Axios Reporter Fired After Calling DeSantis Press Release ‘Propaganda’

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Axios Reporter Fired After Calling DeSantis Press Release ‘Propaganda’


Axios fired one of its reporters after he responded to a press release from the Florida Gov’s office. Ron DeSantis (R) by calling it “propaganda.”

DeSantis’ press release highlighted a Florida Department of Education event led by the governor that set out to expose the “diversity equity and inclusion scam in higher education.”

The press release read:

These concepts are in no way inclusive, and rather force exclusion and division within higher education, and are in no way conducive to learning or knowledge. As such, no funds from hardworking, taxpaying Floridians, including parents of higher education students, should be spent on these divisive initiatives.

However, Axios’ Ben Montgomery dismissed the press release as “propaganda,” according to a email made public by Florida Department of Education communications director Alex Lanfranconi.

“This is propaganda, not a press release,” Montgomery wrote on Monday in response to an email with a press release.

On Wednesday, Vanity Fair Reporter Charlotte Klein reported that Axios parted ways with Montgomery on Monday.

Axios editor-in-chief Sara Kehaulani Goo confirmed Montgomery’s departure in a statement.

“This Axios reporter no longer exists. Out of respect for our employees, we do not discuss the conditions of departure,” he said.

Although he did not give a reason for Montgomery’s dismissal, it was suspected the outlet determined that he violated the ethics policy that all staff must “maintain professionalism in all resources” and “respect and be civil to all people we interact with,” according to Fox News.

Montgomery apparently missed his firing, joking on Twitter that he “made crepes this morning for the first time in years.”

“Some personal news: I made crepes this morning for the first time in years. Strawberry compote and whipped cream. They were delicious,” Montgomery tweeted in response to Klein’s tweet.

Jordan Dixon-Hamilton is a reporter for Breitbart News. Write to him at jdixonhamilton@breitbart.com or follow him Twitter.