During Thursday evening’s National Press Club Fourth Estate Gala, Axios CEO Jim VandeHei delivered a fiery critique of X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, specifically targeting Musk’s post-election commentary about the evolving nature of journalism.
Musk had recently claimed that the decline of legacy media and the rise of citizen journalism meant, “You are the media now.” VandeHei rejected this notion, calling it “bullsh*t.”
“Everything we do is under fire,” VandeHei remarked, referring to the challenges faced by traditional journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape.
He directly addressed Musk, saying, “Elon Musk sits on Twitter every day—or X today—saying, like, ‘We are the media. You are the media.’ My message to Elon Musk is bullsh*t. You’re not the media.”
🚨Meltdown by Axios CEO Jim VandeHei.
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) November 25, 2024
VandeHei goes on a rant about Elon telling X users “You are the media now”. "My message to Elon Musk is b*llshlit. You're not the media!"
Two things are going on which are triggering Jim VandeHei
1) He is losing audience, his revenue is… pic.twitter.com/OlVscBYtWe
The audience responded with applause as VandeHei elaborated on his argument. “Having a blue checkmark, a Twitter handle, and 300 words of cleverness doesn’t make you a reporter,” he stated. “You don’t do that by popping off on Twitter. You don’t do that by having an opinion. You do it by doing the hard work.”
VandeHei’s comments came in response to Musk’s recent post-election message on X. Musk wrote, “The reality of this election was plain to see on X, while most legacy media lied relentlessly to the public. You are the media now. Please post your thoughts & observations on X, correct others when wrong, and we will have at least one place in the world where you can come to find the truth.”
Musk’s remarks highlighted his belief that social media platforms like X empower individuals to bypass traditional media and contribute directly to public discourse.
The Axios CEO, however, pushed back against this perspective, defending the role of professional journalism in society. VandeHei emphasized the rigorous work and ethical standards that distinguish professional reporters from social media users.
His remarks underscored a broader concern among journalists about the erosion of trust in legacy media and the rise of misinformation on platforms like X.
VandeHei’s comments resonated beyond the gala, drawing praise from figures like MSNBC’s Morning Joe hosts. Joe Scarborough, who has faced scrutiny for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, joined the conversation by defending the importance of legacy media. Scarborough highlighted the significant contributions of established outlets, saying, “The work they do matters.”
The exchange reflects ongoing tensions between traditional media organizations and tech leaders like Musk, who have increasingly positioned themselves as challengers to the mainstream press.
While Musk argues that social media provides a platform for transparency and citizen participation, critics like VandeHei maintain that professional journalism remains essential for holding power accountable and delivering accurate information to the public.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the debate over the role of traditional journalism versus citizen-driven content is likely to persist.
For VandeHei and others in legacy media, the message is clear: the depth, credibility, and effort required to produce meaningful journalism cannot be replaced by social media commentary.