CatholicVote and publishing industry face scrutiny over editorial stances

The CatholicVote CEO has issued a rebuttal against claims made by former political editor Stephen Herreid on ‘The Tucker Carlson Show’. Herreid alleged that the organization’s editorial stance on Israel was influenced by donor pressure. The CEO denied these claims, stating that changes in editorial supervision were due to a need for balance and a desire to address other global issues, such as the persecution of Christians and conflicts in China and Ukraine, rather than external pressure.

Separately, reports within the American publishing industry suggest a growing trend of discomfort regarding Jewish identity and Israeli representation. An investigation by PEN America involving over 30 professionals highlighted instances of lost opportunities and pressure to minimize Jewish content. Data indicates that fiction deals at large presses involving mentions of Jews, Judaism, or Israel declined by 76% between 2023 and 2024. Authors and agents have reported being advised to remove Jewish references or names to avoid controversy.