HuffPost is an American progressive news website and political blog that was founded on May 9, 2005, by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, Jonah Peretti, and Andrew Breitbart. Originally launched as "The Huffington Post," it served as a commentary outlet and alternative to traditional news aggregators. The platform became known for combining news stories with blog posts and columns from celebrities, politicians, academics, and other well-known contributors. Over the years, it evolved into a major digital news organization with a significant global presence, establishing editions in multiple countries including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. The ownership and structure of HuffPost has undergone several transformations since its inception. In March 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for $315 million, with Arianna Huffington becoming president and editor-in-chief. The platform continued to expand its reach and influence throughout the 2010s. In June 2015, Verizon acquired AOL for $4.4 billion, making HuffPost part of Verizon Media. The site underwent a rebranding in April 2017, officially changing its name from "The Huffington Post" to simply "HuffPost" and implementing design and content changes under editor-in-chief Lydia Polgreen. In February 2021, BuzzFeed acquired HuffPost from Verizon Media, marking another significant shift in ownership. Today, HuffPost operates as part of BuzzFeed, Inc. and maintains its position as a prominent news outlet with a people-first approach to journalism. The platform covers a diverse range of topics including politics, entertainment, lifestyle, and world news, with a commitment to inclusivity and serving underrepresented voices. HuffPost attracts millions of monthly visitors and continues to be recognized as one of the most influential digital news sources globally.