Tony Ortiz, the controversial founder of Current Revolt, joins Garrett Fulce to pull back the curtain on how Texas political media really works. From breaking Capitol scandals to exposing paid influencers, Ortiz has built a reputation for publishing stories mainstream outlets won’t touch — and for being unapologetically honest about his biases.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ortiz explains how Current Revolt began during the COVID lockdowns, why he leaned into the “trash gossip rag” label, and what it’s like to run a far-right outlet while maintaining credibility across political lines. He and Garrett dive deep into the ethics of independent journalism and how the rise of paid political content is reshaping conservative media.

The episode also explores Ortiz’s growing disillusionment with Texas politics, his take on how influencers manipulate narratives for profit, and the challenges of balancing advocacy with accuracy. Whether you love him or hate him, Tony Ortiz represents a new era in political reporting — unfiltered, unconventional, and deeply Texan.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Tony Ortiz and the rise of Current Revolt
4:11 – The role of independent journalism in Texas politics
6:36 – The risks of getting stories wrong and why editors matter
10:03 – From “rhino hunting” to reporting across the spectrum
12:41 – Far-right factions, Fuentes, and the Pale Horse fallout
16:23 – Comparing Nick Fuentes and Charlie Kirk’s influence
19:25 – Paid political influencers and foreign funding
22:54 – How astroturfing and “influencer” PR reshape narratives
24:26 – Building Current Revolt’s audience organically
25:49 – Absurd Texas stories that went viral (like “Grub-Gate”)
28:55 – Immigration, jobs, and the H-1B visa debate
30:12 – Shared economic anxieties between left and right
32:41 – Mental health, religion, and cultural disillusionment
36:24 – Balancing bias, honesty, and accountability in reporting
42:15 – The cost of controversial journalism in Texas
46:59 – Faith, hypocrisy, and the Christian right
51:14 – Tony’s disillusionment with organized religion
58:16 – Expanding Current Revolt and Texas political coverage
1:01:00 – Closing thoughts and what’s next on Seeing Red

Find us at seeingredpodcast.substack.com for full episodes. Follow us on all socials at @theseeingredpod and online at our website Seeing Red Podcast. x.com/gwfulce

Inside the Tabloid of Record for Texas Politics

Seeing Red: A Texas Politics Podcast