‘Twitter Files’ reporter REFUSES to reveal his sources in fiery hearing: Republicans fired back at Democrats for calling him an ‘alleged journalist’ and Elon Musk puppet in tense exchange
- ‘The so-called journalists’ before us now,’ House Ranking member Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) said of the witnesses
- ‘I am a journalist. I don’t reveal my sources,’ said reporter Matt Taibbi.
- “The fact that the Democrats are pushing him…is a violation of the First Amendment,” President Jim Jordan of Ohio replied.
Chairman Jim Jordan accused Democrats on the House subcommittee panel investigating the ‘weaponization’ of the federal government’ and the subsequent publication of the ‘Twitter Files’ of intimidating two journalists who testified before the committee on Thursday.
Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), a ranking member of the House, made opening remarks, including dismissive comments about Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger, who were given unprecedented access to internal Twitter discussions after that Elon Musk bought the company in October 2022.
His research helped create the now infamous ‘Twitter Files,’ which allege a deep connection between Big Tech and government agencies in an attempt to stifle conservative voices.
“The Republicans have brought in two of Elon Musk’s public scribes,” Plaskett declared, alluding to their being cast as GOP puppets.
Arming Ranking Member of the Federal Government Subcommittee Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) (C) speaks with other members of the subcommittee, Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) (L) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY )
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) attempts to tarnish the journalistic credibility of Matt Taibbi as a witness. “Being a Republican witness today certainly casts a cloud over his objectivity,” she said.
“It’s not just about data being handed over to ‘so-called journalists’ before us now,” he told witnesses.
“Ranking Plaskett, I’m not a ‘so-called journalist,’ retorted veteran Rolling Stone reporter Taibbi, letting it be known that he was the author of ten books, ‘including four New York Times bestsellers.’
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) joined the Democratic tarnishing of Taibbi’s reporting because she agreed to testify.
“Being a Republican witness today certainly casts a cloud over your objectivity,” he said.
Later in the hearing, Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) repeatedly asked Taibbi when Elon Musk first approached him and other reporters to review emails and documents related to the 2020 election and the media giant. social.
‘I can’t give it to you, unfortunately, because it’s a matter of supply, and I’m a journalist. I do not reveal my sources,” Taibbi said.
Garcia insisted: ‘So you’re not going to tell us when Musk first approached you?’
“Once again, Congressman, you are asking a reporter to reveal a source,” Taibbi said.
“You can’t have it both ways,” Garcia said when the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, declined any requests for additional information.
“He’s not going to reveal his source and for the Democrats to pressure him to do so is a violation of the First Amendment.”
Journalist Matt Taibbi did not reveal any sources to the panel regarding the Twitter files.
Journalist Michael Shellenberger testifies about the ‘Twitter Files’ before the House Select Subcommittee on Federal Government Weapons
Twitter is accused of having a cozy relationship with government agencies.
Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was furious that Democrats were asking reporters questions about sources.
