The Rise of Independent Media: A Conversation with Aaron Rupar on The David Pakman Show

Episode: EXTRA: The Rise of Independent Media w/ Aaron Rupar
Release Date: May 17, 2025
Host: David Pakman
Guest: Aaron Rupar

1. Introduction

In this insightful episode of The David Pakman Show, host David Pakman engages in a deep conversation with Aaron Rupar, a prominent independent journalist and clippper known for his rapid reaction to political news. The discussion delves into the evolving landscape of independent media in 2025, exploring its strengths, challenges, and future directions.

2. The State of Independent Media in 2025

Aaron Rupar shares his experiences honing his journalistic techniques over the past decade. Despite the tumultuous political environment, particularly following Trump's second inauguration, Rupar notes that his core approach remains consistent. He emphasizes the importance of balancing intensive news coverage with personal well-being to maintain resilience in a "hellscape" of continuous political turmoil.

Aaron Rupar [01:34]: "I've been honing my techniques over a decade, really, so the election hasn't totally changed that."

3. Democratic Officials' Engagement with Independent Media

Post-election, Rupar observes an increased engagement from Democratic staffers seeking to leverage independent media platforms like his for amplifying their messages. This shift signifies a growing recognition of the pivotal role clippers play in disseminating information effectively.

Aaron Rupar [02:15]: "Dem staffers are reaching out a lot more, wanting to loop me in on clippable moments during hearings and town halls."

4. Collapse of Trust in Legacy Outlets

Both Pakman and Rupar discuss the declining trust in traditional media outlets, attributing this to perceived biases and diminishing credibility. This erosion of trust has paved the way for independent creators to fill the informational void, offering audiences more reliable and authentic content.

David Pakman [00:47]: "We talked about the collapse of trust in legacy outlets and how creators are filling the gap."

5. Strategies for Effective Clipping and Engagement

Rupar emphasizes the importance of creating clips that either highlight conflict or evoke emotional responses. He recounts successful moments where Democratic officials effectively engaged with their audience, generating impactful and shareable content.

Aaron Rupar [14:21]: "One of the things that can make for a good clip is conflict... or emotional impact."

6. Challenges Facing Independent Media

The rapid pace of news cycles poses significant logistical challenges for independent media creators. Rupar illustrates how swiftly evolving news can make timely reporting difficult, especially for smaller teams that lack extensive resources.

David Pakman [18:29]: "Everything is moving so quickly that it just makes it practically difficult to keep up in a sane way."

7. Legal Risks and Repercussions

Independent journalists must navigate potential legal challenges, especially when clipping statements from public officials. Rupar shares his personal experiences with lawsuits and account restrictions, underscoring the necessity for cautious and ethical reporting practices.

Aaron Rupar [30:48]: "Matt Taibbi sued this rep over the statement at the hearing... I have to be careful to ensure I'm not opening myself up to legal action."

8. Democratic Media's Organizational Gaps Compared to the Right

The conversation highlights a notable disparity between left and right-leaning independent media in terms of organization and funding. While the right benefits from large conferences like CPAC and substantial funding infrastructure, the left lacks equivalent centralized platforms, relying instead on organically growing independent creators.

David Pakman [25:07]: "We don't really have the big funders, the conferences on the left. The space is growing organically on its own."

9. Fractures and Shifts within the Left Media Ecosystem

As the independent left media space expands, Pakman and Rupar discuss emerging stratifications and occasional shifts among prominent figures. While some former left-leaning personalities have transitioned to different political stances, the overall left media ecosystem remains robust and largely unified against common adversaries like Trump.

Aaron Rupar [39:34]: "The left is a little more unified now than it was a year ago... It’s a shame that Trump returning to power is what it took to make that happen."

10. Growth on Emerging Platforms: TikTok and Beyond

Pakman shares his success on platforms like TikTok, noting significant audience growth and a balanced gender distribution. Rupar reflects on his own challenges and strategies for engaging audiences on similar platforms, highlighting the importance of original content and effective video production techniques.

David Pakman [43:35]: "We've just surpassed 1.1 million on TikTok... It's interesting that our audience is very male-skewed."

11. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Pakman and Rupar acknowledging the dynamic and challenging nature of independent media. They emphasize the critical role these platforms play in today's political discourse and the ongoing need for ethical, engaging, and resilient journalism.

Aaron Rupar [45:42]: "It's great that channels like Midas play a vital role... We’re doing the best we can with what we have."

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Rupar [01:34]: "I've been honing my techniques over a decade, really, so the election hasn't totally changed that."

• David Pakman [00:47]: "We talked about the collapse of trust in legacy outlets and how creators are filling the gap."

• Aaron Rupar [14:21]: "One of the things that can make for a good clip is conflict... or emotional impact."

• David Pakman [18:29]: "Everything is moving so quickly that it just makes it practically difficult to keep up in a sane way."

• Aaron Rupar [30:48]: "Matt Taibbi sued this rep over the statement at the hearing... I have to be careful to ensure I'm not opening myself up to legal action."

• Aaron Rupar [39:34]: "The left is a little more unified now than it was a year ago... It’s a shame that Trump returning to power is what it took to make that happen."

• David Pakman [43:35]: "We've just surpassed 1.1 million on TikTok... It's interesting that our audience is very male-skewed."

• Aaron Rupar [45:42]: "It's great that channels like Midas play a vital role... We’re doing the best we can with what we have."

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the independent media landscape, highlighting both its potential and the hurdles it faces. Aaron Rupar's experiences and insights provide valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the future of progressive journalism and media.