The Panicked Writer – Ellie Leonard is rated Left with Mostly Factual factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal/progressive causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal/progressive causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate The Panicked Writer Left Biased for story selection and editorial framing that consistently favor progressive viewpoints and criticize Donald Trump, conservatives, and right-leaning political movements. We also rate it Mostly Factual because it frequently relies on primary-source documents, court records, and original research, although some conclusions and commentary occasionally venture into speculation.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.6)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.9)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Panicked Writer is a Substack publication operated by writer and editor Ellie Leonard. According to the publication’s About Page, Leonard is a novelist who also writes essays, humor, political commentary, and investigative content focused on current events. She describes herself as a contributor to Blue Amp Media and a writer with interests in politics, journalism, and social issues.
In 2026, Leonard gained broader attention for her extensive independent investigation of the Jeffrey Epstein files. An Associated Press feature distributed through U.S. News & World Report profiled Leonard as one of several citizen journalists devoting significant time to reviewing and publishing findings from millions of pages of Epstein-related records.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The Panicked Writer is independently owned and operated by Ellie Leonard through the Substack platform. Revenue is generated through paid subscriptions, livestreams, podcast content, and reader support via Substack’s subscription model. The publication does not disclose major outside financial backers, corporate ownership, or organizational sponsorship. Leonard is also affiliated with Blue Amp Media as a contributing editor.
Analysis / Bias
The Panicked Writer demonstrates a clear left-leaning political orientation. While much of Leonard’s work centers on document review and independent investigation of the Epstein files, her political commentary consistently reflects progressive viewpoints and strong opposition to President Donald Trump and MAGA politics.
For example, the article/video post Trump VANISHES for 7 Days — and the Rumors Are Wild discusses speculation regarding Trump’s health and absence from public view. Commentary from Leonard includes criticism of Trump’s policies, behavior, and supporters. Similarly, in the livestream discussion The Epstein Administration: Howard Lutnick, Donald Trump, and the “Suicide Note”, Leonard advances arguments that Trump administration officials and wealthy elites may be involved in broader efforts to conceal information related to Jeffrey Epstein. The discussion contains substantial speculation and investigative theorizing that extends beyond established facts. Portions of this discussion include claims regarding Epstein’s death, government cover-ups, and elite networks that are not fully substantiated by publicly verified evidence.
At the same time, Leonard’s work frequently relies on primary-source materials rather than partisan news aggregation. An example is Reading the Epstein Files – 2006 Minor Jane Doe’s Deposition, where she reads and analyzes original deposition documents from the Epstein case rather than summarizing secondary reporting. Her focus on source documents and public records generally strengthens factual reliability, although conclusions drawn from those materials can sometimes become speculative.
Additional appearances on Blue Amp Media programs reveal strong progressive viewpoints on issues involving Trump, conservative politics, reproductive rights, and social policy. These discussions frequently employ emotionally charged language and assumptions about political motives.
Overall, the publication combines investigative document review with highly opinionated progressive political analysis.
Failed Fact Checks
- A search of IFCN-approved fact-checking organizations found no direct failed fact checks specifically targeting The Panicked Writer or Ellie Leonard. However, several articles and livestreams involving the Epstein files and Trump administration speculation rely heavily on interpretation, inference, and unverified allegations. While these pieces often use authentic source materials, some conclusions extend beyond what the available evidence conclusively demonstrates.
Overall, we rate The Panicked Writer Left Biased for story selection and editorial framing that consistently favor progressive viewpoints and criticize Donald Trump, conservatives, and right-leaning political movements. We also rate it Mostly Factual because it frequently relies on primary-source documents, court records, and original research, although some conclusions and commentary occasionally venture into speculation. (D. Van Zandt 06/05/2026)
Source: https://ellieleonard.substack.com/
Last Updated on June 5, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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