Over the decades, Donald Trumps literal fortunes have ebbed and flowed. (Six of his hotels and companies, remember, have filed for bankruptcy protection over the years.) But as he prepares to enter t… [+1350 chars]

The incoming president of the United States is also a social media mogul. We’re keeping a running tally of his stake in Truth Social—and how his fortunes change with its ups and downs.

Wired

How Much Are Donald Trump’s Truth Social Shares Worth?

Meta caused a stir last week when it let slip that it intends to populate its platform with a significant number of entirely artificial users in the not too distant future.
We expect these AIs to ac… [+2756 chars]

Meta’s AI characters users might seem useless, but fake social media users can sometimes offer valuable insights into real human behavior.

AI Social Media Users Are Not Always a Totally Dumb Idea

Extremists including white supremacists and border livestreamers have descended on Los Angeles in the midst of the wildfires there to gain followers, juice social media engagement, solicit donations … [+2981 chars]

White supremacists and MAGA livestreamers are using the wildfires to solicit donations, juice social media engagement, and recruit new followers.

Far-Right Extremists Are LARPing as Emergency Workers in Los Angeles

Mastodons CEO and creator is handing control to a new nonprofit organization
Mastodons CEO and creator is handing control to a new nonprofit organization
 / Mastodon says the decentralized network … [+2515 chars]

The decentralized social network is moving ownership to a new non-profit based in Europe.

The Verge

Mastodon’s CEO and creator is handing control to a new nonprofit organization

Irrational self-belief is one of the reasons villains deeply resonate across culture, says Kevin Wynter, a professor of media studies at Pomona College. In a repressive society such as ours that cham… [+2838 chars]

Villains were everywhere and more relatable than ever. Across pop culture, social media, and IRL, the phenomenon went full-on main character.

The Year Villainy Won

Proposals on the long-term funding of adult social care in England are unlikely to be delivered before 2028 at the earliest, the government has confirmed. 
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Stree… [+6775 chars]

The government announces first steps to creating a National Care Services - but reform is several years away.

BBC News

Social care reforms in pipeline for 2028, say ministers

Andrew McIntyre was involved in the most "sinister aspect" of the July disturbances, the court was 
A taxi driver, whose social media posts were a "catalyst" for riots which broke out after three gi… [+2599 chars]

Andrew McIntyre admits setting up a social media channel identified as a "catalyst"  for violent disorder.

Man jailed over social posts after Southport attack

With the ban on TikTok looming and little indication that the Supreme Court will stop it, users are already looking for a new place to scroll away their day. Instead of turning to YouTube Shorts and … [+3694 chars]

Congress is going to have to play whack-a-mole.

Gizmodo.com

TikTok Users Are Flocking to Another Chinese Social Media App as U.S. Ban Looms

You wont find James Harr or the business he founded on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or other social media platforms. Why? In the aftermath of the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Harr … [+3264 chars]

James Harr had a great idea to capitalize on a social media moment. Then most of the platforms removed him.

‘Most Wanted CEO’ Playing Cards Get User Banned From Most Platforms

A regional Russian internet provider named Nodex has been almost completely destroyed in an attack by a Ukranian hacking group. Nodex confirmed the attack in a statement on Russian social network VK,… [+2173 chars]

The regional Russian provider confirmed the attack on social media, saying it caused a "complete failure" in its infrastructure.

Ukranian Hackers Managed to Nearly Destroy Russian Internet Provider

Christmas can be a difficult time for many, including for those facing financial pressures
Gone are the days when children would circle their favourite toy in the catalogue in the hope of getting wh… [+4195 chars]

Social media trends, as well as pressure to attend events, are driving up costs, parents say.

Pressure on parents for Instagram-worthy Christmas

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments later this week on whether the federal government can ban TikTok, a team of social media researchers is re-upping its argument that the social media pl… [+3569 chars]

A forthcoming paper analyzed how different social media platforms surfaced content that displayed positive and negative sentiments toward the Chinese Communist Party.

Ahead of SCOTUS Hearing, Study Finds TikTok Is Likely Vehicle for Chinese Propaganda

Earlier today, Will Smith took to Instagram to casually share some news with his nearly 70 million followers. The reel, which you can see below, recaps the superstar’s notorious career decision back … [+2409 chars]

The Oscar winner, who famously turned down the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi classic, teased... something on his social media today.

No, Will Smith Isn’t Starring in a New Matrix Movie

Ilona Maher signed a three-month deal with the Bristol Bears in December 
Rugby player Ilona Maher has won fans and admirers with her sporting talent.
But it's her message of body positivity that's… [+5219 chars]

The US athlete and social media star helped attract record crowds as she made her English rugby debut.

The star player hoping to turn millions of TikTok followers into rugby fans

Twelve former Love Island contestants have been cast in the new All Stars series, including Luca Bish, India Reynolds and Blazin' Squad's Marcel Somerville
The cast of this year's Love Island All St… [+6681 chars]

As Love Island All Stars returns, we find out if reality stars can still have a lucrative social media career.

'Being good looking isn't enough': Can Love Island still make you rich?

The FBI is investigating an attack in New Orleans on 1 January which killed at least 14 people and injured dozens.
Investigators say the suspect proclaimed his allegiance to the Islamic State group … [+112 chars]

BBC Verify’s Jake Horton looks at how the attack in New Orleans unfolded.

What CCTV and social media videos reveal about New Orleans attack

Albania's prime minister has announced the government intends to block access to TikTok for one year after the killing of a schoolboy last month raised fears about the influence of social media on ch… [+2506 chars]

PM Edi Rama announced the move after meeting parents and teachers over the effects on young people of social media.

Albania declares one-year TikTok ban over stabbing

In Donald Trump's first term, governments around the world braced for his morning social media posts. What policy would be reversed, what insult thrown? Four years on, diplomats are once more getting… [+4204 chars]

Politicians are navigating how to deal with the social media presence of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

How Trump and Musk's interventions prompt fresh diplomatic challenge

This fancy new microwave has cameras all over and might make you feel like you have your own cooking show. I got to witness the beep-boop-beep of the LG Signature Smart Instaview microwave at CES 202… [+2768 chars]

In case you've ever wanted to share a video of chicken nuggets rotating in your microwave. Or use it to watch your stovetop on a 27-inch screen.

GENIEUS

social