Bridging the Badge highlights ‘constitutional policing'
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Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
The Bulwark's top editor shares how the anti-Trump site tripled its subscriber base in a year — and why it's betting on YouTube
If President Donald Trump didn't exist, the staunchly anti-Trump news website The Bulwark might not either. But the president isn't solely responsible for The Bulwark's success. Instead, its top editor credits email newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube for its impressive growth in recent years. "We grew consistently, all the way through the Biden administration," Jonathan V. Last, editor of The Bulwark, said in an interview with Business Insider. "That's something I didn't expect." To be sure, Trump's resurgence has added fuel to the fire that Last and his colleagues were kindling. The Bulwark surpassed 100,000 paid subscribers on Substack in early July, which the company told BI is more than double its total in late October — just before the 2024 election. The Bulwark also now has 830,000 total subscribers, most of whom get its emails for free. The company said its total count has tripled in the last year and surpassed 500,000 a day after Trump retook office. YouTube is another key part of The Bulwark's growth. It crossed 1 million subscribers on the platform in mid-February, and that count rose 34% between then and early July, thanks to a healthy mix of short-form snippets and long-form videos. The news site uses YouTube Shorts, the platform's buzzy, TikTok-esque clips, as a foot in the door for newcomers. But long-form content of all kinds is crushing on YouTube, especially on TVs. The Bulwark's producers have taken note by making most of their videos at least 10 minutes long, and some run well over an hour. "We no longer think of podcast and video as separate," Last said. "We just think of it all as broadcast." The Bulwark was perfectly positioned for one of the wildest decades for news in the last century, complete with a pandemic, wars, and Trump's rise, fall, and rebound. "It's been a crazy eight years," Last said. "People have been forced to pay attention to the news in ways which are reasonably unique, at least in our lifetimes." Not just 'Never Trump' The Bulwark has gained much of its notoriety for its sharp criticism of Trump. But when asked who he's writing for, Last said he's not necessarily targeting a certain political group. "The target audience is people who take ideas seriously and aren't looking for confirmation bias and who think that the moment is important," Last said. He added: "I think of, honestly, our target audience as being indistinguishable from The Atlantic's." While Last said many Bulwark readers are largely on the center left to the center right, he added that the main common thread among his reader base is a distaste for authoritarianism. To Last, that's synonymous with an unease, or outright disgust, with Trump and many of his policies. "We're on a team, and the team is democracy," Last said. However, Last said The Bulwark doesn't have a vendetta against Trump. If the president enacts policies that Last and his colleagues like — such as Operation Warp Speed, which accelerated COVID-19 vaccine development during the pandemic — he said they'll gladly tout them. "We are not reflexively negative," Last said. "It's not like if Trump comes out and says that 'ice cream is good,' we have to say, 'ice cream is bad.'" Still, Last's readers know that he sees Trump as a serious threat to American democracy. "If I had described the events of 2020 to somebody in 2016, they would've said, 'You're crazy — that's "Trump Derangement Syndrome,"'" Last said. Critics may shrug off The Bulwark's warnings as alarmist, but Last insists he's not crying wolf. "The fact that people aren't freaked out by just the actual real things that have happened in front of our eyes is mostly a function of the pot being turned up while the frogs are in it," Last said. Straightforward and direct Authenticity sells in 2025, both in politics and media. Just look at the most popular podcasters, including Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper of "Call Her Daddy" fame. Audiences also crave honesty, Last said. That honesty and authenticity, combined with strongly held convictions, have become cornerstones of The Bulwark's popularity. "A lot of times, we'll sit around arguing with each other, and the argument will end with one of us going, 'Yeah, you guys are right. I got that wrong,'" Last said. Unlike traditional media organizations, The Bulwark is built on Substack. The newsletter hub has been a huge part of the news site's rapid growth, Last said, since readers of other writers can discover The Bulwark and subscribe in a single click. "Anything you can do to lower the friction just pays enormous dividends," Last said. By building its business around newsletters, The Bulwark reaches readers directly, without intermediaries like search engines or social media. Newsletters and podcasts can also build emotional connections. The Bulwark's publisher, Sarah Longwell, told Vanity Fair in May that "people feel like they are friends with us" since they hear their voices and can even reach their inboxes by replying to emails. This access makes The Bulwark feel fresher than newspapers or cable news channels, Last said. "That's the sort of thing that you often get from independent media operators, if you're a one-man band on Substack," Last said. "But it's, I think, not as common to see that at an institutional level." Putting MSNBC and CNN on notice Although The Bulwark has roughly doubled its paid reader base since the election, Last sees much more room to grow. The news site recently hired reporters to cover policy, immigration, and Congress, Last said. This can help The Bulwark add value through reporting, instead of just its opinions. But the biggest potential for growth is YouTube, Last said, given that its subscriber base can scale far faster on the world's biggest video platform than on Substack. The Bulwark could take its video strategy to the next level by producing shows in the style of traditional TV, Last said. He said his site is open to partnering with a streaming service, similar to The Daily Beast's deal with Netflix that was reported by Semafor. MSNBC and CNN have been a go-to spot for the anti-Trump TV news audience for years. Last suggested that The Bulwark is willing to encroach on their territory and beat them at their own game. "Cable news is dying," Last said. "All of the minutes of attention, which gets sucked up by CNN or Fox or whoever, those minutes are going to flow elsewhere. And I think that we should be a place where that attention goes." Legacy networks like MSNBC may be able to coexist with new media outfits like The Bulwark, especially since its writers regularly go on the left-leaning cable network. But regardless of who's pushing back against Trump, Last's hope is that American democracy is healthy. He doesn't want chaos, even if it can help his business, but he knows that's mostly out of his control. "Given the choice between having half of our audience, but living in a normal time, I would absolutely take that," Last said.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Where to watch the Sean 'Diddy' Combs documentaries on sex-crimes trial, allegations
Now that Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial has concluded, you might be wondering what you missed during the case (that lasted nearly two months) and what exactly happened. There are plenty of documentaries to catch you up to speed. Ever since Combs was arrested in 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, various networks and streaming services have explored the allegations against him in a series of documentaries. Some lean into commentary from experts to provide context about Combs' rise and fall, and many include new interviews with members of the hip-hop mogul's inner circle. There are more where those came from, too. Another documentary about Combs produced by 50 Cent is in the works for Netflix. A release date has not been announced. Combs denied all of the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges he faced. A 12-person jury delivered a bombshell split decision July 2 in Combs' case, which started May 5 in Manhattan federal court. Jurors found Combs guilty of two counts of a lesser charge, transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him on the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Here's a look at the most notable documentaries about his sex-crimes case (plus the mounting pile of civil lawsuits against him) and where to watch them. How to watch People magazine's documentary In the special episode of "People Explains," the outlets' reporters and editors review the details of the trial that took place away from any camera lens. "They're alleging his company was a criminal enterprise," senior reporter Janelle Griffith says, "and that he enlisted the help of various people, from low level employees, like personal assistants, to security guards to do his dirty work so to speak, or help him in the commission of crimes." "People were afraid of him," Charlotte Triggs, general manager and editor in chief, says in the 20-minute documentary, "and as often happens, when someone has a lot of influence and a lot of control and a lot of money, nobody really wants to say anything bad about them and nobody really wants to go out on a limb and be the first one." Staff recalls Combs' behavior at the trial and testimony presented, including that of Combs' ex-partner Cassie Ventura. "Now that they're compelled to (tell the truth) by the court," despite any potential nondisclosure agreement, Triggs says, "you're finally getting the real story, and you're seeing that they are, in fact, corroborating these stories, that a lot of people witnessed this stuff." The "People Explains the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial" is available to stream on YouTube. How to watch 'The Fall of Diddy' Released in January 2025, "The Fall of Diddy" is a documentary series from Investigation Discovery, the network that also aired the documentary about accusations of abuse behind the scenes at Nickelodeon, "Quiet on Set." "Spanning Combs' decades-long impact on music and popular culture, from his early days as a talented creative to his 2024 arrest, the docuseries uncovers the insidious and terrifying allegations of sexual assault, abusive behavior, violence and other disturbing claims that lay beneath his success," according to Investigation Discovery. Diddy's star-studded parties were cultural extravaganzas: Inside the White Party Notable moments from the documentary included celebrity makeup artist Mylah Morales claiming she came to the rescue of Ventura after a violent argument with the rapper. Ventura accused Combs of rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse in a 2023 lawsuit that they quickly settled. Another episode featured an interview with Phil Pines, Combs' former assistant, who said he witnessed violence and described an alleged assault at the rapper's Miami estate. "The Fall of Diddy" consists of five episodes and is available to stream on HBO Max. How to watch 'TMZ Presents: The Downfall of Diddy' This TMZ documentary clocks in at just over an hour and delves into Combs' legal problems and the circumstances surrounding his arrest. "A series of lawsuits and allegations have legendary rap mogul P. Diddy on the ropes," the description said. "TMZ has the troubling inside story from people who were there." The special features interviews with TMZ employees, legal experts and celebrities like Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day, who said his "mistreatment" changed "the course and direction of my entire life." "TMZ Presents: The Downfall of Diddy" is available to stream on Tubi. How to watch 'Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy' This feature-length documentary is described as a "raw look at Sean Combs' journey through exclusive footage and candid interviews" exploring "his rise, controversies and the man behind the music." It discusses the rapper's legal controversies as well as his early years coming up in the hip-hop scene. 'Call it swingers': A preview of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense as lawyer describes lifestyle "'Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy' sheds light on his childhood, rise to fame, and recent criminal allegations, challenging viewers to rethink everything they thought they knew about the mogul behind the music − and the mugshot," the synopsis says. Revelations from the documentary included former Da Band member Sara Rivers saying Combs "touched me in a place that he shouldn't have." "That was inappropriate, and I felt intimidated," Rivers said. "I'm definitely nervous. ... I haven't said anything for so long, and it's built up." "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy" is available to stream on Peacock. How to watch 'Secret Life of Diddy' This 43-minute documentary was a special edition of "20/20" and is described as a look at Combs' "shocking arrest" and "downfall." Interview subjects include Tiffany Red, a friend of Ventura's. In the documentary, Red, who wrote a letter supporting Ventura's abuse allegations in 2023, said she witnessed Combs being "explosive" and rageful around Ventura. "My sense was that everyone around him was afraid of him," Red said. The special is available to stream on Hulu. Contributing: Edward Segarra, Anika Reed, KiMi Robinson and Aysha Bagchi
Indianapolis Star
9 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis church doubles down on Pride sermon advocating for harm to LGBTQ people
An independent fundamentalist church in Indianapolis is doubling down on a sermon in which a lay preacher encouraged congregants to pray for the deaths of those who identify as LGBTQ+. The sermon — a mashup of Bible verses dotted with homophobic slurs and tied to Pride Month — was delivered June 29 at Sure Foundation Baptist Church, located in a small storefront near Lafayette Road and West 30th Street. More: Antisemitic incidents spiking in Indiana. North Central student tells her story "Why do I hate sodomites, why do I hate (slur)? Because they attack children, they're coming after your children, they are attacking them in schools today, and not only schools in public places, and they're proud about it!" church member Stephen Falco said during a Men's Preaching Night service. Falco called people who identify as LGBTQ+ "evil" and "disgusting." "There's nothing good to be proud about being a (slur). You ought to blow yourself in the head in the back of the head. You're so disgusting," he said in the sermon the church posted on YouTube. The video-sharing platform has since removed the video for violating its terms of service. Advocates for LGBTQ+ Hoosiers and other religious leaders were quick to denounce what they saw as harmful rhetoric in the sermon first reported by WISH-TV. "Such messages are not only theologically irresponsible but pastorally dangerous," the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, a faith-based civil rights organization, said in a statement. "The pulpit must never be used as a weapon to dehumanize, isolate, or incite fear." But the church, in a statement shared July 3 on its Facebook page, leaned into the criticism and proclaimed it would not apologize for the sermon. Instead, the message celebrated the attention the controversy has generated for the church. "The Bible is crystal clear that sodomites — homosexuals — deserve the death penalty carried out by a government that actually cares about the law of God," said the message signed by Evangelist Justin Zhong. G. David Caudill, founder and executive director of Equality Indiana, called the message inflammatory and extremist, saying it could inspire violence against the community. Sure Foundation Baptist Church, in response to questions from IndyStar, said it has about 35 people attend services on an average Sunday. Followers are called "soulwinners" and urged to spread the Gospel. The church website asserts its beliefs are based exclusively on the King James Bible. The Lafayette Road congregation is a branch of the Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington, which grew out of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California. The Indy church is the only branch in the Midwest, according to the website, and had its first service Feb. 3, 2024. Zhong is identified as the local leader and is responsible for its day-to-day operations. Beyond its doors, the church has a presence on YouTube, Facebook, X and Rumble, a video-sharing platform that has become a right-wing alternative to YouTube because of its opposition to so-called cancel culture. More: As Trump support merges with Christian nationalism, experts warn of extremist risks "My job as a preacher is to preach the Word of God without compromise. If that means people would be pushed away, then so be it," said the response to IndyStar attributed to Zhong, Falco and the church. "My job is not to please men, but to please God. So many churches tone down the Bible in order to gain a crowd and that is wrong." The church statement said Falco's sermon was delivered as part of a Men's Preaching Night hosted every three months. Any man who is a faithful member can preach, but women are not allowed in the pulpit or any other type of leadership position, the statement said "because it's simply not biblical." Falco's comments on LGBTQ+ Hoosiers weren't his only extreme comments. Nor is he the only one from the men's programs to espouse hateful rhetoric and call for violence against people they see as an abomination or evil — including immigrants, protestors, graffiti taggers, and even those accused of minor crimes such as loitering. In the June sermon, Falco also attacked former President Joe Biden. "I have prayed for death of former President Biden many times for the wickedness he has done when he was in office, you know?" Falco said, mentioning Biden's recent cancer diagnosis. "And I believe many other Christians were also praying for his death, because he's a wicked reprobate." Another man identified in the video as "Brother Wayne" followed Falco at the pulpit that evening with a message titled "Worthy of Being Beaten." He blamed many societal problems on a lack of discipline and physical punishment, calling beatings a deterrent that has been lost in American culture. "I mean, is it really justice to put someone in jail and just let them sit there and get out with a fine or get a slap on the wrist, just to watch them turn around and do it all over again, become a repeat offender. ... If we had public beatings, it'd be much more swift," he said in a video posted on YouTube. His list of those "worthy" of a beating included protesters and those who commit even minor crimes. Some of his harshest words were aimed at immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. "I don't even understand why we're deporting these illegal criminals who are murderers, who are doing drug trafficking, sex trafficking, human trafficking. They're putting them on a plane, and they're sending them over to a prison in another country," he said. "I say we put them to death right here. I say we beat them right here." As for those who identify as LGBTQ+, he said: "I think they should be put to death. You know what, I'll go further. I think they should be beaten in public first for all their sick and demented, just (slur) and the things they're doing to our schools, to our government, to our institutions, to our churches. These people should be beaten and stomped in the mud, and then they should take a gun and blow the back of their heads off." In another Men's Preaching Night sermon from March, titled "Donald Trump: A Modern Herod," Falco again took the pulpit and called the president a pervert, and accused him of appearing religious to secure political support while having a life of pride, perversion, blasphemy and mockery of Jesus Christ. "This is what Donald Trump, our president of the United States of America, has said about his own flesh-and-blood daughter, and it is disgusting ... 'If Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her,'" Falco said in the sermon. "It's sick. You know, at least Herod had the decency to say that about his stepdaughter." Falco concluded: "Unless Donald Trump gets saved, which I hope he does ... God will judge him for it and he will go to hell." The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis countered Sure Foundation Baptist Church's message with a Bible verse, saying in its statement the Gospel is for everyone and should not be used a tool of condemnation. The clergy group said the Black Church, born in the crucible of oppression, must never mimic the very spirit of exclusion that once rejected its community. "We are called to be a sanctuary for the marginalized, not a platform for prejudice," the statement said. In standing for the dignity, inclusion and justice for all people, the group said it rejects the notion LGBTQ+ individuals are outside of God's reach, grace or redemption. "True holiness is not about who we hate; it is about how we love," the statement said. "We affirm that sin exists in all of us, we also affirm that God's grace extends to all of us. Our mission is not to decide who is beyond salvation, but to embody the inclusive love of Christ." Caudill, of Equality Indiana, said he is encouraged to see other Indianapolis faith leaders condemn the church's sermon. He's heard similar rhetoric at Pride festivals across the state — it's usually from small groups carrying signs and staging protests near festivities. "It does put my radar up to let those people who are supporters and followers of our organization, on social media and even those that are donors, to let them know we have to be more vigilant and protect ourselves," he said. "When you have that type of hateful and violent language, it could lead to someone taking those words and feeling protected to be able to go and commit violent acts against our community."
