If you are a fan of journalism, you might have heard of Matt Taibbi and Mike Taibbi, two prominent American journalists who have covered various topics such as politics, finance, media, sports, and war. But are they related? And if so, how?
Contents
The Father-Son Duo
The answer is yes, Matt Taibbi and Mike Taibbi are related. They are father and son. Matt is the son of Mike and his wife Siobhan Walsh
Matt was born in 1970 in New Brunswick, New Jersey He is an author, journalist, and podcaster who has reported on American politics, media, finance, and sports. He is a former contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine and the co-host of Useful Idiots podcast. He is also the publisher of the newsletter Racket News on Substack
Mike was born in 1949 in Hawaii as Loren Ames Denny. He was adopted by Salvatore and Gaetana Taibbi, an Italian-American couple, when he was about seven or eight years old. He took the name Mike Taibbi and grew up in Malverne, New York He is a television journalist who is best known for his work at NBC News. He retired in 2014 after covering events such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also worked at CBS News and ABC News before joining NBC News in 1997. He is the recipient of an Emmy Award and four Edward R. Murrow Awards
Matt and Mike share a passion for journalism and have both written books on various topics. Matt has authored several books, including The Great Derangement (2009), Griftopia (2010), The Divide (2014), Insane Clown President (2017), I Can’t Breathe (2017), and Hate Inc. (2019). His books often critique the American political system, the corporate media, and the financial industry
Mike has co-written a book with Anna Sims-Phillips called Unholy Alliances: Working the Tawana Brawley Story (1989), which explored the discredited Tawana Brawley rape allegations. He has also reported on various issues such as the Obama presidency, the Catholic Church scandals, and the opioid crisis
The Different Perspectives on Media
Despite their common interest in journalism, Matt and Mike have different perspectives on the media landscape and its role in society. Matt is known for his brazen style and his criticism of mainstream media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and The New York Times. He has accused them of being biased, dishonest, sensationalist, and divisive. He has also challenged their coverage of issues such as Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, the Trump presidency, and the culture wars. He has advocated for more independent and alternative media sources that can provide more diverse and nuanced views
Mike, on the other hand, has worked for mainstream media outlets for most of his career and has defended their integrity and professionalism. He has argued that they are essential for informing the public and holding the powerful accountable. He has also praised their efforts to adapt to the changing media environment and to maintain high standards of journalism. He has acknowledged that they are not perfect and that they make mistakes, but he has also criticized those who attack them unfairly or undermine their credibility5
The Conclusion
Matt Taibbi and Mike Taibbi are related as father and son, but they have different views on journalism and media. They both have impressive careers and achievements in their fields, but they also have distinct styles and opinions. They represent two generations of journalists who have witnessed different historical events and social changes that have shaped their perspectives.
