The Misattributed Letter: A Story of a Liberal’s Perspective
The letter that has sparked so much confusion and debate online began with the words, “I’m a liberal, but that doesn’t mean what a lot of you apparently think it does.” This opening line has been widely circulated on social media platforms and attributed to various public figures. However, the truth is far more nuanced.
For years, many people believed that this letter was written by director Ron Howard, known for his work on films such as A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13. But in reality, the author of the letter is Lori Gallagher Witt, a novelist who first posted the text on her Facebook and Tumblr accounts in January 2018.
The letter, which is over 1,300 words long, is an extensive exploration of what it means to be a liberal. It begins with a personal reflection, addressing friends and family who were surprised to learn of her political leanings. The tone is both informative and conversational, aiming to clarify misconceptions about liberalism and to explain the author’s beliefs.
Witt’s original post included a longer introduction than the version that later circulated online. She described how she had avoided discussing politics with many of her friends and relatives, especially those with conservative views. She felt the need to speak out after the 2016 election, when many of her acquaintances reacted negatively to her self-identification as a liberal.
Over time, the letter gained traction online, and its message resonated with many readers. However, the misattribution to Ron Howard began to spread. In 2020, someone named Ron Howard — not the famous director — shared the letter without giving credit to Witt. This error led to widespread confusion, and others soon followed suit, attributing the letter to the well-known filmmaker.
Witt explained that the misattribution started when a person with the same name as the director shared her post without proper acknowledgment. After she reached out, the individual corrected their mistake. But by then, the damage had already been done. The letter continued to circulate with Howard’s name attached, leading to frustration for Witt.
She described the persistent misattribution as “the Howarding,” a term she used to refer to the ongoing issue. In 2025, she shared a photo of Ron Howard holding a poster that featured the letter with a note saying, “I didn’t write this,” accompanied by a checkmark and his signature. According to Witt, the poster was brought to Howard during an appearance at Pittsburgh’s Steel City Con, where her husband asked him to sign it.
The impact of the misattribution has been significant. While Witt’s original 2018 post was shared around 30,000 times, a 2025 post that incorrectly attributed the letter to Howard amassed over 100,000 shares in just a few days. This highlights the power of social media in amplifying misinformation and the challenges of correcting it once it has taken hold.
Witt also expressed her frustration with others trying to take credit for her work or even profiting from it. She emphasized that while she could understand a post going viral without her name, she drew the line when people attempted to monetize her content or use it to elevate themselves.
In addition to the misattribution, there have been other claims involving Ron Howard. One notable example was a rumor suggesting that a clip from the TV show Arrested Development, in which he appeared, was evidence that the 1969 moon landing was fake. Fact-checkers have since debunked this claim.
Witt’s letter remains a powerful piece of writing that continues to spark conversations about political identity and the importance of understanding different perspectives. It serves as a reminder of the need for critical thinking and fact-checking, especially in an age where information spreads rapidly and often without verification.