John O'Donnell (political journalist)

John Parsons O'Donnell (July 23, 1896 – December 17, 1961) was an American political journalist primarily known for his lengthy tenure as chief of the New York Daily News Washington bureau and as the writer of its Capitol Stuff column. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, to a wealthy physician, O'Donnell pursued his education at Tufts College, graduating in 1920, followed by further studies at Harvard University and Dijon University in Europe. He served as an infantry lieutenant in World War I.

His career in political journalism began in 1923 as a reporter at the New York American owned by William Randolph Hearst. In 1927, he joined the New York Daily News, where he gained recognition for his political journalism, covering significant events such as Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1933 presidential inauguration and serving as a correspondent during World War II, reporting from the Maginot Line in France.

Throughout World War II, O'Donnell's journalism reflected the right-wing political biases of his publisher, William Randolph Hearst, which included shifting from initial admiration to harsh criticism of President Roosevelt. In response, Roosevelt gave a fellow journalist an Iron Cross to give to O'Donnell. O'Donnell later reported allegations of sexual promiscuity in the Women's Army Corps and also an antisemitic conspiracy theory about General George S. Patton's removal. O'Donnell's reporting in both incidents was discredited, and his publisher retracted the columns.