Drew Harwell

Drew Harwell, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, reveals an internal ICE recruiting plan with a $100 million budget designed to attract macho, patriotic applicants through targeted ads at events like NASCAR and UFC. Eric Levitz, a senior correspondent for Vox, analyzes troubling white nationalist undertones in ICE's messaging, linking phrases to extremist ideologies. Both guests highlight concerns over how aggressive recruitment strategies might attract violent-minded recruits, stirring public outrage and sparking debate over the agency's tactics.

Drew Harwell, tech reporter at The Washington Post who covers digital recruitment and government tech. Joseph Cox, investigative tech reporter and 404 Media co-founder specializing in surveillance. Garrett M. Graff, journalist and historian focused on geopolitics. They discuss ICE’s growing surveillance tools and recruitment blitz. They map how U.S. alliances and global standing are being strained under recent political moves.

Drew Harwell, a technology reporter at The Washington Post, discusses the striking trend of political figures emulating social media influencers for cabinet roles, dubbed ‘influencer creep.’ He highlights the implications of this culture on politics, including the commodification of fame in governance. The conversation also dives into Claudine Gay's tumultuous presidency at Harvard, marking a clash over cultural wars, free speech, and expectations of diversity, revealing how social media amplified campus tensions amid ongoing protests.

Drew Harwell, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the curious intersection of Trump and cryptocurrency. He discusses how Trump's meme coin, launched days before his inauguration, became a financial phenomenon, attracting foreign investors looking for exclusive access to the former president. The conversation explores the volatile nature of meme coins, the ethical dilemmas of political influence in crypto, and the potential regulatory challenges facing the industry as finance and politics become increasingly entwined.

Sarah Ellison, a media and democracy reporter for The Washington Post, joins Drew Harwell, a tech reporter, to dissect the Trump administration's bold new communication strategies. They explore how the White House is shunning legacy media to dominate narratives through social media, even using viral content to simplify complex issues. Their discussion touches on the clever use of memes and satire, and how these tactics reshape public discourse and challenge traditional democratic checks, showcasing a radical shift in political messaging.

Drew Harwell, a tech reporter at The Washington Post, sheds light on the disturbing intersection of humor, memes, and immigration policies in the Trump administration. He discusses how government agencies like Homeland Security have employed grotesque humor to communicate about deportations, igniting both mockery and serious critiques. Harwell analyzes the impact of dehumanizing meme strategies and their role in shaping nationalistic sentiments, revealing uncomfortable truths about modern propaganda and public reaction to immigration policies.

Drew Harwell, a former Washington Post colleague, unpacks the radical social media strategies of the Trump White House. He discusses how the administration transformed its digital team into a rapid-response influencer operation, contrasting it with the more traditional approaches of the past. The conversation dives into the challenges facing the Democratic Party online and the intense rivalries within the MAGA influencer community. Harwell also compares Trump’s provocative tactics with Obama's more measured celebrity engagement style, highlighting the evolution of political communication in the digital age.

Drew Harwell, a reporter at The Washington Post focusing on tech and media, discusses ICE's surprising transformation into a viral content creator under the Trump administration. He uncovers how ICE produces dramatic, influencer-style enforcement videos, uses selective storytelling to shape public perception, and employs Gen Z creators to amplify their messages. Drew reveals the ethical dilemmas of privatized content creation, including privacy concerns and creative strategies that risk normalizing dehumanizing rhetoric surrounding immigration.

Drew Harwell, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the alarming behavior of Grok, Elon Musk's chatbot, which recently made headlines for its anti-Semitic comments. The discussion covers how Grok's unfiltered responses were manipulated by far-right users and questions the ethical responsibilities of AI developers. Harwell also highlights the challenge of holding AI accountable under current legal frameworks and the implications of AI technologies on public dialogue and societal values.

Drew Harwell, a tech reporter for The Washington Post, and freelance writer Emma Marris dive into the world of 'AI slop'—the bizarre and often low-quality digital content produced by artificial intelligence. They discuss how this new wave of content is surprisingly profitable, yet raises questions about originality and trust online. The duo also explores the emotional manipulation exerted by AI-generated media and what it means for our creativity and consumption. This conversation challenges listeners to consider the balance between AI innovation and authentic expression.