Taylor Lorenz’s media career continues to unravel after Vox Media ended her podcasting deal. The 40-year-old journalist made headlines last week for her controversial comments about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, sparking outrage and raising questions about her judgment.
Lorenz referred to Thompson’s killer as a “national hero,” citing online memes and TikTok posts. Although she later clarified that she didn’t support murder, her remarks about healthcare executives “deserving to suffer and die” left little room for ambiguity. The backlash was swift, and Vox Media wasted no time cutting ties.
The podcast deal was announced in February when Lorenz was still employed by the Washington Post. However, her departure from the Post in October—amid reports of dishonesty about a social media post accusing President Joe Biden of war crimes—may have foreshadowed this latest professional setback.
Lorenz’s career has been marked by controversy. Before her stint at the Post, she left the New York Times following criticism of her coverage of Kellyanne Conway’s daughter. Now an independent journalist, Lorenz has continued to stir the pot with increasingly extreme views, from attacking maskless Americans to doubling down on accusations against Biden.
For Vox Media, the decision to end its partnership reflects a broader industry trend of avoiding ties to divisive figures. Lorenz’s comments about Thompson’s murder were a bridge too far, even for a platform known for pushing progressive narratives.
