Patrick Reis
@patrickcreis.bsky.social
Politics at Slate. Formerly Vox, Rolling Stone, Washington Post, Politico. That’s my dog in New Mexico.
And I found reporting it really illuminating. I don’t know how Trump came across this conspiracy theory specifically—this isn’t a story about him—but I now have a better understanding of how one odd idea from one guy can spread until it reaches millions of people and the president of the US.
It’s a long read, but I'd really appreciate it if you checked out my medbed story for Slate: slate.com/news-and-pol... It was a wild ride.
Trump Posted About Magic Beds That Cure Cancer. Millions of Americans Believe They’re Real. I Found the Guy Who Started It All.
An internet conspiracy theory was killing people even before the president posted about it. I found the man who started it. He’s nothing like you’d expect.
slate.com
I also found the man who first put it out on the internet. I expected he would be some seedy scammer or troll or something, but when I met him out in Sedona, I found a very different kind of guy. And, tbh, he seemed sorta like a victim, too. He hates medbed scammers and he hates QAnon, it turns out.
People genuinely believe this! There are people who won’t take their medications because they think it’s easier to wait for the medbeds. One person told me her aunt was so convinced they were coming in the next few days, she didn’t go to a doctor for a broken arm.
If you’ve never heard of medbeds, the basic idea is there are extremely advanced bed devices that can cure the body of literally anything. Severed limbs, cancer, aging, etc. They’re being kept secret, but soon Trump will release them for everyone.
Almost exactly a year ago, Trump posted an AI-generated video of what I then considered to be one of the absolute weirdest and cruelest conspiracy theories out there: Medbeds. (Apologies for the thread, but this one was a real journey for me.)
My latest for @slate.com: Joshua Fox told me: "I just don't wanna be known as the Black guy Chud the Builder shot." Shot 5 times outside a Tennessee courthouse by a man who built a persona hunting Black strangers on camera. Fox survived. This is first time he's spoken. slate.com/news-and-pol...
A Streamer Predicted He Could Kill a Black Person and Get Away With It. Thousands Watched. When He Shot Someone, the Real Story Began.
In a first-time interview, the victim told me he knows what’s coming.
slate.com
This horrifying story from the New York prison system just a few weeks ago still hasn't gotten any national attention. Just shocking how few people have seen this and discussed it. Slate's journalist on the inside tells the story: slate.com/news-and-pol...
A Man Burned Alive in My New York Prison Last Month. Why Is Nobody Talking About It?
“Help me!” shouted Marcos “Bori” Alcaraz. “I’m on fire!”
slate.com
A major Trump energy scandal is flying under the radar. It’s a twisted repeat of history. slate.trib.al/p4oo7t5
A Major Trump Energy Scandal Is Flying Under the Radar. It’s a Twisted Repeat of History.
The administration wants blue states to heat up a lot more quickly than red states.
slate.trib.al
He's chief of staff to a leading GOP Senate contender. He also told a group chat—which included Nick Fuentes—that he used "the levers of the legislative branch" to help a Holocaust denier get out of jail. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Why Was the Chief of Staff for a Leading Republican Senate Candidate on a Group Chat With Famous White Nationalists? The Answer Somehow Makes It Even Worse.
His boss is running for a Senate seat. He was on a group chat with Nick Fuentes.
slate.com
SLOW BURN: BECOMING JUSTICE GORSUCH is out today! Listen to the first episode here. Learn about the mommy issues driving his attack on the administrative state. And play our game to see if you can pick Gorsuch out of a lineup of middle-aged white guys! slate.com/news-and-pol...
He’s the Supreme Court’s Anonymous “Nice Guy” Conservative. The Reality Is Way More Disturbing.
When I reached deep into his past, a clear story emerged.
slate.com
"A Figure From Democrats’ Recent Past May Hold the Key to Beating Donald Trump" Zachary Blau thinks so, and he thinks, based on a recent book you may have heard about, that Harry Reid can show the way: slate.com/news-and-pol...
A Figure From Democrats’ Recent Past May Hold the Key to Beating Donald Trump
The man who bested George W. Bush may have some lessons for Democrats on how to beat Donald Trump.
slate.com
We've got a new newsletter at @slate.com by the brilliant @shirinali.bsky.social. It's called Executive Dysfunction and the first edition is on what it would mean for Dem shutdown demands to actually happen--and what it would mean for them to fold. Please read and subscribe slate.com/news-and-pol...
If Democrats Fold on Their ICE Demands, It Will Be a Disaster
A newsletter that surfaces under-the-radar stories about what Trump is doing to the law—and how the law is pushing back.
slate.com
We're excited to welcome @ianprasad.bsky.social as Slate's new politics writer. He wrote The Morning at the NYT, Starting Point at the Boston Globe, and once upon a time interned and freelanced right here. Welcome (back), Ian! slate.com/slate-welcom...
Slate Adds Ian Philbrick as Politics Writer
Politics writer Ian Philbrick brings sharp, clear writing to Slate's political coverage
slate.com
There isn't a perfect playbook for defeating authoritarianism, but we know from other countries that democratic resurgence is possible. I wrote for @slate.com about some of what we're seeing in Minnesota and why I believe, even now, that we will win. slate.com/news-and-pol...
In Minnesota, the Fight Against ICE Is Also the Fight Against Authoritarianism
The community is pulling together. It has been eye-opening.
slate.com
10 years ago today, Trump won the New Hampshire presidential primary.
3 yrs ago I started writing a book that is in stores TODAY. It's narrative nonfiction, anti-fascist spy thriller set in Trump era. It's timely as hell & I'm proud of it. A thread of what people are saying abt it & why I hope you'll help make it a bestseller www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Cat...
i'll be chatting with @letsgomathias.bsky.social this thursday in brooklyn about his amazing new book! come!
Christopher Mathias on To Catch A Fascist | Brooklyn Public Library
Join us at Brooklyn Heights Library to hear Christopher Mathias and Marisa Kabas discuss To Catch A Fascist. A searing, provocative investigation into the rise of white nationalist and neo-Nazi moveme...
bklynlibrary.org
Christopher Mathias@letsgomathias.bsky.social · 8mo ago3 yrs ago I started writing a book that is in stores TODAY. It's narrative nonfiction, anti-fascist spy thriller set in Trump era. It's timely as hell & I'm proud of it. A thread of what people are saying abt it & why I hope you'll help make it a bestseller www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Cat...
The 1990 classic House Party celebrated its 35th anniversary last year. A bona fide classic, it has deservedly received the @criterion.bsky.social treatment in all of its zany and energetic glory. I was lucky enough to chat w/ writer/director @reghud.bsky.social about its lasting impact and legacy.
The Surprise 1990 Hit That Redefined “Indie” and Launched a Few Stars
The crowd-pleasing comedy is finally coming to the Criterion Collection.
slate.com
Life on the ground in St. Paul right now, from Council Member @mollycoleman.bsky.social—including a dispatch from "day care patrol," now a feature of everyday life, when parents try to stop ICE agents from kidnapping toddlers and teachers. slate.com/news-and-pol...
In Minnesota, the Fight Against ICE Is Also the Fight Against Authoritarianism
The community is pulling together. It has been eye-opening.
slate.com
The last story I did as a freelancer is finally out! For @slate.com I took a deep dive into the world of Katie Miller as she sheds her image as government attack dog and rebrands herself "trad-wife-in-chief" for her new podcast slate.com/news-and-pol...
She’s Married to the Architect of Trump’s Darkest Policies. She Wants America to Love Her. It’s Not Going Well.
I spent a month in her head. I was surprised by what I found.
slate.com
Forgot to post this spooky story I wrote for Slate on Friday amid the Halloween shuffle: The mainstream right makes a little room at the table for Nick Fuentes slate.com/news-and-pol...
Tucker Carlson Gave a Softball Interview to a Neo-Nazi. Republicans Are Having a Meltdown—but Not for the Reason You’d Think.
It's another reminder of the scary state of American conservatism.
slate.com
Hello here is a thread of some book tour dates I have coming up soon. Nov 5 at @busboysandpoets.bsky.social in DC with @patrickcreis.bsky.social @iamchrisscott.bsky.social @scheinman.bsky.social + @dwdavison.bsky.social (flyers by the great @tylerlittwin.bsky.social)
SCOOP: PA prosecutors were alerted to possible voting irregularities by one of MAGA's leading voices. A long paper trail shows Jack Posobiec has been living in Maryland but voting using his parent's address in Pennsylvania for years. Me with @marisakabas.bsky.social slate.com/news-and-pol...
MAGA’s “Voter Fraud” Watchdog Votes in a Swing State. He Doesn’t Live There.
A long paper trail shows that Jack Posobiec casts a ballot in one state and lives in another.
slate.com
Jack Posobiec, MAGA's voter fraud watchdog, votes in a swing state. He doesn't live in one, @marisakabas.bsky.social & @jsweetli.bsky.social report for @slate.com. slate.com/news-and-pol...
MAGA’s “Voter Fraud” Watchdog Votes in a Swing State. He Doesn’t Live There.
A long paper trail shows that Jack Posobiec casts a ballot in one state and lives in another.
slate.com
Excited to announce @patrickcreis.bsky.social is joining @slate.com as our politics editor! “He brings a thoughtful, ambitious vision for our politics coverage that’s focused on clarity, depth, and the human side of policy and power..." Read more here: slate.com/briefing/202...
Big feature out from Umair Irfan for @vox.com today about a technology that has the potential to unlock amazing potential for the renewable energy transition. If you're worried about the climate, you don't want to miss this one: www.vox.com/climate/4083...
We’ve unlocked a holy grail in clean energy. It’s only the beginning.
The incredible technology is harnessing the potential of solar and wind — and quietly revolutionizing the energy system.
vox.com
I am autistic. I pay taxes, I have a job. I dated. I get the desire to push this narrative autistic people DO accomplish these to rebut Kennedy. But there was a time when I DID NOT have a job. And non-speaking autistic people or thise with intellectual disabilities don't. They have worth as well.
Our immigration policies, up close and in focus, are as brutal as you’d expect. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Border patrol grabs Venezuelan parents in D.C., despite protected status
The arrest in D.C. of a Venezuelan couple with temporary protected status has sparked concerns that the Trump administration is again willing to separate parents from their children.
washingtonpost.com
