‘Twitter Files’ reporter REFUSES to reveal his sources in fiery hearing

‘Twitter Files’ reporter REFUSES to reveal his sources in fiery hearing: Republicans hit back at Democrats for calling him a ‘so-called journalist’ and a stooge for Elon Musk in tense exchange

  • “So-called journalists” now for us,” said House Ranking member Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) about the witnesses
  • ‘I’m a journalist. I’m not disclosing my sources,” reporter Matt Taibbi said
  • “The fact that the Democrats are pressuring him … that’s such a violation of the First Amendment,” replied Ohio Chairman Jim Jordan.

Democrats on the House subcommittee panel investigating the “arming of the federal government” and subsequent release of the “Twitter files” were accused by Chairman Jim Jordan of bullying two journalists who testified before the committee on Thursday.

House ranking member Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) issued opening statements, including dismissive remarks about Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger, who were given unprecedented access to Twitter’s internal discussions after Elon Musk bought the company in October 2022. purchased.

Their research helped create the now-infamous “Twitter Files,” which allege a deep connection between Big Tech and government agencies in an effort to suppress conservative voices.

“The Republicans brought two of Elon Musk’s public writers,” Plaskett declared, hinting that they had been selected as accomplices for the GOP.

Federal Government Armaments Subcommittee Ranked Member Representative Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) (C) talks with fellow subcommittee members Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) (L) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY)

“This is simply not a matter of data being given to ‘so-called journalists’ for us now,” she pointed out to the witnesses.

“Ranking member Plaskett, I’m not a ‘so-called journalist,'” veteran Rolling Stone reporter Taibbi replied, noting that he was the author of ten books, “including four New York Times bestsellers.”

Later in the hearing, Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) repeatedly asked Taibbi when Elon Musk first approached him and other journalists to review emails and documents surrounding the 2020 election and the social media giant.

‘Unfortunately I can’t give it to you because this is a matter of sourcing and I’m a journalist. I’m not disclosing my sources,” Taibbi said.

Garcia pressed, “So you’re not going to tell us when Musk first approached you?”

“Again, Congressman, you are asking a journalist to disclose a source,” Taibbi said.

“You can’t have both,” Garcia said as House Judiciary Committee Chairman R-Ohio Representative Jim Jordan dismissed any further requests for information.

“He’s not going to reveal his source and the fact that the Democrats are pressuring him to do so is such a violation of the First Amendment.”

Journalist Matt Taibbi would not disclose sources to the panel regarding the Twitter files.

Journalist Matt Taibbi would not disclose sources to the panel regarding the Twitter files.

Journalist Michael Shellenberger testifies about the "Twitter files" for the House Select Subcommittee on the Federal Government's Armaments

Journalist Michael Shellenberger testifies on the ‘Twitter Files’ before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government

Twitter has been accused of having a cozy relationship with government agencies.

Twitter has been accused of having a cozy relationship with government agencies.

Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio was furious that Democrats were questioning journalists about sources

Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio was furious that Democrats were questioning journalists about sources