Andrew Sullivan - The Weekly Dish - Bias and Credibility

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 Andrew Sullivan’s Substack, The Weekly Dish, as Right-Center biased based on his critique of progressive orthodoxy and defense of classical liberal-conservative ideals. We also rate him High for factual reporting due to transparent authorship, reliance on credible analysis, and an absence of failed fact checks, though his work is strongly opinion-based and interpretive.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (2.2)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.5)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Andrew Sullivan launched The Weekly Dish on Substack in July 2020 following his departure from New York Magazine. The newsletter continues his decades-long career as a political commentator and essayist, offering weekly columns, reader dissents, and podcast discussions. Sullivan, a British-born American conservative and openly gay Catholic, was formerly editor of The New Republic and a pioneer of political blogging. His writing blends classical liberalism, skepticism toward ideological extremes, and moral reflection rooted in Catholic humanism.

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

Andrew Sullivan independently owns the Weekly Dish and is subscriber-funded via Substack.

Analysis / Bias

Sullivan’s work defies strict partisan classification. He describes himself as a conservative in the Michael Oakeshott tradition, valuing prudence, civil debate, and gradual reform. While supportive of same-sex marriage and liberal democracy, he is sharply critical of what he calls the “illiberal left” and “woke orthodoxy.”

In “Magic Mamdani Theory”, he critiques far-left Democratic politics and identity-based frameworks, describing them as “a woke, far-left future for the Dems.” In “The Secret of Trump’s Gaza Triumph”, Sullivan offers a skeptical yet analytical assessment of Trump’s Middle East diplomacy, crediting his populist instincts while warning of deeper moral decay. In “The Infanticide That Won’t End”, he condemns both the Israeli and Palestinian extremes, calling for moral realism in wartime coverage, a stance that places him outside the partisan mainstream.

Sullivan frequently critiques left-wing cultural trends, modern gender activism, and identity politics while maintaining moderate-to-liberal positions on social tolerance, civil liberties, and democratic pluralism. He retains skepticism toward populist right-wing movements and religious fundamentalism, often invoking Enlightenment liberalism as his framework. Overall, his editorial voice emphasizes intellectual honesty and independence, placing The Weekly Dish near the Right-Center of the spectrum, socially moderate, fiscally centrist, and culturally contrarian.

Failed Fact Checks

No failed fact checks were found. Sullivan’s essays are opinion pieces that occasionally rely on interpretation or argument rather than empirical reporting but demonstrate sound sourcing and historical literacy.

Overall, we rate Andrew Sullivan’s Substack, The Weekly Dish, as Right-Center biased based on his critique of progressive orthodoxy and defense of classical liberal-conservative ideals. We also rate him High for factual reporting due to transparent authorship, reliance on credible analysis, and an absence of failed fact checks, though his work is strongly opinion-based and interpretive. (D. Van Zandt 10/25/2025)

Source: https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/

Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check