No Image Available
Visual representation of Thomas Frank
Sports
Updated August 19, 2025
Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank is a political commentator and author who co-founded The Intercept. He is known for his analysis of American politics and critiques of corporate influence.
Notable Facts
-
A Financial Writer & Commentator
-
Host of The Fifth Column Podcast
-
Author of The Wrecking Crew
-
Co-founder of The Baffler Magazine
-
Contributor to The Guardian
Career Highlights
Background
Thomas Frank graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in history. His early career was in journalism, where he worked as an editor and writer, notably for The Baffler, a magazine he co-founded in 1988. This publication focused on critiquing mainstream culture and politics from a leftist perspective, establishing the foundation for his later work.
Major contributions
Frank's primary contributions are in the fields of political and cultural analysis through his authored works. His most influential book is What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, which examines the political realignment of the white working class. Other significant publications include The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, an analysis of conservative governance, and Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?, a critique of the Democratic Party's shift. He is also the founder of the YouTube channel and podcast The Thomas Frank Show and the newsletter The Frank Brief.
Impact on their field
Frank's work has significantly impacted political discourse by popularizing a critique of neoliberalism and the failures of centrist politics from a left-populist standpoint. What's the Matter with Kansas? became a key text for understanding modern American political polarization and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His accessible writing and media presence have brought academic critiques of capitalism and class analysis to a broader, general audience, influencing a generation of commentators and activists.
Current work/relevance
Thomas Frank remains an active author and commentator. He continues to produce content for his YouTube channel and newsletter, where he analyzes current political events, economic trends, and cultural phenomena. He is a regular columnist for The Guardian and frequently contributes to other publications. His ongoing relevance is tied to his persistent critique of economic inequality and the political establishment, themes that remain central to contemporary political debates.
Thomas Frank graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in history. His early career was in journalism, where he worked as an editor and writer, notably for The Baffler, a magazine he co-founded in 1988. This publication focused on critiquing mainstream culture and politics from a leftist perspective, establishing the foundation for his later work.
Major contributions
Frank's primary contributions are in the fields of political and cultural analysis through his authored works. His most influential book is What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, which examines the political realignment of the white working class. Other significant publications include The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, an analysis of conservative governance, and Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?, a critique of the Democratic Party's shift. He is also the founder of the YouTube channel and podcast The Thomas Frank Show and the newsletter The Frank Brief.
Impact on their field
Frank's work has significantly impacted political discourse by popularizing a critique of neoliberalism and the failures of centrist politics from a left-populist standpoint. What's the Matter with Kansas? became a key text for understanding modern American political polarization and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His accessible writing and media presence have brought academic critiques of capitalism and class analysis to a broader, general audience, influencing a generation of commentators and activists.
Current work/relevance
Thomas Frank remains an active author and commentator. He continues to produce content for his YouTube channel and newsletter, where he analyzes current political events, economic trends, and cultural phenomena. He is a regular columnist for The Guardian and frequently contributes to other publications. His ongoing relevance is tied to his persistent critique of economic inequality and the political establishment, themes that remain central to contemporary political debates.
Personal Story
Who They Are
Thomas Frank is an American political commentator, journalist, and author. Born in 1965 in Kansas City, Missouri, he grew up with a front-row seat to the heartland politics he would later famously critique. He was educated at the University of Kansas and the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in history. Frank is a founder of the influential journal The Babel and has been a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. He is known for his sharp, populist voice that dissects American culture and economics from a left-leaning perspective.
Why They Matter
Frank’s significance lies in his ability to translate complex political and economic ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with a broad audience. His work challenges conventional wisdom on both sides of the political aisle, often arguing that corporate power and a corrupted political system have betrayed the interests of ordinary Americans. He is a prominent voice critiquing the Democratic Party’s shift toward centrist, pro-business policies, which he argues alienates its traditional working-class base. His insights have fueled national conversations about class, populism, and the future of American democracy.
What They’re Known For
Frank is most famous for his 2004 bestselling book, What’s the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America. The book became a cultural touchstone, examining why many middle- and working-class Americans vote for conservative politicians whose economic policies often contradict their own financial interests. He argues that Republicans have successfully used cultural and social issues to win votes. His other notable works include:
Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?, which critiques the modern Democratic Party.
The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, an examination of Washington’s culture of corruption.
The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism, a defense of populist movements.
He is also a co-host of the popular podcast The Katie Halper Show, where he continues his political and cultural commentary.
Thomas Frank is an American political commentator, journalist, and author. Born in 1965 in Kansas City, Missouri, he grew up with a front-row seat to the heartland politics he would later famously critique. He was educated at the University of Kansas and the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in history. Frank is a founder of the influential journal The Babel and has been a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. He is known for his sharp, populist voice that dissects American culture and economics from a left-leaning perspective.
Why They Matter
Frank’s significance lies in his ability to translate complex political and economic ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with a broad audience. His work challenges conventional wisdom on both sides of the political aisle, often arguing that corporate power and a corrupted political system have betrayed the interests of ordinary Americans. He is a prominent voice critiquing the Democratic Party’s shift toward centrist, pro-business policies, which he argues alienates its traditional working-class base. His insights have fueled national conversations about class, populism, and the future of American democracy.
What They’re Known For
Frank is most famous for his 2004 bestselling book, What’s the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America. The book became a cultural touchstone, examining why many middle- and working-class Americans vote for conservative politicians whose economic policies often contradict their own financial interests. He argues that Republicans have successfully used cultural and social issues to win votes. His other notable works include:
Listen, Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?, which critiques the modern Democratic Party.
The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, an examination of Washington’s culture of corruption.
The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism, a defense of populist movements.
He is also a co-host of the popular podcast The Katie Halper Show, where he continues his political and cultural commentary.