United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2008
Ownership
The Daily Beast launched in October 2008, founded by editor Tina Brown and backed by Barry Diller's media-and-internet holding company IAC. It remains majority-owned by IAC, but in 2024 IAC restructured the business: media veterans Ben Sherwood (former president of Disney-ABC Television Group, now publisher/CEO) and Joanna Coles (former Hearst Magazines content chief, now chief creative and content officer) were granted a 49% equity stake to run the outlet, with IAC retaining the majority.
Funding
The site is financed commercially through digital advertising, a membership/subscription program, and sponsored content, supported by IAC's corporate resources. After cutbacks it reported its first quarterly profit in 2024 with revenue up roughly 81% year over year.
Affiliation & stance
The Daily Beast publishes left-leaning news and opinion but answers to no party, church or government; it is controlled by a publicly traded commercial holding company (IAC) plus its operating executives. Because ownership is private and commercial with editorial independence from any political or state interest, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 21
–
Factual
–
Objective
25
Articles
25
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Donald Trump Cancels Second Mainstream Interview in Days
Donald Trump canceled two mainstream interviews within a week, including one with NBC News and another with the NRA in Savannah. The cancellations followed reports of unusual behavior at his rallies, such as dancing and playing music. His campaign defended the schedule as part of his 'aggressive campaign strategy,' while critics questioned his consistency and mental acuity. Media outlets like CNN and Politico noted discrepancies between his stated availability and actual appearances, highlighting potential inconsistencies in his public engagements.
Mitch McConnell Called Donald Trump a ‘Stupid’ and ‘Despicable Human Being’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell privately referred to Donald Trump as a 'stupid,' 'ill-tempered,' and 'despicable human being' in personal oral histories shared with a biographer. These comments were made after Trump's loss in the 2020 election and reflect McConnell's frustration with Trump's conduct, including his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite these private criticisms, McConnell later endorsed Trump as the Republican presidential nominee in 2024, aligning himself with other prominent Republicans who shifted their support toward Trump. McConnell's public stance contrasts with his private views, highlighting the complex dynamics within the Republican Party.
Witnesses Say Would-Be Organ Donor Started ‘Thrashing’ on the Table
At a Kentucky hospital in 2021, a man named Anthony Thomas 'TJ' Hoover II, who was presumed brain dead and scheduled for organ donation, unexpectedly started moving and crying during a surgical procedure. Two surgeons refused to proceed with the operation after witnessing this, but were instructed by representatives of the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) to find another physician to continue. A former KODA employee, Natasha Miller, recounted the event, stating that the patient was clearly alive and reacting emotionally. Another former employee, Nyckoletta Martin, alleged that the patient had been sedated rather than being truly brain dead and later became a whistleblower, submitting a letter to Congress regarding concerns about organ donation practices. KODA denied any wrongdoing, claiming they never pressure doctors to remove organs from living patients. Meanwhile, a group of 1,100 transplant professionals and patients accused misinformation campaigns of undermining public confidence in organ donation. Investigations by the Kentucky attorney general and the U.S. Health Services and Resources Administration are ongoing.
Menendez Family Members: We Had ‘Gut-Level’ Fears Erik and Lyle Were Sexually Abused
Family members of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, have expressed long-held concerns that the brothers were sexually abused by their father. During an interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, relatives described their 'gut-level' fears as validation over time. The brothers, who have spent 35 years in prison, claim their actions were driven by years of abuse, which the prosecution has labeled a 'total fabrication.' The Los Angeles District Attorney's office is now reviewing new evidence suggesting the abuse occurred, which the family believes explains the brothers' behavior. Relatives described the killings as 'learned behavior' stemming from extreme pain and misery, and questioned why Kitty Menendez remained silent about the abuse.
Liam Payne 911 Caller Said One Direction Star’s Life Could Be in Danger Minutes Before Death
Liam Payne, the British singer and former member of the boy band One Direction, died after falling from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. A hotel worker called 911 approximately six minutes before his death, expressing concerns that Payne, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol, might be in danger. The 911 calls were partially disconnected, with the caller identifying himself as Esteban, the hotel's chief receptionist. Authorities confirmed that Payne was found with injuries incompatible with life and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident highlights the urgency of the situation and raises questions about the response to such emergencies.
Stormy Daniels Says Trump Is Trying to Silence Her Again
Donald Trump is accused of trying to silence Stormy Daniels again through a potential hush money deal, according to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Daniels, who previously received $130,000 from Trump in 2016 to remain silent about a past affair, is now being approached by Trump's lawyers to sign a non-disclosure agreement. In exchange, Trump's team reportedly offered to reduce the legal debt Daniels owes them from $650,000 to $620,000. However, Daniels reportedly rejected the offer, paying $627,500 and refusing to sign the agreement. This follows Trump's recent conviction on 34 counts of fraud related to the same hush money payment. The article cites Daniels' own account and her legal team as sources, noting that Trump's campaign claimed the communications were part of Iranian hacking attempts.
Trump Calls Jan. 6, the Day His Supporters Led a Failed Insurrection, ‘A Day of Love’
Former President Donald Trump referred to January 6, 2021, the day his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, as 'a day of love' during a televised town hall. This statement contradicts the widely documented events, including the violence, property damage, and fatalities that occurred. Trump claimed that his supporters acted peacefully, despite evidence showing otherwise, and exaggerated the size of the crowd. He also cited his rhetoric during the event, where he encouraged attendees to march to the Capitol, as justification for his actions. The article highlights the discrepancy between Trump's portrayal of the event and the reality, including the failure of his administration to intervene during the chaos.
Tegan and Sara: The Pop-Rock Twins Driven Mad by a Wild Catfishing Scheme
The article discusses the catfishing scheme involving Tegan and Sara, the Canadian indie rock twins, where an imposter impersonated Tegan for over a decade, deceiving fans, friends, and business partners. The imposter, referred to as 'Fegan,' gained trust by sharing private information and personal content. A fan named Julie discovered the fraud by receiving unauthorized images of the twins' passports and alerted others, leading to multiple fans coming forward with similar experiences. The documentary 'Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara' explores the impact of this deception on the artists and their fans, highlighting issues of online identity and trust.
‘Anora’: The Screwball Stripper Odyssey That Should Win All the Oscars
The article discusses the film 'Anora,' directed by Sean Baker, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. It portrays the life of Ani, a stripper in Brighton Beach, highlighting her daily experiences and interactions with clients and colleagues. The narrative follows her unexpected encounter with Ivan, a wealthy Russian man, leading to a complex relationship where she initially sees financial opportunity. The film blends genres including romance, crime, and comedy, focusing on themes of survival and self-discovery within a marginalized community.
Harris Shuts Down Bret Baier as He Plays the MAGA Hits
During an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Vice President Kamala Harris faced several challenging questions aimed at highlighting potential vulnerabilities in her policies and leadership. Baier focused on immigration issues, questioning Harris about the number of individuals released from immigration detention, and pressed her on the deaths of three victims whose alleged perpetrators entered the U.S. during Biden's presidency. He also brought up the controversial issue of gender-affirming surgery for federal prisoners, citing a Trump campaign ad criticizing Harris' stance. Harris attempted to deflect blame onto former President Trump and avoided directly answering whether she would continue funding transgender healthcare for prisoners. She also refused to address concerns about President Biden's mental health, reiterating that he remains on the ballot. The discussion included references to a court ruling allowing the first federal prisoner to receive gender-affirming surgery and data from the Bureau of Prisons indicating the scale of the issue.
Anderson Cooper Literally Calls Bulls*** on Surrogate’s Trump Defense
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper expressed frustration during a segment on AC360 with Republican surrogate Abel Maldonado over Maldonado's defense of Donald Trump. Maldonado argued that Trump's controversial remarks, including calls for the military to 'handle' Democrats, were merely reflective of his personality as a 'fighter' and 'leader.' Cooper challenged this framing, pointing out that Trump's rhetoric, such as labeling military officials as 'fascists', does not align with typical New York values, referencing the Central Park Five case. Cooper further questioned Maldonado about any concerns regarding Trump's actions, but Maldonado focused on Trump's achievements in areas like inflation, border security, and crime reduction, suggesting he had no major criticisms.
One Direction Star Liam Payne Dead After Fall in Argentina
Liam Payne, a former member of the boy band One Direction, was found dead in a hotel courtyard in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after a fall from his third-floor hotel room balcony, according to reports from CNN and La Nacion. Argentine authorities stated that Payne had been staying at the upscale CasaSur Hotel in Palermo. Witnesses told TMZ that Payne had acted erratically in the hotel lobby earlier in the day, smashing his laptop and needing assistance returning to his room. A spokesperson for Buenos Aires' public emergency medical services indicated that Payne likely fell between 13 and 14 meters, suffering a fracture at the base of his skull. The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed, pending an autopsy. Prior to his death, Payne had posted several Snapchat videos and photos, some of which were later deleted but archived by followers. He had recently traveled to Argentina to attend a concert by former bandmate Niall Horan.
‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’: Is Heather Gay a Hypocrite for Taking Ozempic?
The article discusses Season 5 of 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,' highlighting its dramatic and controversial content, including revelations about a character named Bronwyn discovering that Lisa Barlow knows the long-deceased birth father of her daughter Gwen. The narrative explores tensions within the group, particularly focusing on Lisa's role as the last practicing Mormon on the show and her complex relationship with traditional Mormon values. The article contrasts Lisa's progressive stance with other characters like Britani, who embodies more traditional Mormon ideals. The piece emphasizes the show's exploration of personal identity, religious beliefs, and social dynamics within the Salt Lake City community.