Josh Barro is making his return to Business Insider as senior editor, where he will oversee the site’s commentary team and continue writing his thought-provoking columns on politics, business, and the economy. The announcement is set to be made on Monday.
Barro, who previously served as Business Insider’s politics editor, left the site in 2014 to join The New York Times’ policy initiative, The Upshot. Despite his time at the prestigious newspaper, Barro said he found himself increasingly drawn to opinion writing, particularly in light of the current political climate in the U.S.
“I realized it’s strange to leave an institution like The New York Times, but I wanted to move past the firewall between news and opinions,” Barro explained in an interview. “We’re living in the weirdest moment in American politics, possibly longer than that, and while the Times has been amazing, I’ve felt limited on the news side. There’s a lot I want to say, and I feel I can be more useful as an opinion writer.”
Barro’s columns at Business Insider will delve into themes he often explores on his Twitter feed, such as the rise of Donald Trump and the shifting dynamics within the Republican Party. Although he’s leaving The New York Times, Barro will continue to contribute to MSNBC and host his radio show, Left, Right & Center on KCRW.
Henry Blodget, Business Insider’s co-founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about Barro’s return: “Josh is one of the sharpest political and economic commentators out there. He made a significant impact during his previous time at Business Insider, and we’re excited to have him back to help guide our commentary and provide insightful analysis for our readers.”
In addition to his editorial duties, Barro will team up with Business Insider’s senior finance editor Linette Lopez to launch a new podcast titled Hard Pass next Monday. The show will focus on consumer-driven industries and explore the quirks and frustrations that often accompany everyday business phenomena. The inaugural episode takes a deep dive into Las Vegas, examining the city’s economic transformation through a personal lens—Barro’s fondness for the city and Lopez’s strong aversion to it.
“We’re calling it rejecting the business of everyday life,” Barro said. “Our pilot episode looks at Las Vegas—why Linette hates it, why I like it, and how the city’s economy is changing.”
With his return, Barro is poised to bring fresh perspectives and compelling commentary to Business Insider’s coverage of politics, business, and the economy.
