I'm an 18-year-old journalist covering politics, policy, economics, and global affairs. Welcome to my channel!
This all started in 2019, when I began covering stories here in Toledo, Ohio. That same year, I had my 'big break': an interview with presidential candidate & Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. That led to appearances on CBS This Morning, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, as well as write-ups in national publications, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Root, and others. I've also made a number of appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, during which I interviewed the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Naomi Osaka, and Eric Stonestreet. My final appearance on the show was in 2022, when I interviewed Ellen herself, as part of her final season. Following that, I would re-appear on the nationally-syndicated LIVE with Kelly and Mark, on which I was previously interviewed in 2020. I've also covered U.S. politics for the U.K. young adult news show 'FYI' on Sky.
Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026 🗳️ | For U.S. House & Senate candidates, particularly those running in competitive territory, it helps to have carved out an individual identity (one independent of the national party brand).
This matters most when their party is on track for a bad showing in the midterms — like Republicans in 2006/2018 and Democrats in 2010/2014 — because they, as individuals, will already have some degree of insulation.
That's why, in a year Democrats are favored to make gains, some Republican candidates — primarily in purple states — are beginning to distance themselves from President Trump, who's become synonymous with the party he leads.
But for candidates like Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) — who, despite running in a state Trump won handily, also faces a strong Democratic opponent — is that the right call politically? I asked Dr. Melissa Miller, a professor of political science at Bowling Green State University. ⬇️ https://youtu.be/LiOHHKgtGm4?si=4EWJS...
9 hours ago | [YT] | 1
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
Election 2026: Two weeks from today, early in-person voting gets underway in Ohio. 🗳️
That's why I've compiled a comprehensive guide, including info on deadlines to look out for, early voting hours, and the process of casting an absentee ballot. Check it out here. ➡️ toledofreepress.com/voters-guide-two-weeks-remain-…
1 week ago | [YT] | 7
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026 🗳️: The crypto lobby, which spent tens of millions of dollars against Sherrod Brown in 2024, is set to do so again this cycle, the New York Times reports. > www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/us/politics/crypto-sher…
1 week ago | [YT] | 4
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026 🗳️: On November 3rd, as results come in for Ohio's U.S. Senate race, it may be worth focusing on three counties, in particular, which are uniquely positioned to offer insight into the state's political direction.↴ https://youtu.be/buhx8-LJPPc?si=Bvl8s...
1 week ago | [YT] | 4
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026 🗳️ | The Washington Post is out today with a feature on Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo), who faces her most competitive race yet, following a redraw of Ohio's 9th Congressional District — which she currently represents — to further advantage Republicans. ➡️ www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/shes-su…
1 week ago | [YT] | 5
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#ICYMI: The Federal Reserve, in response to persistent inflationary pressure on the economy, announced a quarter-percent interest rate hike today, bringing its benchmark rate to 4%.
August's inflation report showed consumer prices rose at a pace 4x that of the previous month, with steadily increasing gas prices — driven largely by the U.S. war in Iran — playing a big role.
Tap here to read the full statement on today's decision by the Federal Open Market Committee (the 12-member board tasked with setting interest rates). ➡️ www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/mo…
1 week ago | [YT] | 3
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026: A Bowling Green State University-YouGov poll of 1,000 likely Ohio voters, conducted between September 1st and the 10th, was released Wednesday morning.
Here are some key takeaways.↴
⚫️ What voters care most about (note that percentages are not cumulative):
Economy overall | 40%
Inflation | 34%
Corruption | 28%
Healthcare | 24%
Threats to democracy | 23%
Immigration | 20%
Taxes/fiscal policy | 15%
National debt | 14%
War in Iran, climate change, & crime | 10%
⚫️ A majority of respondents (52%) said they believe Ohio to be on the "wrong track," while 31% believe it's headed in the "right direction." 17% were "not sure."
Democrats and independents were far less favorable in their assessment of the state's direction than Republicans were: 79% and 51%, respectively, answered "wrong track," compared to just 28% of Republicans.
⚫️ The president's approval is underwater among independents, with a combined 66% saying they "somewhat" or "strongly" disapprove of the job he's doing.
⚫️ "Who would you vote for in Ohio's 2026 Governor's Race?"
Democrat Amy Acton leads Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by three points, which is within the margin of error. She leads Ramaswamy by 11 points among independents.
⚫️ "Who would you vote for in Ohio's 2026 U.S. Senate Race?"
While Democrat Sherrod Brown has a three-point lead over incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted — again, within the margin of error — that gap doubles among independents.
⚫️ Sample:
• 474 Democrats
• 419 Republicans
• 107 independents
The crosstabs can be found, in their entirety, here: drive.google.com/file/d/16DCSUQaBOGTTk0u3flp6q0uwC…
1 week ago | [YT] | 4
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
Barring The Blade's sale to new ownership, Northwest Ohio will lose two newsrooms this year. 📰
On Friday, The Press — a weekly print publication serving Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties — announced that it would be closing up shop indefinitely.
I spoke to an ex-reporter, as well as one of the paper's last hires, for my latest @Toledo_Free_Press article. | Read here ➡️ toledofreepress.com/the-press-closure-and-changing…
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
#Election2026 🗳️ | As part of my work with @Michigan_Public this past summer, I spoke with two Gen Z voters in one of the country's purplest states.
The first of my two reports, which went live today, features perspective from 21-year-old Aubrey Greenfield, a survivor of 2021's mass shooting at Oxford High School.
You can listen + read here. ➡️ www.michiganpublic.org/section/stateside/2026-09-0…
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5
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Jaden Jefferson Reports
Governor Mike DeWine has issued the following statement in response to today's incident involving Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton:
"Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured. We spoke to Dr. Acton this afternoon and she said to share with Ohioans that she is ok.
We are grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene at the Canfield Fair today when a man tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democrat booth.
Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.
This case is now in the hands of law enforcement and will be investigated thoroughly."
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5
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