Rachel Lerman

I was laid off from The Washington Post today. I know, real original sentence. My first plagiarism in 20 years of journalism.

My job was stupid fun and I loved every minute of it. I’m sad for my talented colleagues but sadder the world will not get to read, watch and listen to their amazing work.

I’m going to stare at a wall for the rest of the day. And by wall I mean TikTok. But then I’ll stand up and get back what I love: writing about the ways real humans use tech, for good and weird and yes, to disassociate after a bad day.

heather is a marvel & a delight. the most accessible, fun (remember fun?), fwd-looking story ideas, best hedlines, fast & incisive editing, impeccable command of tiktok, her casual observations have rewired my brain. her writing's a breeze. you'd be so f lucky to work w/her bsky.app/profile/heat...

This image shows a logo of The Washington Post Guild and our statement: The Post Guild vehemently opposes any more cuts to the staff of The Washington Post. As we’ve seen in recent years, continuing to eliminate scores of workers who make this storied institution what it is only stands to weaken the newspaper, drive away readers and undercut The Post’s mission: to hold power to account without fear or favor and provide critical insight into communities across the region, country and world. If Jeff Bezos no longer supports that mission, then The Post and its readers deserve a steward who does. If you value The Post’s journalism and its renowned past — if you care about its future — we ask that you join us in our call to #SaveThePost.

#SaveThePost, Jeff Bezos.

Waking up without power, heat, or running water. (Again.) But the work here in Kyiv continues. Warming up in the car, writing in pencil — pen ink freezes — by headlamp. Despite how difficult this job can be, I am proud to be a foreign correspondent at The Washington Post.

Proud to work with the @washingtonpost.com's fearless international reporters. They're the heart of this newsroom, and we'd understand our world less without them. #SaveThePost

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You may not agree with every op-ed The Post publishes, but our investigative journalism, breaking news reporting and other essential work cannot happen without subscribers.

Robots are learning to make human babies. Twenty have already been born. One in six people of reproductive age suffer from infertility. Start-ups are using AI-powered robots to increase IVF success rates and lower costs.

NEW: I went to Mexico to see a generation of babies being conceived through AI & robotic IVF - automated systems w/no human involvement. It’s a deeply human story about the global infertility crisis and whether tech can scale the most precious thing we have: human life.
Gifted here: wapo.st/3Kt4u26

The right to speak freely is the ultimate personal liberty and the foundation of Karen’s 11-year career at The Post. We’re proud to call Karen a colleague and a longtime union sibling. The Post Guild stands with her and will continue to support her and defend her rights.

The Washington Post wrongly fired Opinions columnist Karen Attiah over her social media posts. The Post not only flagrantly disregarded standard disciplinary processes, it also undermined its own mandate to be a champion of free speech.

Statement from Post Guild Leadership: The Washington Post Guild condemns the unjust firing of columnist Karen Attiah

Trump & Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” would be one of the largest wealth transfers from the working class to the wealthy in U.S. history.

But how would it affect YOU?

We built a calculator.

Plug in your info to see what it’d mean for your finances.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...

Teens are sexting with AI. Here’s what parents should know. Tweens and teens are having suggestive and sexual conversations with AI chatbots on the web and in apps. Here’s what parents and caregivers should know.

I spent two weeks getting chatbots to say the most unspeakable things to me, all while on the clock! Here's what parents and caregivers should know about teens and tweens sexting with AI chatbots. wapo.st/4587byz

Videos disparaging trans women aren’t hate speech, Meta board says Meta leaders Joel Kaplan and Nick Clegg told the social media company’s Oversight Board last year that videos reposted by Libs of TikTok should be treated carefully.

The story Meta didn't want you to read, by @naominix.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

Anti-trans posts pass muster under Meta’s new hate-speech rules Meta’s quasi-independent Oversight Board ruled early Wednesday that the social media platform is free to leave up two disparaging posts about trans people that include videos showing a trans woman usi...

You can read the story here: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

The Hegseth text then continued: •“1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)” •“1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)” •“1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched.” •“MORE TO FOLLOW (per timeline)” •“We are currently clean on OPSEC”—that is, operational security. •“Godspeed to our Warriors.”

I'm not a fancy military strategist but "THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP" does kinda sound like a war plan www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

🔬🧪🧬 @sadbumblebee.buzz and I are collecting stories from scientists whose research funding has been halted by the Trump admin. Feel free to share this form with anyone who has been impacted and as always you can reach me on signal at caitlingilbert.24

thewashingtonpost.formstack.com/forms/scient...

Elon Musk’s business empire is built on $38 billion in government funding Government infusions at key moments helped Tesla and SpaceX flourish, boosting Musk’s wealth.

Recently, we’ve seen reporters from all over the newsroom produce incredible journalism about the new administration. The Post today published an investigation into the $38 billion in government funding that underpins Elon Musk’s business empire: wapo.st/41uIOJ4

I will not tolerate any interference from our owner in my reporting. If that red line is ever crossed moving forward, I will quit and let you know.

Since I joined the newsroom in 2018, Bezos has never influenced my coverage of tech policy, politics or the White House. My colleagues and I have covered him and his businesses with the same accountability lens we apply to all tech leaders.

Jeff Bezos announced that the Washington Post opinion page will no longer publish viewpoints opposing personal liberties and free markets.

In light of this news, I want to emphasize that there is a strong firewall between opinion and news at our publication.

Musk’s DOGE says it has saved $55 billion. Not so fast. A Washington Post analysis found that hundreds of the canceled contracts DOGE listed represent savings of $0 each.

DOGE claims don't stand up - check it out www.washingtonpost.com/business/202... w @abtran.bsky.social @rachellerman.bsky.social @jonswaine.bsky.social

thx will <3

Who’s working for Elon Musk’s DOGE? Here’s who is working with Elon Musk at the U.S. DOGE Service — also known as the Department of Government Efficiency — to makes changes across the federal government.

here is a gift link and pls consider supporting the hundreds of dedicated journalists working at the post wapo.st/3Qpc7pP

Who’s working for Elon Musk’s DOGE? Here’s who is working with Elon Musk at the U.S. DOGE Service — also known as the Department of Government Efficiency — to makes changes across the federal government.

we just published a list of more than 30 people working for (or closely with) DOGE. message me on signal @rachellerman.55 with tips on the office www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Here’s what could get more expensive if Trump enacts tariffs this week Tomatoes, T-shirts and cars are among the vast array of goods that could become pricier if tariffs pledged by President Donald Trump go into effect.

5. What could get more expensive if Trump enacts tariffs? @lmelgar.bsky.social adn @rachellerman.bsky.social on what we export from Canada, Mexico and China
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Here’s what could get more expensive if Trump enacts tariffs this week Tomatoes, T-shirts and cars are among the vast array of goods that could become pricier if tariffs pledged by President Donald Trump go into effect.

President Trump has threatened to impose increased tariffs on products from Mexico, Canada and China as soon as Saturday — a move that could significantly increase prices on goods from three of America’s most important trading partners.

Here are the products that could be affected:

If the Depp-Heard fiasco didn't, the Blake Lively smear campaign should drive home an important media literacy lesson that I'm afraid many are missing: when it seems like everybody is suddenly talking about something, consider the possibility that the viral moment was engineered.

See how a lab-grown diamond is made Lab-grown diamonds have increased in popularity in the past several years. See how these gems are created.

some counter programming for your Thanksgiving Day. we made a step-by-step visual guide of how lab diamonds are created, full of sparkles www.washingtonpost.com/business/int...

Musk has long history of squabbles, investigations with federal agencies Musk has long complained about federal agencies — particularly those that have investigated and fined his companies.

Elon Musk is soon going to have some sort of influence in the federal government. He’s already spent years tangling with many agencies. Here’s his history of squabbles and investigations with the FTC, SEC, DOJ, and more www.washingtonpost.com/business/202... from me and @faizsays.bsky.social