Nolan Higdon
San Francisco
As seen in:
Substack,
Savage Minds,
CounterPunch,
The Real News,
LIVE! From City Lights,
Dissident Voice,
Shepherd Express,
ZNetwork,
ScheerPost
Covers:
Disinformation, Media History, Big-Tech, Tech Culture, Surveillance Capitalism, Podcasting, Digital Culture, Politics, Social Media, Education, and Media Literacy
Sarcastic Scholar, Author, & Lecturer. Researches disinformation, Critical Media Literacy, Digital Culture, and News Media with @ProjectCensored, @UCSC
Articles by Nolan Higdon
Why the 2026 Middle East Crisis Demands Critical AI Literacy
“Tel Aviv, stripped of illusion, as you have never witnessed it,” read the caption above a viral March 2026 video showing missiles hammering the Israeli city as explosions burst across the night sky. To the casual scroller, it appeared to be a harrowing document of modern conflict. The problem, however, was that the video was a deepfake. Deepfakes are synthetic media edited or generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Nolan Higdon
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:42:38 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Nolan Higdon, author and Disinfo Detox host, dismantles the "aberration" myth surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, exposing his deep ties to US/Israeli/Russian intelligence, insider trading, and elite blackmail networks spanning politics (Trump, Dershowitz), tech (Thiel, Palantir), academia (Chomsky, Summers), and media.
The Art of the War
“I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars,” President Donald Trump declared during his 2021 farewell address. Throughout the 2024 campaign and into his second term, Trump consistently branded himself as the “Peace President.” It was a title he maintained even as his administration conducted military strikes, bombings, or specialized operations in at least six different countries. On February 28, 2026, Trump added a seventh nation to that list: Iran.
The Mirage of Preemption
The Constitutional and Strategic Costs of Trump’s New War in Iran “A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” President Donald Trump declared in a video released on the morning of February 28, 2026. Without a single vote from Congress, and in clear defiance of the constitutional requirement for a declaration of war, the President announced that the United States and Israel have launched a massive, coordinated assault on Iran.
The Epstein Class
Notice: My goal is to provide fresh insights with every post. This article focuses exclusively on new developments regarding the Epstein Files. For a comprehensive background on the saga, please visit our [full archive here]; the most recent updates are located at the bottom of the page. “By some baffling twist of logic, it concluded that Oakes was guilty of offering bribes but that no one was guilty of accepting them,” wrote historian Maury Klein regarding the Credit Mobilier scandal.
The Epstein Ledger
This essay reviews the documents released over the past month. All previous reporting on this topic can be found in my Decoding Epstein. “I didn’t see it myself, but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left,” claimed President Donald Trump on January 31, 2026. He was responding to the release of the latest batch of “Epstein Files” from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Faking It ‘Til We Break It | Dissident Voice
“Video showing Maduro allegedly torturing Venezuelan dissidents is going viral, with 15 million views and 81k likes already. The only problem? It is actually a scene from a movie.” This tweet from journalist Alan Macleod captured just one droplet in a flood of disinformation following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro. As The Guardian noted, AI-generated images of the event reaped millions of views, instantly saturating social media with fiction.
Ragebait Governance | Dissident Voice
Image information: “Trollface” by Me in ME is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Oxford University Press’ 2025 Word of the Year is “ragebait.” The term captures a defining feature of today’s information ecosystem: content engineered to provoke anger, boost engagement, and overwhelm our ability to think clearly.
A Symptom of Corporate Media’s Deep Ethical Crisis | Dissident Voice
L-R: Ryan Lizza, Olivia Nuzzi, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Tasos Katopodis/Stefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images/Thomas Machowicz/Reuters “Can we pause this, I’m sorry,” mumbled a sobbing Olivia Nuzzi during her December 2, 2025 interview with Tim Miller of The Bulwark. The tears came after Miller patiently asked why Nuzzi, as a journalist, withheld information about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK Jr.) alleged drug use in 2024 during his January 2025 confirmation hearing for Health & Human Services Secretary.
The Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK Scandal
“Can we pause this, I’m sorry,” mumbled a sobbing Olivia Nuzzi during her 2 December 2025 interview with Tim Miller of The Bulwark. The tears came after Miller patiently asked why Nuzzi, as a journalist, withheld information about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK Jr.) alleged drug use in 2024 during his January 2025 confirmation hearing for Health & Human Services Secretary.
How Censorship and Smears Are Chipping Away at Democracy and Freedom
From Biden to Trump Do Journalists Protect or Harm Democracy? Almost half (45%) of teens in a recent survey by The News Literacy Project said journalists harm democracy. Only 56% believed reporters value fairness and accuracy. 80% concluded that news content is subjective, and nearly 70% thought press outlets intentionally add bias to their coverage. The cynicism illustrated in the study reflects one of the extreme positions toward the press that is undermining democratic norms.
Democrats’ Digital Dysfunction
“HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND, PATRIOTS!!! GOD BLESS THE WORKING PEOPLE WHO MAKE AMERICA GREAT!,” read an August 2025 tweet, capped with three American flags and a photo of its author in a convertible, sunglasses on, peace sign raised. This wasn’t 2016. This wasn’t President Donald Trump. It was California Governor—and presidential hopeful—Gavin Newsom.
From Manufactured Scandals to AI Misinformation
Fake news isn’t just a headline problem — it’s a cultural crisis. A tattooed Justin Bieber lookalike crashed a DJ set in Las Vegas and convinced Gryffin, the headliner, to bring him onstage. Minutes later, security exposed the imposter and banned him from the hotel. In a city that celebrates illusion, the stunt might seem like harmless fun. But not all impersonations are created equal.
The Militarization and Weaponization of Media Literacy
In one of the scariest moments in modern history, we're doing our best at ScheerPost to pierce the fog of lies that conceal it but we need some help to pay our writers and staff. Please consider a tax-deductible donation. By Nolan Higdon and Sydney Sullivan / Project Censored During President Donald Trump’s second term, education has remained a central battleground in American politics.
The Militarization and Weaponization of Media Literacy
This Dispatch is informed by our forthcoming 2025 article, “Media Literacy in the Crosshairs: NATO’s Strategic Goals and the Revival of Protectionist Pedagogy,” from the Journal of Media Literacy Education, Volume 17, Issue 2. During President Donald Trump’s second term, education has remained a central battleground in American politics. Republicans claim that classrooms have become hotbeds of “woke” indoctrination, accusing educators of promoting progressive agendas and tolerating antisemitism.
The Militarization and Weaponization of Media Literacy
This essay was originally published by Project Censored This essay is informed by our forthcoming 2025 article, “Media Literacy in the Crosshairs: NATO’s Strategic Goals and the Revival of Protectionist Pedagogy,” from theJournal of Media Literacy Education, Volume 17, Issue 2. Nolan Higdon and Sydney Sullivan During President Donald Trump’s second term, education has remained a central battleground in American politics.
From Social Security Spin to Signalgate Shenanigans
By Nolan Higdon It’s been a decade since “fake news” became the moral panic of the moment—blamed for breaking democracy and warping reality. The threat was (and is) real. In fact, so-called artificial intelligence (AI) has supercharged fake news, making the fight against misinformation even more critical. But instead of investing in critical media literacy—teaching students how to think, not what to think—politicians and pundits pushed censorship, handing more control to governments and Big Tech.
Is the Press Working Hard or Hardly Working? Biden’s Cognitive Issues Were Right Under Journalists’ Noses, and They Didn’t Report It
“I represent the heart of a congressional district once represented by Lyndon Johnson. Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same,” exclaimed Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett on July 2, 2024. Doggett was critical of 81-year-old President Joe Biden’s performance at the first presidential debate in June.
A Global Crackdown on Freedom of Expression
According to a 2022 report by Article 19, an international organization that documents and champions freedom of expression, 80 percent of the world’s population lives with less freedom of expression today than did ten years ago. The eradication of basic freedoms and rights is partly due to the pervasive normalization of censorship.
Ed-Tech’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Deficit: The Galactic Gulf Between Rhetoric and Action
“University of Florida Eliminates all DEI-Related Positions,” read a March 2, 2024, New York Times headline. The article documented how Florida’s decision to terminate funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related programs resulted in the University of Florida removing all DEI-related positions from their campus. This is but one of a series of stories about how states such as Alabama and Indiana are working to eliminate DEI programs and content in education.
Ed-Tech’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Deficit
345 “University of Florida Eliminates all DEI-Related Positions,” read a March 2, 2024, New York Times headline. The article documented how Florida’s decision to terminate funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related programs resulted in the University of Florida removing all DEI-related positions from their campus. This is but one of a series of stories about how states such as Alabama and Indiana are working to eliminate DEI programs and content in education.
Ed-Tech’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Deficit
“University of Florida Eliminates all DEI-Related Positions,” read a 2 March 2024, New York Times headline. The article documented how Florida’s decision to terminate funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related programs resulted in the University of Florida removing all DEI-related positions from their campus. This is but one of a series of stories about how states such as Alabama and Indiana are working to eliminate DEI programs and content in education.
The Bi-Partisan Hypocrisy on Campus Censorship
By Nolan Higdon and Mickey Huff Outraged by the horrendous events in Israel and Gaza last month, thousands of college students protested across the country, including at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz; Harvard University; and George Washington University, just to name a few. The protests once again left colleges across the country struggling to strike a balance between campus safety and protecting free speech and expression.
Mandatory Media Literacy Education Could Be Coming to California Schools Soon
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Mandatory Media Literacy Education Could Be Coming to California Schools Soon
California is currently considering two media literacy bills, both of which have sailed through the California State Assembly and are being reviewed by the Senate Education Committee. The first, Assembly Bill 873, authored by Assembly member , D-Menlo Park, requires teaching media literacy in K-12 schools throughout the Golden State.
No Turning Back | Dissident Voice
The following article is another installment in Project Censored’s long-form Dispatches series. It is a detailed examination of establishment media coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic. It critiques the missteps, censorship, and establishment propaganda that often passed for real investigative journalism during a crisis when the American public needed truly independent media the most.
Comments - No Turning Back - by Nolan Higdon - Savage Minds
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No Turning Back
NOTE: The following article is another installment in Project Censored’s long-form Dispatches series. It is a detailed examination of establishment media coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic. It critiques the missteps, censorship, and establishment propaganda that often passed for real investigative journalism during a crisis when the American public needed truly independent media the most.
Journalistic Malpractice on Trial
“This is direct evidence of knowing falsity” exclaimed RonNell Anderson Jones, Professor of Law at the University of Utah, in a February 2023 interview with Jon Stewart. Jones noted that in most defamation cases “the likelihood that you will find evidence of them [news outlets] saying, ‘We know this is a lie and we would like to move forward with it anyway is deeply unlikely.’” However, in the case of Dominion Voting Systems v.
Journalistic Malpractice on Trial
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Journalistic Malpractice on Trial
“This is direct evidence of knowing falsity” exclaimed RonNell Anderson Jones, Professor of Law at the University of Utah, in a February 2023 interview with Jon Stewart. Jones noted that in most defamation cases “the likelihood that you will find evidence of them [news outlets] saying, ‘We know this is a lie and we would like to move forward with it anyway is deeply unlikely.’” However, in the case of Dominion Voting Systems v.
Journalistic Malpractice on Trial:
This article was originally published at Project Censored. “This is direct evidence of knowing falsity” exclaimed RonNell Anderson Jones, Professor of Law at the University of Utah, in a February 2023 interview with Jon Stewart. Jones noted that in most defamation cases “the likelihood that you will find evidence of them [news outlets] saying, ‘We know this is a lie and we would like to move forward with it anyway is deeply unlikely.’” However, in the case of Dominion Voting Systems v.
From Russiagate with Love
A January 2023 publication from the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) spawned the latest round of spin and shifting baselines from Russiagate apologists. Russiagate refers to the claims that Russia meddled in and influenced the outcome of the U.S. election in 2016, had direct connections to Donald Trump and his associates, and worked to help defeat Hillary Clinton for the presidency.
From Russiagate With Love
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From Russiagate With Love
A January 2023 publication from the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) spawned the latest round of spin and shifting baselines from Russiagate apologists. Russiagate refers to the claims that Russia meddled in and influenced the outcome of the US election in 2016, had direct connections to Donald Trump and his associates, and worked to help defeat Hillary Clinton for the presidency.
From Russiagate with Love:
This article was originally published by Project Censored By Nolan Higdon and Mickey Huff A January 2023 publication from the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) spawned the latest round of spin and shifting baselines from Russiagate apologists. Russiagate refers to the claims that Russia meddled in and influenced the outcome of the U.S. election in 2016, had direct connections to Donald Trump and his associates, and worked to help defeat Hillary Clinton for the presidency.
United States of Distraction: Media Manipulation in Post-Truth America (and What We Can Do about It)
A powerful critique of how manipulation of media gives rise to disinformation, intolerance, and divisiveness, and what can be done to change direction.
How Corporate Media Fueled Trump's Rise
Co-author Nolan Higdon discusses “United States of Distraction: Media Manipulation in Post-Truth America (And What We Can Do About It).” Story Transcript JAISAL NOOR: Welcome to The Real News. I’m Jaisal Noor. Are we too distracted to preserve democracy? Well, that’s the thesis of a new book. And as proof that we are, the authors point to Donald Trump. Think about it. How did we end up with someone who’s been called the most corrupt president in U.S. history?
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