With the Truth Seekers Summit presented by Paramount+ less than a month away—August 15th in The Big Apple—Rolling Stone and Variety have added more esteemed names to an already star-studded lineup.
In an era where truth and integrity in journalism are more crucial than ever, journalist and author E. Jean Carroll will be honored with the Truth Seeker Award. This accolade celebrates the extraordinary achievements of journalists and documentary filmmakers dedicated to unearthing the truth, and Carroll’s steadfast commitment to truth and justice is documented (most notably, her recent legal battles against former President Donald J. Trump). Carroll’s illustrious career is also marked by her popular “Ask E. Jean” column, which ran from 1993 to 2019 in Elle Magazine and became one of the longest-running columns in history. Her engaging and insightful advice earned her a dedicated readership and cemented her reputation as a trusted voice in journalism. Beyond her column, Carroll’s contributions to television include her work on Saturday Night Live and America’s Talking, the precursor to MSNBC, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
The recognition of Carroll’s bravery and dedication comes as no surprise to those familiar with her relentless pursuit of truth. Over the past year, she has become a symbol of resilience and courage, standing up against powerful figures to seek justice and accountability. Like past honorees, such as MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, the decision to honor Carroll underscores the vital role of journalists who dare to challenge the status quo and expose the truth, regardless of the personal cost—which is what the Truth Seekers Summit is all about.
The Summit will also feature an impressive list of documentary filmmakers and true-crime experts, ensuring attendees a rich and enlightening experience. Gotham Chopra, renowned director and executive producer of Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story and In The Arena: Serena Williams, will join the Documentary Panel, which already features Alex Stapleton (director, God Save Texas); Rahman Ali Bugg (director, Exposing Parchman and Welcome to Rap City); Nanette Burstein (director/executive producer, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes); and Andrew McCarthy (director/producer, Brats).
Also announced, director Geeta Gandbhir (Born In Synanon, Emmy Award-winning Through Our Eyes: Apart) will participate in the “True Crime Masters Tell All” panel. Gandbhir’s distinguished career in true-crime storytelling will be complemented by the insights of Muta’Ali Muhammad (director, MoviePass, MovieCrash and Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn); Christian Hansen (executive producer, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders); Amara Cofer (host/ co-creator, Black Girl Gone); Brian Knappenberger (director, Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and Turning Point); and Andrew Jarecki (executive producer/creator, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Parts 1 & 2).
Other notable names already announced to appear at the Truth Seekers Summit include Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, Crime Stories host Nancy Grace, America’s Most Wanted’s father-and-son hosts John and Callahan Walsh, radio personality Charlamagne tha God, comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Lewis Black, and Tony, Emmy and WGA Award-nominated writer and comedienne Amber Ruffin.
As the Truth Seekers Summit presented by Paramount+ approaches, anticipation builds for a gathering that promises to be both inspiring and thought-provoking and serves as a poignant reminder of the power of journalism in shaping a more just and truthful world.
Look out for more Rolling Stone and Variety announcements as the Summit draws near.
A special print issue will be produced for subscribers of the two iconic brands. It will feature original and archival stories highlighting Rolling Stone and Variety’s shared commitment to the truth.For those who won’t be able to attend the Truth Seekers Summit in New York City, you can register for virtual access here.
Cherry Torres, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jimin Moon, Ryan Duncan, and Ryann Redmond Matthew Murphy*
Cherry Torres, Jimin Moon, Ryann Redmond, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and Ryan Duncan Marc J Franklin*
Christine Wonsley with her husband, Elmore (second from left), attorney Ben Crump (left), and Rev. Al Sharpton (right), during a memorial service for her son Nolan Xavier Wells.Gerald Herbert/AP
Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino stand as Spain celebrates its World Cup victory, on July 19, 2026.
America Got the World Cup It Deserves — Good and Bad
For the past six weeks or so I’ve been having a recurring fight with my friends. The dispute is over whether or not it’s ethical to support the U.S. national team in the World Cup.
To the vast majority of people reading this article, this is an absurd question: of course you can and should support the United States Men’s National Team, you weirdo. And look, I’m with you. But despite the fact that my friends are pompous dorks who are no fun to watch the game with, the question they raise is valid: Are our national teams avatars of the administration in power, or of the people and promise of that country?
If you believe the former, then yeah, it’s pretty fucking weird to support the USMNT. In doing so, by that thinking, you’d be engaging in a sort of athletic nationalism on behalf of a country run by Donald Trump, the most corrupt president in history, who forced the Iranian national team to flee across the border immediately after the final whistle of each of their games, whose federal police have shot numerous civilians dead in the street during a brutal immigration crackdown, who has started a war and supported a genocide while covering up his close personal friendship with the most notorious pedophile in modern history.
I mean just look at him. On Sunday he waddled down onto the field to present Spain with their trophy, lingering on stage with the victorious team as they tried to celebrate. The presence of Mexican President Claudia Steinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did little to dilute the image of Trump standing next to his crony Gianni Infantino, grinning at all the trappings of their power, hands caressing a trophy they’d done nothing to earn, lingering well past his cue to leave Spain to their glory. This World Cup, literally, had Donald Trump’s fingerprints all over it.
And yet, this was one of the most thrilling, beautiful World Cups in recent memory. That’s America, baby — contradictions abound.
Over the past five weeks of the greatest athletic competition on Earth, we’ve seen games that will literally never leave my memory. The final, which I attended yesterday in New Jersey, was remarkably forgettable — a 0-0 draw until the 106th minute, with Spain dominating every second of play and yet unable to score, undone time and time again by their insistence on tricksy passing and the personal heroics of Argentina’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The rest of the tournament, however, delivered. Cabo Verde, refusing to lose until the very last moments of the first knockout round, battling back again and again against both teams that would eventually play in the final. The sheer dominance of France’s Kylian Mbappe in front of goal, scoring at will, rivaled only by the aging GOAT Leo Messi and the Norwegian warlord Erling Haaland. England’s heroic stand at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, 45 minutes in the rain, a man down, holding out for the win and singing “Wonderwall” with what felt like half the stadium when it ended. Off the pitch, too: the Algerian national team being welcomed with open arms by Lawrence, Kansas; Scottish braves drinking Boston dry and partying wildly with Haitian fans that overcame so much just to be at the tournament. In Mexico, of course, the World Cup was everything, and its fans threw joyous South Koreans pumped full of tequila into the air, and celebrated in the streets with opposing fans even after their hard-fought defeat to England.
For the United States, what the 2026 World Cup was — what our team was, what our fans were, what our performance as hosts was — is a reflection of two things at once: what our nation is and what it can be.
Our star striker, Folarin Balogun, was born here by accident, a citizen only because of a birthright system that our president is currently trying to erase. We have Ricardo and Giovanni and Freeman and Zendejas. We have another striker whose name is Haji, for goodness sake. I look at that team and I see the country America can be, one in which any soul born in or living within our arbitrary borders can become part of a great national project that seeks to improve the lives of everyone it can. And yet, I can also look at that team and see a reflection of what the country is, because there is an anchor around its neck. When Balogun was — albeit unjustly — suspended for a crucial match, Trump himself stepped in. Cronyism saved the day and got Balogun reinstated, but ruined the fragile harmony the team had enjoyed. On the pitch against Belgium, they came apart. Temperamental star Christian Pulisic tried to go alone and then quit, aging defender Tim Ream’s legs failed him when he needed them most, a young goalkeeper slipped and fell when he had no good options for support.
What more can you say about a team, about our country? The team is an entity that is capable of more but still has so far to go, that is vulnerable to the same forces of avarice and selfishness and fear that plague our national identity writ large.
It’s possible to end the story there, to say good riddance to another failed year and fractured team. But I think that’s a mistake. I think if you believe that you haven’t really been watching. I think that’s also why it pissed me off so much that some of my friends wouldn’t root for the U.S. Yes, we have flaws, like every country involved in the tournament. Yes, our current team management and political government are filled with morons. But if you won’t put on the shirt you’re essentially opting out of our future. We can’t wait around for a better world, a better team, a better president, before we deign to lend our support. Progress only comes from effort, from caring, from believing in something more.
One of my favorite images of the World Cup was a crowd shot of the opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles: every race, color and creed of American there is, all covered in red white and blue. It’s corny and trite, sure. But that’s what it’s all about. That’s why we’re here. You have to believe. The U.S. won that game 4-2. In four years, we’ll be even better.