From his childhood bedroom in University City to the bustling political scene of Washington, D.C., Gabe Fleisher has embarked on a remarkable journey in life and journalism. Now age 22 and a recent graduate of Georgetown University, Fleisher continues to find his voice in the political journalism landscape with his newsletter, “Wake Up To Politics” (WUTP), which he recently transitioned to the Substack platform.

Fleisher’s passion for politics started early. At just nine years old, he started emailing his mother Amy political summaries, which she then shared with friends and relatives.

“I’ve always really loved politics since I was very young. What I love about it is it’s very human. There’s no formula; it’s always different, surprising, and it really matters,” said Fleisher.

His political writing quickly evolved. In 2012, following a front-page story about him and his political interests in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Fleisher began writing an official newsletter. His readership expanded significantly after the New York Times profiled him in 2017, attracting subscribers that included political celebrities.

In 2019, the  Jewish Light reported how Fleisher scooped New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s presidential candidacy announcement.

“De Blasio officially made the announcement early Thursday morning in a 3-minute video posted on YouTube, and followed it up with an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

But Gabe Fleisher, then 17 and a high school junior, had already tweeted the imminent announcement at 5 p.m. Wednesday after reading a small announcement in a politics blog from a local wing of the Democratic Party in Sioux City, Iowa, inviting members to see de Blasio on Friday at the mayor’s “first stop on his Presidential announcement tour.”

Early influences and tikkun olam

Fleisher’s father, Rabbi Randy Fleisher of Central Reform Congregation, played a significant role in nurturing his political interests.

“My dad is a sharp political observer and we always discussed politics at home,” Gabe Fleisher recalls.

By 12, he was reporting on political events, driven by a belief that journalism could serve as a tool for public service and informed citizenship. Fleisher’s Jewish upbringing has also influenced his approach to journalism. He spoke about the Jewish value of “tikkun olam,” or repairing the world, which he sees as integral to his work.

“I think that was important to my parents and a part of whatever my sister and I did when we grew up,” said Fleisher. “To me, journalism is a piece of that. At its best, if I’m doing it right, I’m serving people, helping to inform them, and giving back. I’ve been trying to help people stay informed and follow their government. Those values inform my approach to journalism, not just as a job, but as a way to serve people and be of service through my work.”

Continuing onward 

Fleisher’s commitment to journalism remained steadfast throughout his college years. Majoring in government and minoring in journalism at Georgetown, he continued to produce WUTP, expanding his team to include student journalists from prestigious institutions like Princeton and Oxford universities. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the turbulent political climate, Fleisher adapted, using his platform to keep his audience informed during critical moments.

With the move to Substack, Fleisher is taking WUTP into a new chapter. Subscribers can still access the core newsletter for free and have the option of a premium subscription as well.

“There will be added features for paid subscribers, including a Sunday email with recommendations and a book club with author interviews and book reviews,” said Fleisher. “I’m excited to offer new features to paid readers, like audio tools, community-building tools, live chats, narrated newsletters, and videos. Substack’s tools will help me share my content in new and diverse ways.”

As Fleisher continues his journey, he remains focused on his mission: to provide clear, concise, and impactful political voice within his journalism.

“I always try to stay balanced and fair, applying rigorous standards to both political parties without leaning towards one. I hope readers see that I’m not in the tank for any party,” said Fleisher. “Readers have told me they appreciate that I stay calm in my writing, avoiding the loud, aggressive style prevalent in much political media. I believe many people prefer getting their news in a way that isn’t trying to scare them or provoke an emotional reaction but simply informs them calmly and honestly.”

You can learn more about Gabe and “Wake Up To Politics” online.