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Ben Shimkus

Ben Shimkus is a freelance investigative journalist. He is currently a Staff Writer at the Daily Mail

About Me

Ben (He/They) is a former professional performer and front-line service employee during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2023, he received his Master's in Journalism from NYU. 

Ben was the Automotive Staff Writer for The U.S. Sun while freelancing at several publications. He built the U.S. Sun's first car review section, complete with his reporting, filming, video editing, and production. 

He is now a consumer reporter for the Daily Mail and freelance writes for several publications, including TopSpeed, AutoBody News, and Rolling Stone.  

Author Page Links


Rolling Stone: Freelance Investigative Reporter

Daily Mail: Consumer and Automotive Staff Writer

TopSpeed: Freelance Contributor

The U.S. Sun: Motors and Consumer Staff Writer

USA Today: Freelance Automotive Contributor - Homefront 

AutoBody News: Freelance Northeast Reporter, Magazine Contributor

UPolitics: Politics Reporter

The Click (NYU): General Reporter 

Headshot by Jessica Osber

Get in Touch

Email me at: benjamin.shimkus@gmail.com

Investigative Freelance Reporting:

Rolling Stone •

'Drag Race' Star Shangela Sued for Sexual Assault in New Lawsuit

Less than a year after Rolling Stone’s investigation into former RuPaul’s Drag Race star Shangela uncovered sexual assault allegations from five accusers — along with a separate civil lawsuit settlement — the celebrity drag performer is facing their second sexual assault lawsuit.



Eric Poff, 35, who performed under adult film pseudonym Dakota Payne, filed a civil lawsuit against Darius Jeremy (“DJ”) Pierce, 44, in New York’s Supreme Court, according to documents obtained by Rolling Stone. Po...
LGBTQ Nation •

GOP candidate who called drag queens "pedophiles" caught partying with drag queens - LGBTQ Nation

As the clock ticked down to the New Year’s Eve ball drop and 2022 became 2023, dozens of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered at a black-tie event in New York City’s Hudson Yards Mall. With paid tickets required for entry, fancy-clothed guests stepped into a room with sweeping westward views of the Hudson River.Heavy bass reverberated from towering speakers as Aquaria, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10 and the night’s headline act, took the stage at 11 p.m. The famous drag queen-turned-DJ...
Rolling Stone •

Actor and Drag Star Shangela Accused of Multiple Sexual Assaults

Shangela was a breakthrough star. With her sharp-tongued retorts, viral catchphrases, and distinctive Southern accent, the gregarious Texas drag queen quickly rose to become one of RuPaul’s Drag Race’s most beloved contestants. “[It’s] like ‘Angela’ with an ‘S-H,’” she explained on the show. “The debutantess of the Deep South.”

Despite an early Season Two elimination when the queen was in her late twenties, a more polished version of the future star returned to the runway for two other installm

Car Reviews:

The US Sun •

I drove a 'superstar' electric Hyundai that's faster than a Porsche 911

BATTERY electric cars are typically great sprinters. The immediate electric throttle usually brings EVs to high speeds in a quick lurch - but they're not always faster than some of the most athletic sports cars in the world. But the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N redefines the electric crossover segment, blending manic speed, striking design, and an aggressive performance focus into a relatively family-friendly car.But let's take a step back to draw out the history of this EV. In 202...
The US Sun •

I test-drove the Corolla Cross Hybrid - it's fuel-efficient and simple inside

DRIVERS hoping to combine fuel efficiency and practicality in a small, tall daily driver should consider the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Toyota's latest cute-ute is a great value that ditches over-stimulating interiors for more tame functionality. As its name suggests, the Corolla Cross Hybrid takes the well-known Corolla sedan and transforms it into a crossover.Toyota has raised the ride height by three inches, added protective black wheel cladding around the wheel arch, and finished it off w...
The US Sun •

I drove one of the cheapest EVs - the 'Jetsens-like' sedan has sneaky storage

I DROVE an EV with pyrotechnic-level aesthetics and one of the most impressive batteries in the American market. Does that sound like a Cybertruck? Well, it wasn't, and it's likely better. The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a Jetson-like sedan with an extensive battery range.The car's relatively low price compared to the rest of the EV market makes it one of the most compelling battery-electric vehicles.That is, if you like the extremely polarizing back-end design.But let's start with the most impressi...
The US Sun •

I drove one of America's cheapest cars - it's family-friendly with hidden tricks

THE cheapest cars in America's new vehicle market are getting much larger. In The U.S. Sun's latest car review, I drove one of the family-oriented cost-savers. Drivers will find exceptional value behind the wheel of the 2025 Chevy Trax - and I think the crossover SUV has a hidden design element.Chevrolet has given the Trax a dramatic makeover. The cute-ute entered the US market in 2017 with a bulbous, unathletic look. But the second-generation models are stylish, if not a little beefy.It's longe...
The US Sun •

I test-drove discontinued Fiat 500's EV replacement - flaw restricts you in city

THE Fiat 500 is back in America, but this time, it's shocking.Fiat brought back its most iconic car to the US market after a five-year hiatus as an electric vehicle. I test-drove the 2024 Fiat 500e for eight days. It's cute as a button but I don't think the most practical use of money.Fiat discontinued the 500 from the US market in 2019 and focused on selling the vehicles in the European market. In Europe, 500e models sell like gangbusters. The company reported selling 185,000 vehicle units in t...
The US Sun •

I test-drove an attention-grabbing $75k Kia - large SUV gets to 60 mph in 4 secs

A TESLA Model Y driver sped up next to my test car on the highway, flashing a gummy smile and an enthusiastic thumbs-up at my giant EV - but I wasn't driving the headline-grabbing Cybertruck. It was an electric Kia. I test-drove the Kia EV9 for eight days. It's a modern six or seven-passenger electric SUV with dazzling good looks, exceptional tech, and great driving dynamics. Drivers around me took notice. On the first test day, I parked near my house, and someone stopped me on the street and as...
The US Sun •

My Polestar 2 test drive was dreamy - music & coffee lovers find design flaw

THE Polestar 2 is a handsome fellow with a dreamy, luxurious interior and exciting road manners. It's also a direct shot at the EV consumer-dominant Tesla Model 3. The sales pitch would be even better with a few quick tune-ups.I drove the Polestar 2 for five days and was highly impressed with its beauty, power, and usability.Polestar takes an entirely different design approach than other EV companies. From the side profile, the car looks like a sedan perched on a tall suspension and big performa...
The US Sun •

I drove the new 'Swiss Army knife' SUV with a bed that has an unexpected extra

AN icy blue pickup was perched on Manhattan streets on a drizzly day. I hopped into the SUV-like vehicle with a full-size bed, fraught with expectations - the car didn't disappoint. I drove Honda's new SportTrail trim on the Ridgeline pickup series. It's the buffest version of the cozy work tool. The Ridgeline is not a standard mid-size pickup.Most pickups are built body-on-frame, mounting a separate body onto a rigid, ladder-like chassis. The resulting truck receives a muscular, stiff ride that...

Consumer Reporting:

Mail Online •

Fury as Southwest CEO nets incredible one-day jackpot for axing perk

By BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 00:37, 14 March 2025 | Updated: 00:43, 14 March 2025 Southwest Airlines is making one of its most controversial changes in decades — and its CEO just made a fortune from the unpopular move. Southwest shocked its loyal customers by announcing it would start charging for checked bags, a major reversal for an airline that branded itself with a 'two bags fly free' for over 50 years. Investors, however, loved the move. The share p...
Mail Online •

Stock index suffers worst day since 2022 as Trump stokes fears

By BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:57, 10 March 2025 | Updated: 20:20, 12 March 2025 Wall Street kicked off the week with one of its worst day in three years, as investors wrestled with economic uncertainty and fresh turbulence from Washington.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 890 points on Monday, down over 2 percent, while the S&P 500 tumbled 2.7 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell the furthest, shedding 4 percent in the day's trading. It was the wors...
Autobody News •

As Fisker Bankruptcy Drives Up Repair Costs, Owners Spark Parts Revolution

The Fisker Ocean -- a Toyota Highlander-sized electric SUV with 350 miles of range and a base price below $40,000 -- debuted in American showrooms with mass-market appeal. The vehicle blended a well-appointed design with promises of cutting-edge tech. But after it sold more than 7,000 units in the U.S., things went awry.
Wracked by faulty technical releases, reported financial mismanagement and delivery issues, Fisker put together bankruptcy plans, which received federal approval in October. Fo...
Autobody News •

Canadian Auto Body Shop Returns Rebuilt GMC Sierra to Make-A-Wish Recipient

CSN Harold’s, a collision repair center in Edmonton, Alberta, finished one of its most important repair projects when it returned a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Heavy Duty to its 18-year-old owner in July.
Carter Laframboise, a recent high school graduate, drove the Sierra off the shop’s lot after months of repair. It was his request as part of a Make-A-Wish grant. 
Carter lives with cystic fibrosis (CF). He was diagnosed with the genetic disorder when he was 2 years old. 
Technicians, friends and fa...
The US Sun •

Retailer ripped for abruptly closing 100 stores before weddings 'ruining lives'

WEDDING guests who were turned away from a business that allegedly took their money before shutting down have filed several complaints with a state Attorney General.

In documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, customers pleaded to state officials to get money back from Dapper and Dashing, a defunct wedding supply company.

At least six customers wrote to Ohio's Attorney General Dave Yost pleading to help get their money back.

In the documents, customers begged the consumer protection agency to get
USA TODAY Homefront •

Pros and Cons of Extended Car Warranties

If your car is old and its reliability questionable, an extended car warranty may provide a cost-effective lifeline to keep it on the road longer. The coverage is available at any vehicle age or mileage, providing an extra layer of protection as your vehicle ages out of other warranty options.But not all extended warranty contracts are alike — each has its pros and cons. Some only cover basics, such as your vehicle’s engine parts, while more comprehensive options can pay for towing expenses and...
Mail Online •

Iconic chain forecasts rocky 2025 as recession fears swirl

17:14, 11 Mar 2025, updated

17:22, 11 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A department store is bracing for a challenging year ahead. It joins a growing list of retailers forecasting some cloudy skies in their 2025 sales futures.

Kohl's, the Wisconsin-based store with over 1,100 locations, has lowered its sales expectations for 2025, citing shifting consumer spending patterns.

In its latest forecast, the retailer...
The US Sun •

3 surprise fees increase home-buying payments - there are cost-cutting options

HOME ownership to many Americans is a milestone, a symbol of stability, and an investment in their future - but it is becoming increasingly cost-prohibitive. After exorbitant housing prices and high-interest rates, homeowners are fighting with post-closing costs that can add up to thousands of dollars.But experts told The U.S. Sun that home buyers can take small steps to save hundreds on their bills. Judy Dutton, the Editor of Realtor's First-Time Homebuying 101 e-book, unveiled financial burden...
The US Sun •

Inflation rate dips to 3.2% but there's bad news at the grocery store

FOOD FLOOD Inflation rate dips to 3.2% but it’s still bad news for shoppers with no relief in food prices for bread, milk and eggs

PRICES have cooled in the past month, bringing much-needed relief to American bank accounts.

October's Consumer Price Index showed prices rose at 3.2%, the biggest cooldown since July and a moderation from September's 3.7%.

The change in the inflation rate relieves households grappling with elevated costs.

However, prices remain high in some segments of the econo

Policy Reporting:

Mail Online •

Why you could spend thousands more to own a car this year

15:24, 08 Mar 2025, updated

15:36, 08 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Car owners, get ready to pay even more.

President Trump launched tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in February. The import tax is part of his administration's broader economic agenda that hopes to bring manufacturing employment back to the U.S.

But that policy threatens to drive up car costs for Americans that are already at historic hig...
Mail Online •

Stock market tumbles even further as Trump tariffs spark market panic

18:22, 04 Mar 2025, updated

21:10, 04 Mar 2025



By

BEN SHIMKUS, CONSUMER REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
and
AP

Wall Street fell deep in the red Tuesday as a full-blown trade war between the U.S. and its top trading partners rattled investors.

The losses erased most stock gains accumulated since inauguration day.

The Trump administration's tariffs, which launched on March 4, impose a tax on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico....
Autobody News •

New York State Senate Passes Bill to Curb Sidewalk Parking Near Auto Repair Shops

The New York State Senate approved a bill requiring New York City automotive repair shops to obtain community approval while registering with the DMV. The bill passed the Senate on June 4 and now awaits consideration by the State Assembly after the chamber’s June break.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-33, and co-sponsor, Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda, D-32, hope it will curb illegal parking around auto shops in the space-constrained city. The authors alleged vehicles parked on city sidewalk...

Montana House Votes To Temporarily Expel Trans Rep. Zooey Zephyr - uPolitics

Montana House leaders voted to expel lawmaker Zooey Zephyr for the remainder of the legislative session on Wednesday, following protests outside the state’s capital building.

Zephyr, Montana’s first openly transgender woman elected to the legislative body, said Republicans who back a bill banning gender-affirming medical care would have “blood on their hands.”

“I have been informed that during tomorrow’s floor session there will be a motion to either censure or expel me,” Zephyr tweeted on Tue

Fox News & Dominion Settle Out Of Court For $787.5 Million - uPolitics

Fox News & Dominion Settle Out Of Court For $787.5 Million

Minutes before opening statements were set to begin in Dominion Voting System’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News Network (FNN), the two parties settled out of court. Fox News Network agreed to pay Dominion $787.5 million on Tuesday.

The payment helps FNN avoid a heavily-watched court battle featuring tough questions for the media network’s lead executives and most prominent stars. The trial would have required Fox News Chairman Rupe
The Click •

Deadly Chaos in New York’s Shelter System

(NEW YORK)—Jeremy has harsh hands. The cracks appearing on his knuckles looked painful. His palms were calloused, a product of having to move all of his belongings. His fingernails are yellowing with dirty tips.



As he reached into his Columbia bag—one that he confessed he stole a few years earlier – to show his assortment of belongings, holes around the sleeves of his t-shirt appeared. He pulled out a folded cardboard sign that read “HOMELESS NO FAMILY PLEASE HELP THANK YOU GOD BLESS”.
The Click •

Pump the Brakes: America’s All-Electric Vehicle Future is in the Balance

(NEW YORK) – Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been hailed as a fail-safe for the clean energy future. The U.S. federal government is seeking to procure enough EVs to power its entire federal fleet of non-combatant vehicles by 2035.



Experts are raising the alarm that the government is not moving fast enough on multiple key issues outside of vehicle procurement. Deserts of charging infrastructure, the current and projected microchip shortages, and battery operation in inclement weather are big ob