Recently, adolescent girls have taken to social media to flaunt that they’re “2000s skinny,” while the women who lived through it are sounding the alarm. The days of people being encouraged to embrace their natural curves seem to be over, as many now strive to make themselves smaller. Wellness culture is morphing into something dangerous, resulting in unrealistic body standards. Celebrities like Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan were called fat when they were still adolescents in the early 2000s. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon to see hip, collarbone, and chest bones protruding on the red carpet—or even in a local high school. A woman measures her waist. Photo credit: Canva There was a name for it back then: “heroin chic.” The term was “used to describe an ultra-thin, waifish body, as well as a style of fashion photography that glamorized a skeletal figure,” Percival Fisher Jr., a psychotherapist, writes for DetoxRehabs.net. In that era, teen girls—much like their favorite young celebrities—were developing eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Raven-Symoné has said she underwent two breast reductions and liposuction before the age of 18 due to fat-shaming. Lovato, Taylor Swift, and Lohan have also shared that they struggled with eating disorders earlier in their careers. Skinny woman refuses food on a plate. Photo credit: Canva Teen girls were doing all they could to make themselves as small as possible because that was suddenly the beauty standard. Now it’s back. The trend is catching on, in part thanks to wellness influencers who stress “clean eating” to achieve physical and mental fitness. Advice about keeping daily calories under 1,200 or doing juice cleanses to maintain a low weight is showing up in the algorithm. In a video uploaded to social media, a very thin woman poses for the camera. The text overlay on the video reads, “If you think 800–1,200 calories a day is starvation, just know that the 2000-calorie diet was made up by the elite who prey on kids.” James Cappola, a fitness coach, responded to the video by calling out the dangerous misinformation and warning about the risks of anorexia and orthorexia. Personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, and Millennials are among the chorus shouting into the void. But it may be too late. With social media, fear-based nutrition advice, and the re-emergence of heroin chic converging, orthorexia is on the rise. Orthorexia is a relatively unknown eating disorder that has not yet been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition as an official diagnosis. The National Eating Disorder Association describes the disorder as an obsession with healthy eating. “People with orthorexia become so fixated on so-called ‘healthy eating’ that they actually damage their own well-being and experience health consequences such as malnutrition and/or impairment of psychosocial functioning,” the association explains. The warnings from older adults and experts online don’t seem to stop teen girls from showing off their extreme thigh gaps. When a new video of a girl getting down to a size 00 goes up, a Millennial adjusts her messy bun and shares the war stories of her adolescence. In a TikTok video, wellness entrepreneur Autumn Clayman says, “Everyone is getting freakishly thin online. This trend needs to stop. This trend needs to stop. We’re right back to early 2000s skinny—it’s freaky. It’s scary, and people aren’t considering what this trend is going to do to their bodies long term.” @autumnclaymann anyone else feel similarly about this topic? ♬ original sound – Autumn Clayman After disclosing that she used to struggle with an eating disorder, Clayman shares her concern about people going to extremes to be thin. She then explains how extreme undereating is “disrupting their hormones, bone density drops, they go through mood issues, so more anxiety, depression, thyroid slows down, fertility drops, chronic stress, gut and digestion issues, skin issues, blood sugar issues, just all the things.” A man who goes by the name Brandon Ruins Everything on TikTok explains something younger people may not know about the trend: “People are talking about bringing back 2000s skinny, and I don’t think y’all realize that 2000s skinny isn’t a body type. It’s a goalpost that keeps moving. You will never be skinny enough to be 2000s skinny.” @brandonruinseverything #y2k #y2kaesthetic #y2kfashion #2000s #2000sthrowback ♬ original sound – BrandonRuinsEverything Getting healthy and being comfortable in your body are admirable goals. The way you do it—and the reasons you’re doing it—matter. Changing your body to fit a trend can lead to unhealthy expectations and behaviors, as concerned voices have pointed out. Hopefully, the ultra-skinny trend fades as quickly as it returned. The post A relatively unknown eating disorder is on the rise as Millennials warn about ‘2000s skinny’ appeared first on Upworthy.

Some people can sing, and some people can’t. A beautiful voice is a gift and you either have one or you don’t. At least, that’s always been the prevailing wisdom. However, like many pieces of prevailing wisdom, it may not be correct. According to NBC News, an estimated 10–30% of people believe they “can’t sing” because they have difficulty carrying a tune. However, further research cited by CNET shows that only a minuscule 2% of the population physically lacks the skills needed to perform a song well. These individuals may not have the required control over their vocal cords, or may have difficulty hearing pitch accurately. Everyone else simply lacks the training and practice. Learn how to sing A woman who goes by Jeska fm on social media recently took to YouTube to show her own proof that it’s possible to learn how to sing. Becoming even a half-decent singer can take years of practice. Photo credit: Canva In a video titled “MY SINGING TRANSFORMATION: no autotune or reverb, just real progress,” Jeska begins with a few words of inspiration: “I just wanted to start this off by saying that I’m only making this video because I wish I had seen something like this when I was a little girl who wanted to sing. It might have changed the entire course of my life. If you’re someone who dreams of being able to sing but just doesn’t think it’s possible for you, this video is for you.” Jeska explains that she did choir in high school and learned a few fundamentals. But while she never thought she was a bad singer per se, she didn’t believe she had the talent to sing the way she wanted to as a songwriter. “There were things about my voice that I hated,” Jeska says. However, the one thing she had going for her was a refusal to give up. She begins the transformation video by showing clips of her early attempts dating back to 2016. Even in 2021, when she was just beginning to train and practice her vocals intentionally, her singing is flat and lacks power and consistency. Her voice strains to produce volume and hit high notes, and it regularly cracks during attempts at vocal runs. Jeska explains how she spent years working with teachers, doing self-instruction and exercises, and practicing and performing. The final clip of her performing five years later is almost unrecognizable. The power, accuracy, and clarity are all improved several times over. All Jeska’s hard work had paid off, and she was far better positioned to perform her own music and pursue singing in other ways. The full transformation has to be heard to be appreciated: So many kids grow up dreaming of becoming singers or musicians However, we as humans tend to drastically underestimate how much time and work it takes to succeed. The “planning fallacy” is a psychological concept that suggests people often have an overly optimistic view of what it will take to complete a task. In practice, it’s one thing to pick up a guitar and realize just how difficult it is to maneuver your fingers with the accuracy and speed required. But when it comes to the original instrument—our voice—many people assume that if they have talent, it will present itself naturally. “Singing’s actually very different, as everyone can produce a sound,” researcher Sean Hutchins tells The Guardian. “Even if people don’t learn the technique behind how to sing, you use your voice for the purpose of speech so everyone’s reasonably adept at controlling it. The key thing which separates good singers from bad isn’t so much natural talent but getting the training to use it in the right way.” He also adds that the limiting belief people develop when their first attempts aren’t magically perfect—“I can’t sing”—causes many to give up on their dream. Hutchins says the worst singers he’s studied are often the ones least likely to practice. “My main takeaway from this whole singing journey is that it’s never too late to pursue your interests,” Jeska says at the end of her video. “You never know how far you’ll go.” She’s also brutally honest about how much work it really takes to perfect your vocal control. For most people, it takes years. The idea that someone can become a brilliant professional singer overnight with no training and little practice is mostly false. But so is the idea that none of us is capable of honing at least a karaoke-worthy voice, and maybe far more than that. The post Woman shares amazing 5-year singing transformation and obliterates the concept of ‘I can’t sing’ appeared first on Upworthy.

Imagine a puzzle competition held at a friend’s house, jigsaw pieces flying in a flurry. Or a beautiful Saturday morning flower-arranging class, the air fragrant with seasonal blooms, with no pressure to make small talk. What about a nature walk through local woods, where chatting with new people can happen naturally—or not? These enticing options are part of a growing trend: “soft socializing.” It represents a significant cultural shift in how we connect, prioritizing shared activities over forced conversation and social performance. @eventbrite Small talk is out. Shared hobbies are in. From reading hours to coffee tastings, we’re building rituals around what we love. It’s not introversion, it’s intentional gathering! How are you soft socializing this year? #intentional #rituals #hobbies #community ♬ original sound – Eventbrite Eventbrite’s 2026 Social Study surveyed 4,051 adults in the United States and the United Kingdom. It found that for today’s younger generation, socializing isn’t the main event: 58% call it “somewhat important, but don’t want it to be the focus.” Another 45% prefer control over when and how they interact, and 41% want the option to observe without small talk. Past generations might have labeled this “antisocial,” but Eventbrite calls it a redefinition of what it means to be social today. What soft socializing actually means Soft socializing means low-pressure, activity-based events where connection happens as a secondary outcome, not the main goal. The idea draws from parallel play, where children play side by side, absorbed in their own activities and comforted by others’ presence. Adults apparently feel the same way. Soft socializing provides a comfortable, neutral environment for activities. Photo credit: Canva Parallel play, as researchers describe it, provides “a comforting middle ground where participants can enjoy the presence of others without the demands of conversation, leading to reduced stress and anxiety.” In tea-tasting ceremonies or silent book clubs—popular, low-key socializing activities—participants share space and experience without the need for ongoing conversation. The activity itself serves as the anchor for connection. Conversation may unfold naturally, or it may not—both are absolutely welcome. That relaxed structure is key. Traditional socializing pressures people to perform: be charming, interesting, engaged, and instantly happy. Low-pressure socializing shifts the focus from individuals to the activity. The numbers behind the shift Data from Eventbrite’s survey paints a striking picture of where people are showing up. Over the last two years, low-pressure events have seen remarkable growth: Flower-arranging events saw a 282% increase in attendance. Puzzle competitions grew by 151% in the U.S. Music bingo attendance increased by 149%. Caffeine tastings (like coffee, tea, and matcha) became more popular, with an 80% increase in events and a 49% rise in attendance. Silent events, such as silent discos and book clubs, saw a 14% increase in attendance. These numbers show a desire for creative, low-pressure events that connect people with less effort. The psychology of being present together There’s solid science behind why soft socializing works so well. A 2024 study in the journal Motivation and Emotion found that “intrinsically motivated silence” promotes greater closeness and satisfaction. It suggests that, in the right context, quiet that comes from emotional connection—not social obligation—can connect people more effectively than conversation. Shared activities increase oxytocin in the brain. Photo credit: Canva Similarly, research shows that shared activities increase oxytocin, a hormone linked to trust, empathy, and bonding. Stanford University researchers have found that oxytocin plays a significant role in social interactions, including everyday ones. Soft socializing activities—walking, crafting, or cooking—involve people moving and creating together, an effective way to build connections. For those with mental health challenges, soft socializing can be vital. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen Z reported expe­ri­enc­ing at least one men­tal health prob­lem in the past two years—especially with social anxiety—making the rise of soft socializing particularly important. When the activity takes center stage, social pressure drops. Soft socializing and the loneliness epidemic This discussion takes place against the backdrop of a loneliness crisis that the former U.S. Surgeon General has declared a national epidemic. In a 2023 advisory, Dr. Vivek Murthy warned that a lack of social connection carries health risks comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Those risks include a 29% increased chance of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% greater likelihood of developing dementia among socially isolated older adults. Loneliness statistics are startling. In a 2025 survey, about half of American adults reported feeling lonely. A 2024 poll found that among those aged 18–34, 30% said they feel lonely daily or several times a week. According to Murthy’s advisory, between 2003 and 2020 average monthly time spent alone increased by 24 hours, while time spent with friends dropped by 20 hours. But here’s a startling twist: despite these feelings of disconnection, a 2026 Eventbrite study found that 79% of adults aged 18–35 want to attend more live events. As Eventbrite CEO Julia Hartz put it, “The most social generation in history is redefining what it means to be truly present.” This signals a shift: people aren’t withdrawing—they’re craving meaningful bonds and growing disenchanted with traditional ways of forming them. How to plan a soft socializing hang Are you willing to give it a try? Here’s what you need to plan a successful soft socializing hang: Lead with activity The key rule? Build the event around a shared activity, not conversation. Think craft nights, puzzle competitions, guided hikes, silent book clubs, board games, or cooking classes. Any format that gives people something to engage with—besides each other—works. The activity itself takes the conversational pressure off attendees. Flower arrangement classes can be a great soft socializing option. Photo credit: Canva Choose the right venue The right setting sets the mood before the event even begins. Think neighborhood cafés, local breweries, bookshops, and parks—venues with a naturally relaxed atmosphere. Interaction should be optional Plan activities for small groups of three to five people. Try arranging seats side by side instead of face to face to ease the pressure of direct conversation. You can offer conversation starters, but don’t make them mandatory. Let people arrive and settle in at their own pace. On the day of the event, make your welcome warm but brief Have materials ready so attendees can start immediately, avoiding awkward waits. Keep background music low and ambient. Close with a natural social moment—such as a snack or a group photo—for those who want to linger. Rebuilding connection on your terms As one 31-year-old told Business Insider, “We have to retrain ourselves to be social again.” Let soft socializing help. It lowers the stakes, removes social pressure, and allows connections to develop organically. Say goodbye to forced icebreakers. The former surgeon general urges us to prioritize social connection as we would any major public health issue. While soft socializing is not a complete solution to loneliness, it marks a vital first step—shifting our approach from forced interaction to genuine, low-pressure connection through shared activities. The post The science behind ‘soft socializing’: Why Gen Z is ditching bars appeared first on Upworthy.

Finding a gem. The post The Los Angeles power pop band that unearthed Brian Wilson’s magnum opus first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Deconstructing the Latest Epstein Mania

There are more classic French foods than you can shake a baguette at, but Rick Steves thinks the time of year should influence whether you order this dish.

Watch The X22 Report On Video 2 videos found Ep 3857b – [DS] Panics Over Midterm ICE Positioning, Did Trump Signal We Already Won Against Iran? Ep 3857a – EU Begins To Backtrack On Energy, Oil Drops, Get Ready Economy Is Revving Up pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe EU and Germany are now backtracking on their energy policies. They voted to remove nuclear energy and now they are telling the people they need it to produce electricity. Yamaha is pulling out of California going to Georgia. The economy is revving up and the [CB] days are numbered. The [DS] is panicking, they are saying the quiet part out loud and they are suing the Trump admin to find out if ICE will be at the voting centers. Trump strategy is not to bomb Iran into dust but to tactical disarm the regime to take control of their assets like Kharg and the Straight of Hormuz. Once this happen Iran’s economy begins to tank. Bessent has put everything in motion. Has Trump already signalled that mission is a success and that the people will demand the end to the war. Most likely yes.   Economy   Germany used to get about 30% of their electricity from nuclear power plants. They just finished blowing up all of their nuclear power plants (with decades of useful life remaining) because of ridiculous govt energy policies. Now the EU wants to rebuild nuclear power. https://t.co/WtwGEKAw1z — Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) March 10, 2026 Germany, the heart of the EU industrial sector, took down 30+ fully functioning nuclear reactors… … What the heck is Von der Leyen saying here? It took me less than two minutes to find the roll call for Germany’s reckless and idiotic decision to shut down all nuclear power plants. Of course, Ursula von der Leyen voted for it. She is absolutely shameless, parading a false air of credibility over total hypocrisy. https://t.co/MxFOTJnvtJ pic.twitter.com/cubrnbidlM — Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) March 10, 2026 Yamaha pulling out of California after nearly half a century: HQ headed to Georgia After nearly 50 years in Orange County, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is packing up its headquarters — trading Cypress, California for Kennesaw, Georgia in a sweeping corporate shift that will impact about 250 workers.The motorcycle and motorsports giant says the move is part of major “structural reforms” meant to boost profits as costs climb — including pressure from tariffs imposed during the administration of President Donald Trump and shifting market conditions. Source: nypost.cxom Jobs crashed the most since Covid, losing 92,000 on the month. And that was before the war. Some of it's federal layoffs or counting deportations as lost jobs. But a big hunk is AI starting to feast on entry-level jobs pic.twitter.com/rmfSIhcqdM — Peter St Onge, Ph.D. (@profstonge) March 10, 2026 US Existing Home Sales Bounced In February As Mortgage Rates Tumbled    On the bright side, with mortgage rates at their lowest since 2022, existing home sales look set to continue to improve (unless Trump’s war triggers more panic in rates)…   Source: zerohedge.com Federal Reserve officials admitted the they secretly funneled half a TRILLION dollars and it disappeared, unable to be accounted for. Central Bankers that live in England and make up our Federal Reserve are robbing the world of absolutely EVERYTHING! But they've been doing this… pic.twitter.com/I7EnsMFmIY — Bridgett Fertig (@LightOnLiberty) March 10, 2026   to us every year since 1913. President Trump warned us many times. And of course these crooks know where the money went. They’re lying under oath because they have no choice but to do so Political/Rights CNN Deletes Post Portraying Alleged Terrorists In New York As Simply Innocent Teens Enjoying Nice Weather CNN deleted a post Tuesday that portrayed two individuals with suspected ties to ISIS as two teenagers trying to enjoy the nice weather in New York City.  Here is what CNN deleted @DailyCaller https://t.co/85weMv1niz pic.twitter.com/GSMGWURZNO — Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) March 10, 2026   The outlet then deleted the post, stating that it “failed to reflect the gravity of the incident” and violated editorial standards. “ Source: dailycaller.com DOGE You realize state governments doing the real manipulation campaigns can spoof the locations, right? Which governments have screamed the loudest about the free speech on X, and tried to regain control of it? How often does Putin or Xi scream about X as opposed to, say, Von Der… https://t.co/DIgx1lYi0N — Brian Cates – Political Columnist & Pundit (@drawandstrike) March 10, 2026   Leyden, Starmer, the NATO/EU bloc leadership? Geopolitical Translation: Austria is about to go full Hungary. And deport all Islamists. “What a loss.” (Said no one serious.) https://t.co/NhSlAd4G92 — Mike Davis (@mrddmia) March 10, 2026   BREAKING: Lebanon has asked the Trump Administration to broker direct peace talks with Israel, per Axios. pic.twitter.com/I7Qrr0kDVo — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 9, 2026     War/Peace WaPo: Israeli officials have started asking the question: where is the end of this war? Because Iran is not surrendering and there are no signs of its collapse. Fears of an endless war are rising. pic.twitter.com/p4iLq6Cpb2 — Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) March 10, 2026 Day 11 Iran Missile and Drone launches: Ballistic Missiles: Day 1 — 350 Day 2 — 175 Day 3 — 120 Day 4 — 50 Day 5 — 40 Day 6 — 32 Day 7 — 28 Day 8 — 15 Day 9 — 21 Day 10 — 18 Day 11 — 24 Drone Swarms: Day 1 — 294 Day 2 — 541… pic.twitter.com/ZxqlicNoCu — World Insights (@World_Insights1) March 10, 2026  Day 3 — 200   Day 4 — 85   Day 5 — 45  Day 6 — 38  Day 7 — 30  Day 8 — 12   Day 9 — 134   Day 10 — 112  Day 11 — 95 Crude Oil Quality & Refining 1. United States (WTI) – 39–41° API• Light, sweet crude• Very easy to refine, high gasoline & jet fuel yield. 2. Iran (Iran Light) – 33–36° API• Medium-light crude• Iran Light sits near the medium-light range that many refineries… pic.twitter.com/x7mPAfYPXz — Global Statistics (@Globalstats11) March 9, 2026 2.   Iran (Iran Light) – 33–36° API • Medium-light crude • Iran Light sits near the medium-light range that many refineries are designed for 3.   Russia (Urals) – 30–32° API • Medium sour crude • Requires more processing 4.   Venezuela (Merey / Orinoco) – 15–16° API • Heavy crude • Thick, tar-like, complex refining needed.   Key Insights   • Higher API Gravity = Lighter Oil = Easier Refining = Bigger Profits • Iranian crude sits between ultra-light US shale and heavy Venezuelan oil, making it highly compatible with many global refineries. • Strait of Hormuz carries a large share of the medium-grade crude many refineries are designed to process. • If Hormuz supply is disrupted, refineries must switch to heavier or ultra-light substitutes, reducing efficiency and profits . • Quality of oil often drives global oil politics more than most people realize. DRIVE-BY MEDIA: Oil tankers never stopped crossing the Strait of Hormuz. They turned off mandatory AIS tracking to move through safely and switched it back on after. Media reported a crisis that was not happening causing oil and gas prices to spike. h/t @MarineTraffic pic.twitter.com/dS1a9rNdyO — @amuse (@amuse) March 9, 2026   use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP BREAKING: Sec. Wright: "The U.S. Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure oil remains flowing to global markets."pic.twitter.com/UAmEfuauz3 https://t.co/yYT1V44VuW — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 10, 2026  Holy moly. I had no idea Trump had said this. In 1988! TAKE KHARG ISLAND!https://t.co/MkD3WD5YfE pic.twitter.com/W8jLYox73D — The Reckoning (@sethjlevy) March 10, 2026   The "school" was established to create martyrs as confirmed by this X post. https://t.co/XtOJnW33l5 — Matt Tardio (@angertab) March 10, 2026 Camo-nets in "classrooms" equipped with IRGC Martyr mural. https://t.co/aaNRijX2fX — Matt Tardio (@angertab) March 10, 2026     I also ran a search for "primary schools" on google earth for the town. The only one inside an IRGC compound is the one they are complaining about. Further, there was plenty of room in the area for them to put it literally ANYWHERE else. They still want to pretend like this… pic.twitter.com/NSJynw6nqI — Matt Tardio (@angertab) March 9, 2026 Day and NIGHT, U.S. forces continue to deliver overwhelming firepower. pic.twitter.com/TGx0ujatMh — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026 Presenting, the very alive new Ayatollah of Iran: pic.twitter.com/ITi0YWIUBW — End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 10, 2026     I HAVE A THEORY: Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali's son and the new supreme leader IS ALREADY DEAD and died in the same strike that killed his father! How do you choose a supreme leader who cannot be killed? You pick one who is ALREADY DEAD! Here's the shocking part: No one has seen… pic.twitter.com/5hRkBKlPss — Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) March 9, 2026   Mojtaba Khamenei publicly since the war began. Obviously, this is just speculation on my part, but it is very strange that no one has seen this guy and these supreme leaders tend to be very visible. The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani, in a post this morning on X directed at U.S. President Donald J. Trump: “Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!” pic.twitter.com/P74vQDFqDa — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 10, 2026   They should be fucking horrified. Scott Bessent isn’t some polished Treasury suit mouthing platitudes…he is the apex predator of financial warfare, the same cold-eyed tactician who, in 1992, co-engineered Black Wednesday and shorted the British pound into oblivion, pocketing… https://t.co/9BEzJDUtIs — LHGrey (@grey4626) March 9, 2026   over a billion while forcing the UK to its knees and out of the ERM. That wasn’t luck. That was Sun Tzu with a Bloomberg terminal: identify the enemy’s rigid commitment to an overvalued peg, concentrate asymmetric force on its weakest flank, and strike with clinical precision until the entire structure collapses under the weight of its own arrogance. Now translate that same lethal intellect to the Red Sea and Iran. Naval escorts aren’t “protection”…they are forward-deployed strangulation, turning the Houthis’ drone-and-missile circus into a shooting gallery where every failed attack bleeds their Iranian patrons of credibility and treasure. Layer on Treasury-led sanctions that surgically sever Tehran’s oil revenue arteries…precision strikes on SWIFT access, secondary sanctions that terrify third-party buyers, and asset freezes that turn petrodollars into frozen ghosts…and you have hybrid warfare executed at the highest level. Clausewitz would recognize it instantly: war as the continuation of politics by other means, only this time the “other means” are carrier strike groups and balance-sheet dominance. The mullahs are already fracturing. They’ve built their entire regime narrative on the myth of invincible resistance and inevitable Western decline. Bessent’s arrival rips that delusion apart. Every tanker that sails safely under American escort is a public castration of their proxy power. Every barrel of unsold crude is a dagger in the heart of their patronage networks. Fear isn’t abstract here…it’s the slow, creeping realization that the man now running U.S. economic statecraft has spent decades perfecting the art of making stronger adversaries fold without firing a shot. He doesn’t bluff. He calculates, then executes. And right now the calculation is simple: choke the revenue, expose the proxies, and watch the regime’s internal cohesion rot from the inside out. So yes…let the Iranian high command, the Houthi fanatics, and every useful idiot still simping for “resistance” feel the ice in their veins. Scott Bessent is in the building. The savage who broke the Bank of England is now breaking empires on purpose. They should be terrified. They will be. Trump makes sure to emphasize, multiple times, that the “little excursion” in Iran is going to be “SHORT TERM” and we are very much ahead of schedule. Iran’s capabilities are largely decimated. Trump will wrap this up as quickly as possible. The doomers proven wrong again. https://t.co/JN692iVb9D — Clandestine (@WarClandestine) March 9, 2026      NOW – Trump says the Iranians told Steve Witkoff, "essentially, in a real nutshell: We want to continue to build nuclear weapons." pic.twitter.com/cOzahFu7KQ — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 9, 2026   WATCH: President Trump Explains when He will Consider the War Over – 03/09/26 pic.twitter.com/fqufpm6ITP — RSBN (@RSBNetwork) March 9, 2026 TAKE A LISTEN PUTIN CUTS OFF EUROPE! – Russian President Putin just dropped a bombshell ordering his government to evaluate stopping all remaining gas exports to Europe immediately sending the continent into panic mode. Putin explained that new markets are opening up making it far more… pic.twitter.com/7bAIpSRMU4 — Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) March 9, 2026    advantageous to halt supplies to Europe right now instead of propping up their energy needs. This move comes as Europe foolishly kept buying Russian energy despite Trump’s repeated warnings about funding aggression and now faces serious disruptions while Russia pivots elsewhere. Trump’s energy dominance shines brighter than ever as Europe reaps the consequences of ignoring strong leadership and relying on unreliable tyrants for power. The USA has lifted some oil sanctions on Russia. Russia oil prices are no longer trading at a discount. They are now trading at the normal world pricing. Russia is so far the big winner in the Iran conflict. pic.twitter.com/lVFpN04GIV — Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) March 10, 2026 JUST IN: Russian President Putin says Europe's only goal is to prevent US President Trump from achieving peace through negotiations. pic.twitter.com/SwJXRgZil1 — BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) December 2, 2025   Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda 18 USC § 1503: "Whoever corruptly … endeavors to influence, intimidate, or impede any … juror" is guilty of a felony. Freedom Trainers should be criminally investigated, and anyone who's received their training should be DQed from jury service. @AGPamBondi @HarmeetKDhillon — Alex S. (@Alex_94706) March 9, 2026  of the legal system that these groups are trying to infiltrate. President Trump’s Plan  4958 Q !!Hs1Jq13jV6 ID: 000000 No.16552853 Jun 29 2022 02:23:20 (EST) What is at stake? Who has control? SURPRISE WITNESS. Who was surprised? Who will be surprised? Use your logic. Can emotions be used to influence decisions? How do you control emotion? Define ‘Plant’. How do you insert a plant? Can emotions be used to insert a plant? Who is Cassidy Hutchinson? Trust the plan. Q HOLY CRAP! Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are REFUSING to reopen DHS because Republicans will not commit to keeping ICE agents away from polling places Jeffries just admitted Democrats ANTICIPATE illegals voting. They’re EXPOSING themselves pic.twitter.com/yPnmFc2GC2 — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 9, 2026   Democrats Sue to Find Out if Trump Will Send Armed Officers to Election Sites In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the D.N.C. sought to compel the government to say whether it plans to deploy armed federal officers in this year’s elections. Source: nytimes.com Before FBI subpoena, congressional observers flagged commingled ballots at Maricopa County center “Alarming concerns”: A congressional memo was one piece of evidence the FBI used for a subpoena to review Maricopa County, Arizona election records in recent days. The issue extends to other states. Before the FBI subpoenaed election records involving Arizona’s largest county this month, congressional staffers dispatched to monitor Maricopa County’s vote-counting process in 2024 reported “alarming” concerns that completed mail-in ballots were stored in the same room as blanks and were sorted by a third-party printing company that had no government officials or partisan observers on site, according to a copy of the observer’s report obtained by Just the News. The concerns about one of Maricopa’s third-party run centers were detailed in a memo written during the 2024 presidential election in which Trump won, including in Arizona. That memo memorialized the observations of a Republican staff member sent by the House Administration Committee with a Democratic colleague to monitor election procedures in the county. Source: justthenews.com Now the 500,000 to 1.3 MILLION illegal migrants discovered on Arizona's voter rolls and the connections with the trucks of ballots from Runbeck coming in for days after the 2020 election with voters NOT matching voter rolls make a lot more sense. The FBI confirms that it is now… pic.twitter.com/0muHUw7X1L — The SCIF (@TheSCIF) March 9, 2026   in possession of GIGABYTES of Arizona’s election records. Stay tuned because big things are happening. The 2020 election was stolen, and the truth will be exposed. BREAKING: John Solomon reports over the next 10 Days, Declassified Document’s will be released pertaining to Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections Pop Quiz — which Executive Order(s) come to mind? How many times was it renewed? Do you believe in coincidences?… https://t.co/RhG4XIvvu1 pic.twitter.com/EcqDjzen0I — MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) March 10, 2026   Cornyn’s attempt to manipulate Trump into endorsing him has completely backfired. It’s been non-stop negative headlines and social media trends for Cornyn ever since he prematurely floated that Trump was going to endorse him. The only results so far have been that Trump has seen… https://t.co/z4QbJYHP7t — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 10, 2026  how unpopular Cornyn is AND how ineffective he is as a senator. He’s been in the Senate for 25 years but can’t get his own colleagues to pass election integrity reform? Sad! TEXAS SENATE RUNOFF Ken Paxton: 49% John Cornyn: 41% Not sure: 11%—If Trump endorses Paxton Ken Paxton: 58% John Cornyn: 32%—If Trump Endorses Cornyn Ken Paxton: 44% John Cornyn: 43% Not sure: 13%——Net FavsPaxton: +30Cornyn: +6 TPOR | 3/7-9 |… pic.twitter.com/70annlMWCT — InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) March 9, 2026 BREAKING: Senate Leader John Thune announces the votes ARE NOT THERE for a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act — AND he doubts the ability to pass the bill through reconciliation, which would require only a simple majority Trump mentioned convincing the 4-5… pic.twitter.com/drE6ythGIs — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 10, 2026   holdouts so this can get done yesterday THUNE: “The votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster, it’s just a reality.” On reconciliation: “Very, very difficult” and that “pieces” of the bill could be included — Thune tells Punchbowl A vote will likely still occur, but it needs 60 votes. This won’t go over well. That’s a fact. Yes, the “silent” filibuster is an outright corruption of democracy, a denial of the will of a supermajority of the people https://t.co/vDs0p5OiaU — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2026 Let me get this straight > the silent filibuster isn't in the Constitution, it's literally just made up procedure > it allows a 40-senator minority to block one of the most important and overwhelmingly popular bills of all time > luckily, the majority could easily end the… https://t.co/hGYfVc3oZ9 pic.twitter.com/xCwpKnUI1N — Arthur MacWaters (@ArthurMacwaters) March 10, 2026     silent filibuster and do the will of 84% the people. Except… they continue to apply loser logic This isn’t business as usual. Anyone trying to support loser logic isn’t just a loser, they’re literally destroying the future of secure elections. Which is traitorous Sen. Mike Lee Fires Back After RINO John Thune Claims Support for SAVE America Act Is Driven by “Paid Influencers” Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has fired back at Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for arrogantly dismissing the massive grassroots demand for the SAVE America Act as nothing more than a “paid influencer” scheme. Sen. Lee didn’t mince words in his powerful statement, directly countering Thune’s insulting narrative that belittles millions of patriotic voices: “Over the last few months, tens of millions of Americans have jumped on the cause of supporting the SAVE America Act and using the talking filibuster to advance it. I regret that some in Washington tonight are dismissing all those who feel this way—and who have weighed in—as somehow “paid influencers” or the product of paid influencers. This is wrong. If you’re hearing this message and you agree with these objectives, please redouble your efforts. Make it clear this is not the product of paid influencers. These are real Americans doing what Americans do best.” WATCH:     Source: thegatewaypundit.com Turns out that @LeaderJohnThune was totally projecting when he said the SAVE Act was an influencer campaign. Senator John Thune is compromised by a company that literally exists to sell access to himself. Pass it on. https://t.co/Gac8j6lTsW — DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) March 10, 2026  their own site as an “exclusive first look” for Premium subscribers. Those Premium subscribers are the K Street corporate government affairs staff and trade association officials whose legislative interests depend on what Senate leadership decides to schedule… or kill. The second-ever guest was Senate Majority Leader John Thune, on September 11, 2025. This is documented in your own webste. Now let’s go over your post carefully. You say Mike Lee “primed the GOP base to believe” something. That’s manipulative framing, the language of a man working a crowd. But Thune “pointed out” something. That’s the language of a man correcting the record, establishing fact. This is not a one-off phrasing choice on your part. Your Punchbowl coverage consistently frames Thune’s positions as institutional reality and conservative alternatives as base management. Thune “declared” that the talking filibuster is dead. Lee and his allies “captivated Trump’s base.” Thune “had enough.” The SAVE Act push is “a self-inflicted wound.” These are not neutral verbs. They are a point of view… and it’s Thune’s point of view, delivered with a byline. There’s a structural reason this happens. Jake Sherman described Punchbowl’s business model in his own words on The Rebooting podcast (January 2022): nearly 90% of the outlet’s revenue comes from corporate sponsorships… “trade groups and companies looking to get their public affairs messaging in front of those making public policy.” The sponsors documented at Punchbowl include PhRMA, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Facebook, JPMorgan, Blackstone, the American Investment Council (private equity lobby), and others. These sponsors need the goodwill of the Senate Majority Leader, who controls which of their legislative priorities come to the floor. Thune controls the floor. Thune sits in Punchbowl’s townhouse. You reports Thune’s framing as conventional wisdom. When Desiderio writes that the talking filibuster “will ultimately fail” … not might fail, not Thune argues it will fail, but when it ultimately fails … is that journalism? Or is it the view from Thune’s Fly Out Day chair? You are busted, Mr. Desiderio. Congress employs roughly 18,500 staffers. If each of them opens the Punchbowl newsletter three to four times per week, that alone produces around 65,000 impressions. The implication: Punchbowl’s core audience is Congress itself. That suggests a circular model:1. Sponsors… pic.twitter.com/GaNeP7n3yD — DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) March 10, 2026 Ever notice that you practically NEVER see attacks against @LeaderJohnThune in the lamestream media? Yeah, that’s because they’re PLEASED with his “work” Thune’s doing their bidding. Dude can’t even get an 80/20 bill like the SAVE America Act through the Senate Total coward — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 10, 2026   Wow Senate Majority Leader John Thune thinks President Donald Trump is a “paid influencer”? https://t.co/9pIf2VJx4K pic.twitter.com/UjD0GZI4zD — ALX (@alx) March 9, 2026  

by Mac Slavo, SHTF Plan: United States senator and infamous war hawk Lindsey Graham has said that the ruling class is going to “make a ton of money” off the war it just started with Iran. If the U.S. is successful in toppling the Iranian government, the U.S. will control almost a third of the […]