Billionaire Elon Musk, the former head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, took a shot Tuesday at the credibility of the Wall Street Journal, saying the newspaper “sucks” at journalism.
Musk posted a meme on X mocking the @WSJ handle of the publication, suggesting it stands for “We Suck at Journalism.”
Their new name is perfect pic.twitter.com/N8lMfkC8WZ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 17, 2025
While Musk himself did not pinpoint what may have triggered his sentiment, his Grok artificial intelligence device explained, “Elon Musk’s dislike for The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stems from a series of critical articles they’ve published about him, which he and his supporters perceive as inaccurate, misleading, or agenda-driven. Here are the key reasons based on available information:
Critical Reporting on Personal and Professional Life: The WSJ has published several articles that Musk believes misrepresent him. For instance, a January 2024 report alleged pervasive drug use by Musk, raising concerns among his companies’ directors, which he denied and labeled as “trash.” Another April 2025 article claimed Musk was secretly trying to create a “legion” of offspring, citing controversial personal details, which Musk dismissed, comparing WSJ unfavorably to TMZ.
Tesla Succession Claims: In May 2025, the WSJ reported that Tesla’s board was seeking a successor for Musk as CEO due to his focus on government roles and Tesla’s declining stock price. Musk and Tesla’s board called this “absolutely false,” accusing the WSJ of unethical journalism for not including their denial. Musk publicly stated this was a “deliberately false article” and a “discredit to journalism.”
DOGE and Government Role Criticism: The WSJ has scrutinized Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including a February 2025 report about a team member’s resignation after racist tweets surfaced, which Musk may have seen as unfairly targeting his leadership. Additionally, a December 2024 editorial criticized Musk and Trump over a “budget fiasco,” suggesting Musk’s influence led to governance issues, which likely fueled his frustration.
Perceived Bias and Sensationalism: Musk has repeatedly called out the WSJ for what he sees as biased or sensationalist reporting. In posts on X, he’s described the WSJ as “the worst newspaper in the world,” unfit even for “parrot droppings,” and accused it of lying with “sheer audacity.” His mother, Maye Musk, also criticized a WSJ article as “dishonest” in May 2025, reflecting a family sentiment against the outlet.
Broader Media Distrust: Musk’s criticism aligns with his broader skepticism of mainstream media, particularly outlets like the WSJ, which he views as part of an establishment pushing narratives against him. He’s suggested the WSJ’s reporting is driven by motives to undermine his influence, especially given his high-profile role in Trump’s administration and his ownership of X.
On the other hand, the WSJ has defended its reporting, stating in response to Tesla’s denial that it stood by its claims and that Tesla was given a chance to comment before publication. Some argue Musk’s reactions are strategic, redirecting attention from negative stories or rallying his base against perceived media bias. His public feuds, like challenging the WSJ to drug tests, amplify this narrative.
Musk’s dislike seems rooted in a pattern of WSJ articles that he believes unfairly target his personal life, business decisions, and political influence, coupled with his distrust of traditional media. However, the WSJ’s perspective suggests they’re holding a powerful figure accountable, highlighting a tension between investigative journalism and Musk’s public persona.”
Just last week on June 10, the Journal posted a story titled, “U.S. Agencies Tracked Foreigners Traveling to See Musk.”
The paper reported: “Several U.S. government agencies in 2022 and 2023 tracked foreign nationals coming and going to Elon Musk’s properties, according to people familiar with the matter.
“The investigation included the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department. It focused on people visiting the tech billionaire, from countries in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, who might have been trying to influence him.”
There is plenty of reaction to Musk’s assertion about the Journal sucking, including:
“Perfect!”
“There is no coming back from that name.”
“Don’t remember the last time I VISITED any legacy corporate media websites like WSJ… Let alone read an article from them. X is where it’s at.”
“I had to get a subscription when in college- it was the biggest waste of paper I’ve ever seen! It was so far left even new college liberals were unimpressed!”
“I’ve been calling them this for years. I’m glad to see that a lot of people are starting to see it now.”
“Every mainstream media does. It’s what they do the best.”
Don’t forget the NYT pic.twitter.com/kSwVvNMk95
— Based Bandita (@MissVega8888) June 17, 2025
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