Twitter's official press email now automatically responds to all inquiries from members of the press with a poop emoji, according to Elon Musk, who bought the social media company for $44 billion last year. Musk has faced media backlash for several moves since acquiring Twitter, including suspending journalists' accounts and continually goading the media.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' press team sent out a press release calling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a "scam in higher education." Axios Tampa Bay reporter Ben Montgomery replied, "This is propaganda, not a press release." The state flack tweeted a screenshot of Montgomery's response, and other members of the communications staff for the all-but-certain GOP presidential candidate tweeted their shared outrage to Montgomery's email. Montgomery was subsequently fired, and while Axios has confirmed his departure, they have not explained why. The incident highlights the importance of reporters pushing back against propaganda and spin from politicians and their staff.