Analysis of engagement metrics such as likes, shares, and comments on The Contrarian's platform

Jennifer Rubin Exits Washington Post to Launch The Contrarian on Substack, Aiming to Counter Authoritarian Threat

Jan 13, 2025, 02:25 PM

Jennifer Rubin, a 14-year veteran opinion columnist, has resigned from The Washington Post to launch a new publication called The Contrarian. She is partnering with former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen, who is departing his role as a CNN legal analyst, for this venture, which aims to counter what they describe as an 'authoritarian threat' to American democracy. The Contrarian will operate on the Substack platform, offering some free content and charging $7 a month for full access to columns, podcasts, and videos. Rubin's departure from The Washington Post was motivated by her belief that the newspaper, along with other mainstream media outlets, has failed to maintain a robust and aggressive free press at a critical time. She cited several controversies at The Post, including owner Jeff Bezos's influence on editorial decisions, such as blocking the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Amazon's $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund, as reasons for her exit. The Contrarian aims to feature about two dozen diverse voices across parties and generations, focusing on political news and cultural coverage, with Rubin serving as editor-in-chief and Eisen as publisher. Contributors will include humorist Andy Borowitz. Following the Post's non-endorsement scandal, at least 250,000 subscriptions were lost, which may serve as a starting point for The Contrarian's subscription business.