United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1851
Ownership
The New York Times (US/National desk) is published by The New York Times Company, a publicly traded firm (NYSE: NYT) controlled by the Ochs-Sulzberger family. The family holds nearly all of the company's super-voting Class B shares via the Ochs-Sulzberger Trust, which in March 2025 represented roughly 94.6% of Class B stock and elects about 70% of the board. A.G. Sulzberger is chairman and publisher and Meredith Kopit Levien is CEO; publicly traded Class A shares are held in part by institutions like Vanguard and BlackRock.
Funding
Financed chiefly by reader subscriptions (digital and print), with advertising and bundled products such as Cooking, Games, Wirecutter and The Athletic. No state or licence-fee funding is involved.
Affiliation & stance
Its opinion section leans center-left while its news desks aim at mainstream professional reporting. As a privately, commercially owned company with family voting control used to safeguard editorial independence rather than to serve any party or government, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 491
79/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
512
Articles
512
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
Why the U.S. Bomber Withdrawal From a U.K. Air Base Is Significant
The U.S. has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southern England, a decision made amid heightened security concerns following a suspected terror plot linked to Iran. The move was confirmed by a U.S. Defense Department official, who stated that the bombers have returned to their home stations in the U.S., though no specific reason for the withdrawal was provided. The timing of the removal coincides with the arrest of five U.K. nationals on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses near the base, following intelligence about suspicious vehicles approaching the facility. A dual British-Iranian national was also arrested in London in connection with the case. Experts suggest the withdrawal reflects growing concerns about the safety of U.S. military assets stationed overseas, particularly in light of potential Iranian involvement.
Justice Alito on Originalism
In a recent Wall Street Journal article based on his forthcoming book, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito discusses his views on constitutional originalism. He argues for a 'populist' version of originalism, emphasizing the original public meaning of the Constitution as understood by ordinary people rather than legal elites. Alito imagines everyday colonists discussing the First Amendment in a tavern, suggesting that their interpretation would reflect common understanding rather than philosophical or legal expertise. However, he acknowledges potential drawbacks of the populist approach, including the risk of misunderstanding technical legal terms and challenges in addressing modern issues unforeseen by the Founding Fathers. While Alito leans toward populism, he suggests a hybrid approach combining elite and popular interpretations could be optimal.
Christa Pike survived lethal injection. How your state carries out executions
Christa Pike, a woman convicted of murdering a classmate over three decades ago, survived two lethal injection doses during her scheduled execution in Tennessee, sparking renewed debate over execution protocols across the United States. This incident has raised questions about the reliability and safety of lethal injection, which accounts for approximately 89% of all executions since 1976. While lethal injection is the most commonly used method, other states employ alternatives such as electrocution, lethal gas, and firing squads. Tennessee’s case highlights variations in execution procedures, with some states allowing inmates to choose their method. The Supreme Court mandates that the death penalty be reserved for the most severe crimes, yet the controversy surrounding Pike’s survival underscores ongoing concerns about the ethics and effectiveness of capital punishment.
Jim Bakker, Television Preacher Felled by Sex and Financial Scandals, Dies at 86
Jim Bakker, a television preacher known for his association with the prosperity gospel, died at 86. He and his wife, Tammy Faye, were central figures in a religious broadcasting network that promoted financial success through faith. Their ministry gained significant influence but was later marred by sex and financial scandals, leading to their downfall.
Kash Patel Is Engaged to Country Singer Alexis Wilkins
Kash Patel, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, announced their engagement on social media over the weekend. The announcement was made through a shared post, highlighting their relationship and future plans. The engagement marks a personal milestone for Patel, who has been in the public eye due to his role in law enforcement. While the focus of the article is on the personal news, it underscores the visibility of high-profile individuals in both public service and entertainment sectors.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says, ‘If Abdul Can Win in Michigan, Anybody Can Win Anywhere’
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez commented on Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's campaign as a potential Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, using his candidacy as an example to suggest that if someone like El-Sayed can succeed in a competitive state like Michigan, then similar success could be achievable elsewhere. This remark comes as Ocasos-Cortez weighs her decision to run for president in 2028.
Chinese ‘Spy’ Caught Making A Run For It After Secret U.S. Mission
The U.S. Justice Department arrested 34-year-old Wanying 'Heather' Zhang, a real estate agent in California, at Los Angeles International Airport while she attempted to flee to China. Zhang is accused of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the People's Republic of China (PRC), having surveilled a close relative of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te in Seattle in 2025. Federal authorities claim she coordinated the surveillance mission with another individual and used methods to evade detection. The FBI alleges that Zhang sent photos, videos, and license plate information to PRC officials, potentially providing them with leverage over Taiwan during a potential conflict. This arrest follows heightened U.S. efforts to counter Chinese espionage, particularly under the Trump administration. A spokesperson for Taiwan's president described the incident as part of a broader strategy of 'transnational repression' targeting individuals advocating for democratic values.
White House removes Politico from press pool for Trump’s trip to Nebraska
The White House has barred Politico from accompanying President Donald Trump on Air Force One during his trip to Nebraska for a campaign rally. This decision follows a broader legal dispute between the Trump administration and several news organizations, including Politico, CNN, and MS NOW, over their access to White House events. The White House stated that while many outlets are allowed to cover presidential events, traveling with the President on Air Force One is a privilege, not a right. CNN first reported the action, and Trump criticized the outlets on Truth Social as 'FAKE NEWS.' A federal judge previously ordered temporary restoration of their access to the White House, though this was limited to the grounds. Politico's spokesperson confirmed the exclusion but provided no further comments. The White House had already removed CNN from covering a previous trip, prompting other press pool members to decline participation in solidarity. CBS News, handling the TV pool, noted they could not find a replacement for Politico in the print pool, highlighting the impact of the decision on press coverage.
Daughter Gives Brutal Parting Shot To Sobbing ‘American Idol’ Killer Sentenced To Life
Caleb Flynn, a former 'American Idol' contestant and worship pastor, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his wife, Ashley, in their Ohio home in February while their two daughters were present. During the sentencing hearing, Flynn maintained his innocence, claiming he did not kill his wife. His daughters, aged 12 and 10, expressed deep emotional distress in victim impact statements read by Ashley's mother, highlighting their anger over his infidelity with his former worship partner. Both girls condemned Flynn's actions, calling the affair a betrayal. Ashley's family, including her sister and husband, emphasized their forgiveness toward Flynn and their commitment to raising his children alongside their own daughters. The judge criticized Flynn's actions as driven by greed, selfishness, and lust, and ordered him to pay $20,000 in restitution for funeral costs.
Judge Sides With Justice Dept. in Dispute Over Subpoena to Times Freelancer
A magistrate judge has ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Justice in a dispute involving a subpoena directed at a freelance journalist from The New York Times. The ruling serves as a recommendation, and a Federal District Court judge is set to review the matter in an upcoming hearing. The case centers around legal procedures related to journalistic subpoenas and potential implications for press freedom.
Democratic Support Hits Highest Level Since Obama's First Term: Poll
A recent Gallup poll reveals that 50% of Americans identify as Democratic or lean toward the party, the highest level since Barack Obama's first term. This marks a significant increase from the previous quarter and contrasts with earlier national polling where Democrats struggled to gain traction. The poll comes just weeks before the midterm elections, raising questions about whether this sentiment will translate into electoral success. While Democrats remain optimistic, Republicans accuse the poll of underestimating their support and criticize Newsweek for allegedly favoring left-leaning perspectives. The data also highlights growing disparities between party affiliations, with independents making up 45% of respondents.
Facing Backlash, Trump Says His Super PAC Will Pay for Taxpayer-Funded Ads
President Donald Trump stated that his super PAC, MAGA, Inc., would cover the costs of television advertisements supporting him, which were previously funded by taxpayer money. This statement comes amid backlash against the use of taxpayer funds for campaign-related activities. Trump’s assertion suggests he intends to shift financial responsibility for these ads from public funds to private contributions through his PAC.
2 dead, including student, in Central Florida school bus crash, sheriff says
On October 5, 2026, a school bus in central Florida overturned during a multi-vehicle crash, resulting in two fatalities, including a 10th-grade student, and multiple injuries. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on a Winter Haven road when an oncoming car crossed the center line and collided with the bus near its rear wheels. The impact caused the bus to flip onto its roof and crash into a burning Jeep, leading to one additional fatality. Emergency responders worked through the morning to evacuate passengers, identify individuals, and reunite students with their families. This marks the second school bus-related incident in Polk County within a month, though the previous crash did not involve students. Local officials expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of safety protocols, noting that students are trained to exit buses safely during emergencies.