During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, âTwitter Filesâ journalist Matt Taibbiâs refusal to share his sources did not sit well with lawmakers.
When asked by Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Texas) if he considers Twitter CEO Elon Musk to be the direct source, Taibbi replied, âYouâre trying to get me to say that he is the source. I just canât answer your question.â
She responded, âIf youâre telling me you canât answer because itâs your source⌠the only logical conclusion is that he is in fact your source.â
Taibbi told Garcia she is âfree to conclude that.â
After suggesting he cannot have it both ways, House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) chimed in, saying, âHe can, heâs a journalist.â
Others began attempting to speak over each other.
âHeâs not going to reveal his source and the fact that Democrats are pressuring him to do that is such a violation of the First Amendment,â Jordan said.
Watch the video below:
Several social media users reacted to the video with Bloombergâs Ashlee Vance writing, âWell this looks like a productive exercise.â
https://Twitter.com/ashleevance/status/1633912713662570497
One user suggested it is âokay when libs do it but not republicans lol.â
https://Twitter.com/_jestjosh/status/1633883164212088832
Another wrote, âDemocrats harassing another journalist.â
https://Twitter.com/SandyForLiberty/status/1633899144392654865
Attorney Jonathan Turley added, âMatt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger have done an incredible job today despite the personal attacks from Democratic members. We all owe them a debt of gratitude from putting themselves in harmâs way in this age of rage.â
In another exchange with a Democrat, Taibbi fired back at the suggestion that he is a âso-calledâ journalist.
âRanking Member Plaskett, Iâm not a so-called journalist,â Taibbi said.
He added, âIâve won the National Magazine Award, the I.F. Stone Award for Independent Journalism, and Iâve written 10 books, including four New York Times bestsellers.â
The Washington Post describes the âTwitter Filesâ as âinternal company communications that have fueled accusations that Twitterâs former leaders suppressed conservative views.â
Taibbi has published roughly 300 emails from the communications, per the Post.
