump’s crypto empire descends into warring lawsuits
World Liberty Financial sues its loudest critic.
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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Everyone should pay attention to this. Antivaxxers are trying to force you to get another preventable disease and they are better funded than ever. They already got one Lyme vaccine pulled from market with the same tactics of straight-up lying, & climate change keeps making Lyme a much wider problem
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Tim Murphy @timothypmurphy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
i'm going to take a guess and say it involves a louder version of golf www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"There is no information as to what specific “biggest sporting events” that might include."
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Exclusive access to sporting events! Maybe? What is Trump Coin Clib?
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 30/04/2026
"Why Trump’s Crypto Empire Is in Chaos The wheels may be coming off World Liberty Financial." @russchoma.bsky.social for @motherjones.com
motherjones.com
Why Trump's crypto empire is in chaos
The wheels may be coming off World Liberty Financial.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 30/04/2026
"A Boring Party for Trump’s Collapsing Meme Coin Presidential corruption has never been so dull." @russchoma.bsky.social for @motherjones.com
motherjones.com
A boring party for Trump’s collapsing meme coin
Presidential corruption has never been so dull.
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Russ Choma @russchoma.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
There’s a lot going on www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Why Trump's crypto empire is in chaos
The wheels may be coming off World Liberty Financial.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 28/04/2026
Presidential corruption has never been so dull.
motherjones.com
A boring party for Trump’s collapsing meme coin
Presidential corruption has never been so dull.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 28/04/2026
Buyers still might be getting something valuable: the opportunity to put money directly into the first family’s pockets.
motherjones.com
Why Trump's crypto empire is in chaos
The wheels may be coming off World Liberty Financial.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 22/04/2026
Great lede from @russchoma.bsky.social—
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 22/04/2026
Devin Nunes was not an obvious choice to run a fledgling social media network, but after $1.1 billion in losses, the former dairy farmer and congressman is out as the head of Truth Social. 🫠
motherjones.com
Truth Social CEO out after $1.1 billion in losses
Former Congressman Devin Nunes is leaving the floundering social media network.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Anna Merlan @annamerlan.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
NEW: The Onion says it has struck a deal to take over Infowars. That deal still must be approved by a judge. This news was first reported by @pablo.show. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
The Onion says it has struck a deal to take over Infowars
The move would allow the satire site to turn Alex Jones' conspiracist creation into a parody of itself.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 19/04/2026
To understand JD Vance, you need to meet the “TheoBros.” These extremely online young Christian men want to end the 19th Amendment, restore public flogging, and make America white again.
motherjones.com
To understand JD Vance, you need to meet the “TheoBros”
These extremely online young Christian men want to end the 19th Amendment, restore public flogging, and make America white again.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 18/04/2026
You'd think @nytimes.com would have mentioned Anthropic hired a lobbyist close to Trump last week in this article on it landing a White House meeting 🎁🔗
nytimes.com
White House and Anthropic Hold ‘Productive’ Meeting, Aiming for a Compromise
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Dan Friedman @dfriedman.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
"Need to see the president of the United States? Stock up on $TRUMP." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
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Reposted by Russ Choma
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 18/04/2026
Want to get in the room with the president? Stock up on his pointless meme coin.
motherjones.com
Donald Trump’s latest crypto corruption: A Mar-a-Lago party for his coin buyers
Want to get in the room with the president? Stock up on his pointless meme coin.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 17/04/2026
War in Iran is far from over. Airlines are running out of jet fuel. And the GOP is stumbling into an important midterm season. So, who is Donald Trump making time for on his busy schedule? The 297 people most invested in $TRUMP, his meme coin.
motherjones.com
Donald Trump’s latest crypto corruption: A Mar-a-Lago party for his coin buyers
Want to get in the room with the president? Stock up on his pointless meme coin.
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Reposted by Russ Choma
David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
You want Big Tech crazy? The billionaires financing the AI gold rush are trying to create superbabies to stop the rise of something akin to Skynet. ow.ly/Lrli50YKp8u
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Creating baby geniuses to thwart the AI threat? (Yes, really.)
The new wave of Silicon Valley–backed gene-editing startups is straight out of “Brave New World.”
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Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 12/04/2026
“The Bizarre Connection Between Iran Negotiations and Trump’s Crypto Firm” @russchoma.bsky.social for @motherjones.com
motherjones.com
The bizarre connection between Iran negotiations and Trump's crypto firm
World Liberty Financial has developed close ties to the Pakistani government.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 11/04/2026
World Liberty Financial has developed close ties to the Pakistani government.
motherjones.com
The bizarre connection between Iran negotiations and Trump's crypto firm
World Liberty Financial has developed close ties to the Pakistani government.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 11/04/2026
The president’s sons are using scarce clean energy to mine for bitcoins.
motherjones.com
Trump's war on wind power has one very big exception
The president's sons are using scarce clean energy to mine for bitcoins.
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