Lucas Ropek

Staff Reporter

Lucas Ropek was previously a staff writer at Gizmodo covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency.

Lucas Ropek's posts

Photo: Brian Ach

Pro-Crypto Palantir Co-Founder Weirdly Angry About Trump’s Crypto Plan

Joe Lonsdale, who supports both Trump and crypto, smells a scam.

Cryptocurrencies Lucas Ropek Mar 4

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Congress Freaks Out Over Trump Administration’s Decision to Halt Cyber Operations Against Russia

The policy about-face seems to have left lawmakers confused and outraged.

Privacy & Security Lucas Ropek Mar 3

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signs a memorandum reversing the name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg while flying in a C-17 operated by the 300th Airlift Squadron en route to Stuttgart, Germany, Feb. 10, 2025

Trump’s Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Cyber Command to ‘Stand Down’ on All Russia Operations

Russia is not a significant cyber threat to the U.S. anymore, Trump's new Defense Secretary says.

Privacy & Security Lucas Ropek Mar 2

Money Being Given

Citigroup Briefly Makes Customer the Richest Person in History With Mistaken $81 Trillion Transfer

Unfortunately, the customer did not get to keep the money.

Tech News Lucas Ropek Feb 28

Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000.

MAGA Wants to Know: Hey Trump and Kash, Where the F*ck Are All the Epstein Docs?

Trump-world lost it on Thursday when the government didn't give them what they wanted.

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 28

Under DOGE, America’s VA Finds New Government ‘Waste’ Target: Chemotherapy for Vets

Musk's organization is truly having a divine impact on the federal government.

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 27

Image of AI-generated video depicting Donald Trump kissing the feet of Elon Musk with a text overlay that reads 'Long Live The Real King.'

Bluesky Dubs AI Video of Trump Sucking Elon Musk’s Toes ‘Non-Consensual Explicit Material’

The platform has since reinstated the videos.

Artificial Intelligence Lucas Ropek Feb 27

Elon Musk holding a cup of coffee

As DOGE Attacks Social Security, New Report Shows Elon Is One of the Government’s Biggest Beneficiaries

As his government "efficiency" initiative destabilizes Americans' federal benefits, Musk is benefiting mightily from the government.

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 26

Apple’s Dictation App Is Mistaking the Word ‘Racist’ for ‘Trump’

Apple has claimed that the bug is the result of "phonetic overlap."

Tech News Lucas Ropek Feb 26

Elon Musk meets with U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets in Mitchell Hall during a tour hosted by Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark on April 7, 2022.

Days After DOGE Lands at the Agency, the FAA Says It’s Testing Starlink Equipment in Its Systems

It's yet another sign that Elon Musk is at the center of the new Trump government.

Tech Policy Lucas Ropek Feb 25

New Crypto Platform Seeks to ‘Tokenize’ Time Itself

Time? Put it on the blockchain.

Cryptocurrencies Lucas Ropek Feb 25

Photo: Spencer Platt

Neo-Nazis Seek Bitcoin Donations as They Prepare to Return to Trump’s America

The rightwing group seeks the creation of a white ethnostate.

Crime Lucas Ropek Feb 24

The CIA Emblem

The CIA Is De-Woke-ifying Itself

America's terrifying spy agency is done with DEI.

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 23

Photo: Brandon Bell

Tesla Dealership in Oregon Gets Shot Up, Drawing FBI Scrutiny

It's unclear who vandalized the site, or why.

Crime Lucas Ropek Feb 21

Paddington In Peru Io9 Review 2

Ransomware Hackers Come for Paddington Bear

Who will save Paddington from the hackers?

Tech News Lucas Ropek Feb 21

Elon Musk

Top MAGA Lawyer Launches ‘Operation Whirlwind’ to Look Into Democrats Over ‘Threats’ Against Elon Musk

A newly appointed prosecutor wants to go after those who are spreading hostile rhetoric against "public workers."

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 20

Netflix in Trouble After Using AI to Clone Murder Victim Gabby Petito’s Voice

Another AI voice scandal is upon us.

Artificial Intelligence Lucas Ropek Feb 20

Elon Musk shaking the hand of Donald Trump in the foreground, back to the camera.

Elon’s DOGE Claimed It Saved $8 Billion. The Real Figure Was $8 Million.

Elon Musk's government "efficiency" initiative continues to be inefficient and stupid.

Tech News Lucas Ropek Feb 19

Argentina President Javier Milei outside of the Holocaust Museum

Libra Crypto Creator Reportedly Claimed He Could ‘Control’ Argentine President Javier Milei

A new report cites text messages that appear to show the crypto mogul bragging about exerting some sort of control over the Argentinian leader.

Cryptocurrencies Lucas Ropek Feb 19

Photo: Michael Ciaglo

Alleged Ringleader of Silicon Valley ‘Murder Cult’ Arrested

Who is the mysterious figure at the heart of an expansive police investigation?

Politics Lucas Ropek Feb 18

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