JT Cestkowski

I asked six of the leading Democrats running for governor of Wisconsin if they support a data center moratorium. Only one said yes. Last night, I moderated a forum on working-class issues. Here are the most interesting yes/no questions I asked, and what the candidates said. ⬇️

The Justice Department is drawing up contingency plans to potentially intervene in next week’s midterm elections, three national security officials tell me: www.kenklippenstein.com/p/feds-prep-...

Two years ago, someone in the AI industry told me, on the record and with a straight face, that concerns about AI-driven job losses are overblown. I think of him often.

"We're talking about 18 year olds that just want to graduate. People that are being fed curdled milk & worms." We're LIVE from NJ statehouse as anti-ICE protesters DEMAND Governor Mikie Sherrill stop stalling and act to shut down Delaney Hall ICE prison

Protesters are outside the New Jersey State House right now, calling on Gov. Mikie Sherrill to take more decisive action to shut down the Delaney Hall ICE prison camp where several detainees have died. 📸 @jordanchariton.bsky.social for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social

HAPPENING NOW Federal agents are arresting protesters near Lochiel, Arizona, who were protecting ancient cottonwood trees from being felled to make way for the border wall. 📹 tierralibre_noborders on Instagram

Two Trump Truths, six months apart. He's promised lower gas prices since the war in Iran spiked prices in February.

Given Trump's promises of $5,000 bribes if you vote for Republicans, here is an interview we did this spring running down the administration's broken promises.

After a weeks-long investigation, Status Coup can confirm a second ICE prisoner at Delaney Hall in New Jersey has died in just a month—and the Department of Homeland Security and ICE attempted to cover it up. Reporting via Jordan Chariton Video by Phillip Hawkins

In June, I asked David Crowley how much data center tax incentive money was too much. He didn't answer the question directly. After I pushed him, he pivoted to briefly talking about small businesses rather than giving me a hard limit on data center giveaways.

Ben voted for Donald Trump in 2024, now he is supporting Francesca Hong for Wisconsin governor. A negative story about Hong having credit card debt actually cemented Ben's support for the democratic socialist. Full story coming for @statuscoupnews.bsky.social

From anti-vax to socialist volunteer: In the amount of time it took tattoo artist Sophia to ink "We the People" on the arm of one anti-establishment father and prospective voter, she convinced him to support Francesca Hong for governor in Wisconsin. Full story coming @statuscoupnews.bsky.social

"We all need good roads. That's socialist." Alex Lux is a former Republican and Trump voter. Now he's backing Francesca Hong, the socialist running for governor in Wisconsin. He says he is far more concerned about politicians pushing for real change than labels like "socialist."

Do you know anyone who voted for Donald Trump and is now considering supporting Francesca Hong for governor in Wisconsin? I am working on a story and want to hear from you. DM me here or reach out to me on Signal: JTCestkowski.14

Hello from Abdul El-Sayed’s watch party in Detroit! Polls are closed in Michigan and I will be live on Status Coup going over results.

" They need to remember they work for us!" Warren, Michigan, resident Susie admitted she doesn't pay daily attention to politics, but she knows that her politicians bow to big money donors over backing people like her.

Susie from Warren, Michigan, says she doesn't believe conservative smears against socialized medicine because she has seen it work for her family, who live in Canada.

Susie is 68 years old with 23 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she can't afford to ignore politics or policies like Medicare for All because, otherwise, healthcare costs in the face of Medicare cuts will drive her and other seniors to bankruptcy.

"I feel caged." Susie is a 68-year-old Warren, Michigan, resident who needs knee and hip surgeries. She doubts she can afford it because of cuts to Medicare. That's why Abdul El-Sayed's support of Medicare for All resonates with her. She showed up tonight at an El-Sayed canvas.

Tonight, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, running for Senate in Michigan, told press he wished the media reported reality rather than narratives. The next question: a media narrative about a "battle for the soul of the Democratic Party" rather than struggles facing working-class Michiganders.

🚨"You could beat Hayley Stevens and not actually achieve the things you want to achieve." Abdul El-Sayed (@abdulelsayed.bsky.social) tells Status Coup's JT Cestkowski (@jtcestkowski.bsky.social) during a march in Detroit to raise awareness for his Senate run. LIVESTREAM⬇️

🚨"Organized people beat organized money every single time", Rep. Donavan McKinney tells Status Coup's JT Cestkowski (@jtcestkowski.bsky.social) during a march in Detroit to raise awareness for Abdul El-Sayed 's Senate run. LIVESTREAM⬇️

Status Coup News is the best! Please help support this work; they're viewer funded & the oligarchy algorithms don't WANT you 2 see the WHOLE TRUTH. @statuscoupnews.bsky.social @jtcestkowski.bsky.social We Made a MAJOR Impact on the Wisconsin Governor's Race open.substack.com/pub/statusco...

Protesters demanding justice for Corey Ruiz have left Madison’s State Street after denying entry to businesses for a couple of hours and are marching back up towards the Capitol.

“Say his name! Corey!” A young girl leads protesters occupying Madison’s State Street in chants.

Protesters have blocked the front entrance to a popular college bar in Madison as a way to cause financial pain and pressure Madison leaders to act on Corey Ruiz’s execution.

HAPPENING NOW Thousands of protesters are occupying Madison’s State Street and vowing to shut down businesses as a way to demand justice for Corey Ruiz.

“They want you to feel that!” A protester against Corey Ruiz’s execution says voting is not a useless tactic change, but also that voting alone will not deliver the future they want to see.

I am live in Madison, WI, as demonstrations against Corey Ruiz’s execution by police enter their fourth night.

Scenes tonight from the growing Corey Ruiz memorial.

A march that led from Corey Ruiz’s memorial to the police offices in downtown Madison is now heading back to the memorial. Demonstrators occupied streets for three hours.

The fist from Minneapolis’ George Floyd Square is now in Madison at the spot where police killed Corey Ruiz.

I wasn’t able to post these clips on Bluesky last night, but Eileen was kind enough to share my videos of the march in Madison last night in a thread.

There is a lot more media out here today. And in two days, most of it will be gone.

Here are the scenes today at the memorial for Corey Ruiz in Madison, WI. The mood is a mix between celebration of life and solemn remembrance. I’ll be going live in a few minutes for Status Coup News covering a vigil.

HAPPENING NOW Hundreds are in the streets right now in Madison, WI, after police earlier today shot and killed a Black man. The demonstrations have taken over the city’s downtown.

🚨EXCLUSIVE: Two Democratic candidates for Wisconsin governor skipped a forum after learning they'd be asked about Israel and Gaza. Their empty chairs became a symbol of who showed up for Wisconsin's Muslim community. @jtcestkowski.bsky.social has the full report on YouTube ⬇️