United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1982
Ownership
The Washington Times was founded in 1982 by Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Unification Church, and was for decades published by his News World Communications. Today it is published by The Washington Times LLC, which is owned by TWT Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Operations Holdings, Inc. — the for-profit holding arm tied to the Unification Church movement. Control therefore remains within the Moon family / Unification Church orbit rather than independent commercial owners.
Funding
Funded by advertising, subscriptions and circulation, but it has historically relied on large subsidies from its Unification Church-linked ownership, which is widely reported to have poured hundreds of millions into the paper to sustain it. It has never been consistently profitable on a standalone commercial basis.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially it is strongly conservative and reliably Republican-aligned (it endorsed Donald Trump in 2024), with a right lean. Because it is controlled by a church-affiliated holding company that subsidizes it to advance an ideological mission rather than being a commercially independent outlet, it is classified DEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 750
79/100
Factual
70/100
Objective
817
Articles
817
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The U.S. has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southern England, a decision made amid heightened security concerns following a suspected terror plot linked to Iran.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.
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.
Arizona rejects warning from China, opens Taiwan representative office
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Taiwanese representatives officially opened an economic and cultural office aimed at supporting Taiwanese businesses and citizens in the state. This move was made despite pressure from the Chinese government, which has historically opposed such initiatives. The establishment of the office reflects growing U.S.-Taiwan relations and efforts to strengthen ties between Arizona and Taiwan. The action highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics involving U.S. states, Taiwan, and China.
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.
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.
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.
After bipartisan criticism, Trump says taxpayers’ dollars will no longer be used for TV ads promoting him
Following bipartisan criticism, President Donald Trump announced that taxpayer funds will no longer be used to finance television advertisements promoting him. The White House had previously defended these ads, but in response to widespread backlash, Trump stated that funding will now come from his personal resources and his affiliated super PAC, MAGA Inc. This decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the use of federal funds for political advertising. The shift in funding responsibility reflects pressure from both parties to separate presidential campaigns from public finances.
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.
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.
Spain’s Leader Is Betting His Government on the Housing Crisis
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early elections for November 29 after Parliament rejected two critical housing decrees aimed at addressing the country's worsening housing crisis. These measures included eviction protections for vulnerable families, rent regulation, and incentives for renters and first-time buyers. Sánchez's governing coalition, consisting of his Socialist Party (PSOE) and the left-wing Sumar alliance, lacks a parliamentary majority and relies on external support to pass legislation. The rejection of the housing bills highlights the coalition's vulnerability, as opposition parties like Junts and the conservative PP opposed the measures, arguing they would worsen housing shortages and increase costs. Sánchez hopes the early election will secure broader public backing for his housing agenda but risks giving his opponents a parliamentary majority.
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.
Biden-Era Memo on Covid and Schools Set Off Dispute in Justice Dept.
The article discusses a dispute within the U.S. Department of Justice regarding a 2021 memo on handling COVID-19 in schools during the Biden administration. It notes that the Trump administration had previously released a report highlighting objections from career officials to the memo, which they claimed showed bias against conservatives. However, the article points out an ironic development where the current administration has reportedly forced out many of those who raised concerns.
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.