Grimaldi's passion and brilliance were not limited to his theatrical endeavors. Two other areas, journalism and contemporary political history, occupied much of his time and attention, and his work in them would play a formative role in the shaping of contemporary views of Spanish society. He learned early – perhaps from Carnerero's example – that the press had enormous power to influence thought and he used that knowledge effectively. Grimaldi wrote newspaper articles at three dramatic junctures of Spanish history (1833–6, 1840, 1867) and his writings were read and hotly debated on both sides of the Pyrenees.

María Cristina, Mendizábal and “La Revista Española” (1833–6)

Carnerero ceased the publication of his Cartas Españolas in the beginning of November 1832. One week later they reappeared with a new title, a new format and a new board of editors (composed of Carnerero and his brother, Antonio Alcala Galiano, N. Campuzano, N. Rodrigo and Juan de Grimaldi). La Revista Española, destined to become one of the most influential newspapers of the Romantic period, began publication on November 7. It originally was published as a biweekly, then increased to three times per week, and finally on April 1, 1834, encouraged by additional freedoms in the capital (and by additional competition), it began its life as a daily. It appealed to liberal intellectuals who found in its pages stimulating commentary on contemporary issues (as much as was permitted) and the best literary section of any of the capital's papers.