WIRED Politics Lab
Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today.
Thu, December 12, 2024
Some Educated Guesses About Trump’s Second Term
Donald Trump’s presidency will be unpredictable, but in our final show, we make some guesses about what’ll happen anyway. WIRED’s Tim Marchman sits down with reporters David Gilbert and Makena Kelly to talk about what could go wrong between Trump and Musk, if Christian nationalists will get their porn ban, the rise of human brain organoids and whether the new administration will finally declassify those UFO files. Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, December 05, 2024
Keeping Your Personal Data Safe in the Age of Trump
Donald Trump has threatened to go after a lot of people — journalists, political rivals and undocumented immigrants to name a few—and starting next year, he’ll have the entire national security apparatus at his disposal. What’s the best way to keep your personal information secure from surveillance, not just by the government, but also data brokers, tech companies, and online scammers? Leah talks with WIRED business editor Louise Matsakis and security editor Andrew Couts about what to expect and practical tips for your phone, computer, and life. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Andrew Couts is @ couts.bsky.com . Louise Matsakis is @ lmatsakis . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance by Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany by Dhruv Mehrotra and Dell Cameron A New Phone Scanner That Detects Spyware Has Already Found 7 Pegasus Infections by Lily Hay Newman Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, November 21, 2024
Is Everyone Leaving X (But Me)?
Since the election, a number of organizations, journalists, and left-leaning X users have announced their intentions to leave the town square formerly known as Twitter and move over to Threads or Bluesky. Leah talks with WIRED reporters David Gilbert and Vittoria Elliott about what these X-pats will find on the newer platforms, what happens to X when there are no more libs to troll, and just how fragmented online communities are now. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Donald Trump Taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to Lead Nonexistent Department of Government Efficiency by Vittoria Elliott As Trump Takes a Victory Lap, the Crypto Faithful Kiss the Ring by Joel Khalili Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, November 14, 2024
The Internet’s Future Under Trump 2.0, with Katie Drummond
Today on the show, WIRED’s global editorial director Katie Drummond joins Leah to talk about how the internet and online communities contributed to Donald Trump's victory. Plus, one last look at Brat summer, the perils of the Trump-Elon Musk alliance and digital security under the next Trump administration. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond.bsky.social . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: The WIRED Guide to Digital Security Editor’s Note: What’s Next for WIRED by Katie Drummond It’s Election Week. Brace Yourselves by Katie Drummond Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, November 07, 2024
Did Elon Musk Win the Election for Trump?
The election is over and Donald Trump has won a second term in the White House. The next several months—and maybe years—will be spent analyzing what actually tipped this election, but we at WIRED Politics Lab have a theory: Elon Musk. Throughout the election season, and especially in the homestretch, Musk has used his influence and platform to try to shape the results. Today, Leah sits down with Vittoria Elliott and Timothy Marchman to discuss if it worked. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter . Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, October 31, 2024
Stacey Abrams on Outworking Elon Musk and the Far Right in Georgia
It’s the election homestretch, and today on the show, we spoke with Stacey Abrams. Abrams has fought voter suppression for more than a decade — and she’s still fighting it. She joins Leah from Kamala Harris’s campaign trail to talk about election conspiracies, Elon Musk's influence, ballot box fires, Joe Rogan, and whether a Democratic candidate can win Georgia. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: US Intel Says Insider Threats Are 'Likely' During the Election by Tess Owen and Dell Cameron Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories Are Already Thriving Online by David Gilbert Russian Propaganda Unit Appears to Be Behind Spread of False Tim Walz Sexual Abuse Claims by David Gilbert Elon Musk's PAC Is Buying Ads for Donald Trump on Elon Musk's X by Vittoria Elliott Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, October 24, 2024
The Far-Right Constitutional Sheriffs Gearing Up to Challenge the 2024 Election
It sounds like something out of the Old West, but this year, Constitutional Sheriffs — law enforcement officers who believe they’re above state and federal oversight — have rounded up posses and set their sights on election security. WIRED’s Tim Marchman talks with reporter David Gilbert about how the Constitutional Sheriffs hitched their wagons to the big guns in the election denial movement, and how just one rogue county sheriff could call the entire presidential race into question. Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: 'Take Back the States': The Far-Right Sheriffs Ready to Disrupt the Election by David Gilbert Far-Right Sheriffs Want a Citizen Army to Stop ‘Illegal Immigrant’ Voters by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, October 17, 2024
WIRED Investigates: The JD Vance Adviser Secretly Posting About Using Drugs
On Wednesday, a WIRED exclusive revealed that one of J.D. Vance’s financial policy advisers has posted a lot on Reddit about illicit substances. Given Vance’s hard stance on drugs, WIRED’s Tim Marchman and Makena Kelly join Leah to discuss why it matters that a member of his staff seems to have been using them. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: JD Vance Adviser Posted on Reddit for Years About Use of Cocaine, ‘Gas Station Heroin,’ Other Drugs by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, October 10, 2024
Will Elon Musk Tip the Election for Trump?
You might know him from Tesla and SpaceX, but now Elon Musk spends a lot of his time campaigning for former president Donald Trump. WIRED’s David Gilbert and Vittoria Elliott join Leah to talk about what Musk gets from going all in on Trump — and whether he’ll win Trump the White House. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Elon Musk Spoke at a Trump Rally, Referenced ‘Dark MAGA,’ and Urged Supporters to Vote by Vittoria Elliott and Tess Owen Right-Wing Influencers Claim ‘They’ Defeated Physics, Geoengineered Hurricane Milton by Tess Owen Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Wed, October 02, 2024
VP Debate Night: Vance Sanitized Trumpism, Walz Called Himself a Knucklehead
Vice Presidential candidates Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. J.D. Vance faced off last night in their first and only debate. Will Vance’s repackaging of Trump’s record on issues like abortion and January 6 land with independents and swing state voters? Where was the fiery Walz who won social media by calling Republicans “weird?” And will any of this really matter on election day? WIRED’s Tim Marchman and Makena Kelly join Leah to discuss. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: No, Tim Walz Is Not Friends with School Shooters by David Gilbert Get Your VP Debate Bingo Card Right Here by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, September 26, 2024
From Endless Thread: Gen Z wants you to take political action, one TikTok at a time
Gen Z is over it. The youngest generation of adults is inheriting a climate crisis, the ongoing fallout from a global pandemic, a polarized political landscape, and a tenuous economic reality. And many Gen Z members, a generation more likely to identify as progressive than conservative, are ready for something to give. Enter: Gen Z for Change — a youth-led non-profit that brands itself as, "the place where the creator economy and progressive politics intersect on social media." The group leverages a hundreds-deep network of social media creators to spread calls to action over TikTok . They've also pulled on the programming expertise within their team to develop a caché of semi-automatic tools that take the guesswork out of engaging with their political agenda. Their latest tool , "Ceasefire Now!!" takes these efforts one step further — resulting in, by Gen Z for Change's count, two million emails calling for a ceasefire in Gaza hitting the inboxes of elected representatives in Washington every day. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, September 19, 2024
Laura Loomer: The ‘Free Spirit’ Whispering in Trump’s Ear
From political fundraisers to the presidential debate to a September 11 commemoration, far-right influencer Laura Loomer has become a staple in former president Donald Trump’s political entourage. WIRED’s David Gilbert and Tim Marchman join Leah to discuss Loomer’s history of conspiracies, Islamophobia, and how she ended up in Trump’s orbit. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Laura Loomer Is MAGA at Its Most Extreme—and She’s Closer to Donald Trump Than Ever by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Wed, September 11, 2024
No Dogs or Cats Were Harmed In the Making of This Post-Debate Podcast
WIRED’s Makena Kelly and Tim Marchman join Leah to discuss the memorable moments, the policies and, of course, the conspiracies that came up in Tuesday’s presidential debate. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Tim Marchman is @ timmarchman . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, September 05, 2024
The AI Porn Episode
A few months ago, everyone seemed worried about how AI would impact the 2024 election. Lately, it seems like some of the panic has dissipated, but political deepfakes — including pornographic images and video — are still everywhere. Today on the show, WIRED reporters Vittoria Elliott and Will Knight on what has changed with AI and what we should worry about. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Vittoria Elliott is @telliotter . Will Knight is @ willknight to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: OpenAI Is Testing Its Powers of Persuasion by Will Knight AI-Fakes Detection Is Failing Voters in the Global South by Vittoria Elliott 2024 Is the Year of the Generative AI Election by Vittoria Elliott Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, August 22, 2024
Influencers Take Over the DNC
The Democratic National Convention organizers really rolled out the blue carpet for influencers this year. Today on the show, WIRED senior reporter Makena Kelly joins from Chicago to talk about the Democrats’ strategy of favoring creators over journalists, and whether it will help them win votes. Plus, behind the scenes at the influencer after-parties. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: The DNC Is Officially the Influencer Convention by Makena Kelly A Visual Guide to the Influencers Shaping the 2024 Election by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, August 15, 2024
Kamala Harris' Brat Summer Is Almost Over. What's Next?
Team Trump was winning the internet until the Harris-Walz campaign took over. But Democrats can’t just keep calling Republicans “weird” and celebrating Brat Summer until election day. Today on the show, writer and critic Hunter Harris on how Kamala Harris is harnessing social media and what comes next in the run-up to November. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Hunter Harris is @ hunteryharris Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Silk Presses Stick Together: Kamala Harris Secures Club Chalamet's Endorsement by Hunter Harris Lemme Say This by Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris A Visual Guide to the Influencers Shaping the 2024 Election by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, August 08, 2024
The Right is Still Pushing Election Denial — and Pillows
The election denial movement lives on, thanks in part to the efforts of well-funded and well-organized far-right activists. Today on the show, CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan joins Wired Politics Lab to talk about his forthcoming documentary examining election deniers’ new tactics, and what happens after the November vote. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Donie O’Sullivan is @ Donie . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Election Deniers Are Ramping Up Efforts to Disenfranchise Voters by David Gilbert MisinfoNation: The Trump Faithful by Donie O’Sullivan Inside the Election Denial Groups Planning to Disrupt November by David Gilbert. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, August 01, 2024
How QAnon Destroys American Families
Q hasn’t posted anything since 2022. But a staggering number of Americans still buy into QAnon, the conspiracy movement steeped in claims that Satan-worshiping pedophiles run the US government. Today on the show, journalist and author Jesselyn Cook on QAnon’s lasting political ramifications and the relationships it destroys. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Jesselyn Cook is @ JessReports . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here Mentioned this week: The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family by Jesselyn Cook Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Tue, July 30, 2024
From In the Dark: Season 3, Episode 1
Today, we're bringing you a special preview of the new season of the New Yorker investigative podcast In the Dark, hosted by Madeleine Baran. The series examines the killings of twenty-four civilians in Haditha, Iraq, and asks why no one was held accountable for the crime. In Episode 1, a man in Haditha, Iraq, has a request for the In the Dark team: Can you investigate how my family was killed? In the Dark is available wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/itds3feeddrop Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Tue, July 23, 2024
Silicon Valley is Coconuts for Kamala Harris
Today on WIRED Politics Lab, how Democratic megadonors in Silicon Valley are showing their support for Vice President Kamala Harris now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race. Plus, why posts from the far-right and Republican lawmakers calling Biden’s exit a ‘coup’ have exploded online. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Silicon Valley Donors Bailed on Biden. Kamala Harris Is Winning Them Back by Makena Kelly and Lauren Goode The Right Reacts to Biden’s Withdrawal: It’s a ‘Coup’ by David Gilbert The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Wed, July 17, 2024
The Trump Shooting, Conspiracies, and Calls for War
Right after former president Donald Trump was shot at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania, conspiracy theories exploded online. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we discuss the subsequent calls for violence and civil war, and the way that militias are recruiting off of the incident. Plus, we report from the Republican National Convention on the reaction to Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena .Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Militias Are Recruiting Off of the Trump Shooting by Tess Owen Far-Right Extremists Call for Violence and War After Trump Shooting by David Gilbert Trump Shooting Conspiracies Are Coming From Every Direction by David Gilbert Elon Musk Among Tech Heavyweights to Rally Behind J.D. Vance VP Pick by Makena Kelly Influencers Are Racing to Profit From the Trump Shooting by Makena Kelly Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, July 11, 2024
The Kamala Harris Conspiracies Are Here
After President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate, speculations that Vice President Kamala Harris may fill the void are everywhere. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, how the far right is already pushing racist and misogynistic conspiracies that question Harris’ ability to be president. Plus, why RFK Jr. is looking to capitalize on the moment. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: The Far Right Is Already Demonizing Kamala Harris by David Gilbert This Is the Moment RFK Jr. Has Been Waiting For by Vittoria Elliot Unwelcome at the Debate, RFK Jr.’s Star Shines on TikTok Live by Makena Kelly Conspiracy Theorists Aren’t Even Bothering With Biden’s Debate Performance by David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, July 04, 2024
From Marketplace: Breaking New Ground
Today on WIRED Politics Lab, the first part of a series from Marketplace that explains how the New Deal changed American society. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, June 27, 2024
Pod Save America Comes to WIRED
Today on WIRED Politics Lab, Pod Save America co-hosts Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join the show to discuss what the Biden administration has to say about Disinformation. Plus, how to wade through the social media muck and stay informed through this election. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Jon Favreau is @ jonfavs . Tommy Vietor is @ TVietor08 . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: Google’s and Microsoft’s AI Chatbots Refuse to Say Who Won the 2020 US Election by David Gilbert Extremist Militias Are Coordinating in More Than 100 Facebook Groups by Tess Owen The Biden admin has no firm plan to call out domestic disinformation in the 2024 election By Dan De Luce and Ken Dilanian, NBC How the Right Won the Internet and How the Left is Fighting Back Journalist Sasha Issenberg on Offline with Jon Favreau Democracy or Else By Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor and Jon Lovett Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, June 20, 2024
Far Right Militias Are Back
Jake Lang was arrested for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. From prison, he has organized an armed militia that now has thousands of members nationwide. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, reporter David Gilbert explains how this new militia came to be and its possible parallels to 2020. Plus, a look into the recent resurgence of far right extremism. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: A January 6 Rioter Is Leading an Armed National Militia From Prison by David Gilbert Extremist Militias Are Coordinating in More Than 100 Facebook Groups by Tess Owen Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, June 13, 2024
AI Chatbots Are Running for Office Now
Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we're digging into AI chatbots. In a bizarre turn of events, two AI chatbots are running for elected office for the first time—ever. VIC is campaigning for mayor in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and AI Steve is running for Parliament in the UK. Reporter Vittoria Elliot interviewed both of the bots and the people behind them. She explains their motivations, and if any of this is even legal. Meanwhile, reporter David Gilbert talks about how Google and Microsofts’ AI chatbots are refusing to confirm who won the 2020 election. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: An AI Bot Is (Sort of) Running for Mayor in Wyoming by Vittoria Elliot Google’s and Microsoft’s AI Chatbots Refuse to Say Who Won the 2020 US Election by David Gilbert There’s an AI Candidate Running for Parliament in the UK by Vittoria Elliot. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, June 06, 2024
From The New Yorker Radio Hour: The TikTok Ban Is “Rooted in Hypocrisy” with Katie Drummond
David Remnick talks with Katie Drummond, the global editorial director of Wired magazine, about the TikTok ban that just passed with bipartisan support in Washington. The app will be removed from distribution in U.S. app stores unless ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, sells it to an approved buyer. TikTok is suing to block that law. Is this a battle among tech giants for dominance, or a real issue of national security? Drummond sees the ban as a corporate crusade by Silicon Valley to suppress a foreign competitor with a superior product. The claim that TikTok is a national-security threat she finds “a vast overreach that is rooted in hypotheticals and that is rooted in hypocrisy, and in … a fundamental refusal to look across the broad spectrum of social media platforms, and treat all of them from a regulatory point of view with the same level of care and precision.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, May 30, 2024
It's the AI Election Year
In the largest global election year yet, generative AI is already being used to trick and manipulate voters around the world. Will this growing trend have real impact? Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we talk about a new online project that will be tracking the use of AI in elections around the world. Plus, Nilesh Christopher dives into the lucrative industry of deepfakes, and how politicians are using them to bombard Indian voters. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Mentioned this week: AI Global Elections Project “ Indian Voters Are Being Bombarded With Millions of Deepfakes. Political Candidates Approve, ” by Nilesh Christopher “ A Far-Right Indian News Site Posts Racist Conspiracies. US Tech Companies Keep Platforming It ” by Vittoria Elliot and David Gilbert Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, May 23, 2024
Twitter Is Dead, Long Live the Portal
Twitter is officially dead. Last week, twitter.com became x.com , marking the final step in a rebranding effort that the company’s owner, Elon Musk, announced last year. The change marks a shift for the now bird-less app under Musk’s reign, which has welcomed Nazis and white supremacists back onto the platform, dissolved its Trust and Safety council, and become a cesspool of disinformation and conspiracy. Meanwhile, people seem to still long for authentic connection—like with the Dublin to New York portal that connects the cities through a live video stream. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we trace Twitter's demise, and delve into what the rise of the portal could mean for the evolution of how we talk to each other and consume politics online. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, May 16, 2024
Hasan Piker Won't Tell You to Vote for Joe Biden
Hasan Piker is one of the biggest political streamers on Twitch. With more than two million followers and streams that average eight hours a day, Hasan has become increasingly popular as more people are turning to the platform for news and political analysis. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we talked to Hasan about his impact and what this shift could mean for the upcoming election. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, May 09, 2024
The Conspiracy of Campus Protests
Campus protests over the war in Gaza have been going on for months at American universities. Now that they're at an all-time high, protests been getting a lot more attention— and tons of disinformation and conspiracies are spreading. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we talk about some of that disinformation and what student journalists on the ground are doing to report the facts. Plus, we look at how foreign actors are exploiting the dissent. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @ DaithaiGilbert . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Vittoria Elliot is @telliotter . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, May 02, 2024
How Far-Right, Extremist Militias Organize On Facebook
Far-right militia, extremist groups are using Facebook to organize ahead of the US presidential election. After laying low for several years after the Capitol riot on January 6, militia extremists have been quietly reorganizing, ramping up recruitment and rhetoric on Facebook—with apparently little concern that Meta will enforce its own ban against them, according to new research by the Tech Transparency Project shared exclusively with Wired. These groups, which are set up locally, encourage members to engage in combat training and recruitment. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we discuss Facebook’s culpability, and what this means as we head into November. Leah Feiger is @LeahFeiger . David Gilbert is @DaithaiGilbert . Tess Owen is @misstessowen . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, April 25, 2024
The TikTok Ultimatum Is Here
This might be the end of TikTok. President Joe Biden signed a bill this week which allows the US government to ban the platform if TikTok doesn't divest from it's China-based owner, ByteDance, within a year. Today on the show, we’re going to talk about what happens to TikTok now and how this new law affects the politicians and influencers who use TikTok. Leah Feiger is @ LeahFeiger . Tori Elliott is @ Telliotter . Makena Kelly is @ kellymakena . Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, April 18, 2024
RFK Jr.’s Very Online, Conspiracy-Filled Campaign
In the year since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially launched his presidential campaign, his extreme conspiracies and very online outreach tactics have added up to a pretty effective independent bid. Today on Wired Politics Lab, we look into how RFK Jr. continues to build a following. We talk about his recent VP pick, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan , his media outreach, and the staff behind it all. And, of course, how his push for ballot access in the US might make him a spoiler candidate in the 2024 election. You can find more from Makena Kelly on RFK Jr. here , and from Anna Merlan here . Be sure to subscribe to WIRED Politics Lab here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, April 11, 2024
How Election Deniers Are Weaponizing Tech To Disrupt November
Election deniers are mobilizing their supporters and rolling out new tech to disrupt the November election. These groups are already organizing on hyperlocal levels, and learning to monitor polling places, target election officials, and challenge voter rolls. And though their work was once fringe, it's become mainstreamed in the Republican Party. Today on WIRED Politics Lab, we focus on what these groups are doing, and what this means for voters and the election workers already facing threats and harassment. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter here Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thu, April 04, 2024
WIRED Politics Lab Trailer
Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Trailer · Wed, March 20, 2024
New Podcast: WIRED Politics Lab
Politics has never been stranger – or more online. Each week on WIRED Politics Lab, our reporters guide you through the exciting, challenging and sometimes entertaining vortex of internet extremism, conspiracies, and disinformation. Expect in-depth analysis and conversations based on facts and research. Plus, we’ll give you information you can actually use to lift the fog of disinformation we find ourselves in today. You can subscribe to the Wired Politics newsletter here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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