The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg The Annual State of the Dispatch | Interview: Steve Hayes
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Oct 15, 2025 Steve Hayes, co-founder and CEO of The Dispatch and a seasoned political journalist, joins to discuss the growth and goals of The Dispatch. He shares insights on their recent SCOTUSblog acquisition and how they aim to maintain editorial integrity. The conversation delves into the nuanced debate between 'center-right' and 'conservative' branding, the importance of trust and intellectual honesty, and strategies for audience engagement. Hayes also expresses concerns over political corruption and violence while advocating for robust, daily-impact reporting.
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Build Editorial First, Business Second
- The Dispatch focused first on building strong editorial product, then on building a business around it.
- That strategy delivered steady growth and nearly 50,000 paying members, though faster growth is a priority.
Acquire Credible Brands Carefully
- Acquiring SCOTUSblog broadened subject expertise and membership appeal without politicizing the brand.
- The transition was resource-heavy but executed to preserve credibility across ideological lines.
Labels Have Shifted — Use Them Carefully
- Labels like 'conservative' carry new meanings because Trump and the new right shifted public associations.
- The Dispatch often uses 'center-right' to avoid being conflated with Trump-aligned right-wing media.