Journalists brawl at White House Correspondents’ Dinner after-party.

Axios Founder Berates Politico Editor at White House Correspondents’ Dinner After Party

Two Journalists Engage in Spirited Exchange

Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios, confronted Matt Kaminski, editor in chief of Politico, at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner after party at the Swiss ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. VandeHei was upset with Politico for publishing what he deemed a “snarky, cynical, and inaccurate” profile about him. The column, written by senior editor Michael Schaffer, made fun of the spiritual-adjacent lifestyle advice VandeHei often shares in his “Finish Line” newsletter.

VandeHei recounted that he was drinking tequila when he saw Kaminski and approached him, putting his hand on his shoulder and calling the column a “piece of shit.” The exchange was heated, with VandeHei bragging about poaching two of Politico’s best reporters and telling Kaminski that he was “dead to him.”

The State of American Journalism

This incident highlights the contentious relationship between journalists in America. The industry has been under scrutiny in recent years, with accusations of bias and sensationalism. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner and its affiliated events have also been criticized for their display of undeserved self-congratulation.

• America’s journalists are out of control.
• They are a threat to themselves and innocent civilians.
• They are a menace to society.
• If Trump wins again in 2024, they will inevitably combust in fits of self-righteous rage.

It remains to be seen how the industry will evolve in the coming years, but incidents like this one suggest that tensions are high.