RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate American Compass as right-center biased based on moderate conservative economic viewpoints. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (2.8)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.5)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The American Compass is a conservative think tank founded in 2020 by Oren Cass, a former advisor to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. The organization seeks to reorient conservative economic policy by prioritizing family, community, and domestic industry over traditional free-market ideology. American Compass challenges laissez-faire capitalism and promotes national industrial policy, a shift away from libertarian economic principles.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
American Compass operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. While its 2023 Annual Report provides insights into its work, it does not specify exact funding sources. However, external sources confirm notable funders:
- The Rockefeller Foundation: Awarded a $225,000 grant in 2023 to support American Compass’s Program on Productive Markets, which focuses on economic decoupling from China, industrial policy, financial regulation, taxation, and immigration reform.
- Other Funders: According to InfluenceWatch, American Compass has also received funding from organizations like The Hewlett Foundation and The Omidyar Network.
- The organization is also listed as part of the advisory board for Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative to restructure the federal government to align with conservative policies.
Analysis / Bias
American Compass promotes a conservative economic framework that rejects libertarian free-market ideology in favor of domestic industry protectionism, worker-oriented policies, and economic nationalism. These positions are reflected in their policy proposals and publications. The handbook “Rebuilding American Capitalism” outlines a policy roadmap aimed at aligning corporate profit-seeking with national economic interests, advocating for public policies that direct capital toward productive domestic uses rather than financial speculation.
Their “Issues & Proposals” section covers globalization, financialization, industrial policy, labor, family, education, and technology, promoting trade restrictions, incentives for domestic production, and stricter immigration policies to support American workers.
Two articles demonstrate American Compass’s mild conservative bias. In “Why DOGE Will Fail”, Oren Cass critiques easy-money solutions, warning against simplistic economic policies that avoid long-term investment in productive industries. The argument aligns with conservative economic skepticism of speculative digital assets. Similarly, “USMCA Was Never Meant to Be Permanent” by Daniel Kishi argues that U.S. trade agreements must continuously evolve to protect domestic workers and industries, reflecting conservative views on economic nationalism and skepticism of international trade pacts.
In general, American Compass is a moderate conservative think tank that challenges free-market orthodoxy in favor of nationalist, worker-oriented economic policies. While it does not promote extreme right-wing libertarianism, it advocates for government intervention in trade, finance, and industry to support domestic economic interests.
Failed Fact Check
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate American Compass as right-center biased based on moderate conservative economic viewpoints. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. (D. Van Zandt 03/04/2025)
Source: https://americancompass.org/
Last Updated on March 4, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources