The Threat To Independent Journalists Is As Great As Ever

Know that I will stand with you and never sell out.

It’s been two weeks since Donald Trump was sworn in as the President of the United States, and we are already seeing the mainstream media take action to normalize Donald Trump and his political agenda. I wanted to take a minute tonight to let you know that I hear you, and I see the anxiety, worry, and stress that the past two weeks have caused you. I also wanted to let you know that I am here with you every step of the way.

Whether or not you have been watching the events of the past two weeks, one thing has become clear: during the next four years, legacy media channels are going to move closer to Donald Trump due to fears of retribution. We saw it before he took office with the $15 million ABC News settlement. We are already seeing it now that he has been sworn into office.

The job of a free press isn’t to placate a political figure. It’s to ensure the truth always comes out, whether or not that means holding political figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance accountable. For example, merely reporting that Trump will pardon January 6th defendants is not enough. When reporting about critical events like that it is up to the media to discuss the events of January 6, 2021, what Donald Trump did to incite the violence on that day, and the indictments that came afterwards. But, that’s not all. We must acknowledge the danger of pardoning those who tried to destroy our Capitol just four years ago. We cannot normalize that action.

That’s my pledge to you. I will not normalize Donald Trump, JD Vance, or their incoming Administration’s policies. As an independent journalist, my job is to give you the facts as presented. That’s not all. It is also to hold those in political leadership accountable and to seek the unvarnished truth. No matter what happens today or over the next four years, know that my commitment to you will hold. And, because I am providing you this news on Substack, my work is not controlled by any billionaire. I have and always will have full editorial control of my work. If you want to support my work, please click the button below to become a paid subscriber:

Many folks ask me why I do this work, and the answer is simple: there aren’t enough young people in media. Legacy media has failed young Americans, and Americans generally, by not elevating young voices, while simultaneously elevating opinionated and biased talking heads to deliver the “news.” It’s not right, and I am working to try to change that.

And so, while the threat to independent journalism is at its greatest point in history, know that I am not going anywhere.

I will be back in the morning with my morning news update.

Aaron