Politico's leadership has firmly refuted allegations circulating online regarding government funding and subscription fees. CEO Goli Sheikholeslami and Editor-in-Chief John Harris issued a statement clarifying that Politico is a privately owned company and has never received government subsidies or handouts. They emphasized that their journalism, accessible to millions worldwide through Politico.com, Politico.EU, and newsletters, is supported by advertising and sponsorships.
The controversy centers around Politico Pro, a subscription service utilized by businesses, organizations, and government agencies. Sheikholeslami and Harris explained that this service provides real-time policy, legislative, and regulatory tracking, contributing to transparency and accountability within the federal government. They highlighted that the majority of Pro subscribers are from the private sector, with a high renewal rate of 90%.
Addressing the government agencies that subscribe to Pro, they stated that these subscriptions are procured through standard public processes, similar to other tools and resources. They likened it to purchasing research, equipment, or software, emphasizing it as a transaction rather than government funding. They reiterated Politico's financial independence from the government and their commitment to covering politics and policy objectively.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is working to cancel government payments for Politico subscriptions, citing an amount exceeding $8 million in taxpayer funds. Leavitt emphasized the government's commitment to scrutinizing federal spending. While social media speculation suggested USAID as the primary source of these funds, it was clarified that only $44,000 originated from that agency. According to sources familiar with the pricing and The Washington Times, standard Politico Pro subscriptions typically range from $12,000 to $15,000 for three users. Data from USAspending.gov indicates that government spending on Politico subscriptions predates the current administration.
