United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1976
Ownership
Mother Jones is published by the Foundation for National Progress, a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975; the magazine launched in 1976. As a nonprofit it has no private owner or shareholders and is run by an independent board and editorial staff. In 2024 Mother Jones merged operations with the Center for Investigative Reporting (publisher of Reveal) to form a larger joint nonprofit newsroom.
Funding
It is financed through reader subscriptions and donations, advertising, and grants from philanthropic foundations. Major institutional funders have included the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kresge Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, alongside a large base of individual small donors.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially it is a progressive, left-leaning investigative outlet, but it is not owned or directed by any party, government or single proprietor. Because it operates as an independent nonprofit governed by its own board with editorial control resting with its journalists, it is classified INDEPENDENT (left lean) rather than party- or state-controlled.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 158
64/100
Factual
57/100
Objective
163
Articles
163
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
Far Right Makes Gains in Brazil as Flávio Bolsonaro Tops Lula in First Round of Presidential Race
Brazil's presidential election will proceed to a runoff between leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote in the first round. Flávio Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote, while Lula received 45%. The second round of voting is scheduled for October 25. If elected, Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged to grant amnesty to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest for planning a coup in 2022 to overturn Lula's previous victory. Additionally, Flávio Bolsonaro has expressed intentions to strengthen relations with the Trump administration, which has been accused of attempting to influence the election outcome in his favor. Brazilian philosopher Rodrigo Nunes attributes the rise of the far right to public disillusionment with politics, noting that many view the far right as offering relief from increasingly competitive societal conditions.
Is Hollywood Finally Turning on Tech Oligarchs?
Hollywood is set to release four new films focusing on prominent tech executives, signaling a shift in how their influence and actions are portrayed. These include 'Artificial' about Sam Altman of OpenAI, 'The Social Reckoning' on Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, 'Musk' documenting Elon Musk's life and politics, and 'You Can See Everything' exploring Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos. Unlike earlier portrayals of tech leaders as ambitious but flawed individuals, these newer works appear to take a more critical stance, reflecting growing public skepticism toward Big Tech. Recent polls show that many Americans believe tech companies and their CEOs wield excessive power, and there is increasing scrutiny over the ethical implications of their technologies, such as AI's role in warfare and mass surveillance.
Inside the Business of Trump’s Third-Country Deportations
The article discusses the expansion of third-country deportation policies under the Trump administration, which involves forcibly removing undocumented immigrants to countries where they have no prior ties or legal protections. Over 25,000 individuals have been affected by this practice, which critics argue is designed to intimidate and displace migrants. While third-country removals were historically used as a last resort for those facing persecution, the Trump administration has repurposed the policy to bypass legal and humanitarian safeguards. Recent legal challenges have failed to halt these operations, with the Department of Homeland Security continuing to schedule flights to countries like Burundi and Rwanda despite court orders. The administration has also engaged in secretive practices, including non-disclosure agreements and untransparent contracting, to avoid public oversight.
GOP senator warns Anthropic of "alarmist" approach to AI
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) criticized Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei for what he called an 'alarmist approach' to artificial intelligence, arguing that Amodei's warnings about AI risks contradict the need for investment in the company ahead of its anticipated $2 trillion IPO. In a letter obtained by Axios, Moreno accused Amodei of promoting 'panic-inducing commentary' and suggested that his concerns about AI's potential dangers undermine public confidence in investing in the technology. Moreno aligned himself with former President Donald Trump's rhetoric, using the term 'super intelligence' instead of 'artificial intelligence,' and claimed that Amodei's views align with 'doomer' perspectives that could harm public discourse. The senator also emphasized the importance of highlighting AI's benefits, such as enhancing national security and countering Chinese technological advancements. This criticism comes amid growing public concern over AI development and data centers, which has become a political issue in the midterms, particularly affecting other Republican senators like Jon Husted.
RFK Is Gloating That His Changes to HHS Are Permanent
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Health and Human Services Secretary, claimed during a speech at the MAHA Summit that his changes to HHS are permanent and will outlast him. He expressed confidence that HHS will not revert to its previous state, despite criticism that his reforms have significantly harmed the agency's functionality. The changes include dismantling key advisory bodies like the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the US Preventive Services Task Force, replacing them with ideologically aligned entities. These actions have led to staffing losses at the CDC and disrupted critical public health functions. Kennedy's pro-anti-vaccine stance has drawn widespread disapproval, with recent polls showing six in ten voters disapprove of his tenure. His influence extends beyond HHS, as he has supported anti-vaccine groups and positioned himself as a friend to the White House.
Why Do Democrats Keep Posting Videos of Themselves Pumping Iron?
The article discusses the trend among Democratic candidates in the 2024 election who are posting workout videos as part of their rebranding strategy. These videos aim to counter perceptions of weakness and 'wokeness' associated with the Democratic Party. Examples include Congressman Manny Rutinel doing bicep curls to mock Pete Hegseth, Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed competing in a squat-off with JD Vance, and Indiana Secretary of State candidate Birch Evans Bayh showcasing strength. The piece suggests that these efforts are meant to project strength and challenge negative stereotypes about Democrats being 'weak and woke.' While some actions reflect personal traits, such as former NFL player Colin Allred's athleticism, others are strategic attempts to align with voter expectations of assertiveness.
California Just Made It Legal to Turn Balconies Into Tiny Power Plants
California has legalized the installation of small solar power systems on residential balconies, allowing homeowners to generate their own electricity and reduce reliance on the grid. These 'plug-in' solar systems are smaller and more affordable than traditional rooftop installations, making them accessible to renters and those unable to install large panels. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, which removes barriers such as the need to negotiate interconnection agreements with utilities. Similar initiatives have been adopted in states like Utah and Maine. The move supports the transition to renewable energy and helps stabilize the electrical grid by reducing peak demand during high usage periods.
“You Kidnapped My Son”
Luis, a Venezuelan immigrant detained in a Texas immigration center, desperately tried to locate his 11-year-old son Andrés after being separated during his arrest. The two had arrived in the U.S. together in 2023, but Andrés was taken by ICE officers to a detention facility near El Paso. Despite Luis's pleas, the officers removed Andrés, claiming he would be placed in contact with his father. However, three days passed without communication, and Andrés was not listed in ICE's detainee database. Eventually, Luis learned that Andrés had been transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which classifies non-accompanied minors as those without parents or guardians in the U.S. Although Andrés was not unaccompanied, ICE mistakenly categorized him as such, leading to his placement in temporary foster care. Andrés expressed feelings of betrayal upon learning the truth.
Reports of a Plague Outbreak in Russia Follow the Death of a Researcher
A potential public health crisis is emerging in the Irkutsk region of Russia after a lab accident exposed a 28-year-old lab technician, Darya Shipilovia, to a 'pneumonia of unknown etiology,' which was later identified as the treatable pneumonic plague caused by Yersinia pestis. The incident occurred on September 25th when she broke a test tube containing live bacteria at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. She died two days later after being hospitalized. In response, the regional government convened a special meeting regarding the suspected case, with Russia’s chief sanitary officer, Anna Popova, attending. Five hospitals in Siberia have been closed for quarantine, and over 200 workers are under medical observation. Independent journalists report difficulties in obtaining official confirmation due to government secrecy, raising concerns about transparency and parallels to past outbreaks.
Accidental Environmentalist? How Trump’s War Exposed the Fragility of Dirty Energy.
The article discusses how Donald Trump's policies and actions, particularly his involvement in the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, have inadvertently contributed to a decrease in global fossil fuel emissions. Governor Gavin Newsom of California suggests that Trump's actions have exposed the vulnerabilities of relying on petroleum-based energy, prompting countries to accelerate investments in clean energy like solar and wind. Despite Trump's pro-fossil fuel stance domestically, the geopolitical tensions have led to increased costs of oil and gas, resulting in reduced consumption and a projected 0.5% drop in global fossil fuel emissions for the year. However, Trump's administration has simultaneously rolled back environmental regulations and supported the fossil fuel industry.
Does Jared Kushner Know What a Conflict of Interest Is?
The article discusses allegations of conflict of interest involving Jared Kushner, who serves as a key figure in U.S.-Israel relations and the Trump administration's Gaza 'Board of Peace.' CNN reported that Kushner's investment fund, Affinity Partners, holds a significant stake in Phoenix Financial, an Israeli financial institution linked to multiple weapons manufacturers involved in Israel's military operations against Gaza. Kushner criticized CNN's reporting as 'deeply misleading,' arguing that Phoenix is not a defense company but rather a major financial institution managing over $220 billion in assets. However, the article highlights that Phoenix's portfolio includes investments in firms like Elbit Systems and Boeing, which supply military equipment used in the conflict. Despite these connections, Kushner promotes a $2.4 billion 'recovery plan' for Gaza aimed at transforming the region into a tourist destination. The piece underscores the controversy surrounding Kushner's dual role as both a diplomat and investor in the Israeli defense sector.
Welcome to the Flock Elections
The article discusses the increasing awareness and controversy surrounding Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), particularly those manufactured by Flock. Over the past six months, nearly 80% of U.S. police departments have adopted ALPR technology, raising significant privacy and civil liberty concerns. These systems, which collect detailed vehicle data, have sparked bipartisan backlash, with communities pushing for regulation. In response, politicians across the political spectrum are incorporating Flock into their campaign platforms, advocating for stricter oversight. Despite claims by Flock CEO Garrett Langley that the technology solved one million crimes in 2025, a claim lacking supporting evidence, concerns persist regarding misuse, including stalking, tracking individuals, and aiding immigration enforcement. A recent survey highlights public skepticism, with strong opposition to non-criminal uses. As the 2026 midterms approach, legislative efforts to reform ALPR regulations are gaining momentum.
The Future of Wildfire Response: AI, Drones, and Robots
The article discusses the increasing use of advanced technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles in wildfire response efforts in the United States. It highlights the Sand Creek Fire in Montana, where drones helped locate hidden embers in challenging terrain. The US Forest Service is evaluating firefighting robots and exploring AI applications for predicting fire behavior. Federal agencies already use drones for mapping fires, detecting hotspots, and conducting controlled burns, with plans to test drones for dropping firefighting materials. The article notes that drones provide real-time data, improving safety and decision-making for firefighters. Autonomous ground vehicles are also being tested for transporting equipment and supplies to remote or hazardous locations. While these technologies show promise, they are not yet fully integrated into routine operations.