The invention provides bipartite, dual-targeted inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase having the general structural formula (I): X-α-Y (I) wherein X is an moiety that binds to the Rif target of a bacterial RNA polymerase; Y is a moiety that binds to the bridge-helix N-terminus target of a bacterial RNA polymerase; and is a covalent bond or a linker. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using said compounds. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.