Hannah Cox

Hannah Cox is an American writer, commentator, and activist who describes herself as “politically homeless.” She is the cofounder and president of BasedPolitics, a nonprofit that trains and equips digital advocates, and the founder and president of Athens Media, a communications firm focused on policy reform at the state and federal levels. Her work focuses on free market capitalism, criminal justice reform, and civil liberties.

Early career

Cox began her professional work in the Nashville music industry, where she held roles in artist management, licensing, and event coordination. Her political work began at the volunteer level when she answered the [...] hotline for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and began lobbying at the Tennessee General Assembly for reforms. Her first paid political role was as a part-time coordinator for the Tennessee Firearms Association. She later launched a vodcast during the COVID-19 pandemic that evolved into the show Based.

Advocacy and policy work

From 2018 to 2020, Cox worked with Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (CCATDP) as Senior National Manager, during which time her work contributed to efforts that helped abolish the death penalty in three states.

Prior to her work with CCATDP, she served as Director of Outreach for the Beacon Center of Tennessee, a free market think tank with a pro bono litigation arm. Cox has also been associated with the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) as a content creator, brand ambassador, and contributor. In 2023, FEE published her remarks connected to testimony presented before the United States Senate.

BasedPolitics

Cox cofounded BasedPolitics with journalist Brad Polumbo in 2022. BasedPolitics produces commentary on free markets, civil liberties, and government accountability, and its digital content has reached millions of viewers.

Since 2025, the organization has expanded to include workshops that train activists to advance policy reforms online.

In 2024, Reason reported that BasedPolitics filed a lawsuit challenging federal legislation concerning a ban on TikTok, arguing that the law would expand government control over online information.

Podcasts and shows

Cox hosts The Hannah Cox Show, which discusses current events, philosophy, women’s issues, and policy proposals.

InfluenceWatch lists two additional projects associated with Cox: Histrionics and Hannah Explains It All, which focus on historical narratives and introductory liberty topics.

Writing and commentary

Cox has written for the Foundation for Economic Education, the ACLU of Mississippi, Fox News, Newsweek, Newsmax, and the Washington Examiner.

Her Substack newsletter, The Hannah Cox Camp, has appeared among the platform’s fastest-growing political publications.

Media appearances and coverage

Cox appears regularly on Fox News and Fox Business Network.

She reported that she was nearly attacked near the Fox studios after an appearance on Mornings with Maria.

A 2024 The New York Times feature on young conservative influencers included Cox among commentators shaping political conversations through social media.

She was selected as a 1995 Society inductee by America’s Future in 2025.

Views

Cox’s public positions emphasize free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government. She has advocated for ending the death penalty, reducing regulatory barriers, and opposing federal restrictions on digital platforms such as TikTok.