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Stephanie Kirchgaessner

@skirchy.bsky.social
5.6K followers 1.2K following 801 posts

Deputy editor of investigations, Guardian US. I'm an editor and reporter. Feminist. Mother of two. Years in DC, Rome, NYC, London. But mostly DC. www.theguardian.com/profile/stephan…

PostsRepliesMedia
Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A story that touches on something undeniable: the justices are totally removed from the reality their decisions create. From the woman who cannot get medical care to the man picked up by ICE (who Brett Kavanaugh thinks will just be let go if he explains it's a mix up) www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
nytimes.com
John Roberts Retreated to His Island. Supreme Court Critics Found Him.
After decades of potlucks and paddle-boarding on Maine’s midcoast, rising anger and protests have left the Supreme Court’s chief justice more isolated than ever.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The reporting on the awful double murder case in Idaho that has been done for the Guardian by @bymichellersmith.com makes clear that vaccines are safe and effective. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
An Idaho mom charged with murder says vaccines killed her twins. Doctors say it’s not possible
Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group once led by RFK Jr, still stands by Andrea Shaw after her indictment
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Julia Carrie Wong @joolia.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you're just waking up to the news of Tennessee's botched attempt to execute Christa Pike, my colleague @edpilkington.bsky.social has done powerful reporting on the doctor involved, who also botched an execution in May
podcasts.apple.com
The doctor who helps put prisoners to death
Podcast Episode · Stateside with Kai and Carter · August 12 · 43m · Video
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Shining a spotlight on this never ending crime: Three deaths, three states, 24 hours www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Three deaths, three states, 24 hours: one day in ICE’s quiet but ‘gruesome’ surge
These men in Maine, Georgia and Florida shared no ties – until they became casualties in Trump’s anti-immigration campaign
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A Cuban man in Miami who stepped outside his house to take out the trash was detained moments after he had dropped the garbage bag into the bin. An Ecuadorian father was arrested in Danbury, Connecticut, just after seeing his six-year-old son on to the school bus. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Gone in 90 seconds: an ‘invisibilized’ ICE is arresting more people than ever
After public backlash, the Trump administration changed its tactics from ‘siege’ to ‘soft feet’. Now, ICE is everywhere
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“At least six babies in Pennsylvania have been born infected with measles, with two so sick they had to be admitted to intensive care.” H/t @ameshaa.bsky.social
nbcnews.com
America had wiped out measles. Now babies are infected at birth.
Congenital measles has rarely been seen in the U.S. That’s changing as vaccination declines and more pregnant women become infected.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Fully agree with numbers 1 and 2 www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century
More than 500 influential stars, showrunners and other notable names in the world of TV voted on the best series released since Jan. 1, 2000. See what they chose.
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here it is
youtube.com
Dr. Heidi Overton supports Wakefield's fraud and wants unvaccinated kids to get sick
YouTube video by Jonathan Howard
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 22/09/2026
The Pennsylvania measles outbreak “seems to be accelerating,” one infectious disease specialist told me. “And we’re seeing, actually, types of measles we’ve never seen before.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Why the CDC is excluding measles deaths in Pennsylvania even as outbreak appears to be ‘accelerating’
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refuses to count four measles deaths in the state though doctors are ‘seeing new forms’ of disease
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
George Zornick @gzornick.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Brendan Carr was a member of a rogue Alcoholics Anonymous group some labeled a ‘cult’ www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Brendan Carr was a member of a rogue Alcoholics Anonymous group some labeled a ‘cult’
Carr was a member of the group in his teens and 20s. There is no evidence Trump’s powerful FCC chair participated in any inappropriate conduct
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026
NEW: In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins. Then Trump was reelected and eviscerated the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes.
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Brendan Carr was a member of a rogue Alcoholics Anonymous group some labeled a ‘cult’
Carr was a member of the group in his teens and 20s. There is no evidence Trump’s powerful FCC chair participated in any inappropriate conduct
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The pressure is growing on Leon Black. Latest by @annabetts.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
House panel recommends Leon Black be held in contempt over Epstein inquiry subpoenas
Financier refused to comply with subpoenas seeking his testimony for the investigation into the late sex offender
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
New reporting by @maanvisingh.bsky.social and @wcraft.bsky.social and team www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Revealed: ICE lost count of miscarriages, while detaining a record number of pregnant women
ICE says it has no updated information on the number of miscarriages after 3 October 2025. Lawmakers, advocates and immigration attorneys have raised alarms that pregnant detainees are not receiving b...
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Important follow up from @bymichellersmith.com earlier reporting on the surgeon general nominee. This time putting a $ amount on her supplements business. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
US surgeon general nominee made $270,000 from supplement company
Tobacco investments raise new concerns about Dr Nicole Saphier ahead of confirmation hearing
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 14/09/2026
NEW: The 40-year-old woman who died of probable measles in PA was not vaccinated and had COPD & 24/7 oxygen. She did not appear to die in a hospital. The coroner is "100%" certain she died because of measles. Yet the CDC changed the way it counts measles deaths www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Trump administration changes how it counts measles deaths amid Pennsylvania outbreak
CDC announces changes to how it reports measles deaths as Pennsylvania continues to confirm more cases
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I listen to a lot of podcasts. This was the best one I heard this week and makes me want to read Kaepernick's new book www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
newyorker.com
Colin Kaepernick Misses the Game
In his new memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” the former N.F.L. star recounts the backlash he faced from the league.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
by David Smith www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Mistakes, mistrust and misdirection: 25 years after 9/11, its dark legacy continues to unfold
The world’s most powerful country responded to the worst terrorist attack in its history by inflicting terror of its own – around the world, and at home
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Another legend. RIP Emma Bonino. A true honor to sit in your apartment with you so many years ago. www.theguardian.com/world/2018/f...
theguardian.com
Emma Bonino: Italy's pro-Europe, pro-immigrant conscience
The former foreign minister, activist and politician has radical ideas for today’s Italy
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Latest by @melissasegura.bsky.social from Santa Fe on Trump's attempted whitewashing of the great state of New Mexico www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
New Mexicans meet Trump’s threat to change state’s name with ridicule and outrage
Residents denounced suggestion to rename state ‘New America’, save some Republicans who insist it was ‘satire’
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Great news! hillmanfoundation.org/sidney-award...
hillmanfoundation.org
The Guardian and AP win September Sidney Award for proving RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccination agenda for Samoa trip
NEW YORK — Michelle Smith of the Guardian and Ali Swenson of the Associated Press win the September Sidney Award for proving that the future Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy J...
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
(NBC News) — It is now the least rewarding time to be a worker in the U.S. economy since the government started keeping track. @nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I am sharing this again because I keep thinking about Gloria Steinem. The Guardian is so lucky to count Moira Donegan as a columnist. She is a powerful and great writer. I love the description of Steinem's true birth as a feminist www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Gloria Steinem personified America’s feminist movement | Moira Donegan
The activist made the movement mainstream – and became a receptacle for its hopes and disappointments
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
On the killing of World Central Kitchen workers www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
‘Guilt by association’: why seven international aid workers were killed in Israeli airstrike
Exclusive: Guardian investigation reveals targeting of World Central Kitchen convoy was result of widely used military tactic
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
My Steinem obit: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Gloria Steinem personified America’s feminist movement | Moira Donegan
The activist made the movement mainstream – and became a receptacle for its hopes and disappointments
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
From the NYT: Her own feminist awakening didn’t come until her mid-30s, when, as a journalist in 1969, she attended a “speak out” of women discussing their illegal abortions. Charismatic, articulate, media savvy, deeply empathetic and a workaholic, she evolved into a political and cultural force.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A race I had not followed. The seat once held by Paul Ryan, who when he was in power admitted that Trump had said a racist thing, but said he was still better than Hillary Clinton. Now a nurse is trying to flip that seat for Democrats. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Working-class ER nurse seeks to flip battleground Wisconsin House seat
Mitchell Berman is among Democrats the party hopes can flip a Republican-leaning district in November’s midterms
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"On accident" needs to stop. www.juliatomiak.com/2020/01/gram...
juliatomiak.com
Grammar check: “on accident” vs. “by accident” | Diary of a Word Nerd
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Straight from Trump's playbook www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK bans three journalists from its conference after critical reporting
Guardian City editor Anna Isaac among those who had credentials to cover event declined
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
It is not clear whether Leon Black will show up to testify on Capitol Hill tomorrow in connection to an Epstein investigation, though he has been threatened with contempt if he does not. This was a piece we published earlier this year by Johanna Berkman www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Epstein-linked billionaire accused of rape privately reached out to federal judge to defend his ‘good name’
Leon Black has denied he ever met or raped ‘Jane Doe’. In an exclusive statement, Doe tells the Guardian: ‘I am still here. And I am not done’
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This is shocking. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Maltese tycoon found not guilty of involvement in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder
Yorgen Fenech cleared on both charges he faced over 2017 killing of journalist that prompted global outrage
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa www.tampabay.com/news/2026/08...
tampabay.com
Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa
ICE sent them away under a controversial policy without knowing where they were going or what would happen next.
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Blake Montgomery @montgomery.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Freelancers are making more money fixing AI slop than creating original work www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
theguardian.com
Freelancers are getting buried with ‘soulless’ AI slop cleanup: ‘It’s a shame we need to do it’
As more companies turn to AI, they’re hiring freelancers to cleanup its mistakes rather than create original work
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
This data has helped fight workplace discrimination for 60 years. The Trump administration plans to delete it
Enforcing civil rights without these reports will be difficult for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, pushing US agency closer to Trump’s agenda, experts warn
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Leon Black is supposed to testify on 3 September but it seems unclear whether he will appear, even under threat of contempt www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Republican calls Leon Black and David Copperfield co-conspirators of Epstein
Outgoing congressman Thomas Massie urges justice department to launch immediate investigation
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
NEW/SCOOP: After a yearlong #FOIA battle, I finally obtained Ghislaine Maxwell's prison transfer form from BOP. But the agency redacted its rationale for moving the convicted sex offender to a minimum-security prison Read it in this special edition of FOIA Files 🎁 www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
bloomberg.com
Ghislaine Maxwell’s Prison Transfer Application Released
FOIA Files obtained a copy of the document from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The agency redacted its justification for moving the convicted sex offender to a less-restrictive minimum-security prison...
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 31/08/2026
New York, here’s how you can save a life: 1. Go to nyc.gov/naloxone to get free overdose-reversal medication, also known as Narcan®. 2. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, call 988 for confidential recovery resources.
nyc.gov
Naloxone - NYC Health
7755931643
Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A great example of the perks given to even some of the most controversial members of the billionaire class. Because people just will not say "no". By Nadia Khomami for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
theguardian.com
British Museum hosted Palantir founder Peter Thiel in private viewing of Bayeux tapestry
Concern among staff that fragile artwork’s scarce ‘light hours’ given to someone with no known interest in museum
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
by @julianborger.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Ratko Mladić obituary
Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide for the Srebrenica slaughter and other crimes against humanity
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
On the left: Five times RFK Jr. stated in Senate in Confirmation Hearings the purpose of his 2019 trip to Samoa "had nothing to do with vaccines." On the right: Eight times RFK Jr. 2019's letter to Samoa Prime Minister referenced "vaccines" as proposal for visit (via FOIA).
RFK Jr. Confirmation Hearing before Senate Finance Committee (January 29, 2025):
Mr. Kennedy. In 2018, two more kids died following the MMR vaccine. And
the government in Samoa banned the MMR vaccine. I arrived a year later
when vaccination rates were already below the – below any – any
previous level. I went there, nothing to do with vaccines. I went
there to introduce a medical informatics system with digitalized
records in Samoa and make health delivery much more efficient. I never taught or gave any public statement about vaccines.
RFK Jr. Confirmation Hearing before Senate Health Committee (January 30, 2025):
Senator Markey. Thank you. Yesterday under oath, you told 
my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee that when you 
went to Samoa in June 2019, it, quote, ``had nothing to do with 
vaccines.'' Will you confirm again today that the trip had 
nothing to do with vaccines?

    Mr. Kennedy. My purpose in going down there had nothing to 
do with vaccines.

    Senator Markey. Well, I have in my hand a blog post in 
2021, in which you say the anti-vaccine group Children's Health 
Defense, which you ran, offered to fund the purpose of the trip 
to Samoa. And in the same post you state that the trip was 
ultimately arranged by an anti-vaccine activist. And during the 
trip you met with an activist who later compared vaccine 
mandates to Nazi Germany. And during that trip you also 
discussed vaccines with the Prime Minister and the director 
general of health of Samoa. The Director General of Health said 
you specifically discussed your views on vaccine safety fears. 
And with unanimous consent, I will submit those blog posts, Mr. 
Chairman, into the record.

    The Chair. Without objection.

    [The following information can be found on page 131 in 
Additional Material:]

    Senator Markey. I am going to ask you--I will ask you 
again. Did the trip have nothing to do with vaccines as you 
told my colleagues [inaudible]?

    Mr. Kennedy. Nothing to do with …Dear Honorable Prime Minister,
Fa 'afeiloa ·j.
8/21/2026 Page 21
I am writing this letter to you in the hope that we might be helpful to the people of your great
nation.
For most of the world, investigation of adverse health events associated with vaccines----or any
pharmaceutical for that matter-is both difficult and time consuming. Health information
systems are rarely designed to support rapid study of associations between diagnoses and
specific vaccination events.
It is, however, known that vaccines vary both lot-to-lot from specific manufacturers, and
between manufacturers for a single vaccine type. This makes the likelihood of adverse lot and
manufacturer specific effects higher for smaller nations where all vaccine can be from few or a
single lot and manufacturer.
I believe the deaths associated recently with MMR vaccine in the Independent State of Samoa
may have been manifestations these effects.
To evaluate whether or not this has been experienced in Samoa, I would propose my team
conduct detailed health informatics assessment in Samoa of what happened with your MMR
vaccines. My team includes a physician who has performed informatics work for ministries of
health in 48 countries over the past JO years. He believes this work can be completed quickly.
Going forward, Samoa would be well served to expand capacity for quickly performing this class
of analysis for all pharmaceuticals prescribed and dispensed. This is invaluable not only for
investigation of severe adverse events, but also for the systematic improvement in management
of chronic illnesses like essential hypertension and diabetes. It will also be fully consistent with
the Samoa Health System Strengthening Program.
I wish to congratulate you and your Minister of Health for your quick attention to the tragic
deaths temporally associated with MMR vaccines.
I look forward to your reply to my proposal.

Robert Kennedy, Jr.
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
3/ Documents were obtained by @apnews.com and @theguardian.com at least in part via #FOIA litigation. @bymichellersmith.com and @aliswenson.bsky.social Bravo Freedom of Information Matters apnews.com/article/rfk-...
apnews.com
Exclusive: RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute that
The Associated Press and The Guardian have obtained documents that contradict statements made by current Health Secretary Robert F.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This is our latest: Reporting by @bymichellersmith.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Senator calls for criminal investigation of RFK Jr after Guardian report
Newly obtained records indicate health secretary lied about Samoa trip during Senate confirmation hearings last year
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Exclusive: RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate. Stellar reporting by @bymichellersmith.com based on documents obtained by @theguardian.com and @apnews.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate
Letters obtained by Guardian and AP contradict testimony that 2019 visit to Samoa had ‘nothing to do with vaccines’
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/u...
nytimes.com
Jeffries and Kushner Meet Privately as Midterm Attacks Fly
President Trump’s son-in-law and the man in line to be speaker of a Democratic-led House discussed how Democrats and the administration could work together.
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
ICYMI: excellent reporting by @sophiemsullivan.bsky.social on team on the man behind those fake polls www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Website behind widely shared fake election polls run by 21-year-old
Exclusive: Rahil Prakash tells the Guardian: ‘I wanted to see if fake polls could penetrate the ecosystem that easily’
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Reposted by Stephanie Kirchgaessner
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Trump, RFK Jr, & Dr Oz fell in love with a French researcher whose studies on hydroxychloroquine for Covid were hugely problematic & riddled with ethical problems Dr Fauci came under fire from RFK Jr & other MAHA/MAGA leaders for saying the drug was unproven, but Fauci was right
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
with all the news out there this is not getting tons of attention, but it deals with a major figure in the Epstein universe and his clash with the House oversight panel www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Epstein client Leon Black threatened with contempt by House panel chair
Republican James Comer writes to private equity investor demanding full cooperation with investigation
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Stampeding to the Dolomites for food seems perfectly reasonable. Sorry. Not guilty. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Tourists on pastry quest overrun scenic spot in Italian mountains
Alpine communities hit out after influencer videos draw huge queues to Friedrich August refuge in Dolomites
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Latest reporting by @jeremymbarr.bsky.social on Brendan Carr's close work with the White House www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
theguardian.com
Revealed: FCC chair Brendan Carr’s close coordination with White House and rightwing media
Internal documents obtained by Guardian show White House meetings, scheduled calls with top Trump officials and communications with Fox News producers
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Stephanie Kirchgaessner @skirchy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Please read and share the latest by @bymichellersmith.com who has relentlessly been reporting on MAHA's embrace of so-called 'gold standard science' and the ways this has profoundly shaped policy and public perceptions www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
theguardian.com
Medical researcher who touted Covid ‘cure’ and was hailed by Dr Oz under fire over ethics
New findings further call into question scientific judgment of current health leaders in the Trump administration
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