Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis is a reporter covering campaign finance and money in U.S. elections for The New York Times. She covers campaign finance as part of the paper’s politics team, focusing on money in politics which includes political advertising, disclosure requirements and how candidates and their allies use the money they raise. Before joining the politics beat in 2023, she covered courts and criminal justice around New York City. She came to The Times in 2021 after seven years at The Wall Street Journal, where she primarily wrote about white-collar law enforcement. She was part of a team there that won a 2019 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of payoffs to women who said they had affairs with Donald J. Trump. She also worked on award-winning coverage of the sexual abuse scandal in USA Gymnastics. Rebecca began her professional reporting career at The Record, in Bergen County, NJ, where she was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for her work on heroin addiction and the drug trade in northern New Jersey. She graduated from Harvard in 2006 with a degree in history and literature, then worked at a boarding school in Jordan. Rebecca shares the values of independence and follows the guidelines outlined in The Times’s Ethical Journalism Handbook, which details the standards of integrity that guide all Times journalists. She doesn’t participate in politics nor make political donations. She aims to be straightforward, thorough, and unsentimental in her reporting and her writing, an approach she thinks fosters independence and trust which serves her subjects and audience.
84%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
86%
Examples:
- The article mentions that a substantial portion of the PAC’s funding came from Timothy Mellon, a Republican who has also given $10 million to a super PAC backing former President Donald J. Trump.
Conflicts of Interest
85%
Examples:
- American Values 2024, the super PAC supporting Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign paid $7 million for a Super Bowl spot but fails to mention that Timothy Mellon, a Republican who has also given $10 million to a super PAC backing former President Donald J. Trump provided about 15 million of the funding.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- At least one member of the Kennedy family spoke out against the ad.
- RFK Jr. is running for president as an independent candidate.
- The ad sought to tie RFK Jr. to his storied family.
Deceptions
85%
Examples:
- The article states that Mr. Kennedy is running for president as an independent and mentions his concerns with the Democratic primary system but fails to mention that he left the democratic party in October.
- The title implies that Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s Super Bowl ad was a reboot of his uncle John F. Kennedy’s campaign ad from 1960 when in fact it was only an echo of it and not a direct reboot as stated in the body text.
Recent Articles
Setting the Record Straight: Vice President Harris's 'White Dudes for Harris' Fundraising Call
Broke On: Tuesday, 30 July 2024Vice President Kamala Harris raised over $200 million for her campaign in a week, with a notable independent fundraiser by 'White Dudes for Harris' contributing over $4 million. Contrary to rumors, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did not attend the event. 
Obama and Michelle Endorse Kamala Harris for 2024 Presidency, Boosting Her Campaign
Broke On: Friday, 26 July 2024Former President Barack Obama and Michelle endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential race in private conversations, praising her vision, character, and strength. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago resort, where Trump expressed support for his Supreme Court appointments and controversial abortion views. The Obamas' endorsement marks a significant boost for Harris' campaign as she seeks to become the first female president. 
Former President Trump and RFK Jr.: A Discussion on Vaccine Skepticism
Broke On: Tuesday, 16 July 2024Former President Trump and RFK Jr. discussed vaccine skepticism in a leaked phone call, expressing concerns about their impact on health despite scientific consensus on their safety and effectiveness. Trump's past claims linking vaccines to autism are unfounded, while severe reactions occur infrequently. 
2024 Presidential Debate: A Disappointing Showdown - Trump and Biden's Debate Performances Criticized by Media and Experts
Broke On: Friday, 28 June 2024In the 2024 presidential debate, former President Trump and President Biden faced criticism for their performances. The New York Times reported Trump's rally in Virginia where he attacked Biden, while Fox News detailed liberal media backlash against Biden. CNN analyzed both candidates' debates and questioned the impact on Biden's presidency. 
Chase Oliver Secures Libertarian Party's Presidential Nomination, Unifying Young Voters Amidst Controversy
Broke On: Sunday, 26 May 2024Chase Oliver, who earned over 2% of votes in the 2022 Georgia Senate race, was unexpectedly chosen as the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee on May 26, 2024. His campaign targeted young voters disgruntled about the Israel-Hamas conflict on college campuses and social media platforms. Trump and Kennedy Jr., who missed qualifying paperwork, expressed disappointment but called for unity among independents and third parties. 
Veteran Political Adviser and CNN Commentator Alice Stewart Passes Away at 58
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Veteran political adviser and CNN commentator Alice Stewart, age 58, passed away. Born in Atlanta, she served on Republican campaigns including Huckabee's and Cruz's. Remembered for honesty and promoting conservatism at CNN. Cause of death unknown. 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Quest for Ballot Access in All 50 States: Michigan and Utah Secured, But Challenges Ahead
Broke On: Thursday, 18 April 2024Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has gained ballot access in Michigan and Utah, but the expensive and time-consuming process without party backing continues. Kennedy aims to collect excess signatures to ensure validity and is working on Hawaii, Michigan, and other states to secure a spot on the ballot. 
Biden's Cash Advantage Over Trump Grows as He Juggles Fundraising and Legal Bills
Broke On: Thursday, 21 March 2024President Biden's campaign has a significant cash advantage over Donald Trump, with $71 million in cash on hand compared to Trump's $33.5 million as of February 2024. 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Super Bowl Ad Sparks Controversy and Gains Attention as Independent Presidential Candidate
Broke On: Monday, 12 February 2024Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist and independent presidential candidate, has aired a $7 million Super Bowl ad funded by American Values 2024 super PAC. The ad is based on JFK's 1960 campaign commercial with RFK Jr.'s face replacing his uncle's. However, the Kennedy family and DNC have criticized his candidacy for his views and alleged illegal coordination with American Values 2024. Despite this, he has a bipartisan support base but unclear impact on the general election.