The story is updated on Nov. 18, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
In San Francisco, the real news is so strange that satire can be a challenge. That hasn’t stopped “The Pseutro,” an anonymous, extremely fake journalism project on Instagram, from putting out a trial balloon.
“Beya Alcaraz resigns from D4 post to focus on congressional campaign,” one headline reads.
“Mayor Daniel Lurie takes the first “L” of his administration” reads another. While an up-on-the-news reader would understand the reference to Lurie’s first major public failure, appointing Alcaraz only to see her resign a week later, the graphic shows Lurie on a Muni bus.
When reached by the phone, the account owner of “The Pseutro” told Mission Local that he “would like to remain eponymous” by going by the name “Pseutro.”
Pseutro said he has always loved making jokes and making people laugh. This project, he said, was inspired by recent news in San Francisco, including the failed D4 appointment. And the goal is for people to have a laugh and then come away with a little more curiosity about local politics and policies. It is also supposed to help San Franciscans “stay engaged instead of feeling burnt out” by the news cycles, he added.
This is not Pseutro’s first go at this type of Onion-style writing, he said. He recalled that back in college, he would make fake headlines on his college’s meme page and those “did really well.”
In the few days since it’s been in operation the satirical site has been on top of the latest city scandals and well-versed in local politics.
“Misinterpreting federal “anti-woke” DOT policies,” reads one post. “Muni driver is no longer awake” — a riff on recently released SFMTA footage showing a Muni operator apparently dozing while piloting the N-Judah.
“Sup. Fielder calls for investigation into Tamagotchi after beloved virtual pet dies,” reads another, in reference to Fielder’s response to the tragic Waymo-inflicted death of legendary 16th street bodega cat KitKat.
“The Pseutro,” — whose logo is a cartoony riff on the city’s landmark Sutro Tower — is just a test run for now (the first post is dated Nov. 15). But as long as he has time outside of work to keep up with the posting, Pseutro plans to continue. He said he welcomes news tips — anyone can just drop him a message on Instagram.
In the meantime, The Pseutro’s growing readership appears to be welcoming the opportunity to indulge in a little satire. In five days since its launch, the account has gained 361 followers.
As one comment on the L-Taraval story put it — “Let’s go, San Francisco!” itself a riff on the exact — catchphrase that Lurie always uses to end his social media videos.
Pseutro said San Francisco politics has a lot of “different camps” and to him, it is funny to see people he doesn’t agree with at all reshare his posts.
“Satire helps people see issues from another angle,” Pseutro said. “It highlights an element of truth we might otherwise miss.”
“And most importantly,” he added. “[it] gives us a way to get through the crazy of it all without losing our minds!”
I like the idea but I don’t do Instagram because I don’t support fascists.
Get replatformed asap.
❖ Golly, Sutro Tower as a middle finger. How cutting-edge. I can tell we’re in for a cavalcade of sublime humor.
Suddenly opposed to a little cutesy tchotchke iconography. ❖Golly.❖
When anyone else is cutesy it’s a problem for him.
Isn’t satire supposed to be clever?
I mean, come one. First off, it’s not a site, it’s an Instagram page with 5 posts. I have no idea why you’re showcasing it, unless you made it.
Also from the tone, it reads a little more Babylon Bee than Onion. But tell me, is this a Moritz project, or is it Tan?
I rather buy a Tabloid with crap on it. Does not sound funny at all or even sarcastic..attention seekers.
Definitely got a few chuckles from me.
Save room on the L train for Mission Local commenters!