The ‘Panama Playlists’ leak claims to expose Spotify accounts of JD Vance, Pam Bondi and a slew of other pols and CEOs

The 'Panama Playlists' leak claims to expose Spotify accounts of JD Vance, Pam Bondi and a slew of other pols and CEOs

Vice President JD Vance is a big fan of the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gets pumped up with Beyonce's "Run the World (Girls)" — and there's one very prominent politician who loves Nelly's "Hot In Herre." That's all according to thePanama Playlists— a site that quietly went live Wednesday and claims to reveal the private music tastes of a slew of public figures. "I found the real Spotify accounts of celebrities, politicians, and journalists. Many use their real names. With a little sleuthing, I could say with near-certainty: yep, this is them," the anonymous eavesdropper wrote. "We've been scraping their accounts since summer 2024. Playlists, live listening feed, everything. I know what songs they played, when, and how many times," they wrote, also stating the project has not affiliation with company "Spotify." The anonymous researcher told The Post that they became convinced in the authenticity of each account as the months of monitoring went on. "I gained confidence in each person by looking at lots of signals. An example is Pam Bondi. Her longtime partner is John Wakefield, and her profile has an old playlist called "john" and an old shared playlist with a user named 'John Wakefield,' so that gives me a lot of confidence it is her account." "Karoline Leavitt's profile has a playlist called 'Baby Shower,' and she had a baby a month after the playlist was made," the owner of the website told The Post, emphasizing they only collected publicly available information. It all seems to be a bit of summer fun, that reveals the questionable, ironic and sometimes too-on-the-nose music choices of America's rich and powerful. "Heard of the Panama Papers? That exposed offshore bank accounts. This is about onshore vibes," the site says. Here is a sample of what "Panama Playlists" found. Vice President JD Vance is a fan of the songs "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys and "One Time" by Justin Bieber, both of which appear on his oft-listened to "Making Dinner"playlist. The millennial veep also appears to be a fan of pop-punk, with several songs from the early aughts favorite Death Cab for Cutie appearing on his playlist "Gold On The Ceiling." On that playlist, Vance shows off an eclectic taste in tunes, selecting songs "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star, "Pepper," by Butthole Surfers, "Signs" by band Tesla, and "Take a Walk" from Passion Pit. FTX fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried has three public playlists — "rap" "soft" and "loud" — which feature plenty of Eminem, also Death Cab for Cutie, and song "Young Dumb, Broke" from Khalid. Leavitt had the songs "Run the World (Girls)" by Beyonce and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" from Cyndi Lauper on her"Baby Shower"playlist. Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's liked tracks on his Pandora account include "Parachutes" from the movie "Air Force One" and the "Finding Nemo/Nemo Egg" theme performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. He's also into "One Night Love Affair" by Bryan Adams and "May It Be" by Enya. Social media gadfly Taylor Lorenz's public playlists include "Older Millenial College Rager TBT" and "Breakup Songs" —- but her "Favs" include tracks "Romeo and Juliet" from Dire Straits and "You Can Get It If You Really Want" from reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. Bondi prefers the more upbeat tracks on her playlist named"Pam"— including Nelly's immortal jam "Hot In Herre," "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez, and "Fix My Eyes" from band For King & Country." OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's"My Shazam Tracks"— meaning songs he likely looked up — include the well-known "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy Elliot, "Make Me Feel Your Love," by Adele, and "Vivir Mi Vida" from Marc Anthony. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) included the song "I'm a Mess" from Ed Sheeran on her "In love" playlist on the account that bears her name. Coinsbase CEO Brian Armstrong has a playlist called "Repeat" that is the song "Long Way Home" by Gareth Emery saved 60 times. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a major classic rock fan with hisonly public playlistfeaturing iconic songs "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, "Southern Nights" from the rhinestone cowboy Glen Campbell, and The Charlie Daniels Band's  "The Devil Went Down To Georgia."

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July 31, 2025

The ‘Panama Playlists’ leak claims to expose Spotify accounts of JD Vance, Pam Bondi and a slew of other pols and CEOs

The 'Panama Playlists' leak claims to expose Spotify accounts of JD Vance, Pam Bondi and a slew of other pols and CEOs Vice Presiden...

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Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows

Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effort Wednesday from Sen.Bernie Sandersto block the sale ofU.S. bombs and firearms to Israel, though the vote showed a growing number of Democrats opposed to the arms sales amidwidespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, hasrepeatedly tried to block the saleof offensive weapons to Israel over the last year. The resolutions before the Senate on Tuesday would have stopped the sale of $675 million in bombs as well as shipments of 20,000 automatic assault rifles to Israel. They again failed to gain passage, but 27 Democrats — more than half the caucus — voted for the resolution that applied to assault rifles, and 24 voted for the resolution that applied to bomb sales. It was more than any of Sanders' previous efforts, which at ahigh mark in November last yeargained 18 votes from Democrats. The vote tally showed how the images of starvation emerging from Gaza are creating a growing schism in what has traditionally been overwhelming support for Israel from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Sanders said Democrats are responding to "a significant majority of the American people who are tired of spending billions and billions of dollars on an Israeli government which is currently starving children to death." As the war approaches its second year, the leading international authority on food crises said this week that a "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in theGazaStrip." International pressure, including from PresidentDonald Trump, has led Israel toannounce measures, including daily humanitarian pauses in fighting in parts of Gaza and airdrops. But the U.N. and Palestinians on the ground say little has changed, and desperate crowds continue to overwhelm delivery trucks. The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, argued that Hamas was to blame both for the conflict and the current situation in Gaza. All Republican senators voted against Sanders' resolutions. "They use the people of Gaza as human shields, and they steal the food that the people of Gaza need," Risch said. "It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed." Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measures would have had to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking arms sales with the joint resolutions. Democratic senators spent an hour on Wednesday evening with a series of floor speeches calling attention to the children who have starved to death in Gaza. They are alsocalling on the Trump Administration to recalibrateits approach to the conflict, including a large-scale expansion of aid into Gaza channeled through organizations experienced working in the area. Senate Democratic LeaderChuck Schumersaid in a statement following the vote that the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "have a responsibility to urgently" surge food and other aid into Gaza. Still, he voted against the resolution. "I have also long held that security assistance to Israel is not about any one government but about our support for the Israeli people," said Schumer, a New York Democrat. Other senior Democrats were breaking from that standard. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who voted against similar resolutions from Sanders in the past, voted in support of the legislation this time. "As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy," she said in a statement. Another Democrat, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, said it was still "painful" to support the resolution. "For many of us who have devoted our congressional careers to supporting Israel, standing by them through difficult times, it is impossible to really explain or defend what is going on today," Durbin said. "Gaza is starving and dying because of the policies of Bibi Netanyahu." ___

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July 31, 2025

Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows

Senate rejects bid to halt sale of bombs and rifles to Israel, but Democratic opposition grows WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effo...

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All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore

All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore

WASHINGTON (AP) — Imagine getting the day off work forDonald Trump'sbirthday. Receiving a $100 bill withDonald Trump's portrait on it. Touching down at Donald J. Trump International Airport near the nation's capital. And taking in a show at the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts. All would be possible under a flurry of bills Republican lawmakers have sponsored this year. Trump is six months into his second term, but some Republicans are ready to elevate him into the pantheon of American greats, proposing an ever-growing list of bills paying tribute well before his second term ends. One lawmaker even proposes carving his face intoMount Rushmore. It's a legislative exercise mixing flattery and politics, providing another stark reminder of the Republican Party's transformation under Trump as lawmakers from red-leaning states and congressional districts look for ways to win the president's good graces — and stay close to his supporters. Doug Heye, a Republican strategist who served as communications director ofthe Republican National Committee, said the bills have an important audience despite their seeming frivolity. "This is more about one person," Heye said. "It's not, 'Hey, voters, look what I'm trying to do for Donald.' It's, 'Hey, Donald, look what I'm trying to do for you.'" No time to waste House Republicans moved quickly to honor Trump after his second term began. The bill to rename Dulles International Airport in Virginia after Trump was introduced 72 hours afterhis swearing-in. "Best president in my lifetime," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Addison McDowell of North Carolina. "And I can't think of a better way to honor somebody than to cement their place in history by naming an international airport in our nation's capital after him." Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas waited a few more weeks before sponsoring his bill to put Trump on the $100 bill, which now features Benjamin Franklin. His legislation stated no $100 bill printed after Dec. 31, 2028, could be printed without Trump's portrait on the front, even though federal law bans living figures from being placed on U.S. currency. That law, enacted just after the Civil War, was intended to avoid the appearance of a monarchy. Another proposal from Rep. Greg Steube of Florida would rename Washington's subway system the Trump Train. There's also a bill from Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York combiningTrump's birthdaywith Flag Day to designate June 14 a federal holiday. Perhaps the most daring idea comes from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who wants the Interior Department secretary to arrange for Trump's likeness to be carved into Mount Rushmore alongside Washington, Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. She has two models of it in her office. Luna said throughtwo assassination attemptsand a "sham impeachment," Trump has "shown not just resiliency in character but also to have been able to do what no other president has been able to accomplish." Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina admits he wasn't enamored with Trump at first. Now, Wilson carries a pamphlet he gives to colleagues asking them to sponsor a bill that would direct the Bureau of Printing and Engraving to design and print a $250 bill bearing Trump's image. The honor would coincide withthe 250th anniversaryof the United States declaring its independence. "I believe the president has served in a such a manner that he deserves it," Wilson said. It's not just a few random Republicans taking part. In the GOP's tax cut and immigration law, leadership changed the name of a newsavings accountfor children from "MAGA accounts" to"Trump accounts." "Because Trump is a transformational leader and he advocated for them," Rep. Jason Smith, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said of the name change. The Nobel Peace Prize Several lawmakers are also talking Trump up as someone who should winthe Nobel Peace Prize. As a candidate, Trump promised he wouldend the Russia-Ukraine war on his first dayin office before saying later as president he was joking. Solving that conflict and Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has eluded Trump. But Republicans — and at least one foreign leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — are still proposing Trump receive the prize. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio has called on the Senate to nominate Trump, while Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee asked her social media followers to share her post if they agree he deserves it. Tenney recently wrote on X she has nominated Trump twice and will continue to do so until he's awarded the prize. Honoring Melania Trump, too An appropriations bill making its way through the House includes an amendment from Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho that would name the Opera House at the Kennedy Center forfirst lady Melania Trump. Simpson said the White House didn't know about the amendment until it was introduced. He said the effort is different from renaming Dulles Airport in Trump's honor because the theater isn't currently named after anyone. "She's just been a supporter of the arts, always has been, and we're trying to keep the arts alive in this bill," Simpson said. "So we thought it was the appropriate thing to do." Smart politics For many Republicans, lauding Trump in legislation is simply smart politics. Trump's endorsement helped catapult many lawmakers into elected office, and his support could be helpful as individual members try to get their priorities into law. Plus, Trump wields his endorsement aggressively to replace membershe finds disloyaland reward allies. He's already endorsed Gill and Luna for reelection in 2026, calling them "MAGA Warriors." But the power of a Trump endorsement extends beyond the primary, especially in the midterm elections. "In the general election, they just send a signal to Trump voters to turn out, to trust somebody and vote for them," said Steve Stivers, former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Democrats have taken note of the flurry of Trump tributes, seeing it as a chance to portray a pliant Republican majority as being focused on placating Trump rather than helping Americans. "House Republicans continue to embarrass themselves," said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. "These people are sycophants."

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July 31, 2025

All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore

All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore WASHINGTON (AP) — Imagine getting the day off work forDon...

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More Trump administration figures who met Laura Loomer’s ire are out. A look at her influence

More Trump administration figures who met Laura Loomer's ire are out. A look at her influence

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — PresidentDonald Trumphas downplayed the influence ofLaura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur known for her incendiary social media presence, in his administration's decision-making. But the list of administration officials who have drawn Loomer's ire and swiftly thereafter gotten the axe fromDonald Trumphas been growing. Among the latest is Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration's polarizing vaccine chief, whoannounced this week he was leaving the agencyafter a brief tenure that drew the ire of biotech executives, patient groups and conservative allies of Trump. Prasad had recently become a target of right-wing activists, including Loomer, who flagged Prasad's past statements criticizing Trump and praising liberal independent Sen.Bernie Sanders. On Wednesday, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll directed the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to removeJen Easterly, a newly announced hire who led the nation's cybersecurity agency under PresidentJoe Biden, shortly after Loomer criticized her. Loomer, who has publicly encouraged Trump to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the "Make America Great Again" agenda, has taken credit for some of the ousters, tearing into some of Trump's allies and advisers and calling out what she calls a "vetting crisis" within the White House. Trump, meanwhile, has long praised Loomer while distancing himself at times from her most controversial comments and downplaying her direct impact on his choices. Here's a rundown on connections between Loomer's criticism and Trump administration departures: Vocal opposition to Health and Human Services appointees Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Prasad was ousted following several recent controversies. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters. Last week, Loomer posted on X of Prasad, "How did this Trump-hating Bernie Bro get into the Trump admin???" Prasad did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday morning. Hejoined the FDAin May after years as an academic researcher at theUniversity of California, San Francisco, where he frequently criticized the FDA's approach to drug approvals and COVID-19 vaccines. Loomer was also vocal in opposition to Trump's first choice for surgeon general, whose selection was ultimately withdrawn. Trumppulled the nominationof former Fox News medical contributorJanette Nesheiwatjust before Senate confirmation hearings in May. Loomer had posted on X that "we can't have a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case and who didn't go to medical school in the US" as the surgeon general. Criticism for 'Biden holdovers' Driscoll's directive thatWest Point remove Easterly, sharedon X, came just a day after she was announced as the Robert F. McDermott Distinguished Chair in West Point's social sciences department. Easterly had served as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA,facing harsh criticismfrom Republicans who argued that her work to counter misinformation about elections and the COVID-19 pandemic amounted to censorship. On Tuesday, Loomer posted on X about Easterly's new role at West Point, saying "Biden holdovers" at the Defense Department were "undermining" Trump's administration. Prompting departures at the National Security Council On April 3, Loomer presented "research findings" to Trump, Vice PresidentJD Vance, chief of staffSusie Wilesand others including then-national security adviserMike Waltz, during an Oval Office meeting, according to people speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. A day later, Trumpsaid he had fired"some" White HouseNational Security Councilofficials, downplaying Loomer's influence on the moves. Thedepartures includedthe director of the National Security Agency, Air ForceGen. Tim Haugh, who also oversaw the Pentagon's Cyber Command, along with Haugh's civilian deputy at the NSA, Wendy Noble. When reached for comment, Loomer referred The Associated Press to an X post, saying she was not going to divulge any details about her Oval Office meeting with Trump "out of respect" for the president. In a subsequent X post, Loomer appeared to take credit for the firings, writing, "You know how you know the NSC officials I reported to President Trump are disloyal people who have played a role in sabotaging Donald Trump?" She noted, "the fired officials" were being defended by Trump critics on CNN and MSNBC. Loomer called for Waltz's ouster in the weeks following revelations he had mistakenly added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration — he wasultimately nominatedas United Nations ambassador — she appeared to take credit, writing "SCALP" in an X post. A 'pressure campaign' targeting the Justice Department Adam Schleifer, an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, received an email in March saying he was being terminated "on behalf of President Donald J. Trump," according to a person familiar with the matter. The email came exactly an hour after Loomer called for him to be fired in a social media post that highlighted Schleifer's past critical comments about Trump while Schleifer was running in a Democratic primary for a congressional seat in New York. Earlier this month, Loomer took a victory lap after the Justice Department firedMaurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who worked on the cases againstSean "Diddy" CombsandJeffrey Epstein, three people familiar with the matter told The AP. Comey's ouster, Loomer said on X, followed her two-month "pressure campaign." Has Loomer spoken out about others? Yes, chief among them Attorney GeneralPam Bondi. Loomer has called for Bondi's resignation over failure to keep promises to release more files from the Justice Department's sex trafficking investigation of Epstein, branding her a "total liar." Earlier this month, following DOJ's revelations thatno Epstein "client list" existedand no more files would be released, Loomer posted on X that she was told that FBI Deputy DirectorDan Bonginowas "seriously thinking about resigning" amid his ongoing clashes with Bondi over the case. Weeks later, both Bondi and Bongino were still on the job. What has Trump said about Loomer's role? In April, Trump denied that Loomer had anything to do with aides being ousted from their jobs at the National Security Council, calling her a "very good patriot and a very strong person" who only made recommendations. "Sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody," Trump said then, adding: "She's usually very constructive. She recommended certain people for jobs." Loomer was seen traveling with Trump during last year's campaign,accompanying himon a trip to New York and Pennsylvania as he commemorated the 9/11 attacks. She also traveled with Trump to Philadelphia for a debate against then-Vice PresidentKamala Harris. Loomer said she never officially joined the campaign after Trump's allies preferred he would keep his distance. After a Harris-related post on Xin which Loomer played on racist stereotypes, Trump called Loomer "a supporter of mine" with "strong opinions," but denied knowledge of her comments. He later posted on his Truth Social account that he disagreed with what she had said. ___ Kinnard can be reached athttp://x.com/MegKinnardAP.

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July 31, 2025

More Trump administration figures who met Laura Loomer’s ire are out. A look at her influence

More Trump administration figures who met Laura Loomer's ire are out. A look at her influence COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — PresidentDonald Trum...

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Senate confirms Trump's pick for counterterrorism agency, a former Green Beret with extremist ties

Senate confirms Trump's pick for counterterrorism agency, a former Green Beret with extremist ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirmed PresidentDonald Trump'spick to lead the National Counterterrorism Center,Joe Kent, on Wednesday evening as Republicans looked past his connections to right-wing extremists and support for conspiracy theories about theJan. 6, 2021, riotat the U.S. Capitol. Kent won confirmation on a 52-44 vote tally with Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina the only Republican nay vote. Kent had already been working for Director of National IntelligenceTulsi Gabbard. As the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, he will oversee an agency tasked with analyzing and detecting terrorist threats. In the role, he plans to devote agency resources to targeting Latin American gangs and other criminal groups tied to migration. He is the latestDonald Trumployalist to win Senate confirmation to the upper echelons of U.S. national security leadership at a time whenTrump is stretching his presidential wartime powersto accomplish his goals. "President Trump is committed to identifying these cartels and these violent gang members and making sure that we locate them and that we get them out of our country," Kent said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in April. Kent enters the top role at the counterterrorism center after twounsuccessful campaigns for Congressin Washington state, as well as a military career that saw him deployed 11 times as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA. His first wife, a Navy cryptologist, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2019 while fighting the Islamic State group in Syria. Yet Democrats strongly opposed his confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself froma conspiracy theory that federal agents had somehow instigatedthe Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well asfalse claims that Trump won the 2020 electionover President Joe Biden. Democrats grilled him on his participation in agroup chat on Signalthat was used by Trump's national security team todiscuss sensitive military plans. They also raised grave concerns over a recent incident where Kent, as Gabbard's chief of staff, told an intelligence analyst to revise an assessment of the relationship between the Venezuelan government and a transnational gang. The revisions supported Trump's assertions that members of the gang could be removed under the Alien Enemies Act — a wartime provision. Democrats said it showed Kent cannot be trusted to handle some of the nation's most important and sensitive intelligence. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said any counterterrorism director "must be trusted to tell the truth and to uphold the core principles of the intelligence community: Objectivity, nonpartisanship and fidelity to fact." "Unfortunately, Mr. Kent has shown time and again that he cannot meet the standard," Warner added. Still, Republicans have praised his counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience. Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent "has dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe." ___ This story has corrected the vote tally. A previous version of this story said that it was 53-44. Kent was confirmed by a 52-44 vote tally.

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July 31, 2025

Senate confirms Trump's pick for counterterrorism agency, a former Green Beret with extremist ties

Senate confirms Trump's pick for counterterrorism agency, a former Green Beret with extremist ties WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate confirme...

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