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 790
74/100
Factual
69/100
Objective
810
Articles
810
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.
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.
Tillis says Trump impeachment over Jan 6 was 'weighty,' a 'vote of no confidence'
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) described President Trump's impeachment related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as 'weighty' and characterized the impeachment trial as a 'vote of no confidence.' The remarks were made during an interview with MS NOW's Ari Melber on 'The Beat,' where they discussed Tillis's upcoming book. The conversation focused on Tillis's perspective on the impeachment process and its implications, though the discussion did not delve into broader political ramifications or alternative viewpoints.
Trump announces steps to lower high cost of diesel
President Donald Trump announced plans for his administration to implement measures intended to reduce the high cost of diesel fuel. The initiative includes increasing the availability of red-dyed diesel, which is tax-exempt and typically used by commercial vehicles. The move comes amid rising concerns over fuel prices and their impact on consumers and businesses. While specifics of the proposed actions were not detailed in the announcement, the focus appears to be on addressing supply chain issues and reducing taxes on certain types of diesel. The administration aims to make diesel more affordable for both individual drivers and commercial operators.
Trump says he will pay for 'Patriotic Ads' himself after facing backlash from Democrats
President Trump announced on Monday that he will personally fund the controversial 'Patriotic Ads' following criticism from Democrats over their taxpayer-funded nature. The ads, which promote patriotic themes, have sparked controversy due to their funding source and messaging. Trump emphasized his belief in promoting national pride through these advertisements, despite the backlash. His decision to self-fund the campaign reflects a shift in strategy amid growing political pressure.
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.
Trump hurls anti-trans slurs at Graham's opponent as South Carolina race tightens
President Donald Trump used an anti-transgender slur multiple times while criticizing Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate challenging Senator Darline Graham (R-S.C.) in the South Carolina Senate race. Trump posted on Truth Social, where he referred to Andrews using the slur and accused her of supporting progressive policies such as open borders, defunding the police, high taxes, and opposing gun rights. He praised Graham, highlighting her family ties to former Senator Lindsey Graham and her alignment with traditional values. Dr. Andrews, a pediatrician and mother of three, responded by stating she is running to protect her patients, children, and South Carolina’s interests, emphasizing collaboration to improve healthcare and living costs. While she previously opposed banning transgender athletes from women’s sports, she now says she does not support biological men competing in women’s sports. Election analysts have adjusted the race from 'solid Republican' to 'likely Republican,' noting Graham's recent missteps and Andrews’ efforts to remain competitive.
Tillis Calls Hegseth Vote His 'Biggest Regret' After Defending It Last Year
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, has publicly reversed his support for former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Initially, Tillis voted to confirm Hegseth in January 2025, praising his military experience and commitment to strengthening the U.S. military. However, in a recent CBS 60 Minutes interview, Tillis called his vote to confirm Hegseth his 'biggest regret' and urged Hegseth to resign. This marks a significant shift in Tillis' stance, reflecting growing concerns over Hegseth's management style and decision-making. Tillis has previously criticized Hegseth's handling of issues such as weapon shipments to Ukraine and his alleged reliance on inexperienced advisors. His criticisms have intensified in 2026, particularly regarding potential changes to military command structures under Hegseth's leadership.
Appeals court to hear lawsuit against RFK Jr. vaccine moves
A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit challenging Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. In January, Kennedy and the CDC reduced the number of recommended diseases from 18 to 11 and removed universal recommendations for several vaccines. He also replaced all members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with individuals skeptical of vaccines. Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, argue these changes violate the Administrative Procedure Act and could harm public health by increasing vaccine hesitancy and disease transmission. A district court initially blocked the changes, but the Trump administration has appealed. The case highlights ongoing debates over vaccine policy and public health governance.
Woman sues Trump administration after being shot five times by immigration agent
Marimar Martinez, a Chicago resident, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after being shot five times by an immigration agent. Her legal team claims new analysis of the incident will demonstrate that the officer fired at her as she was attempting to drive away. Martinez was initially charged following the shooting, but the charges were later dropped. The case raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the use of lethal force by immigration agents and the potential liability of the federal government.
What We Know About Russia Pneumonic 'Plague' After Dozens Quarantined in Siberia
A lab worker at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia died under unclear circumstances, prompting quarantine measures and heightened public health alerts. Regional authorities, including Governor Igor Kobzev and Mayor Maxim Modin, stated that no pathogenic microorganisms linked to the worker’s profession were detected in their samples, and no recent staff members had sought medical care. The government agency Rospotrebnadzor denied any lab safety incidents, while local media reported the hospital where the worker died was temporarily closed due to concerns over a 'particularly dangerous infection.' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged reliance on official sources rather than speculation. Experts like Dr. Simon Clarke emphasized that pneumonic plague, though deadly if untreated, is treatable with antibiotics and differs significantly from viral diseases like COVID-19.
The Memo: Experts seek to calm panic over mysterious Russia ‘plague’ case
An article discusses growing public anxiety in the United States regarding a reported case of pneumonic plague in Russia, which has raised fears of bioweapons and government secrecy. The incident involves a 28-year-old woman who died from pneumonia of unknown origin at a Siberian research lab. While U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, have expressed concern, health experts emphasize that pneumonic plague is not highly contagious and can be contained through basic precautions like masks and isolation. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed the case as plague, stating that no pathogens linked to the woman's work were found in her samples. The situation has drawn comparisons to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and sparked debates about transparency and lab safety.
Crockett says she supports 'all Democrats': 'Yes, that includes James Talarico'
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) stated publicly that she supports all Democrats running in Texas, including James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee who defeated her in the March 3 primary. Despite endorsing Talarico immediately after the election and congratulating him personally, Crockett has not issued any formal endorsement or campaigned with him since. Her PAC, FIRE, released a list of 14 endorsements in late September that did not include Talarico, prompting backlash. Crockett criticized media outlets for focusing on Talarico's absence and redirected attention to other issues, such as the campaign against GOP Senator Ken Paxton. She emphasized her strategy of supporting underrepresented candidates, particularly Black Texans, and argued that campaigning with Talarico would not benefit his bid for Senate. The race between Talarico and GOP candidate Ken Paxton remains highly competitive, with recent polls showing Talarico leading Paxton by a narrow margin.