United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1994
Ownership
The Hill is a Washington, D.C. political news outlet founded in 1994 by publisher Jerry Finkelstein and former New York Times correspondent Martin Tolchin. Since 2021 it has been owned by Nexstar Media Group, the largest U.S. local-television broadcaster, which bought it for $130 million from Jimmy Finkelstein and HRS Management (the family office of Apollo co-founder Josh Harris). Control rests with the publicly traded Nexstar.
Funding
The Hill is financed commercially through digital advertising, events and sponsored content, and benefits from cross-promotion with Nexstar's NewsNation cable channel and station group. It takes no party or state funding.
Affiliation & stance
The Hill is owned by a commercial, publicly traded broadcaster with no party or government control, so it is INDEPENDENT. It positions itself as nonpartisan/centrist political coverage; founder Jerry Finkelstein had Democratic ties historically, but current corporate ownership is commercial and not party-controlled.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1005
75/100
Factual
69/100
Objective
1052
Articles
1036
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
Zelensky Says Trump Accused Him of Misleading Him Over Musk, Starlink Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that former U.S. President Donald Trump falsely accused him of misleading the American leadership regarding negotiations with Elon Musk over the use of Starlink technology for military purposes in Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian officials had previously informed him that SpaceX had conditionally approved Starlink usage over Russian territory for long-range operations, which he shared with Trump. However, Trump later claimed Musk had denied such access, leading to accusations of deception. The dispute highlights growing tensions between Zelensky and the U.S., particularly as Ukraine continues to rely on Starlink for critical military communications and drone operations. The situation also coincides with internal political challenges within Ukraine, including the resignation of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who criticized restrictions on Starlink access and called for early presidential elections.
One seemingly ordinary job has gotten much more deadly over the past 10 years, federal data shows
The article highlights that landscaping has become significantly more dangerous over the past decade, according to federal data. It contrasts this trend with other traditionally risky occupations such as logging, hunting, and mining, which are also known for their inherent dangers. While these industries are often associated with high risk due to physical labor and environmental hazards, the increasing danger in landscaping suggests a growing concern for workers in this field. The piece raises questions about why landscaping, which might appear less hazardous at first glance, has seen a rise in fatalities and injuries.
Iran warns Middle East neighbors against joining US 'economic war'
Iran has warned its Middle Eastern neighbors against participating in what it describes as an 'economic war' led by the United States. This warning comes as tensions between Iran and the U.S. continue to escalate. Mohsen Rezaei, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, reportedly cautioned neighboring countries against aligning with American economic measures. The statement reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and Iran's efforts to influence regional dynamics.
The EEOC's mission is opportunity for all, not demographic bean-counting
The article discusses the EEOC's (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) mission, emphasizing its focus on providing equal opportunities rather than engaging in demographic counting. It argues that redefining the EEOC's role could reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, promote equal opportunity for all individuals, and allow companies to concentrate on creating economic value.
Eight US States Doug Ford Wants Canada To Target With Tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested that eight U.S. states, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Texas, and Wisconsin, should face additional retaliatory tariffs as part of a trade dispute with the United States. Ford argued these states are politically significant to the current U.S. administration's support base. The call came after trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada collapsed, leading to the suspension of talks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In response, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on many Canadian goods, affecting nearly $20 billion in imports. Carney criticized the move as a 'miscalculation,' noting the deep economic ties between the two nations. Ford emphasized that Ontario would use all available tools to retaliate, urging other provinces to follow suit. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Susan Collins expressed concern that the trade tensions could harm businesses in her home state.
How reforming the Supreme Court could backfire on Democrats
The article discusses potential unintended consequences of proposed Supreme Court reforms, suggesting that such changes could inadvertently increase presidential power rather than limit it. It argues that if the president asserts his constitutional interpretation as equal to that of Congress or the judiciary, these reforms might shift authority away from legislative branches toward executive control. This scenario raises concerns about the balance of power within the U.S. government.
Bipartisan Outcry Forces Trump to Pause Border Security Project in Big Bend National Park in Texas
The Trump administration temporarily paused construction of a $7 billion border security project in Big Bend National Park in Texas after construction crews bulldozed pristine desert wilderness, sparking protests and lawsuits. The Department of Homeland Security waived environmental regulations to allow the project, which spans a quarter of the U.S.-Mexico border but sees minimal crossings. Opposition has been bipartisan, including from environmental groups, local landowners, sheriffs, and even outgoing Republican Senator John Cornyn. The contractor involved is a major Trump donor, adding controversy to the issue. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced the pause, citing the need for further evaluation and stakeholder input, though he indicated the delay would last only two weeks.
Sprouts Recalled After 55 Illnesses Reported in 15 States
Sprouts Inc. has issued a recall of certain alfalfa sprouts after an outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella infections was linked to 55 illnesses across 15 U.S. states. The recall was announced on August 22 by Everything Sprouts LLC, with the FDA posting the notice to inform the public. Illnesses began between May 31 and August 8, with four individuals hospitalized and no fatalities reported as of August 21. The affected products include specific lots of alfalfa sprouts and mixes sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands, distributed between May 27 and August 21 to stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The CDC reports 46 cases of STEC infection, seven cases of Salmonella, and two cases involving both pathogens. Epidemiological data indicates a strong link between the sprouts and the illnesses, though the exact source of contamination is still under investigation. Consumers are advised to discard the products and thoroughly clean any surfaces they may have contacted.
'Dear Donald': Battleground district voters share their message to Trump
The article features a segment titled 'Dear Donald': Battleground district voters share their message to Trump, which appears to be a special report or segment focusing on voter sentiment toward former President Donald Trump ahead of upcoming elections. The content includes various related stories such as Byron Donalds commenting on Trump's promises during the Iran war, discussions around political candidates in Florida and Ohio, and voter frustrations with economic issues and government handling of conflicts. While some segments focus on political figures and policy debates, others highlight sports events like the IndyCar D.C. Grand Prix and interviews with politicians discussing their campaigns and policy positions. The overall tone suggests a mix of political commentary and event coverage.
Drastic water cuts issued for California, Nevada and Arizona from Colorado River
Federal officials have announced significant water cutbacks for California, Nevada, and Arizona starting in 2027, requiring these states to reduce annual water usage by 1.25 million acre-feet over two years. Arizona faces the largest reductions, while upstream states like Colorado and Mexico also implement cuts under a U.S.-Mexico treaty. The decision comes amid a 26-year drought, record-low snowpack, and declining reservoir levels such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which are critical for hydropower and water supply. Officials emphasize the need for continued cooperation among the seven Colorado River Basin states, as current agreements are set to expire in October 2026. While some state representatives praise the agreement for providing short-term stability, they acknowledge it is not a long-term solution.
Pentagon moves to fire publisher and editor of Stars and Stripes
The Pentagon has announced plans to terminate the publisher and editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes, a U.S. military-funded news outlet, along with a Middle East reporter, citing insubordination. The firings relate to interviews these individuals gave to CBS News for a 'CBS Sunday Morning' segment in July, where they expressed concerns about Pentagon-imposed censorship. Publisher Max Lederer and Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin were given five days to appeal their dismissals, while reporter Lara Korte also received termination notice. Slavin stated that his firing was based on comments about maintaining editorial independence, which he claims is legally mandated. Korte criticized the firings as harmful to military communities and emphasized her commitment to independent journalism. A Defense Department spokesperson did not comment, and White House adviser Stephen Miller suggested the firings were justified. Stars and Stripes later published an open letter from a newly appointed military deputy, alleging lack of communication.
Trump urges court to reject BBC's bid to secure records from his family in defamation case
President Trump has asked a federal judge to reject the BBC's request to obtain testimony and documents from his family members as part of a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster. The BBC sought to serve subpoenas on Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr., claiming they could provide relevant information. Trump's legal team argues that the BBC is using 'politically-driven leverage' to gain an advantage in the case. The court has not yet ruled on the matter, and the case was recently reassigned to Judge Jeffrey Kuntz, who was nominated by Trump. The lawsuit alleges that the BBC edited Trump's speech from January 6, 2021, to misrepresent his remarks, potentially influencing the 2024 election. The BBC has apologized but denies defaming Trump.
Federal judge rules against Trump's 75-country visa ban
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's policy to temporarily halt the issuance of visas to immigrants from 75 countries. In a detailed 61-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the policy violated existing laws and exceeded the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The visa restriction had been implemented under the guise of national security concerns, but the court found it lacked sufficient justification. This decision effectively blocked the enforcement of the visa ban, which had been widely criticized by various groups and lawmakers.