I couldn’t believe my ears

 

Dear MoJo Reader: I’d like to tell you about a conversation I recently had at a Washington cocktail party with a prominent media figure who runs a well-regarded online publication featuring well-crafted reporting and analysis. And I’ll be upfront here: I’m doing so because I’d like to convince you to sign up for Our Land, my own personal newsletter that brings you kickass reporting and analysis twice a week, as well as behind-the-scenes reports on media and politics; takes (hot, I hope) on assorted cultural matters, including films, television shows, music, podcasts, and books; and assorted interactive features through which I can engage directly with readers.

A NEWSLETTER FROM DAVID CORN

Start My Free Trial Back to that conversation... I won’t mention the name of this media poohbah because this was social chatter, not an interview. We were discussing challenges the media face in this current moment of Donald Trump-generated chaos, right-wing extremism and viciousness, and creeping authoritarianism, and I said something about the difficulties of covering what might be the end—or, at least, the weakening—of American democracy. My interlocuter pooh-poohed my premise, declaring that the American experiment was not at risk: “We are strong and resilient. There’s no need to worry.” I cited Trump’s close-to-the-brink confrontations with the courts, his rampant corruption, his assault on the free press, his multiple abuses of power, the adoption of police-state tactics to implement his mass deportation crusade, the Elon Musk-led decimation of vital federal agencies and programs, and the GOP-controlled Congress’ intent to blow up the federal budget to shower the 1 percent with tax cuts and eliminate health insurance for millions. Wasn’t all this enough to prompt concern? “We’ll be fine,” this person said. For a moment, I assumed they were joking. Then I realized they weren’t. Time for another drink, I told myself and offered a plausible excuse for moving along. As I headed toward the bar, I was disturbed. If this highly educated, well-informed media person of, no doubt, a somewhat liberal bent—no Trump supporter—doesn’t see the threat, that’s worrisome. I fear many in the media have adopted this attitude. Too often, they normalize Trump’s outrageous conduct and the threat he poses to the nation. But that’s not me and my colleagues at Mother Jones. We know that the future of American democracy is at stake right now and that journalism should ferociously cover and reflect the crisis at hand. That’s why I’ve been busy these past few months breaking stories on Trump’s war on life-saving government programs, his nonstop disinformation operation, his corruption, his embrace of authoritarianism, and his extremist appointees, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard. These are perilous times, and I will not normalize the dangerous conduct and policies now emerging from the Trump White House. I don’t think you’d be reading this note if you didn’t appreciate this sort of hard-hitting, truth-telling journalism. So I have a hunch that you’d enjoy reading Our Land—and I hope you’ll help me expand its reach. Start My Free Trial Each issue you will get timely and unique reports on the news of the week or, more important, what the rest of the media missing. I often explore the connections between present-day crises and those of the past to deepen our collective understanding of what the hell is going on. I dive into cultural currents that may or may not have political consequences. (Spoiler alert: They usually do.) No holds barred. Subscribe to Our Land today—for free—and I’ll get you started with the very next issue. No cost. No obligation. No strings attached. No credit card required. It usually costs $5 a month to subscribe to Our Land. But I’m offering you this can’t-lose offer because I’m hoping that after you start reading Our Land, you’ll be hooked and eager to keep this endeavor going with your support. Our Land takes subscribers behind the scenes of important controversies and critical events. And the newsletter is interactive: I respond to readers who write in with questions, rants, or outside-the-box observations. Plus, subscribers get to attend regular Our Land Zoom gatherings with me and occasionally special guests. There’s also MoxieCam™. I hope you'll your start your 100-percent free trial of Our Land today. Sign Me Up!

Bottom line: Our Land is how I get to engage directly with you and other readers and share my years of experience covering the heroes and villains of Washington and beyond and closely watching the media. I love being able to offer something fresh, fun, and unfiltered—and that helps you stay well-informed, especially in these critical times. If you’ve appreciated my journalism, my books, or my media appearances over the years, please support my ongoing effort to make journalism count and give Our Land a shot today. Looking forward to having you join the Our Land team. Onward,

David Corn Washington, DC, Bureau Chief Mother Jones

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