Today, Explained: What Did Wikipedia Do?
Vox Media Podcast Network | Released May 8, 2025

In the episode titled "What Did Wikipedia Do?" from the Vox Media Podcast Network's Today, Explained, hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King delve into the contentious relationship between Wikipedia and the Trump administration. They explore allegations of bias, legal threats against the free encyclopedia, and the broader implications for information transparency in the digital age.

1. Introduction: The Value and Vulnerability of Wikipedia

The episode opens with a light-hearted discussion about quirky facts found on Wikipedia, highlighting the platform's depth and the delight it brings to its users.

Host 1 [00:00]: "I love Wikipedia. Most of us do. But the Trump administration doesn't. And they're threatening the free encyclopedia."

This sets the stage for a deeper examination of the current challenges Wikipedia faces.

2. Steven Harrison: A Voice on Wikipedia’s Challenges

Journalist Steven Harrison, a seasoned reporter on Wikipedia issues and author of The Editors, provides expert insights into the crisis.

Steven Harrison [02:00]: "I'm a journalist who has covered Wikipedia for the past eight years for sites like Wired and Slate."

He emphasizes his role both as a commentator and a minor contributor to Wikipedia, focusing on how investigative journalism fuels the encyclopedia's content.

3. The Trump Administration’s Legal Threats

The crux of the episode revolves around a letter sent by Ed Martin, the acting U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., to the Wikimedia Foundation. Martin accuses Wikipedia of allowing foreign actors to manipulate information and spread propaganda.

Steven Harrison [03:26]: “There are a lot of consequences if Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation lose its tax-exempt status. ... People want to donate to the nonprofit, idealistic goal of a free Internet encyclopedia.”

Losing tax-exempt status could force Wikipedia to adopt ads or other revenue models, fundamentally altering its non-commercial, ad-free nature.

4. Allegations of Bias and External Pressures

Harrison discusses claims that Wikipedia exhibits left-leaning biases, particularly under scrutiny from conservative entities.

Host 1 [05:03]: "Wikipedia doesn't reflect a MAGA or America first perspective."

He highlights specific instances, such as Wikipedia's portrayal of the January 6th Capitol riot and the Israel-Gaza conflict, where conservative critics argue the platform exhibits bias.

Internationally, Wikipedia also faces censorship attempts from authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, which aim to control the flow of information.

5. Ed Martin: Background and Controversies

Ed Martin’s appointment and his controversial actions are scrutinized in detail.

Steven Harrison [15:36]: "Ed Martin is the acting U.S. attorney in D.C. appointed by Trump. ... He co-authored a book with Phyllis Schlafly called the Conservative Case for Trump."

Martin's close ties with Trump and his outspoken conservative stance have led to conflicts, particularly his stance against Wikipedia’s editorial practices. His association with figures like Tim Hale Cucinelli, an alleged Nazi sympathizer, has further complicated his position.

6. Senate Opposition and the Future of Martin’s Nomination

Martin's nomination has encountered significant resistance within the Senate, primarily from both Democratic legislators and some Republicans concerned about his extreme affiliations and actions.

Jim [21:13]: "On his podcast, Mr. Martin said... [he] show me a Jewish American who feels good about the Democratic administration, and I'll show you someone who's not really Jewish."

These remarks, along with his numerous appearances on Russian state media, have raised red flags about his suitability for the role.

7. Implications for Wikipedia and Free Information

The potential revocation of Wikipedia’s tax-exempt status and the ongoing political attacks could severely hamper the platform's operations. Without its nonprofit status, Wikipedia might struggle to maintain its servers, staffing, and educational initiatives.

Steven Harrison [04:32]: "Wikipedia famously doesn't have ads. It's not selling your personal information like every social media site. And so there'd be a lot less funds for the technical infrastructure of Wikipedia..."

8. Conclusion: The Struggle for Information Freedom

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the broader battle between free information platforms like Wikipedia and political forces seeking to control or discredit them.

Steven Harrison [25:06]: "The Heritage foundation and Project 2025 are very against Wikipedia. They're against what they see as establishment institutions and sort of mainstream media perspectives."

The episode underscores the precarious position of Wikipedia as a bastion of freely accessible knowledge facing unprecedented political and legal challenges.

Notable Quotes

• Steven Harrison [07:44]: "Elon Musk is famously one of the biggest critics of Wikipedia. But now more recently, he's been tweeting that Wikipedia should rename itself 'Wokipedia.'"

• Ed Martin [15:55]: "The biggest myth connected with the Equal Rights Amendment is that it has something to do with equal pay for equal work. It doesn't."

• Tim Hale Cucinelli [17:04]: "Who's got the power to use the WOKE movement and the cancel culture to damage how we're living together? And that's what's happening in America."

This episode of Today, Explained offers a comprehensive look into the multifaceted challenges facing Wikipedia today, from internal biases and editorial standards to external political pressures aiming to undermine its foundation as a free, unbiased source of information.