The American Conservative

The American Conservative (TAC) is a bi-monthly magazine published by the American Ideas Institute.

The American Conservative Rated Lean Right in April 2026 Small Group Editorial Review

The American Conservative was rated Lean Right (2.16) in an April 2026 Small Group Editorial Review by a panel of expert center, right and left reviewers. This is a shift from an April 2022 review where the magazine was rated Right. 

Rather than a stark shift in the publication’s bias, panelists noted the political landscape itself has shifted. As MAGA redefined mainstream conservatism, the magazine's anti-neoconservative stance now reads as Lean Right rather than Right. 

Panelists noted the American Conservative largely publishes commentary from a conservative and libertarian angle, displaying an anti-neoconservative bias and a bias against Trump, particularly the Iran war. 

Panelists characterized it as occupying a distinct niche on the right: “Its criticisms of the Trump administration are vociferous,” but they don’t feature any left-wing ideas.

The Lean Left reviewer also described it as "ideologically conservative but negative on Trump for libertarian reasons," while the Lean Right reviewer said the outlet appears focused on "platforming new ideas about the future of the GOP" rather than aligning with mainstream Republicanism or the populist right.

Coverage of the Iran war was the clearest example of the magazine’s contrarian voice, consistent with the magazine's founding identity as an anti-war alternative to mainstream conservatism during the Iraq war era. Reviewers noted the magazine’s consistent anti-neoconservatism stance and its willingness to criticize the Trump administration's foreign policy, especially on Israel. The Center panelist said The American Conservative is "willing to praise Trump at times, but also will go against him on the Iran war and other issues they oppose him on,” and that it “often covers underexamined angles on the right, such as animal welfare and legal immigration, as well as internal party disputes.”

Sensationalism appeared in the articles occasionally. 

Articles reviewed included:

• Zohran Mamdani Is Doing Exactly What He Said He Would
  • All three panelists rated this article Center.
    • The Lean Left panelist said, “Lots of praise for Mamdani, almost to the point of appearing to approve of socialism; but I think this piece is more about praising his assertive style and finding common ground between him and libertarianism — namely, that we spend too much on war.”
    • The Center panelist said it was a “really balanced description of what Mamdani’s critics and supporters are saying.”
• Is J.D. Vance Our Guy?
  • The Lean Left reviewer identified mindreading in the article, saying it “implicitly accuses New York Times and other outlets of trying to push Vance to end the Iran War.”
  • The Center reviewer identified a lean right bias, adding there is “skepticism of mainstream liberal outlets.”
• MAGA’s Dead. What’s Next?
  • The Lean Right panelist called this article a “deeply philosophical piece” that “argues that MAGA as a movement was killed by the Iran war. Questions whether the coalition can win national elections.”

Additional articles reviewed:

• Does Trump Get Another Shot at North Korea?
• Is Animal Welfare an Opening for the British Right?
• Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?
• SCOTUS Ruling Tosses Louisiana’s Congressional Map
• A New Nobel Prize for War 
• Former FBI Director Comey Charged With Threatening Trump
• Israel’s Campaign to Remake the Mideast Hurts America
• Trump’s Overlooked Effort to Reduce Legal Immigration
• Shots Fired, Trump Evacuated from White House Correspondents’ Dinner
• Mike Johnson’s Surveillance Push Has a Thomas Massie Problem 
• Is China Using Iran as a Proxy Against the U.S.?
• Meet the Democrat Trying to Save the Deep State's Spying Powers

The American Conservative Rated Right in April 2022 Small Group Editorial Review

A Small Group Editorial Review by members of the AllSides team determined that The American Conservative's rating should be moved from Lean Right to Right. 

During the review, the AllSides panel noted that TAC issued consistent and prominent assertions of a conservative/right-leaning perspective. A reviewer with a Lean Right bias noted that, as opposed to the GOP party-oriented National Review, "The American Conservative seems to moreso encompass the beliefs of the new, younger, more reactionary right-wing." A Center-rated reviewer described the outlet's bias as "decidedly different from the more sensational and egregious" bias in some other Right-rated outlets. A reviewer with a Lean Left bias noted that the outlet says on its About page that it wants to "reshape the Right, and move the political debate in more hopeful directions," and appears to denounce neo-conservativism. They noted The American Conservative advocated for calling opponents of Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, called the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents, as "groomers." In a piece titled "Call Them Groomers," the writer stated, "By the left's theory of performative speech, teaching radical sexual theories to kids constitutes grooming."

Content clearly opposed neoconservatism, war-mongering, liberal interventionism, the military industrial complex, crony capitalism, monopolies, corruption, left-wing cultural revolutionaries, and political correctness (dubbed cultural Marxism). 

Reviewers noted that The American Conservative is explicit about its conservative bias, writing on its About page, "The American Conservative exists to advance a “Main Street” conservatism that opposes unchecked power in government and business, promotes the flourishing of families and communities through vibrant markets and free people, and embraces realism and restraint in foreign affairs based on America’s vital national interests."

The American Conservative's About page contains several specific statements of its editorial bias, including...

• Its mission is "recapturing the flag of the conservative movement" by adhering to its "institutional maxims" of "ideas over ideology" and "principles over party."
• Desire to "reshape the Right" and "move the political debate in more hopeful directions."
• Support of free enterprise, a strong military, strong families, local communities, voluntary associations, slower rates of immigration, religious liberties, restoring social capital, and "an honest and unvarnished understanding of our proud history and a joyful appreciation of America’s—and the West’s—fantastically rich cultural heritage."

The American Conservative was founded by Pat Buchanan, Scott McConnell and Taki Theodoracopulos in 2002 in opposition to the Iraq War. The American Conservative is owned by the American Ideas Institute. Jeremy Beer is the Chairman of the Board of the American Ideas Institute.

Financing and ownership information last updated March 31, 2021 If you think this information is out of date or needs to be updated, please contact us.