Reason (Opinion)
U.S. libertarian
Background
Lanny Friedlander founded Reason in 1968 as a mimeographed publication. In 1970 Robert Poole Jr., Manny Klausner, and Tibor Machan bought it and put it on a regular schedule. In 1978 they created the Reason Foundation to turn the magazine's ideas into policy research, on topics such as privatization, transportation, and regulation. Nick Gillespie became editor-in-chief in 2000, and Katherine Mangu-Ward took over in 2016. The magazine's editors and writers describe themselves as libertarian, and the outlet is sometimes grouped with the right because of its free-market positions. It breaks with conservatives on drug policy, immigration, same-sex marriage, and civil liberties. Its coverage often takes a skeptical view of both major parties. Critics on the left have pointed to its donor base, which has included Koch-affiliated foundations, and to its skeptical coverage of climate policy, which they say reflects those funders. Critics on the right say it is too open to immigration and too critical of Republican populism. In 2026 its pieces have repeatedly criticized Trump's tariffs and the cost they impose on households, small businesses, and manufacturing. The editors have also taken a critical line on other administration policies such as immigration enforcement and expanded executive authority.
Sources
- Reason (magazine) – Wikipedia
- Reason Foundation – Wikipedia
- Frequently Asked Questions – Reason Foundation
- About Reason
- Even blue-collar workers have turned against Trump's unpopular tariffs – Reason
- Trump's tariffs will cost each American household $900 in 2026 – Reason
Profile compiled 2026-10-22; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.