@davidvolodzko

Who Is This Person?

David Josef Volodzko is a journalist and writer with over 15 years of experience in media. He has contributed to outlets like New York Magazine, Foreign Policy, The Nation, The New Republic, Bloomberg, Forbes, Vice, and Slate. In 2023, he was hired by The Seattle Times as a member of the editorial board but was fired shortly after his first column due to a controversial Twitter exchange where he made remarks defending aspects of Adolf Hitler's targeting of perceived societal threats, sparking widespread backlash. Currently, he is active as a writer, focusing on topics like extremism, free speech, and politics. He runs a Substack newsletter called 'The Radicalist' with thousands of subscribers, discussing communism, fascism, and extremist movements. Recent activities include posting on X about global politics, such as critiques of authoritarianism in Russia and the UK, and cultural analyses, with posts as recent as November 2025.

Volodzko is a credentialed journalist with expertise in political extremism and free speech, bolstered by affiliations with FIRE and publications in high-profile media. His work appears well-researched, but the 2023 Hitler tweet controversy raises concerns about nuance in handling sensitive historical topics, potentially eroding trust in his impartiality on ideological issues. Overall, he maintains moderate credibility for analytical writing, though users should cross-verify claims on controversial subjects due to past lapses in social media judgment. His unverified X account and active cross-platform presence support consistent but niche influence.

Assessment by Grok AI

What's Their Track Record?

Volodzko has a solid history of published work in reputable outlets, demonstrating research and writing skills on international affairs and extremism. However, his credibility was impacted by the 2023 Seattle Times firing over a Twitter controversy involving insensitive comments on Hitler, which led to accusations of poor judgment and potential minimization of historical atrocities. No formal fact-checks or corrections found in major databases, but the incident highlights risks in social media discourse. His Substack and FIRE role suggest ongoing professional output without further major scandals.