McKay Coppins

Career Trajectory: From Mormon Country to National Affairs

McKay Coppins has established himself as one of Washington's most incisive chroniclers of power, faith, and media through his 15-year career. Beginning at Newsweek where he broke Jon Huntsman Jr.'s presidential bid [4][8], Coppins developed a signature approach combining deep sourcing with cultural analysis. His move to BuzzFeed during the 2012 election cycle saw him become the definitive voice on Mitt Romney's Mormon faith [4], foreshadowing his later biography of the senator.

"Coppins' reporting reveals not just what politicians do, but why they believe they must do it - a rare fusion of policy and theology." - Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs

Defining Works

• The Murdoch Succession War and the Future of Media Dynasties (The Atlantic, 2025)

This 12,000-word investigation into the Murdoch family's battle over Fox News and News Corp required unprecedented access to warring factions within the media empire. Coppins reconstructed boardroom confrontations through financial filings, leaked memos, and interviews with 23 insiders [2][5][9]. The piece exposed how succession planning collided with shifting media economics, influencing stock prices and regulatory scrutiny.

• Romney: A Reckoning (Scribner, 2023)

Based on 45 interviews and access to private diaries, this biography redefined political memoir conventions. Coppins used his shared LDS background [4] to explore Romney's spiritual wrestling with Trumpism, tracking the senator's evolution from "severely conservative" nominee to GOP dissident. The book's revelation of Romney's secret 2020 presidential deliberations sparked national debates about political courage [1][4].

• Inside Trump's "Fake" Presidential Campaign (The Daily Beast, 2016)

This early Trump campaign exposé combined trail reporting with psychological profiling, arguing the reality TV star never expected to win [4][8]. Coppins' analysis of Trump's manipulation of media ecosystems predicted the disinformation challenges that defined the late 2010s. The article's publication triggered a viral Twitter feud with Trump himself [4], cementing Coppins' reputation for getting under powerful subjects' skin.

Pitching Recommendations

1. Connect Political Strategy to Personal Belief Systems

Coppins consistently explores how leaders' spiritual frameworks shape governance. Successful pitches might examine how faith communities influence policy debates beyond obvious issues like abortion. Example: His Atlantic piece on Pete Buttigieg's Episcopalianism reframed the 2020 primary through liturgical traditions [1].

2. Track Institutional Decline in Media/Politics

With 14% of his bylines analyzing institutional decay [2][5], Coppins seeks stories about legacy organizations struggling to adapt. Pitches could explore local newspaper collapses, changing think tank funding models, or religious denominations' membership crises - always with national implications.

3. Reveal Hidden Power Networks

Coppins' Murdoch investigation [2][9] exemplifies his interest in informal influence channels. Strong pitches might map lobbying through alumni networks, billionaire philanthropy in local elections, or tech billionaires' media acquisitions - with documented evidence of impact.

Awards and Industry Recognition

• Aldo Beckman Award (2020): White House Correspondents' Association honor for his Trump presidency coverage [1], particularly his analysis of evangelical advisors' influence. Judges noted his "ability to decode the theology of power."
• Wilbur Award (2021): Recognized his Atlantic series on pandemic-era religious innovation [1], including drive-through communion services and Zoom bar mitzvahs. The Religion Communicators Council praised his "nuanced treatment of adaptive faith."