Twitter Files Supplemental

This archive was made with Twitter's "Embed Tweet" feature. It depends for everything but the text on the Tweets that it includes still existing on Twitter. If one or more is deleted, the images will disappear. In that case, you can use the backup in supplemental.mhtml. That file will not open in all browsers (works for me in Brave and Chrome; does NOT work in Safari), but my browser saves it to my computer, and I have to open it from there.

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THREAD: Twitter Files Supplemental

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

On Friday, the first installment of the Twitter files was published here. We expected to publish more over the weekend. Many wondered why there was a delay.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

We can now tell you part of the reason why. On Tuesday, Twitter Deputy General Counsel (and former FBI General Counsel) Jim Baker was fired. Among the reasons? Vetting the first batch of “Twitter Files” – without knowledge of new management.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

The process for producing the “Twitter Files” involved delivery to two journalists (Bari Weiss and me) via a lawyer close to new management. However, after the initial batch, things became complicated.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

Over the weekend, while we both dealt with obstacles to new searches, it was @BariWeiss who discovered that the person in charge of releasing the files was someone named Jim. When she called to ask “Jim’s” last name, the answer came back: “Jim Baker.”

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

“My jaw hit the floor,” says Weiss.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

The first batch of files both reporters received was marked, “Spectra Baker Emails.” pic.twitter.com/24a9NhjosB

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

Baker is a controversial figure. He has been something of a Zelig of FBI controversies dating back to 2016, from the Steele Dossier to the Alfa-Server mess. He resigned in 2018 after an investigation into leaks to the press.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

The news that Baker was reviewing the “Twitter files” surprised everyone involved, to say the least. New Twitter chief Elon Musk acted quickly to “exit” Baker Tuesday.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022

Reporters resumed searches through Twitter Files material – a lot of it – today. The next installment of “The Twitter Files” will appear @bariweiss. Stay tuned.

— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 6, 2022