Dear Mother Jones Reader, 

I'm back in your inbox today to give you an update on our Summer Membership Drive—but first, some important news: This week only, every donation you make to Mother Jones will be doubled, up to $50,000.

That's twice the impact for intrepid reporting that peels back the layers of each story and gives the context you need to break it all down.

Now for the update: As of this morning, Mother Jones readers have contributed about $35,000 to this campaign. We need to raise $200,000 this month to fund our next investigations, so I'll be blunt: We've got to pick up the pace or risk falling way short. We're still $165,000 from our goal, with just two weeks remaining. My hope is that this week’s match is the missing spark that brings the campaign to life. (Please prove me right.)

I've been a journalist for many years, and I've seen my share of controversy and abuse of power. But this is a critical moment for independent journalism and for democracy. To be independent means to report without favor or agenda for a corporate owner. It means we're funded by our readers just like you. So here's my ask: If you can, make a donation today to fund independent journalism, and in doing so, to defend democracy. (And, see your gift doubled for twice the impact for the Mother Jones newsroom.)

Every dollar we raise this month will fund much-needed midterm election deep dives and help us expose and track the administration's unprecedented corruption. When those in power work behind closed doors to disappear immigrants, we'll be there to shine a light on illegal abductions. When Trump's cronies profit off their access to the Oval Office, we'll track where the money is coming from, and where it's going.

This administration's aim is to control the narrative, control the vote, and control the people. Here at Mother Jones, we counter. We'll keep pursuing the truth and we won't back down.

Will you join this team? Defend democracy by standing with independent, investigative journalism. Your support is invaluable—and that's one of the reasons why we have the $50,000 match this week. Your contribution matters to us, and we want to further it as far as possible. Donate today, and see your gift doubled.

We have fifty years of experience of exposing coverups and deals made behind closed doors. The fight for the truth continues. Join us for (at least!) 50 more years of fearless reporting.

Onward,