First Rule of Journalism: Never Admit You’re an Obnoxious Lib (Even Though You Are)

Axios fires DeSantis journalist for sending an offensive email

What happened?Axios fired an Axios reporter for responding to a news release from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R.-Fla.) denounced it “propaganda.”

More Details: Monday’s email from the Florida Department of Education to reporters highlighted the governor’s participation during a “roundtable exposing the diversity equity and inclusion scam in higher education.”

• The Tampa-based reporter, Ben Montgomery, replied to the department press office, writing: “This is propaganda, not a press release.”

ContextJournalists and other liberals dislike DeSantis for the following reasons: 1) He is a Republican; 2) He could prevent Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election win; and 3) He believes schools should teach students how to be productive members of society and not bully them into being identity-obsessed grievance-mongers.

Be smartPeople who become journalists are committed ideologues who want Republican politicians to be removed and fight back against right wing propaganda (by repeating the Democratic Party propaganda). They know better than to admit it in an email to political enemies.

• Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for the Florida Department of Education, posted a screen shot of Montgomery’s email on Twitter less than an hour after it was sent.

• “Is this journalism?” Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ deputy press secretary, wrote in reply. (It’s not.)

• Montgomery was reportedly fired that same day.

What they are saying: “This reporter is no longer with Axios. Out of respect for our employees, we do not discuss conditions of departure,” Axios editor-in-chief Sara Kehaulani Goo said in a statement.

• “Perhaps he should have considered being a journalist, not an activist or propagandist,” Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ aide, wrote this in response to the news about Montgomery’s termination.

• “What the hell is wrong with you Axios? You can’t cave to authoritarian politicians this way, it sets a terrible precedent,” In response to Tommy Victor (the Obama podcast bro), who called the outlet’s decision “evil”, @EcoSexuality tweeted his opinion. “pathetic.”

The House of CarbsMontgomery made crepes with strawberry compote, whipped cream and as a way to console himself. “They were delicious,” He tweeted.

A bad week for Smart Brevity™: Lachlan Markay was fired as an Axios reporter on the same day. Washington Free Beacon Alum was mocked on social media after describing Meg White, of the White Stripes, as an “alien” “terrible” drummer. Since then, he has apologized.

Bottom lineLearn how to code.