John,

Thank you for taking a moment to read our message today.

If you already know how critical it is to support independent media in the fight against Trump and MAGA’s war on speech and dissent, we’d be deeply grateful if you made a donation before the end of July.

If you can, please read on to see exactly why your support matters so much right now.

Trump isn’t just suing journalists or threatening reporters. He’s orchestrating a full-scale assault on dissent and the institutions that protect our democracy.

It’s a deliberate campaign to take out the pillars of civil society — to defund them, discredit them, drown them in lawsuits, and scare the opposition into silence. All so he can operate without criticism, unchecked and unchallenged.

Just in the last few weeks:

• He eliminated all federal funding for public broadcasting, gutting hundreds of local news and emergency alert stations — especially in rural and tribal communities.
• After Trump announced a bogus DOJ investigation into ActBlue, MAGA allies in Congress subpoenaed its executives — escalating efforts to dismantle Democratic grassroots organizing.
• He pressured CBS and ABC into multimillion-dollar legal settlements after critical reporting. CBS went even further — firing Stephen Colbert and blaming “financial” reasons.
• He used the federal government to try to bankrupt Media Matters — forcing staff layoffs, silencing coverage, and nearly driving them to close.
• He financially pressured Columbia University into a political settlement, undermining academic freedom and setting a terrifying precedent.
• He’s suing The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion — not to win, but to send a message: speak out about Epstein, and you’re next.

This isn’t just censorship. It’s an authoritarian assault on dissent — and it will keep working unless we fight back.

Here’s the truth: COURIER is one of the last independent media organizations still standing and refusing to back down.

We’re not owned by corporate media. We don’t answer to billionaire shareholders or MAGA-curious boardrooms. Our power comes from people — from grassroots supporters like you who believe the press must defend democracy and the truth.

But to stay independent and strong, we need to hit our $80,000 July goal. We’re still $12,000 short — and there are only three days left. Please chip in any amount to show your support:

Rush $10 now to fight back »

Chip in $25 to defend democracy »

Give $50 to fuel independent journalism »

Every dollar powers fact-based coverage in battleground communities — places where public broadcasting is being dismantled, local media is vanishing, and disinformation is surging.

We don’t have the luxury of waiting. Trump’s retribution campaign is gaining momentum. If COURIER falls behind now, we lose one more voice in a moment when voices are vanishing fast.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment — this is it.

Let’s stand together and finish strong.

— The COURIER Team

 P.S. Every donation goes straight to sustaining local newsrooms in communities vulnerable to misinformation. We’re $12,000 short of our July goal. Will you chip in now to help close the gap?