Former Scientologist turned consultant with a Masters in coercive control, I research & expose predators & high control groups. Author, YouTuber & podcaster.
"It's chaos, be kind."
When in doubt, these words will carry you through.
No one is having an easy time of it. Everyone is crippled with self-doubt, ego and false information. They are doing their best.
When you can, try to help them out.
What is broken with Twitter now that when you click on a tweet to respond to it, you end up on the person's profile page?
What else is broken under the hood here that we don't know about?
Elon is actively destroying this platform faster than I can keep up with his bullshit.
As
@TonyOrtega94
just posted, this is HUGE.
A major celebrity, second gen former Scientologist who just happens to be Elvis Presley's daughter is willing to testify the Church of Scientology ordered her to obstruct justice and she did.
Scientology is as criminal as you think.
BREAKING: We heard in the
#DannyMastersonTrial
that Lisa Marie Presley can testify she was used by
#Scientology
to obstruct justice and dissuade Jane Doe 1 from going to the LAPD. But she was so concerned about her own exposure she planned to take the 5th until granted immunity.
For us ex-members, the
@dannymasterson
sentencing is not just a guy going to jail.
It's a victory - for once! - over the destructive, abusive cult that is the Church of Scientology.
It tried with everything it had to stop this and it couldn't.
Eat it Scientology. Choke on it.
I've got some major news we've been keeping in the bag for a few days.
Tomorrow morning I'm dropping an interview with me,
@TonyOrtega94
and the Jury Foreman on the Danny Masterson trial.
Forget everything you think you know about this trial. Tomorrow you get the answers.
Tina Turner has passed and I almost have no words. It's like when Bowie or Prince died. It's the end of a legend, an individual who was such a game-changer and had so much influence across so many spheres.
She was simply the best.
The impact Tina Turner had on music and performing can't be overstated.
From Beyoncé to Mick Jagger, so much started with her.
But as someone who has spoken to many women who survived violence in different forms, I can't tell you how often Tina Turner came up as an inspiration.
Today's my birthday. I'm 53 years young and all I can think is how incredibly lucky I am to have the life I have now. Nothing is ever perfect but to be honest, my family is pretty damn close. If you have that, believe me you have almost everything that actually matters.
Tony's reporting of this entire thing, from the first trial to now, has been simply magnificent. No one else has been on-site to give the blow-by-blow or break it down the way he has and I, for one, appreciate what he does.
Six years and three months after we first broke the news that the LAPD was investigating Danny Masterson, the 'That '70s Show' actor was taken into custody this afternoon after a jury found him guilty of two counts of forcible rape. He is facing 30 years to life in prison.
I am so happy for the victims, for the supporters, for everyone involved in this. And believe me, these verdicts are going to have impact on future prosecutions of Scientology.
I had anticipated the worst and I'm shaking with relief right now. They got him. He's going to jail.
Yashar makes a great point.
I wouldn't want to be in the same building as Miscavige right now. Tom Cruise is very likely shitting his pants as well, as probably are some other Scientology celebrities who have benefited from their VIP status to have Scn cover up their crimes.
That sound you're hearing is David Miscavige having a nervous breakdown.
Praying for the Sea Org members (Scientology's paramilitary workforce) around him right now as they are going to face even more abuse than usual over the coming days, weeks, months.
This. Simply ignore them.
I can tell you from personal experience NOTHING will be a more effective way to make the Scientologists start thinking about what they are doing than to have every single person they encounter turn and walk/run away from them.
If you’re at the Super Bowl please be aware that people wearing these T-shirts are Scientologists who will try to recruit you.
Please don’t harass them or even be mean to them…just stay clear.
Remember, they’ve been brainwashed and trained for years on how to recruit people.
This is a huge deal.
Like, it really is. It is proof positive the UK government, despite its many flaws and shortcomings, can still see Scientology for the profit-making scam that it is.
I wish I could say that of the US government.
The UK Charity Commission has today confirmed its decision to refuse Scientology tax exempt status cannot now be appealed, upholding its view that "the Church of Scientology is not established for the public benefit"
By the end of today, Tom Cruise and David Miscavige will have dig up any and all dirt there is on Jerrod Carmichael. Maybe tomorrow but more likely in three months or so, let's see if Carmichael has any unwanted surprises in his life. They are patient and they never forget.
My heart and my very best wishes go out to
@MikeRinder
for success in his fight. He is a brave and determined soul and I have every confidence he will beat this thing.
My friends
@MikeRinder
and his wife Christie have shared some important and heartbreaking news. Mike has been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer.
Mike is my rock. He was the one I called while I was still in Scientology, harboring doubts and concerns. Mike was the first
Well check this out.
Miscavige, you been served!
No more running, no more hiding, no more BS. He's now a named, recognized defendant in the human rights/trafficking lawsuit in Florida.
This is truly good news. Now for the next hurdle in the case: getting rid of arbitration.
'The court finds that Miscavige has been properly served' says the order issued this afternoon which granted in part, and denied in part, the motion that plaintiffs in the Baxter v
#Scientology
labor trafficking lawsuit had filed. Miscavige now has 21 days to answer the suit.
Cults rob you of any self-awareness.
Scientology OSA bots are attacking critics on Twitter now. Every single tweet from "Ingrid" and the others only prove everything we've claimed about them, yet they keep going, blissfully unaware we are only laughing at them.
It's incredible.
You'll understand people a lot better when you realize God is a simple answer to incredibly complex questions which most people do not have the capacity and/or desire to think deeply about. They'll fight you rather than be forced to think about it because it's easier to fight.
Watch this space.
@TonyOrtega94
and I are going live later today to discuss what it was like in the courtroom, the Masterson verdict and the consequences of it. I'm not pre-scheduling it - we'll just go live as soon as we're both ready. See you soon.
@JNTHN_LCKWD
@elonmusk
@yashar
@LeahRemini
Yet, every word he wrote is true and you actually know that, or should.
I was a Scientologist for 34 years, a Sea Org member for 17. I've done more work for Scientology than you can imagine doing in your entire life. I got out because I was a slave.
Yashar is nailing it here.
It was about 10 years ago today, if memory serves, that I was informed by phone call that I was now a declared Suppressive Person by the Church of Scientology.
Ten years ago that my old life officially died and this one began. It's been a wild ride and it's not over yet.
Sorry if this bothers some of you, but if painting was hanging in any dentist or doctor's office I went into, I'd RUN out of there.
I want my medical professionals to be quite sure that they are the ones guiding their own hands, not some fictional deity.
Told you guys.
This whole GOP effort comes straight out of L. Ron Hubbard's cult playbook.
Really not sure how else to warn you. If you don't listen, that's on you. I'm not kidding. The GOP is literally falling for Scientology now.
@mfstern
@ThugLifeSocial
@MattWallace888
Dude. Please read up on Edison. He was renowned in his own time for being one of the worst thieves and pillagers of others' works the world has ever known. The comparison to Musk is perfect.
I really hope all the people who keep asking me how and why Scientology is not being prosecuted for its numerous crimes are paying attention. This trial shows exactly how hard it is because this isn't an episode of Law & Order. Real law is confusing and sometimes kind of nuts.
The jury in the
#DannyMastersonTrial
has asked for a read-back of testimony which brings up some tricky definitions of sex crimes. What they won't hear is a stunningly vile statement about that issue which Masterson's attorney made the week before the trial began.
As an ex-Sea Org member, it's very difficult and even frustrating to see Scientology be talked about on the stand and see that it comes off bad but you know there are 20 more levels of awful below that which they aren't being allowed to talk about and which the jury should hear.
"The law can be used easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the thin edge anyway...will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly." - L. Ron Hubbard's policy to deal with Scientology critics.
UPDATE: Judge Barber has granted Miscavige’s request, and the
#Scientology
leader can put off answering the lawsuit itself until his objections to the ruling naming him a defendant can be heard. Isn’t American justice grand?
There are few stories that encapsulate EVERYTHING that is wrong about Scientology. The tragic and totally preventable death of Lisa McPherson is one such story, maybe the best one in Scientology's history. It's a story that epitomizes why we keep fighting back.
#NeverForget
We want to warn you the
#Scientology
story we’re reprinting today is very disturbing. December 5 marks the 27th anniversary of Lisa McPherson's final day on earth, and we are reproducing the culminating piece of our series about her which we published seven years ago.
Damn. Everywhere I look, these guys are getting dragged and rightfully so.
You know who's name wasn't in the list of people writing letters for Danny?
Laura Prepon.
I think there's a story there. Probably a big one.
Ashton Kutcher and wife Mila Kunis need to do some serious soul searching, with regards to the support letters they sent to the court, in an attempt to reduce rapist, Danny Masterson’s prison term. I’d like to see Rachel Maddow interview them. Their reply video was weak sauce.
This is while Leah is literally suing this "church" for doing this.
Scientology is evil under almost any definition you care to use. It is a criminal operation disguised as a religion.
It must be stopped. Not tolerated or left alone. It must be stopped.
On X (Twitter), there are hundreds of official Scientology accounts and Scientology-controlled accounts. These accounts have been used to stalk and harass me, along with other survivors, whistleblowers, advocates, journalists, and anyone else Scientology has declared their
Absolutely insane story today about how Scientology will come after you and get you fired for telling a joke about them. Turns out psychopath organizations run by brutal dictators don't have a sense of humor. Who knew?
Film critic Brian Walton says he was encouraged about his new job because his bosses said they were getting away from clickbait and moving toward being truth-tellers. But when he mentioned
#Scientology
in a Tom Cruise movie review, the church squawked and Brian was out of a job.
The number of people now stepping up and saying what happened to them at the hands of Scientology has never been higher which means awareness of this cultic abuse has never been higher. This story is amazing. Please read it. You'll see what I mean.
This weekend Leah Remini & Yashar Ali posted the 1st online photo of Julian Swartz, the notorious
#Scientology
enforcer in a day-care scandal we wrote about in 2015, featuring a woman we named Ellen. Now, Ellen tells us she has made a big decision: It's time to identify herself.
And now we wait.
Either way, Scientology doesn't come out on top here. They've been shown in this trial to be a destructive cult and the civil trial is only going to make things worse for them.
But enough is enough for the victims. Masterson needs to go down.
And that's it! Deputy DA Mueller finishes his final closing argument, and the jury now has the case at the
#DannyMastersonTrial
. The jury went to the jury room to deliberate, but with only about 45 minutes to the end of the court day.
Judge Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life after dismantling his defense.
"Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person's choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago today were criminal, and that's why you are here."
The Scientologists have finally decided to have some kind of presence here and what do they do with it?
Show their true face, that's what. It's amazing how they can't help but be awful in every venue they show up in. They just can't stop themselves.
The desperation is clear.
This is a travesty, as the Church of Scientology continues to corrupt the legal system so they maintain complete control of anyone trying to get justice for the crimes Scientology committed against them.
The justice system often enables cults and this is another example of it.
BREAKING: District Judge Thomas Barber has denied
#Scientology
leader David Miscavige's objection to being served in a labor trafficking lawsuit filed in Tampa, but the judge has GRANTED Scientology's motion to force the case into its own internal "religious arbitration."
Today we find out how the Church of Scientology got hold of the Masterson discovery materials. Someone's going to be in trouble, but how much?
Considering what Scientology is actually DOING with this material (stalking Masterson's victims), I hope for more than a monetary fine.
While Danny Masterson sits in jail awaiting sentencing, there's a strange matter to resolve that came out of his retrial: This morning, Judge Charlaine Olmedo will get to the bottom of who leaked the prosecution's highly sensitive evidence to the Church of
#Scientology
.
Having ADHD paralysis is like pushing back against a tidal wave. There can be hours or even days where one part of your brain is saying "Go!" while another part is overpowering your will and preventing you from "going" anywhere no matter how much you want to.
This is tragic and very sad. What it shows beyond any shadow of a doubt is that Scientology is not the solution to depression or anxiety and there is no real help to be found in auditing or Hubbard's nonsensical pseudoscience. Avoid Scientology like the plague it is.
Brace yourself for a very disturbing story that comes from official police reports, the death of an OT 8 who may have been looking in vain to
#Scientology
for answers to her depression and physical pain.
If you have ANY interest in Scientology, its background and what it's really all about, I can't recommend enough that you order this now.
If there is anyone who knows this subject front to back, it's
@MikeRinder
.
I have finally written a book. Coming on 27 September. See details at
@simonschuster
website with links to pre-order on Amazon, B&N etc.
#ABillionYears
Scientology is ALWAYS worse than you think.
New children's courses are coming. Oh...joy. New ways to indoctrinate the 3rd and 4th gens in the awful that is L. Ron Hubbard.
I was one of these kids. My life is not better for it.
[pic from
@MikeRinder
's blog article today]
The best news we've heard all week.
@MikeRinder
is one of the good ones. It's not his time yet. I didn't approve any CSW for him to leave yet! (I can't be the only one who has made that joke).
A window was opened yesterday to just a bit of the stalking that Scientology will spend literally millions of tax-exempt dollars paying for, all to intimidate victims into silence so the church can continue its criminal operations. We know they do this and now the jury does too.
Yesterday's cross-examination of Jane Doe 3 in the
#DannyMastersonTrial
included a stunning moment when she said a 2007 email by her to Masterson about his then-new bride Bijou Phillips had been altered. This opened the door to hacking claims by the DA. Was it a defense blunder?
We know for a fact the LAPD has been corrupted by Scientology's influence.
They made a dog's breakfast out of the initial investigation and didn't give Masterson's victims a fair shake. I don't even care why, them's the facts.
The LAPD cannot be trusted to deal with any cult.
Jane Doe 3 finished up her direct examination at the
#DannyMastersonRetrial
with stunning allegations about the first LAPD detective on the case, and her reasons for contacting the FBI. Cross-examination of her just started, and will continue after the lunch break.
Never at any time in history were the people who burned books the good guys.
Not once. Not even that one time you think it was an exception. It wasn't.
The effort to forbid people to read or see knowledge is always one of unjustified control.
Scientology hidden fact: Psychiatrists are actually an ancient race of evil beings from the planet Farsec who have had it in for every living thing for literally millions of years, creeping around the galaxy and destroying civilizations and beings wherever they can.
Waking up this morning to see Lisa Marie's death already being jumped on for anti-vax rhetoric and I can't even.
Just stop it, you damn fools. You're already utterly clueless. No reason to drag the Presley family into your BS.
"Major implications" is the understatement of the century, but still perfectly worded.
If Scientology was considered toxic before, it's a complete dumpster fire of awful now.
It's now a legal fact that Scientology covered up numerous sexual assaults. They'll never escape this.
A trial and conviction with major implications for Scientology
"Two of the women said they waited more than a decade to come forward because (Scientology) officials discouraged them from contacting law enforcement..."
Something not discussed enough openly in the ex-cult world is that some cult victims don't recover. Some people are driven to a point where they cannot reconnect with reality like before, so they have to stay in the cult mindset.
This is a real thing.
THIS IS AWESOME!
This means the cult apologists (Masimo Introvigne and his bought-and-paid-for crew of mercenary academics) lost in their efforts and the JWs are not a religion in Norway. This is serious progress forward on in the cult fight. I hope you'll check this out.
Breaking!!
The verdict is out!
Norway vs Jehovah's Witnesses 1-0
Full victory for us!
JW are deregistered in Norway at this moment, they lost completely and are also ordered to pay the State $25K to cover their expenses.
I will expand this in a minute when I read through 🧵
This is a picture of the surface of Venus, I believe one of the most expensive photos ever taken since the probe that took it was sent just to do this (and a few other things) and then die. Simply amazing shot.
And no trains. 😳🤪
@grcastleberry
There is literally not one piece of actual evidence of any resurrection. Not one.
It's a story and you choose to believe it despite the fact there is no evidence. That's called faith.
Please use your words better.
Holy cow! It's happening!
It's a little weird to know that all the key people in that court room watched our interview and know exactly what we think of what we went down. I truly hope the second go-round features a lot more Scientology, so crucial to understanding the case.
Here's our full report of this morning's hearing as Deputy DA Reinhold Mueller indicated that they intend to retry
#Scientology
celeb Danny Masterson, and Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied a defense motion to dismiss all charges. Trial is set to begin with jury selection March 29.
A point made repeatedly by Masterson's victims (including today's testimony) in
@TonyOrtega94
reporting is how direct and forceful he is in telling them what to do. Unusually direct.
That is Scientology training called Upper Indoc TRs. They are exercises in forceful compliance.
The only stunt I want to see this man perform is speaking out publicly against Scientology.
It would quite literally be the most dangerous thing he could ever do, far more so than these so-called "dangerous" stunts where his life was NOT really on the line at all.
I'm done discussing the Danny Masterson case or any of the factors, players or drama connected with it.
There's a time for simply removing oneself from a toxic environment. This has been made into that and I'm done feeding into that. It was never what I intended or wanted.
Scientology is always worse than you think.
The handling this woman received from her "church" was to be told she couldn't have been raped and that her "job" is to give her man sex whenever he wants because he's the breadwinner, even forcible sex while drugged.
Need I say more?
Talking about
#Scientology
's 'Suppressive Person' policy and what it would mean if she ran afoul of the church, Jane Doe 3 broke down and had a panic attack that caused a short delay at the
#DannyMastersonTrial
. More details in our report.
Take everything I've said about cult recovery. Now imagine after you got out, your cult stalks you and threatens you daily.
What force of will does it take to overcome that?
That's what Masterson's victims,
@LeahRemini
,
@MikeRinder
and thousands of others go through every day.
A very needful timeline cleanser for the day.
This is my new niece and she's just beautiful, and not quite as tiny as she looks in this pic. I don't know how they got her all bundled up like this.
@TheIMFCsocial
This is quite gross IMFC. You're actively defending sexual assault and rape under the guise of "religious freedom" and have been so conned by Scientology, you are now in a kind of Black Mirror world where you think slavery is freedom and crime is justice. It's not a good look.
I know from personal and repeated experience of covering up sexual crimes against teens in the Sea Org that this statement from Scientology is a complete lie.
When they put stuff in ALL CAPS, that's when you know they even know they're lying.
I heavily encourage everyone who reads this to please file a formal report with
@Twitter
about what
@standmonitor
and
@hatemonitor
are doing.
@LeahRemini
has done nothing wrong. This campaign by Scientology is frankly deranged and it needs to stop.
I am posting these disgusting, abusive tweets by
@standmonitor
because I want everyone to see what Scientology is really all about. NO woman deserves this treatment. Scientology calls itself “the most ethical church on the planet”. Is this ethical? We need to be outraged at this.
This story describes a parody of justice where Scientology gets to play act that they are legitimate and then whine like little babies when they are called on their bullshit and exposed for the whole world to see.
You can practically smell the desperation and helplessness.
EXCLUSIVE:
#Scientology
has finally responded to Valerie Haney's nomination of Tom Cruise as arbitrator in her dispute with the church, and it's a whiny classic all-timer of a missive!
SURPRISE!
I am interviewing
@TonyOrtega94
LIVE today at 4pm MST/6pm EST about the Danny Masterson trial and his direct observations and thoughts on that and where this is all going.
Join us and maybe your comments will make it into the interview too!
Her hips don't lie but he sure does.
I hope Shakira does her research before deciding to invest in any relationship with Tom Cruise. That is all but guaranteed to not work out well.
Apropos of nothing, I would like to remind everyone that the
@AftermathFdn
is a non-profit organization of help for ex-Scientologists who are seeking help getting their life back together and they deserve your support.
They give truly life-changing help.
@MikeRinder
@LeahRemini
It is very disturbing how the connection between the LAPD and the Church of Scientology continues and how they persist in protecting a dangerous cult rather than its victims.
Bryan Goland spent nearly 20 years with the LAPD, but he tells us he was surprised at how quickly the department answered
#Scientology
's call to have him detained Saturday when he showed up to provide security for protesters at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre.
As I was saying yesterday (and as
@TonyOrtega94
and
@MikeRinder
wrote), the Church of Scientology has a very big projection problem. They accuse
@LeahRemini
of supporting rape while the "Church" hires actual rapists to do their dirty work.
It's not ironic, it's just evil.
Yesterday we told you about a disgraced former journalist who was hired by
#Scientology
to investigate us. Today we have an update on a disgraced private eye firm that was also caught stalking us and Leah Remini for Scientology. Where does David Miscavige find these cretins?
One of these days, courts are going to wake up to the fact, not opinion, that Scientology consistently and blatantly lies without any fear of consequence to protect its ruthless dictator.
It's time Miscavige actually fear consequences.
#Scientology
leader David Miscavige had his attorney file a document this week that is such a blatant snow job on the court, we felt compelled to pull out what Dave was saying just last year in another court which proves what a liar he is.
There's more to this case than was presented. A lot more. The jury didn't get the big picture and that is what I'm hoping gets fixed in a retrial. It seems to me they may have missed the forrest for the trees.
EXCLUSIVE: One of the people who was not called to testify in the
#DannyMastersonTrial
had one of the only eyewitness accounts related to what Masterson was accused of. And we have a copy of what he would have testified to.
Just got finished recording my next podcast with the indomitable
@MikeRinder
which you all will see this Saturday. Really enjoyed this one and I'm sure you will too.
#abillionyears
#scientology
The anti-psychiatry crowd here are just as culty as Scientologists. Engaging with them is an utter waste of time. I've spent hours engaging with flat earthers who have the same anti-science energy. They don't understand science, people or much of anything really.
And here it is. A lot of folks are probably going to be pretty upset about what this man has to say. These are tough situations and this mistrial sucked. I want to see the prosecution do a lot better next time. They owe it to the victims to do so.
On November 30 the
#DannyMastersonTrial
ended with a deadlocked jury. Now, the jury foreman has agreed to an interview. What can we learn about what the prosecution might do differently in a retrial?
Danny Masterson's DJ name was DJ Donkey Punch.
Look up that term. I can't imagine how any normal human being would ever imagine that's a good name to give themselves but Masterson is apparently the guy who finds that hilarious.
It says so much about him in so few words.
This is a temporary setback in the longer war against abusive organizations like the Church of Scientology, which even after all our work exposing it, the public at large still doesn't actually understand at all. Its not about hot takes, it's about coercive control & real crimes.
Shortly after a mistrial was declared yesterday at the
#DannyMastersonTrial
, a short press conference was held and other reactions were sent to us. We've gathered those statements for you as we await more word on what's next in this years-long saga.
Let's be clear about my recent tweets about transitioning and minors. If you have a big problem with me being against children making life-long, unalterable decisions and suggesting we can do better - if that makes you think I'm a transphobe - just block me. Save me the trouble.
Just so we're all clear: I am very much pro-vaccination.
I grew up with a pediatric nurse for a mother. The FACT that vaccines work, save lives and ended polio are not disputable, any more than the moon exists is.
RFK Jr is a wingnut.
Don't anti-vaxx at me. It won't be pretty.
And another Easter shot of my niece Phoebe because my timeline needs the cleanser and because she's perhaps the most beautiful thing I've seen in a very long time.