Jennifer Rubin and Norm Eisen Launch New Media Venture

Veteran columnist Jennifer Rubin has left The Washington Post and teamed up with former ethics chief Norm Eisen to start a new publication called The Contrarian. They aim to counter what they see as a growing authoritarian threat, focusing on pro-democracy content. The founders have already recruited around two dozen contributors, including those who played key roles in debunking election falsehoods and investigating the Capitol attack. The publication will be hosted on the Substack platform, offering some free content but charging $7 per month for full access. Eisen will serve as the publisher, while Rubin takes on the role of editor-in-chief. Rubin's decision to leave The Washington Post was influenced by several controversies, including the Post's refusal to publish a satirical cartoon by Pulitzer Prize-winner Ann Telnaes. Rubin and Eisen are aiming for diverse voices and plan to include cultural coverage for a broader audience. Humorist Andy Borowitz will also contribute. They face the typical challenges of digital startups but hope to attract subscribers disillusioned by The Washington Post's recent controversies.