Scammer used AI‑generated 'MAGA Girl' persona to grift men, Wired finds
politicsScammer used AI‑generated 'MAGA Girl' persona to grift men, Wired finds
A med student created and sold photos/videos of an invented conservative woman, reportedly making thousands.
wired.com
Billy Donovan steps down as Chicago Bulls head coach
sportsBilly Donovan steps down as Chicago Bulls head coach
Donovan resigns after six seasons leading the Bulls; the team went 31-51 this year, the franchise confirms.
Campaigners urge Congress to reject Westerman's Endangered Species Act changes
newsCampaigners urge Congress to reject Westerman's Endangered Species Act changes
Action Network warns H.R.1897 would gut protections and limit what land can be designated critical habitat.
actionnetwork.org
Canadian lab finds MAGA-funded YouTube network pushing US annexation of Alberta
politicsCanadian lab finds MAGA-funded YouTube network pushing US annexation of Alberta
Researchers say 20 accounts, about 4,500 videos and 40 million views promoted messaging for U.S. annexation of Alberta.
open.substack.com
Report links white Christian nationalist figures to new Trump banking order
politicsReport links white Christian nationalist figures to new Trump banking order
Substack analysis traces ties between Christian nationalist activists and the policy push behind a proposed Trump banking order.
open.substack.com
Trump says he 'would have won' Vietnam, reviving draft 'bone spurs' jibes
politicsTrump says he 'would have won' Vietnam, reviving draft 'bone spurs' jibes
On CNBC, Trump claimed he would have won the Vietnam War, prompting fresh ridicule over his past draft deferment.
joemygod.com
Trump mocks Apple CEO as 'Tim Apple' in morning remarks
techTrump mocks Apple CEO as 'Tim Apple' in morning remarks
Trump again referred to Apple CEO Tim Cook as 'Tim Apple' while boasting about his influence on the company.
Labour Party reels over Mandelson appointment and falling support
politicsLabour Party reels over Mandelson appointment and falling support
Critics urge Keir Starmer to resign after Peter Mandelson envoy pick; op-eds warn Labour is losing progressive voters
morningstaronline.co.uk
The Devil Wears Prada 2 premieres in New York City
moviesThe Devil Wears Prada 2 premieres in New York City
Stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt hit the Lincoln Center red carpet for the world premiere
Washington's smallpox inoculation credited with aiding Revolutionary War victory
cultureWashington's smallpox inoculation credited with aiding Revolutionary War victory
NPS documents that George Washington mandated smallpox inoculation for Continental troops in 1777, helping prevent devastating outbreaks.
Queen Elizabeth II centenary marked with exhibitions and memorial plans
cultureQueen Elizabeth II centenary marked with exhibitions and memorial plans
On what would be her 100th birthday, exhibitions open and officials unveil plans for a national memorial and tributes.
UK unemployment rate falls to 4.9%
newsUK unemployment rate falls to 4.9%
ONS says unemployment unexpectedly dropped to 4.9% in the latest release, below the 5.2% forecast.
bbc.co.uk
Splatoon Raiders, July 23 release set
gamingSplatoon Raiders, July 23 release set
Nintendo confirms Splatoon Raiders launches July 23, 2026 on Switch 2, with new amiibo revealed
New Epstein files detail first known victim, urge full release
journalismNew Epstein files detail first known victim, urge full release
Documents show Jeffrey Epstein met his first identified victim, a 13‑year‑old girl in Michigan in the 1990s; activists demand DOJ release all files
Jon Stewart dissects Trump’s 'Art of the Deal' Iran strategy
tvJon Stewart dissects Trump’s 'Art of the Deal' Iran strategy
Daily Show segment argues Trump’s Iran approach is failing and breaks down the policy missteps.
M5.0 aftershock strikes off Kamchatka coast
cultureM5.0 aftershock strikes off Kamchatka coast
Two quakes hit April 21, M4.7 then M5.0, off Kamchatka, depths reported around 10, 40 km, GFZ/EMSC alerts.
MapTap April final scores, players post near-900 leaderboard runs
sportsMapTap April final scores, players post near-900 leaderboard runs
Players share April 21 'Final Score' runs, with top submissions clustered around the high 900s on the community leaderboard
Cubs beat Phillies 5-1, extend win streak to six
sportsCubs beat Phillies 5-1, extend win streak to six
Colin Rea tossed a quality start and Dansby Swanson hit a 3‑run homer as Chicago won 5‑1 for their sixth straight victory.
open.substack.com
Scammer used AI‑generated 'MAGA Girl' persona to grift men, Wired finds
A 22-year-old medical student WHO goes by Sam in Wired’s reporting used generative AI to create and sell photos and short videos of an invented "MAGA Girl" persona. Sam says he made thousands of dollars by marketing the persona to men and charging for content. Sam told Wired he targeted what he called "super dumb" men with tailored, provocative material and that left-wing influencer accounts failed because "Dems know it’s AI slop and don’t engage much." Wired’s case shows how inexpensive generative tools let a single operator fabricate a political-influencer identity, monetize it at scale, and complicate platform detection and regulation.