Joe Conason Biography
Joe Conason is a journalist, author, and liberal political commentator from the United States. He founded and serves as the editor-in-chief of The National Memo, a daily political newsletter and website that features breaking news and commentary. He has been the editor of The Investigative Fund, a non-profit journalism center, since 2006.
Joe Conason kicked off his journalism journey right after college, stepping into the role of co-editor at the East Boston Community News. He then made his way to The Real Paper, an alternative weekly in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he tackled environmental, racial, and political issues for both publications.
From 1978 to 1990, Conason was a key player at The Village Voice in New York City, taking on roles as a columnist, staff writer, and national correspondent. It was during this time that he earned a reputation as a sharp investigative journalist and commentator. One of his standout investigations in 1985 revealed hidden real estate holdings in Manhattan linked to then-President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, and his wife, Imelda Marcos, which helped shine a light on their controversial regime.
In 1986 and 1987, he reported from the Philippines, covering significant political developments, and in 1989, he found himself in Beijing just after the Tiananmen Square massacre, reporting on the aftermath for The Village Voice. After leaving the publication in the early ’90s, he took on the role of editor-at-large for Condé Nast’s Details, where he focused on social, political, and cultural stories.
For nearly two decades, from 1992 to 2010, Conason held various positions at the New York Observer, including columnist, political editor, executive editor, and national correspondent.
During Bill Clinton’s presidency, Conason gained national recognition for his investigative work on the Whitewater controversy and became a familiar face on television during Clinton’s impeachment trial. He also uncovered details about the so-called “Arkansas Project,” a secretive initiative funded by billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife that aimed to dig up damaging information about the Clintons.
In 2004, he was one of the first journalists to delve into the finances and background of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who were targeting Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Since 2006, Conason has been serving as the editor of The Investigative Fund.
In July 2011, he launched The National Memo, a daily political newsletter aimed at blending investigative journalism with thoughtful news analysis. This outlet dives into a variety of political subjects, from elections and the White House to Congress and the latest developments in U.S. politics.
Joe Conason Age | Birthday
How old is Joe? He is 72 years old as of 2026. Joe was born on January 25, 1954, in New York City and grew up in White Plains, New York, the United States of America. He celebrates his birthday every 25th of January.
Joe Conason Education
Conason graduated with a degree in history from Brandeis University in 1975.
Joe Conason Height
Joe’s height is not yet disclosed. His details about his other body measurements will be updated as soon as possible.
Joe Conason Family | Parents
Joe was born in New York City and grew up in White Plains, New York, the United States of America. He was raised by his parents, but he has not provided any information about his siblings or family in general. It is unknown whether he had siblings, and the identity of his father and mother is still unknown. He has kept the public in the dark about his childhood.
Joe Conason Wife | Spouse
He is a happily married man. Joe is married to Elizabeth Horan Wagley, who was the development director of the U.S. branch of Médecins du Monde.
Joe Conason Children
The two are blessed to have two children named Edward and Eleanor and currently reside in New York City, the United States of America.
Joe Conason’s Net Worth
He has not yet disclosed his net worth, however, he has amassed a modest wealth through the revenues of his job as an anchor/reporter and producer.
Joe Conason Books | Author
- Big Lies
- Gene Lyons
- The Raw Deal
- God’s Profits:
Joe Conason Author | Career
Conason took on the role of co-editor at the East Boston Community News right after he graduated from college. He also became part of the team at the Real Paper, an alternative weekly based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In both of these publications, he tackled important topics like environmental issues, racial matters, and political affairs.
From 1978 to 1990, Conason was a columnist, staff writer, and national correspondent for The Village Voice, a counter-cultural publication in New York City. It was there that he really honed his skills as a seasoned reporter and a keen commentator. In 1985, his investigative work uncovered the secret real estate holdings of Ferdinand Marcos, the President of the Philippines, and his wife, Imelda, which played a role in the downfall of their oppressive regime. Conason made several trips to the Philippines in 1986 and 1987 to report on the political landscape there.
He arrived in Beijing just a day after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, covering the heartbreaking events for The Village Voice. After leaving The Village Voice in the early 1990s, Conason took on the role of editor-at-large for Condé Nast’s magazine, Details, which focused on lifestyle, politics, and social issues.
He also served as a columnist, political editor, executive editor, and national correspondent for the New York Observer, a weekly publication started by Arthur Carter, who had previously worked at The Nation. Conason’s investigative reporting on the Whitewater scandal caught the attention of national media during the Clinton administration, and he became a familiar face on cable television during Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial from 1998 to 1999.
He also brought to light the “Arkansas Project,” a secretive multi-million dollar initiative backed by a conservative billionaire from Pittsburgh, aimed at digging up (or even fabricating) dirt on the Clintons. Conason was among the first journalists to delve into the origins and funding of the “Swift Vets and POWs for Truth” group back in 2004.
He went on to establish The National Memo, a daily political newsletter designed to offer readers a sharp perspective on the news, along with a good mix of original reporting and curated content. According to its website, The National Memo strives to blend “the essence of investigative journalism with innovative technology and fresh ideas.” They tackle a broad spectrum of political issues, including campaigns, elections, the White House and presidency, Congress, and much more.
