Authentic Bullshitter: Journalist Who Knew Donald Trump Before He Became President – Barkha Dutt

Brown, who once covered Donald Trump in New York’s high-society era, described him as “an authentic bullshitter” — someone whose brash confidence and unfiltered persona continue to define his political appeal. She recalled his early days as a flashy, entertaining conman and traced his evolution into a far more focused and dangerous political force today.

The discussion also examined the crisis facing traditional media, with Brown noting that “legacy journalism must pivot or perish.” She argued that storytelling has shifted from newsrooms to platforms like TikTok and Substack, where brevity and direct engagement rule. While she embraces new tools through her own Substack Fresh Hell, she lamented the loneliness of modern journalism and the loss of newsroom collaboration.

Brown and Dutt also reflected on the toxic partisanship of the media landscape, the influencer culture overtaking real reporting, and the lingering elitism within journalism itself. Yet, despite her critiques, Brown affirmed her enduring faith in the passion and courage of young reporters who continue to pursue truth under immense pressure.

In conclusion, Barkha Dutt summed up the conversation as a testament to both resilience and reinvention — a reminder that while technology changes, the calling of journalism remains the same: to tell the truth fearlessly.