Taylor Lorenz, a high-profile technology reporter known for her polarizing presence and strong COVID compliance advocacy, will no longer be working for Vox Media. According to a report from Semafor on Sunday, Vox decided not to renew Lorenz’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of the year.
Earlier this year, Vox licensed Lorenz’s podcast and YouTube show, but the struggling media company opted against continuing the partnership for 2025. The decision reportedly came before Lorenz’s recent controversy surrounding her comments about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In a now-deleted tweet referencing insurance policies, Lorenz remarked, “And people wonder why we want these executives dead.”
Following the public backlash, Lorenz attempted to downplay her remarks on her independent Substack, User Mag. Despite her attempts at damage control, the controversy added to a pattern of contentious moments in her career.
Lorenz’s professional journey has seen several high-profile exits. She previously worked at Business Insider, The Daily Beast, and The New York Times before joining The Washington Post. In October, she left WaPo to focus on her independent platform, stating, “I don’t need a job at a 200-year-old institution to reach people, break news, and have an impact on the world.”
Widely criticized for her aggressive stance on COVID-19 precautions, Lorenz’s social media posts frequently stirred controversy. One recent post on the BlueSky platform criticized people for not adhering to strict COVID safety measures, saying, “Meanwhile u dumbfucks are out raw dogging the air and spewing ur disease laden breath all over ur elderly neighbors.”
Her penchant for controversy, including doxxing the creator of Libs of TikTok, has made her a lightning rod in media circles. Commentator Jeremiah Johnson captured the irony of her positions, stating, “The duality of Taylor Lorenz is that breathing outside without wearing a mask is a violent, psychotic act but executing a guy in cold blood is not.”
Lorenz’s departure from Vox reflects ongoing turbulence in her career, marked by high-profile exits, public controversies, and a divisive public persona.
