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mainer

(12,257 posts) Mon Jan 13, 2025, 10:11 AM Jan 13

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Jennifer Rubin exits the Washington Post -- joins new startup publication! [View all]

“Our goal is to combat, with every fiber of our being, the authoritarian threat that we face,” Rubin told CNN in an interview ahead of the publication’s introduction.

Rather than anti-Trump, the founders describe their venture as pro-democracy. They said they have already enlisted about two dozen contributors, including people who played prominent roles in debunking 2020 election denialism and investigating the January 6, 2021, attack at the US Capitol.

“The voices we’ll be featuring are diverse across parties and generations,” Eisen said in a statement, “connected by the shared belief that we need an unshackled media in order to meet this moment, as we face an existential threat to American democracy.”

The Contrarian joins a growing group of publications – like The Bulwark and Zeteo, to name two – that are built on the Substack newsletter platform. Starting Monday, it will publish some content for free but will charge $7 a month for complete access to columns, podcasts, and videos.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/13/media/jennifer-rubin-norm-eisen-contrarian-washington-post/index.html

I just subscribed! You can go here if you want to subscribe, too:
https://contrarian.substack.com

66 replies

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Highlight:

Jennifer Rubin exits the Washington Post -- joins new startup publication! [View all] mainer Jan 13 OP

I respect Jennifer Rubin Pachamama Jan 13 #1

She used to be a conservative Republican. yardwork Jan 13 #5

Yes, and she used to annoy the hell out of me. Ocelot II Jan 13 #10

I prefer to say she evolved BonnieJW Jan 13 #26

She was one of them ThePartyThatListens Jan 13 #59

Well, either she changed or she wasn't ever MAGA. yardwork Jan 14 #62

Yeah, she seems a bit more sane now, because the rest of her party has gone completely insane ThePartyThatListens Jan 14 #64

Agreed. She is excellent Evolve Dammit Jan 13 #9

I respect her too senseandsensibility Jan 13 #42

She is principled and honest, but is she a... reACTIONary Jan 13 #58

Opinion writers and editors are indeed journalists. summer_in_TX Jan 14 #60

Thanks, good point. reACTIONary Jan 14 #65

thanks markie Jan 13 #2

Salute to someone who refuses to BEND THE KNEE BoRaGard Jan 13 #3

Thanks - I just signed up for the free version, Ocelot II Jan 13 #4

Interesting group of contributors. yardwork Jan 13 #6

I like that line up! tulipsandroses Jan 13 #55

She was first in her class from Berkley law school. n/t Peregrine Took Jan 13 #7

She was one of the few reasons I was reluctant to cancel my Washington Post subscription. Borogove Jan 13 #8

I just subscribed to The Contrarian and canceled my WaPo subscription. yardwork Jan 13 #11

Kick dalton99a Jan 13 #12

Thanks for the link. I just signed up, too. Lonestarblue Jan 13 #13

Any updated stats on how many WaPo subscriptions have been cancelled recently? TheRickles Jan 13 #14

The linked CNN article says 250,000 since Bezos killed the Harris endorsement . . . Journeyman Jan 13 #44

Yes, but that number was quoted a couple of weeks ago. I was wondering if the trend has continued since then. TheRickles Jan 13 #47

I just signed up Polly Hennessey Jan 13 #15

I was wondering when she'd be leaving. intheflow Jan 13 #16

To hell with Jennifer Rubin! JadedButHopeful Jan 13 #17

So much hate, so much anger. People evolve, otherwise they ossify. question everything Jan 13 #18

thank you Celerity Jan 13 #25

Basically because they are former Republicans. speak easy Jan 13 #22

Norm Eisen is not a former Republican. greatauntoftriplets Jan 13 #28

You may be thinking of Norm Ornstein: spooky3 Jan 13 #32

You may be correct...no, you ARE correct... Trueblue Texan Jan 13 #23

Bullshit. She was never for trump, including in 2016 where she voted for JohnSJ Jan 13 #27

Thank you. Good to hear the truth. emulatorloo Jan 13 #50

I'm not understanding your point here. yardwork Jan 13 #33

She leaves one authoritarian entity and broadcasts it on another (CNN). live love laugh Jan 13 #19

"Rubin's existential dark night of the soul was reflected in her disperate daily on-air wordrobe choices" prodigitalson Jan 13 #20

"disperate daily on-air wordrobe choices?" What are you even trying to say? thebigidea Jan 13 #53

nevermind, I had her confused with someone else...sorry prodigitalson Jan 17 #66

I just subscribed too! nt Trueblue Texan Jan 13 #21

Here's her Bluesky post: Dennis Donovan Jan 13 #24

You can't ethically work for Bezos in the field of journalism Prairie Gates Jan 13 #29

Yes DENVERPOPS Jan 13 #54

No surprise. The Post lost millions of subscribers PennRalphie Jan 13 #30

I came here to post about this as well...... Takket Jan 13 #31

I left too Jilly_in_VA Jan 13 #34

I unsubscribed today too. yardwork Jan 13 #35

I've already subscribed! mcar Jan 13 #36

I have been hoping they'd do this!!! Signed up for free. If they're good, I'll subscribe in a month. Scrivener7 Jan 13 #37

Thanks, I'll check it out. n/t Martin Eden Jan 13 #38

Done. Thanks for posting. justhanginon Jan 13 #39

Just signed up. Although already have subscriptions wordstroken Jan 13 #40

Bezos is bleeding talent stollen Jan 13 #41

MSM soon to be replaced by Independent Media (IM) Joinfortmill Jan 13 #43

TY & JR Kick Cha Jan 13 #45

I've already joined a couple of Substack groups COL Mustard Jan 13 #46

You can subscribe free and BlueSky3 Jan 13 #52

I hoped, and believed, Mme. Defarge Jan 13 #48

Lots of great people involved: Celerity Jan 13 #49

Just subscribed, for the free version. Will probably upgrade to paid in Feb or March. emulatorloo Jan 13 #51

Ty. Signed for free. Will appreciate what I can get electric_blue68 Jan 13 #56

Contributors will include.... reACTIONary Jan 13 #57

Joyce Vance is also in on this. soldierant Jan 14 #61

Will it be non-profit? Maybe that it's on substack says it all, but I'm not educated about this stuff. nt LAS14 Jan 14 #63