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 Message Box as Strongly Left Biased based on overt anti-Trump, pro-Democratic editorializing and consistent partisan framing. We also rate it Mostly Factual for factual reporting, as it relies on real news events but presents them through a one-sided, emotionally charged lens designed to advance progressive political goals.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-7.4)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Message Box is a political commentary Substack founded by Dan Pfeiffer, former Senior Advisor for Strategy and Communications under President Barack Obama and co-host of Pod Save America. The newsletter was launched to offer political analysis and messaging guidance to Democrats, activists, and campaign professionals. Pfeiffer describes it as “a newsletter for people who want to defeat Donald Trump and MAGA extremism.”
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Message Box is independently operated and monetized through Substack subscriptions. Its content is owned by Dan Pfeiffer, who profits from paid readers. There are no corporate sponsors or ad networks. Its funding model aligns with typical Substack creator independence but also allows for ideological alignment with Pfeiffer’s prior political affiliations and media ventures through Crooked Media and Pod Save America.
Analysis / Bias
Message Box is a highly partisan commentary outlet that explicitly identifies its goal as defeating “Donald Trump and MAGA extremism.” The tone, language, and framing are unmistakably left-wing, often employing emotionally charged and moralistic rhetoric. For instance, in “Donald Trump Would Rather Starve Children than Lower Health Care Costs”, Pfeiffer calls GOP leadership “callous, cruel, cynical, and fundamentally un-American,” a direct moral condemnation consistent with progressive activist framing. Similarly, “Thoughts on Democrats’ Shutdown Surrender” critiques centrist Democrats while celebrating the party’s “willingness to fight Trump,” positioning Message Box firmly within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
In “Trump Bulldozes the White House. What Will He Destroy Next?”, Pfeiffer likens Trump’s behavior to historical authoritarian movements such as “the Nazis, the Communist Chinese, and the Soviets,” reflecting a strongly alarmist and anti-Trump editorial tone. While some posts cite reputable outlets like Politico and government sources, most content consists of Pfeiffer’s political opinions and insider analysis drawn from his Democratic campaign experience.
The publication provides strategic insight for left-leaning political professionals but lacks any attempt at balance or inclusion of conservative or centrist perspectives. Its intent is advocacy, not neutral journalism, and it functions as an opinion-driven platform designed to mobilize Democratic readers.
Failed Fact Checks
- No IFCN-approved fact-checking organization has rated Message Box, and no failed fact checks were located. However, its heavy use of opinionated framing means it is not subject to typical fact-checking scrutiny.
Overall, we rate Message Box as Strongly Left Biased based on overt anti-Trump, pro-Democratic editorializing and consistent partisan framing. We also rate it Mostly Factual for factual reporting, as it relies on real news events but presents them through a one-sided, emotionally charged lens designed to advance progressive political goals. (D. Van Zandt 11/13/2025)
Source: https://www.messageboxnews.com/
Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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