Yashar Ali


Yashar Ali is an American journalist who has contributed to HuffPost, NBC News, and New York magazine.

Early life and career

Ali was born into an Iranian family in Chicago. He grew up in Oak Park, Illinois and attended Holy Cross High School in River Grove. Ali later moved to Los Angeles, working as a television production assistant on shows like E.R. and Chicago Hope.
Following his stint working in TV, he began working on various political campaigns including Steve Westly's 2006 campaign for governor and Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, Ali also worked as a federal lobbyist and has given thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates. Ali served as then-San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom's deputy chief of staff. After working in California Democratic Party politics, Ali moved to New York City and contributed to multiple media publications.
On August 4, 2017, Ali reported allegations that Fox News commentator Eric Bolling had sent unsolicited lewd text messages and lewd photos to three female colleagues at Fox News or Fox Business Network. In response to the report, Bolling filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit in New York against Ali. Ali said he stood behind the accuracy of his story and would protect his sources.

Personal life

Ali describes himself as a Roman Catholic. He is openly gay, having come out in 2001.