Yashar Ali

Los Angeles magazine published a lengthy profile of Yashar Ali known for both his eccentric, seemingly ever-present Twitter personality and his major scoops on the misdeeds of powerful public figures like Les Moonves, Eric Garcetti, and Sharon Osbourne. Much of the piece details Ali’s journalistic pursuits, his past as an adviser to now California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ali has risen to a powerful perch as one of the most influential digital-media figures, commanding a massive Twitter following of nearly 750,000 users, publicly befriending and defending major celebrities, and routinely finding himself at the center of high-profile stories. Most recently, in October 2020, Ali personally accused Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s aide Rick Jacobs of sexual harassment. Ali has effectively “canceled” stars like former talk-show host Sharon Osbourne and food writer Alison Roman. A questionable relationship from Ali’s past, according to the magazine, was with Susie Tompkins Buell, a California entrepreneur and major Democratic party donor. Buell’s close relationship with Ali was well-known—she spoke to reporters about her fondness for him in 2017. confidantes grew suspicious of Ali’s role in pushing Buell to auction off expensive art, for which he received a commission. Buell’s family was also reportedly upset when he left sensitive financial documents in Newsom’s office in 2016. Ali also ran afoul of Ariadne Getty, a philanthropist and Getty family heiress. While Ali was once a friend of Getty’s, Los Angeles magazine reports that the relationship soured and Getty eventually filed a civil suit against him when he borrowed money from her eventually totaling $179,000, which the magazine said he has not paid back.