On July 25 2025, journalist Cathy Alter sent me this email:
I just downloaded a transcript of our interview. It’s more than 28,000 words. I think I’ll wait a few days to relive it.
I’d just spent several hours at Georgetown University talking to Alter for what was a planned profile in Washingtonian. As I recently wrote about in Splice Today, the profile was spiked for political reasons. I’m a conservative and Alter had made me look too sympathetic. Also, I’d made several claims about the 2018 police hit that was put on Brett Kavanaugh and me—claims that fact checkers would’ve found out are true.
A request. I’d like the audio of the interview I did with Alter released to the public, as well as the 28,000-word transcript. Let people decide.
If Alter or anyone at Washingtonian still considers themselves real journalists, this shouldn't be a problem. I’m not asking for Alter’s piece to be published—although Quillette has expressed interest in seeing it—I’m merely asking for the full, unedited audio and transcript of the conversation to be released.
People may find it fascinating. They may find it boring. They may not care at all. Yet in the name of journalists being against censorship, the interview should be released.
As I wrote about previously on Splice Today, the Alter profile was emotionally, psychologically and spiritually costly for me. The Kavanaugh smear was an oppo research hit job. Alter assured me that this wasn’t the focus of the piece, although I wouldn't be depicted as a saint. She interviewed old friends and girlfriends and apparently didn’t ask them about or show too much interest in Kavanaugh. It was a human story about a Washingtonian for Washingtonian magazine. “I’ve known you for a long time,” Alter told me. “You’ve always been a nice and conscientious person.”
Alter asked me to do the profile for over six years. When I said yes in 2025, I started getting enthusiastic emails from her.
June 16
Hey you:
I think you said you wanted to meet at Georgetown University? Or am I misremembering?
Want to toss out some good dates/times in the upcoming weeks? I’m in town through July 30th. Which means, we can meet up a few times, yes?
Cathy
August 25
Hey there:
I’m just back from 3 weeks in CT. I tried not to do too much work but I did manage a phone call with Mark, your old buddy from 4th grade. He was super nice and told me that you should take me to see his old house where you blew up a popsicle stick house in his dad’s pool. I’m in.
Actually, I’d love to meet you in your old neighborhood for a stroll around and another interview. Even after 2+ hours, I still have some questions, of course.
Also, did you do your homework?
Are you in town over Labor Day weekend? Monday, September 1?
Cathy
August 29
Hey there:
I met with both Brooke and Mike this week (I’m sure they told you). I liked them both a lot. You sure do have some handsome friends.
I’m trying to figure out [your childhood friend’s] Facebook page. Am I spelling his name incorrectly. Also your friend Jeff, who is now in Hawaii. I must have spelled his last name phonetically. Do you have an email for him?
And I can’t get [your editor] Adam Bellow’s direct email off Bombardier’s site. Can you share with me?
Most important: When can we meet to walk around the old neighborhood and have one more sit-down? Suggest some dates!
After hearing from Washingtonian’s art director, in late March of this year, I was informed that the profile had been spiked. Alter texted me:
Hey there. I wanted to tell you as soon as I heard (in a phone call today with the editor), Washingtonian is killing the story. I’m tied up now with a list of crap to finish but I wanted to let you know. How about I take some of my kill fee and treat you to a fancy meal? I’m really sorry. And really disappointed.
Cathy, if you’re disappointed there is a solution: Publish the profile with Quillette—or somewhere else that’s helmed by journalists who believe in free speech.
Failing that, release the audited interview. Release the transcript.