The Atlantic carries itself as a publication of gravitas—serious, literary, urbane. It appeals to readers who see themselves as thoughtful and enlightened, citizens of the world rather than mere inhabitants of a nation. Founded in 1857 by abolitionists and intellectuals like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Atlantic has long framed itself as a magazine of moral seriousness and civic virtue.
But while its form has remained refined, its content has undergone a radical shift. In recent decades—particularly since the Trump era—The Atlantic has moved steadily leftward, becoming a mouthpiece for elite progressivism and a safe space for technocratic pessimism about America.
Its writers frequently position themselves as the adults in the room—intellectuals sorrowfully diagnosing the “decline of democracy,” the persistence of systemic racism, or the rise of “Christian nationalism.” But beneath the mournful tone is a steady drumbeat of progressive ideology: identity politics, climate alarmism, globalism, secular moralism, and suspicion of tradition—especially Christian tradition.
The Atlantic doesn’t scream. It sighs.
It doesn’t chant slogans. It writes essays.
But its worldview is no less radical for its rhetorical polish.
Ownership and Worldview
The Atlantic is owned by Emerson Collective, a progressive philanthropic and media organization founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The Emerson Collective is deeply involved in left-wing activism, especially surrounding education reform, immigration, climate change, racial equity, and “democracy protection.”
This ownership has dramatically shaped The Atlantic’s editorial direction. Under Jobs’ influence, the magazine has become a hub of elite liberal consensus, committed not to the diversity of thought, but to the narrative preferences of the professional managerial class.
The publication presents itself as nonpartisan, but its choices of coverage, framing, and tone clearly reflect a worldview that sees tradition, religion, nationalism, and conservatism as inherently problematic.
Key worldview assumptions include:
- Skepticism toward American exceptionalism, often framing U.S. history as a tale of oppression more than liberty.
- Support for technocratic governance, emphasizing the wisdom of “experts” and bureaucrats over localism or constitutional limits.
- Strong alignment with identity politics, presenting race, gender, and sexuality as the defining moral issues of our age.
- Marginalization of orthodox Christianity, especially when it conflicts with modern sexual ethics or “progressive Christianity.”
In short, The Atlantic speaks for the progressive elite: academics, bureaucrats, corporate executives, and nonprofit professionals who believe they are saving the country from the ignorance of its founding values.
Typical Claims and Outlook
The Atlantic presents its articles with polish, civility, and a tone of educated concern—but its underlying assumptions are unmistakably progressive. It is the magazine of the Davos class, the globalized elite who see religion as a private oddity, traditional morality as a threat, and America’s founding ideals as noble myths masking systemic injustice.
Typical themes in The Atlantic include:
- The “threat” of Christian nationalism, often conflating biblical convictions with authoritarian theocracy.
- The fragility of democracy, which it sees as constantly endangered by Republican populism, disinformation, and traditionalists.
- Institutional worship, especially of elite universities, corporate governance boards, and federal agencies.
- Climate alarmism and environmental determinism, casting human civilization as a moral crisis of planetary stewardship.
- Race and identity politics, wherein nearly every issue is filtered through the lens of historical grievance and systemic oppression.
Articles are often written by Ivy League graduates for Ivy League graduates, presenting the views of left-wing sociologists, historians, and ethicists as settled truth. Religious conservatives are not debated—they are diagnosed. Patriotic Americans are not wrong—they are dangerous. And the traditional family is not valued—it is pathologized.
Despite its literate and often beautiful prose, The Atlantic offers not journalism, but therapy for guilty progressives, and sermons for the secular left.
Let’s examine how this perspective plays out across twenty defining cultural and political issues.
Issue-by-Issue Breakdown
The position of a media outlet on these twenty issues serves as good litmus tests to determine whether the outlet belongs on the woke, left, “Progressive” side of the political aisle or the right, conservative political side of the aisle.
It is evident that this media outlet belongs on the left side of the aisle.
1. Election Integrity and Voter Laws
The Atlantic frequently frames concerns about election integrity as veiled voter suppression. It treats photo ID requirements, signature verification, and vote audits as racist tools of authoritarianism. Articles frequently imply that defending election security is inherently anti-democratic.
2. Abortion and Reproductive Rights
The magazine defends abortion rights as essential to modern womanhood and democracy. Pro-life advocates are framed as religious fundamentalists who want to control women’s bodies. Little space is given to the humanity of the unborn or the moral complexity of the issue.
3. Gender Identity and Transgender Policies
The Atlantic has become a strong proponent of transgender ideology. It treats gender as a spectrum, criticizes parental concern as intolerance, and praises corporations and schools that promote transition. Critics are labeled “transphobic” or reactionary—even if they express concern for children or female athletes.
4. Race and Systemic Racism
Systemic racism is one of the magazine’s central organizing themes. Every institution in American life—from police to schools to housing—is seen as infected with racial bias. Whiteness is often discussed as a cultural pathology, and colorblindness is dismissed as naïve or harmful.
5. Climate Change and Energy Policy
The magazine promotes apocalyptic climate rhetoric and supports radical decarbonization policies. It highlights Greta Thunberg-style activism and proposes “climate justice” as an overarching social ethic. Fossil fuels are treated as inherently immoral, while green energy is morally virtuous regardless of cost.
6. Immigration and Border Security
Immigration is universally framed as a moral good, and enforcement as a moral failing. The Atlantic frequently criticizes ICE, praises sanctuary cities, and presents border control as xenophobia. Cultural integration concerns are dismissed as nativist or racist.
7. Israel and the Middle East Conflict
Although historically friendly to Israel, The Atlantic has drifted toward the “occupation narrative.” It gives increasing attention to Palestinian grievances and promotes the view that Israel’s security policies are disproportionate or unjust. Critics of Hamas are often outnumbered by critics of the Israeli government.
8. Second Amendment and Gun Control
The publication supports gun control as a moral necessity. It frames gun ownership as dangerous and backward, favoring national licensing, buybacks, and restrictions on “assault weapons.” Pro-Second Amendment advocates are portrayed as extremists or relics of frontier mythology.
9. LGBTQ+ Rights and Religious Liberty
The magazine supports LGBTQ+ rights without reservation. Religious liberty is typically dismissed when it conflicts with gay or trans rights. Conservative Christians are often depicted as bigots hiding behind the First Amendment, especially in cases involving businesses, schools, or adoption agencies.
10. COVID-19 Policy and Mandates
The Atlantic was a strong proponent of lockdowns, masking, and vaccine mandates. It defended school closures long past scientific justification and only later walked back support after political winds shifted. It frequently mocked skeptics as ignorant, dangerous, or anti-science.
11. Policing and Criminal Justice
The Atlantic frames policing through the lens of systemic racism. It has published sympathetic coverage of “Defund the Police” rhetoric and treats mass incarceration as a form of modern slavery. Police unions are treated with suspicion, and reform is framed as a racial justice imperative.
12. Education and Parental Rights
The magazine is a strong advocate of progressive educational trends. It promotes Critical Race Theory in schools, celebrates DEI programming, and expresses deep concern about “book bans” or parental resistance to LGBTQ+ curricula. Homeschoolers and concerned parents are often portrayed as reactionaries or right-wing activists.
13. Censorship and Big Tech
The Atlantic generally supports content moderation on social media, viewing censorship not as a threat to free speech but as a necessary check on “disinformation.” It has argued that the First Amendment should not protect “hate speech” and frequently blames online speech for real-world violence or political unrest.
14. January 6 and Political Violence
Coverage of January 6 has been extensive, alarmist, and moralizing. The event is frequently described as an insurrection, a coup, or an existential threat to American democracy. By contrast, The Atlantic treated the 2020 BLM/Antifa riots as complex or justified outbursts of rage against systemic injustice.
15. Corporate Wokeness and ESG
The Atlantic praises corporations that adopt ESG standards, implement DEI programs, and speak out on social issues. “Woke Capitalism” is treated not as a problem, but as a step in the right direction—proof that big business is evolving toward a more moral, progressive posture.
16. Hunter Biden and Political Corruption
Coverage of Hunter Biden has been minimal and dismissive. Stories about his laptop, influence peddling, and international business dealings were treated as Republican smear campaigns. The Atlantic rarely investigates progressive political figures with the same intensity it devotes to Republicans.
17. Trump and the Republican Party
Donald Trump is a central villain in The Atlantic’s editorial universe. The magazine views Trump and his supporters as existential threats to democracy, decency, and the global order. It frames populist conservatism as ignorant, violent, and rooted in white supremacy.
18. Affirmative Action and Racial Preferences
The publication supports race-based admissions and hiring, viewing affirmative action as a moral good. It condemned the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against Harvard’s race-conscious admissions and argues that colorblindness perpetuates injustice.
19. International Institutions and Sovereignty
The Atlantic reveres global institutions like the UN, WHO, and the EU. It celebrates multilateralism and often criticizes nationalist movements as regressive and dangerous. American sovereignty is viewed skeptically, especially when it interferes with climate goals or immigration liberalization.
20. Culture War Issues
The magazine is fully engaged in the culture war—on the progressive side. It champions LGBTQ+ identities, critiques the nuclear family as outdated, defends drag queen story hours, and treats traditional morality as oppressive. Religious conservatives are usually cast as a problem to be solved or an obstacle to justice.
Cultural Marxism and Ideological Influence
Though The Atlantic would never identify itself as Cultural Marxist—and would likely bristle at the label—its intellectual posture reflects many of the defining features of that ideological framework. It does not call for revolution in the streets. It proposes re-education through institutions, ideas, and cultural production.
How Cultural Marxism Is Manifest
- Moral Framing Through Power and Identity
The Atlantic continually assesses individuals and groups based on their relationship to power, especially racial, sexual, or economic privilege. Virtue is measured by one’s alignment with marginalized identities, not one’s moral character or principles. - Suspicion of Tradition
Whether examining the family, religion, nationalism, or constitutionalism, The Atlantic generally treats traditional frameworks as relics of oppression. It assumes history is not a legacy to inherit, but a burden to dismantle. - Focus on Consciousness Formation
Like the Frankfurt School theorists who inspired Cultural Marxist thought, The Atlantic believes social transformation begins in the mind. Thus, it promotes a form of journalism aimed less at reporting than at shaping—language, morality, assumptions, and even desire. - Secular Eschatology
The publication regularly casts progressive goals in messianic tones: environmental salvation, racial reconciliation, or democratic renewal. Redemption does not come through Christ, but through policy, education, and awareness. - Reconstruction of Language
Gender, racism, equity, democracy—all are redefined subtly but significantly. Language becomes a tool to redirect morality. Words are not fixed reference points, but instruments for social reconstruction.
In short, The Atlantic advances Cultural Marxism not with chants or protests, but with editorials, profiles, and essays. Its soft cadence masks a hard ideological edge. Its ideology is less street radicalism and more Ivy Tower utopianism—but the goal is the same: to deconstruct the West and rebuild it in a new image.
Writers, Scandals, and Public Persona
- Adam Serwer – Known for his race-focused analyses, Serwer has written extensively on systemic racism, white supremacy, and what he calls America’s “racial caste system.” His infamous article “The Cruelty Is the Point” became a progressive rallying cry during the Trump years.
- Peter Beinart – Often writing on Israel and foreign policy, Beinart reflects the shift toward a more critical view of Zionism and U.S. support for Israel. He represents the publication’s realignment on Middle East narratives.
- David Frum – Once a conservative speechwriter, Frum has become a poster boy for the anti-Trump intellectual establishment. His work provides The Atlantic with the illusion of ideological balance while reinforcing left-of-center narratives.
- Anne Applebaum – A respected historian of Soviet atrocities, Applebaum now focuses much of her energy on what she sees as threats to democracy from within—especially populist and Christian nationalist movements in the West.
- Ibram X. Kendi (featured contributor) – The godfather of the modern anti-racist movement has been heavily featured in The Atlantic. His ideology—racial essentialism, equity of outcome, and anti-meritocracy—has been warmly embraced.
Notable Scandals and Editorial Failures
- Kevin Williamson Controversy (2018)
Williamson, a conservative writer formerly with National Review, was hired and then quickly fired by The Atlantic after outrage over his pro-life views surfaced. The incident revealed the publication’s unwillingness to tolerate dissent, even from within its own ranks. - Hunter Biden Laptop Suppression (2020)
During the 2020 election, The Atlantic joined other outlets in downplaying or discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story, framing it as a Russian disinformation plot. The refusal to seriously investigate the story reflected partisan bias masquerading as “responsible journalism.” - One-Sided Trump Coverage
While not a scandal per se, The Atlantic’s obsessive focus on Trump—often attributing to him apocalyptic dangers—bordered on hysteria. The publication ran multiple cover stories calling him a threat to democracy, even publishing a controversial piece alleging he disparaged American war dead, a claim never substantiated.
Public Persona
The Atlantic presents itself as America’s smart magazine—the place for informed, thoughtful discourse. Its articles are long, often beautifully written, and peppered with references to literature, philosophy, and international affairs. But its editorial direction betrays a consistent bias: it distrusts ordinary Americans, especially conservatives, and trusts bureaucrats, professors, and progressives to steer the future.
It is not the media wing of Antifa. It is the literary chaplain of the liberal elite.
Conclusion: America, Reimagined by the Elite
There are many ways to subvert a culture.
Some outlets use rage. Some use comedy. Some use fear. The Atlantic uses polish.
It does not rage against tradition—it edits it out.
It does not attack patriotism—it redefines it.
It does not silence dissent—it shames it with footnotes.
In The Atlantic’s world, American greatness is a myth, the Founding is a problem to be fixed, and biblical Christianity is a private eccentricity at best—and a dangerous ideology at worst. It speaks with restraint, but its conclusions are radical. It seeks not to report the news, but to retrain the American mind, beginning with its elite readers and filtering downward through classrooms, boardrooms, and bureaucracies.
To the Christian reader, this presents a real threat—precisely because it comes not from revolutionaries in the streets, but from intellectuals in cardigans. It speaks not in shouts, but in paragraphs. And yet, at its core, it is engaged in the same civilizational deconstruction as the loudest left-wing activists.
The Atlantic does not believe in transcendent truth, ordered liberty, or the enduring value of the American experiment.
It believes in progress—as defined by the progressive elite.
It believes in equity—as defined by social engineers.
And it believes in democracy—as long as voters choose correctly.
This makes it one of the most influential and insidious organs of leftist thought in America today.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
MMXXV
christiannewsjunkie@gmail.com
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