The One With the History of TPM

·1 hr 5 min·5 clips

TPM forced mainstream reporters to cite their scoops on the U.S. Attorney scandal, changing media protocols.

The episode is a recorded panel discussion from TPM's 25th anniversary event, serving as an oral history of the site. Josh Marshall introduces it, noting Kate Riga is on vacation. John Light, TPM's executive editor, moderates the panel with colleagues Nicole LaFond and David Kurtz, and alums Paul Keel, Evan McMorris-Santoro, and Katie Thompson. Panelists share when they first started reading TPM, with Paul Keel mentioning the Trent Lott scandal in 2003. Keel describes being hired in 2006 as TPM's first reporter for Muckraker, covering the Jack Abramoff scandal from an empty office. David Kurtz recounts his transition from a lawyer to TPM, initially feeding documents under his initials before joining full-time in 2006. The discussion covers TPM's role in the U.S. Attorney scandal, where they broke news hours before mainstream outlets and faced resistance from reporters reluctant to cite them. Evan McMorris-Santoro talks about interviewing Donald Trump in 2011 on a flip camera, capturing early birtherism claims. Katie Thompson details covering far-right militias like the Oath Keepers and events such as the Bundy Ranch standoff, which foreshadowed January 6th. The panel reflects on TPM's shift from an advertising-based model to reader-supported membership during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how TPM tracked the Republican Party's move toward extremism, from the Tea Party to Trump, and the challenges of covering politics when norms have eroded. The episode concludes with thanks to TPM readers and staff, emphasizing the site's longevity and community support.

As heard by us

Josh Marshall revisits TPM's early Tea Party coverage and the reader support behind its 25-year run.

The Josh Marshall Podcast pauses its regular rhythm for a panel conversation from TPM's 25th anniversary, and the episode works best as a look back at how the site's reporting instincts took shape.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want a seat in the anniversary room as TPM looks back on getting to the Tea Party story early and weathering a rough media landscape?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Josh Marshall Podcast