On ‘Hannity,’ Manhattan Institute senior fellow Chris Rufo criticized the New Yorker and offered $125,000 in Bitcoin to any of its writers who would leave their positions and join his organization. Rufo, a known conservative commentator and fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a think tank with a strong conservative and libertarian focus, criticized the magazine’s editorial direction and its perceived left-leaning bias. The offer, presented during a live interview, was intended to attract New Yorker writers to the Manhattan Institute, potentially offering them a platform to publish work aligned with its ideological stance.
The move has sparked debate among media professionals and watchdog groups. Some view the offer as a bid to influence the media landscape by enticing writers to shift allegiances, while others see it as a controversial attempt to undermine a respected publication. The New Yorker has yet to comment on the offer, but the episode highlights the growing tension between media institutions and right-wing think tanks.