LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate the Hopium Chronicles as Left Biased for its consistent support of Democratic candidates and explicit opposition to MAGA-aligned politics. Its Factual Reporting is rated Mostly Factual due to the promotion of one-sided emotional advocacy for the Democratic Party.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.9)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Hopium Chronicles is a Substack newsletter and political organizing community founded in March 2023 by Simon Rosenberg, a veteran Democratic strategist, political commentator, and founder of the now-defunct think tank New Democrat Network (NDN). Based in Washington, D.C., the platform focuses on building what Rosenberg calls “a community of proud patriots and info warriors” dedicated to countering the MAGA movement and advancing pro-democracy, pro-Democratic Party messaging. The newsletter is named for Rosenberg’s concept of “hopium” — optimism and civic engagement as antidotes to political nihilism. It provides essays, campaign updates, interviews, live discussions, and organizing initiatives aimed at mobilizing Democratic voters.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The site is independently owned and operated by Simon Rosenberg. It is hosted on Substack, where it is monetized through paid subscriptions and donations from readers, as described on its About page, bio, and booking page.
Analysis / Bias
Hopium Chronicles exhibits a clearly left partisan bias, supporting Democratic candidates and policies while opposing Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. The site’s stated mission — to “defeat MAGA” and ensure that “freedom and democracy prevail” — situates it firmly within the progressive and pro-Democratic media ecosystem.
In Despite Election Blowout Trump Chooses To Keep Malevolently Harming The American People, Rosenberg celebrates Democratic electoral victories while sharply criticizing Trump’s policies, describing them as “sabotage, plunder, and betrayal.” The tone is combative and emotional, but the article provides verifiable context, referencing C-SPAN interviews and congressional actions. It combines data-driven analysis (polling and economic indicators) with overtly partisan language.
In Little Cracks Are Becoming Bigger Cracks – GOP Discontent With Trump Is Growing, Rosenberg analyzes Republican defections from Trump on recent Senate votes to repeal tariffs. The article includes factual legislative references and direct quotations from Politico, contextualizing dissent within broader trends of GOP fatigue with Trumpism. However, language such as “ridiculous, sundowning, unpopular and dangerous man” reveals ideological intensity typical of advocacy writing rather than neutral reporting.
Similarly, Trump’s Maniacal Drive To Build An Oppressive Police State – A New Conversation With Greg Sargent features an interview with journalist Greg Sargent of The New Republic discussing Trump’s alleged authoritarian overreach. The article references Sargent’s reporting, quotes policy documents, and cites expert commentary from the German Marshall Fund, demonstrating factual sourcing despite strong editorial framing.
Rosenberg’s commentary often blends political mobilization with analysis, encouraging subscribers to donate to Democratic candidates such as Roy Cooper, Jon Ossoff, and Abigail Spanberger, and to engage in grassroots activism. While opinion-heavy, the platform’s reporting on legislation, elections, and polling utilizes credible public sources, including Politico, C-SPAN, and congressional records.
Overall, Hopium Chronicles is an advocacy-oriented, partisan publication that presents information through a progressive lens. It consistently cites mainstream news sources, maintains factual accuracy in references, and discloses its viewpoint transparently.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the Hopium Chronicles as Left Biased for its consistent support of Democratic candidates and explicit opposition to MAGA-aligned politics. Its Factual Reporting is rated Mostly Factual due to the promotion of one-sided emotional advocacy for the Democratic Party. (D. Van Zandt 11/09/2025)
Source: https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/
Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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