My remarks at Substack’s recent politics party in Washington D.C.

We’re leaning into politics discourse (because it needs more sanity)

Last week, we hosted a party in Washington D.C. at the same time as the White House Correspondents Dinner. A fascinating array of people from across the political spectrum came to the black tie event at The Willard Hotel, including Marianne Williamson, Meghan McCain, Jessica Reed Kraus, Matt Taibbi, Sally Bedell-Smith, Joaquin Castro, David Hogg, and many other journalists, writers, social media influencers, and others who I am almost definitely remiss not to mention. We had originally planned to book a couple of tables at the Correspondents dinner and fill them with rowdy Substackers, but they politely declined our application. No matter. Our party was more fun. 

Halfway through the event, I took the mic to give a few remarks. I thought it might be nice to share the speech here.

So here it is.

Hi everyone, my name is Hamish McKenzie, I’m a former journalist and author and I’m one of the founders of Substack. I’m so grateful that you’re all here tonight. A special thanks to Catherine Valentine, our head of politics, who is responsible for pulling this all together. 

Our original plan was to pay for a couple tables at the White House Correspondents Dinner and populate them with Substackers, but they turned us away. It’s just as well, because this is better. I’d rather be in this room with you than in one with President Biden and Colin Jost. 

We’re calling this the “New Media” party, but Substack is not just new media. It’s new voices, a new economy, new angles, new freedom, new courage. It’s a new option when the other options are increasingly disappearing or disappointing.  

Substack is not Democrat or Republican. It’s pan-political… 

For those on the left, Substack is a way to seize the means of production, to cut out the middle man, and to give workers the ownership. Power to the people!

For those on the right, Substack is a monument to the free market. It’s capitalism distilled. And it’s the greatest libertarian media system ever made. Let the best minds win!

And for the authoritarians and anyone who would shut down the voice of the independent, the voice of the dissident, the voice of the common man, the voice of the oppressed…

Substack is a big fuck you. 

Many of the people in this room tonight are Substack writers. Everyone else, I’d bet, is a Substack reader. And if you don’t know what Substack is at all—please stop helping yourself to the free drinks. 

Tonight, I salute each and every one of you, because you’re helping to build something new, something better, and you’re helping everyone take back their mind. 

This is a big year. In six and a half months, there’ll be an election. So much of it will involve the same old characters. But we’ll be there together, as Substack, offering something new.

So here’s a toast to everyone in this room. Thank you for being here with us tonight, it’s our immense privilege. I hope everyone has a great time.