Ryan Grim, a renowned investigative journalist, co-founder of DropSite and the former D.C. Bureau Chief for The Intercept, is widely respected for his fearless approach to political reporting. In an in-depth conversation with Dr. Moeed Pirzada, CEO and Editor of Global Village Space Publications, Grim opened up about his unconventional journey into journalism and the evolving landscape of investigative reporting. The discussion delved into a wide range of topics, including the challenges faced by Pakistani leaders like Imran Khan, the influence of Elon Musk on global politics, and the growing role of media in shaping political discourse.
Ryan Grim of Dropsite, joins Moeed Pirzada in a detailed in-depth discussion analysing Trump Team’s world view and its implications for Imran Khan & Pakistan! Was Richard Grenell tweeting on his own, or speaking on behalf of Trump? Has Elon Musk become the most powerful unelected…
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) January 12, 2025
A Journey from Rural Maryland to Investigative Journalism
Ryan Grim’s entry into journalism stands in stark contrast to the paths typically followed by his colleagues, many of whom have Ivy League backgrounds and strong connections to major media outlets. Raised in rural Maryland by a single mother, Grim had no elite connections to rely on. He recalled, “Most of my colleagues grew up middle or upper-middle class, using their connections to get internships at places like The New York Times. My story is different.”
Grim’s early career saw him briefly working in a Wall Street trading firm, where he earned $300 a week. This experience, however, laid the groundwork for his first significant journalistic endeavor—a story about the firm’s alleged mob connections. “People warned me, ‘Are you insane? This is the mob!’ But I couldn’t picture them coming to rural Maryland to hit someone with a crowbar,” Grim recalled, illustrating his bold approach to reporting.
Transitioning to Journalism
While Grim’s career initially took a detour into policy advocacy, his journalistic instincts never wavered. He found his niche working with the Marijuana Policy Project, where he became involved in advocating for the liberalization of marijuana laws. Despite the seemingly tenuous link between policy work and journalism, Grim continued to nurture his journalistic aspirations.
Read More: British Pakistanis Call on UK Govt to Halt Transnational Repression by Pakistani State Agencies
A transformative experience came when Grim traveled to Bolivia to cover political unrest involving Evo Morales, a leader of the coca growers’ union. Reflecting on his trip, Grim said, “I was in a plane with Morales as he prepared to blockade La Paz. It was a tense moment, but one that ultimately proved pivotal in my journalistic career.”
Grim’s breakthrough came when he joined The Huffington Post as its first reporter with prior experience. At the time, the Washington bureau was relatively small, but under Grim’s leadership, it expanded significantly. By 2011, Grim had grown the bureau from just four staffers to over sixty members. He quickly made a name for himself as a skilled investigative reporter, tackling high-profile political issues and breaking major stories.
Grim’s success didn’t go unnoticed. When Arianna Huffington stepped down from The Huffington Post in 2016, Grim was among the frontrunners to succeed her as editor-in-chief. However, despite his prominence within the organization, Grim chose to leave and seek new challenges, eventually co-founding DropSite, his current investigative platform.
DropSite: A New Chapter in Investigative Journalism
DropSite has emerged as a key player in the world of global investigative journalism, drawing attention for its in-depth reporting on critical political issues. Grim’s leadership has shaped the platform into a go-to source for investigative stories, particularly among the Pakistani-American and South Asian communities. Despite the challenges of starting a new venture, Grim proudly stated, “DropSite is now in orbit, and things are moving smoothly.”
His work at DropSite reflects Grim’s continued commitment to journalistic integrity and his ability to uncover complex, global narratives that often go unnoticed by mainstream outlets. DropSite remains banned in Pakistan for its uncompromising reporting on the democratic backsliding driven by the country’s military establishment.
WATCH: Drop Site’s @MazMHussain offers a quick overview of the ongoing crisis in Pakistan—including the military’s brutal crackdown on protests, the key players involved, and the broader context. pic.twitter.com/0d0ZQdB79G
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 5, 2024
Imran Khan and Donald Trump: Parallels in Political Struggles
One of the most intriguing aspects of Grim’s conversation with Dr. Pirzada was his exploration of the similarities between Imran Khan’s political struggles in Pakistan and the experiences of Donald Trump’s supporters. Grim noted that many in Trump’s inner circle view Khan’s opposition to Pakistan’s establishment as a reflection of their own battles with the “deep state” in the U.S. “A lot of Trump’s supporters see Imran Khan as a Trump-like figure,” Grim explained, underscoring the shared sense of victimization that unites both leaders’ movements.
Pakistan military not happy that new Trump appointee @RichardGrenell opposes the jailing of political figures such as Imran Khan, so they came after him personally. They have poor intel if they think this will work on him. https://t.co/u6wiNXCmUf
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) December 16, 2024
The rise of populism, both in Pakistan and the U.S., has created a powerful bond between the two figures, with both facing legal and political challenges that resonate with their respective bases.
Pakistan’s Lobbying Challenges in Washington
The conversation then turned to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to shape its image in Washington, particularly in the face of its struggle to navigate a highly commercialized lobbying environment. Grim highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan, noting, “The amount of palms that need to be greased just to have your story heard is beyond the capacity of a country like Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s attempts to influence U.S. policy through fake think tanks and fabricated experts have not been effective, according to Grim. “Instead of relying on credible experts, they create fictional characters, which only diminishes their credibility,” he said, emphasizing the lack of sophistication in Pakistan’s current lobbying tactics.
Incredible story by @DropSiteNews. Pakistan army set up a fake think tank to counter criticism about election rigging etc. https://t.co/l4tzFhP2bC
— Aaina Saaf (@AainaSaaf) January 9, 2025
Read More: Pompeo’s Exclusion from Trump Administration Deals Severe Blow to Pakistan’s Military
The Role of Congressional Staffers and the Limits of Influence
Grim also discussed the pivotal role of congressional staffers in shaping U.S. policy. With tens of thousands of staffers influencing decisions on Capitol Hill, countries like Pakistan often target them with carefully crafted narratives. However, Grim argued that these efforts rarely succeed, particularly when the stories being promoted are flawed or misinformed.
“The Pakistani establishment may hope to change the narrative, but staffers aren’t easily swayed by shallow reports,” Grim noted. “Most don’t care about the details and are quick to see through the absurdity of blaming economic issues on protests.”
In his critique of the U.S. political system, Grim was unflinching. “The system is thoroughly corrupt and broken,” he remarked, condemning the pay-to-play nature of influence in Washington. For countries like Pakistan, which lack the financial resources of larger global players, competing in this system is nearly impossible.
The story we’re publishing today is one you really have to read to believe. It’s about the U.S. role in fomenting authoritarianism in Pakistan, but more broadly about the way institutions like the New York Times treat the scourge of antisemitism only as a weapon to wield against…
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) November 3, 2024
Grim’s candid assessment revealed the structural barriers that prevent smaller countries from making a meaningful impact on U.S. policy. “It’s a shame, but that’s the reality,” he added, highlighting the disparity between the financial power of major lobbies and the struggles of nations like Pakistan to navigate the system effectively.
The Impact of Elon Musk and the Far-Right in Global Politics
The conversation took an interesting turn when Dr. Pirzada asked Grim about Elon Musk’s political influence. Grim pointed out that Musk’s support for controversial European far-right groups, such as Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), reflects a broader shift in his political ideology. Musk’s endorsement of these movements, according to Grim, risks legitimizing divisive elements within European politics. “Musk’s failure to understand the ramifications of his political support is concerning,” Grim observed, adding that Musk’s influence has become increasingly troubling in the global political landscape.
@MoeedNj
Amazing discussion on Trump and his Team’s worldview, its implications for Imran Khan & Pakistan, and the role of other key players in Pakistani politics.— Khuram (@Khurramns05) January 12, 2025
Ryan Grim’s journey from a rural Maryland upbringing to becoming a leading investigative journalist has been anything but conventional. His work, particularly with DropSite, continues to shed light on global political struggles, from the challenges faced by Imran Khan to the complexities of U.S. foreign policy. As Grim aptly stated, “Journalism became my calling because it allowed me to challenge the powerful and tell stories that needed to be told.”
Watch the full interview below: