Charlie Sykes

About

Charles Jay Sykes (born November 11, 1954) is an American political commentator, author, and media figure best known as a leading voice of the "Never Trump" conservative movement.

Background & Wisconsin Radio Career

Talk Radio Staple: For 23 years, Sykes was one of Wisconsin’s most influential conservative talk radio hosts, broadcasting out of Milwaukee. During the 1990s and 2000s, he built a massive regional following and authored several books focusing heavily on higher education and cultural critiques (such as Profscam and Dumbing Down Our Kids).

Break with the GOP: Sykes grew increasingly critical of the Republican Party's trajectory during the 2016 presidential election cycle. He officially stepped down from his radio show in late 2016, ultimately leaving the GOP to position himself as an independent, center-right critic of Donald Trump and modern right-wing populism. His book How the Right Lost Its Mind (2017) chronicled this ideological split.

The Bulwark and Independent Media

The Bulwark: In late 2018, Sykes helped co-found The Bulwark, a digital conservative political news and opinion website created explicitly to oppose Donald Trump and champion traditional center-right principles. He served as its editor-in-chief and the host of The Bulwark Podcast until stepping down in early 2024.

Current Projects: Following his departure from The Bulwark, Sykes launched a Substack newsletter and podcast titled To The Contrary, where he continues to publish political analysis and commentary alongside regular appearances as a television contributor.

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