The Free Press (formerly Common Sense) is an American media company founded by Bari Weiss that has become a primary platform for anti-trans content in mainstream American media. [1] It was acquired by Paramount/CBS News in 2025 for $150 million.
The Free Press raised between $1-5 million from: [1:5]
Weiss valued the company at over $200 million as of 2025. [1:6]
The Free Press published Jamie Reed's "whistleblower" claims against the Washington University Transgender Center, [2] which:
In early 2023, The Free Press produced a podcast series featuring J.K. Rowling defending her anti-trans views. [1:7] The series attracted over 5 million listeners and was hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper.
The Free Press consistently: [3]
Notable writers include: [1:8]
The Free Press is linked to Peter Thiel's network through the Intellectual Dark Web: [4]
Epstein → $40M to Thiel → Thiel Capital → Eric Weinstein → IDW → Bari Weiss → The Free Press
The Free Press has been characterized as: [1:9]
John Oliver noted the main position of The Free Press is that "the left has gone too far." [1:10]
Journalist Michael Moynihan resigned in 2025, saying: [1:11]
"One didn't have to be especially prescient to spot those 'anti-woke' types who would just slowly become MAGA flunkies."