United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2000
Ownership
RealClearPolitics was founded in 2000 by former options trader John McIntyre and former ad executive Tom Bevan, who still run the parent RealClear Media Group as CEO and publisher. Forbes Media held a 51% stake in RealClear Holdings from 2007 until around 2015, when the founders and Crest Media (owner of Al-Monitor) bought out most of that stake. A separate 501(c)(3), the RealClear Foundation, finances much of the group's journalism.
Funding
The for-profit site earns advertising and aggregation revenue, while a large share of RealClear's editorial output is underwritten by the donor-funded RealClear Foundation. According to a Center for Media and Democracy review of tax filings, that foundation is funded overwhelmingly by conservative donors, led by DonorsTrust (which has channeled several million dollars to it) along with the Charles Koch Foundation, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Searle Freedom Trust and others.
Affiliation & stance
RealClearPolitics is privately owned and presents itself as a nonpartisan aggregator, but its journalism is heavily subsidized by a foundation financed by ideological right-wing donors, giving it a CENTER_RIGHT to right-leaning editorial tilt. It is not controlled by a party or government, so it is best classified INDEPENDENT (privately owned) with a clear CENTER_RIGHT lean, though the donor concentration is worth noting.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 746
63/100
Factual
57/100
Objective
761
Articles
761
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
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.
Suspending Psychology's Top Accreditor?
The article discusses a recommendation by a federal panel to suspend the accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA), which is considered the top accreditor in the field of psychology. The piece highlights concerns raised by Sally Satel regarding the APA's role in setting standards for psychological practice and education. These concerns include potential conflicts of interest and the need for greater accountability within the profession. The recommendation has sparked debate over the regulation of academic and professional standards in psychology.
Pay Attention to Alliance of Leftists, Muslims in France
The article highlights the growing influence of leftist groups and Muslim communities within French politics, suggesting their increasing alignment could shape future policies and social dynamics in France.
France, Spain Must Prove They Can Give Protesters Hope
The article discusses recent demonstrations in France and Spain focused on housing rights and deteriorating school systems, suggesting these protests reflect a growing disillusionment among the younger generation with political institutions. The piece frames the protests as indicative of a broader loss of trust in governance, implying that these countries must demonstrate renewed commitment to addressing social concerns if they hope to regain public support.
Letitia James and the New York Ethics Code
The headline 'Letitia James and the New York Ethics Code' suggests an article examining the actions or policies of Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, in relation to the state's ethics code. Given the lack of detailed content, the focus appears to be on potential ethical concerns or controversies surrounding her role. The article likely explores allegations, investigations, or policy changes related to ethics standards within New York's legal and governmental framework.
Jeffries Would Do Outstanding Job as House Speaker
The headline 'Jeffries Would Do Outstanding Job as House Speaker' from RealClearPolitics suggests strong support for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries to serve as House Speaker. The statement implies confidence in his leadership abilities within the Democratic Party. As a prominent member of Congress, Jeffries has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies and has held significant roles in legislative efforts. The claim of him doing an 'outstanding job' indicates a positive assessment of his potential effectiveness in this position.
You’re Stuck Paying For The Left’s Empathy
Gad Saad's book 'Suicidal Empathy' argues that excessive, misplaced empathy contributes to Western policy failures. The author critiques recent events including a controversial New York rape allegation with no solid evidence, online solidarity campaigns, and politicians displaying foreign flags. He also references migrant-related violence in France and Britain, and a case where a woman allegedly failed to report an illegal immigrant rapist. The article highlights instances where empathy toward certain groups appears to override concerns for public safety, suggesting these patterns reflect broader societal issues.
Trump Has a Reality Problem, Not a Public Relations Problem
The article argues that former President Donald Trump faces a 'reality problem' rather than a public relations issue, suggesting that his administration has not adequately addressed the decline in the job market since his second term began. The piece implies that the worsening employment situation is a factual challenge for Trump, indicating that efforts to improve his image may not resolve underlying issues. It highlights the lack of explanation from the White House regarding the economic changes observed during this period.
A Misguided Lawsuit vs. Vital Immigration Officials
The headline suggests a lawsuit against immigration officials is misguided, implying that the legal action lacks merit or is harmful to essential government functions. The article likely critiques the lawsuit's impact on immigration enforcement and argues for the importance of maintaining effective immigration policies. As the article focuses on a legal challenge to immigration authorities, it falls under the broader category of politics due to its implications for government operations and public policy.
How did the Cornell rape case go so wrong?
In October 2024, a student at Cornell University reported a sexual assault by multiple men at a fraternity house, which was initially treated as a campus matter. Two years later, the victim, referred to as 'Jane Doe,' filed a civil lawsuit against the university, fraternity, sorority organizations, and a local bar, alleging they failed to protect her. The accused men's lawyers denied the claims, while Cornell stated disciplinary actions resulted in suspensions and expulsions. When Doe reported the incident to campus police, the district attorney's office determined the allegations did not meet the criteria for criminal charges. Despite reopening the investigation, the district attorney defended his initial decision. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, expressing loss of confidence in the district attorney. Legal experts like Lauren Hersh discuss the handling of such cases, limitations of consent laws, and potential reforms.
Latino men swung hard to Trump in 2024. Now they're swinging back
A recent report indicates that Latino voters, who significantly supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election, are shifting back towards Democratic candidates ahead of the upcoming midterms. Two national polls reveal that Latino voters prefer Democratic control of Congress by a substantial margin, indicating a potential challenge to Republican strategies that relied on maintaining Trump's support among this demographic. The shift is particularly notable among Latino men, who previously showed strong support for Trump but are now more aligned with Democrats. Factors contributing to this change include economic pressures and dissatisfaction with Trump's policies on immigration and the cost of living. While there is evidence of a growing discontent with Trump's approach, Democrats have not fully regained their previous standing with Latino voters, as their overall favorability has slightly decreased compared to 2024.
Attorney for accused Cornell student calls on Letitia James to step aside over prior comments
New York Attorney General Letitia James is being called to step aside from investigating an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University due to her prior public statements supporting the accuser. Andrew Miltenberg, attorney for one of the accused fraternity members, argues that James' previous comments create an appearance of bias, undermining public confidence in the investigation's impartiality. The case involves a woman alleging seven former fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her, though the men deny wrongdoing. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James' office as special prosecutor, replacing the local district attorney. Miltenberg emphasizes that his concerns are not political but rather about ensuring the investigation remains objective. He urges James to recuse herself and allow other prosecutors to handle the case.
Tech watchdog urges Democrats to hit GOP over high data center costs
The Tech Oversight Project, a technology watchdog group, has urged Democratic lawmakers to criticize the Republican Party over the rising costs associated with data centers. This comes as candidates prepare for the final phase of the midterm elections. The group's memo highlights concerns about the financial burden of maintaining and expanding data infrastructure, suggesting that Republicans may be responsible for these increased expenses. The issue is framed as a potential point of contention in the upcoming elections, where economic policies and regulatory approaches to technology could play a significant role.