In advance of the 2024 election, TCV staff writer Madeline Motes spoke with Connecticut College alum and acclaimed political journalist, Joshua Green, about politics, journalism, his time at Conn, and just how tall Trevor Noah really is.
Joshua Green is an acclaimed political journalist and author of two books, “The Devil’s Bargain” about the Trump administration and Steve Bannon’s partnership with Donald Trump, and “The Rebels,” about the Democrats’ fight in the new era of politics that was the Trump administration. “The Rebels” highlights Democratic leaders such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and how they fought to establish unity under the force of economic populism.
What do you say to students who are interested in getting into journalism? The field has changed so much since you started out, with fewer outlets and many journalists turning to Substack.
Regardless of how platforms and technology changes, the basis of good journalism doesn’t change: learning to report, ask smart questions, and write clearly and succinctly.
In terms of reporting and developing sources, what advice do you have for aspiring journalists?
Get out from behind your desk, put your phone down, and go out into the world to meet and talk to as many people as you can. For political reporters, that means going to events, hitting the campaign trail, or even introducing yourself in the TV green room. You never know who’s going to give you a great tip or develop into a valuable source.
Many young people are criticized as being uninformed, and getting their news from TikTok and other social media, what are your thoughts?
I wholeheartedly agree. You need more than TikTok to be well informed.
What do you think about the rise of opinion journalism? What’s the best way to get fact based journalism?
Opinion journalism has been around forever. It can be useful and interesting in its own right. But the basis of all good journalism — whether it’s opinion or straight-up news — is solid, fact-based reporting.
Would you go into journalism again if starting out today?
Tough question! The business of journalism and how publications sustain themselves has definitely gotten tougher, and that’s put a squeeze on everyone. On the other hand, the job can be endlessly interesting, constantly exposing you to new people and interesting ideas and allowing you to talk, write and think for a living. That still beats a lot of jobs, in my mind.
Your two books, “The Rebels” and “Devil’s Bargain,” looked at two ends of the spectrum of modern politics. Do you see any centrist leaders rising to bring us together and is there a book there?
I don’t, at least not at the national level. Politics has become too polarized for that.
For most students at Conn this will be their first time voting for President. What’s your advice for first time voters as they evaluate the candidates?
Read as many fact-based publications as you can, listen to both candidates speak, and ask yourself what you really care about in the world and which candidate will do a better job of advancing that issue — or, in some cases, which will do less damage.
The past three elections people say this is the most important election ever, is it this time?
It’s a cliche, for sure, but I think it’s true this cycle.
You’ve had some fun interviews for your books? What’s one thing you can tell us about a late night host that we don’t know?
Trevor Noah on the Daily Show is like 6 foot 6, or something — incredibly tall, which shocked me when I met him. But a super nice guy.
Where did you live on campus, and what was your favorite house?
I transferred in my junior year and lived on the top floor of Freeman in a room that had a great view of the Long Island Sound. Senior year I scored a corner room in Windham, which was even better.
What was your favorite class at Conn?
That’s really a tough one. I loved my English classes with Rob Evans. Oddly enough, it was my economics professor, Don Peppard, who most encouraged my writing and pushed me to think of it as a career. But I think my single favorite class was an English class I took with Charles Hartman on the literature of science fiction. I got to see him again and thank him when I gave a talk at Conn after Devil’s Bargain came out, which was really cool.
Favorite Podcast?
A. Don’t have one, can’t sit still long enough to make it through.
Favorite assignment ever?
I got to go to spring training and profile Boston Red Sox owner John Henry after they won the World Series. That was back when Henry actually cared about the team, which he seems not to anymore.
Least favorite assignment ever?
Writing about the various government shutdown fights over the years. Dull, tedious, and it’s all pointless political theater. If they ever ask me to do it again, I’m calling in sick.
