Progressive Spotlight: Katie Halper.

Katie Halper is from New York City. She has exactly zero fucks to give in terms of whether you like her commentary or not. You might be on her good side today, bad side tomorrow; and that’s what we love about her. Because Halper suffers no fools, her commentary can sometimes come off as caustic and one-sided, but no one will accuse her of lacking principles.

Halper began her career in new media where she focused on the intersection of comedy and social issues and, in many ways, embodies the modern-day online media persona.

Before launching an online media career, she co-founded a political comedy group called Laughing Liberally, which leveraged comedy and satire to critique and expose the establishment. Halper is a prolific writer, podcast host, co-founder of shows like Useful Idiots and a frequent commentator and guest on other outlets.

Her profile in progressive media grew significantly as she became the host of her own podcast, “The Katie Halper Show.” Launched in 2014, it features interviews with a range of political figures, activists, and journalists, offering a platform for leftist perspectives often marginalized in mainstream outlets. She’s known for her searing takes on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Democratic establishment’s war on progressives and media bias.

As a vocal supporter of the Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign in 2016, one of Halper’s most notable stories involved her reporting on former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Donna Brazile, which raised questions about the DNC’s impartiality during the Democratic primary. Her coverage of this and other stories positioned her as a critical voice willing to challenge the Democratic establishment from the left.

In 2022, Halper’s tenure as a frequent contributor to The Hill’s popular independent news show “Rising” came to an abrupt end. She was fired after recording a segment defending Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s remarks calling Israel an apartheid state. The episode, which Halper released on her own platforms after it was rejected by “Rising,” featured an interview with experts on international law and human rights, including Nathan Thrall, to substantiate her argument.

Halper’s ouster sparked considerable debate within the progressive media community about the boundaries of acceptable discourse on Israel-Palestine and the pressures faced by independent media to conform to certain viewpoints.

Her fellow progressive commentators saw it as a troubling sign of censorship and the narrowing of acceptable debate, even within ostensibly independent media platforms. Halper herself expressed disappointment but remained defiant, stating that she would continue to speak out on issues she believes are important, regardless of the personal or professional cost.

Following her departure from the show, Halper has continued to produce content independently. She remains the host of “The Katie Halper Show,” where she delves into topics such as healthcare, workers’ rights, and U.S. foreign policy.

She also co-hosts the “Useful Idiots” podcast with journalist Aaron Maté, offering in-depth analysis and critiques of mainstream media narratives and U.S. policy, often highlighting stories overlooked by larger outlets.

Halper has also written for a variety of publications, including The Nation, Jacobin, and The Guardian, where her articles typically focus on critiquing the Democratic Party from the left, challenging U.S. interventionist policies abroad, and advocating for progressive causes such as Medicare for All and workers’ rights.

Image Sources

• The Katie Halper Show logo via YouTube. Changes were made.
• Katie & Bodhi photo via Instagram. Changes were made.