BuzzFeed CEO defends Trump coverage: report

BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti on Wednesday defended his organization’s decision to publish a document with uncorroborated allegations about President-elect Donald Trump and Russia.

Trump, as well as some media outlets, blasted BuzzFeed for the decision.

“We stand with [editor in chief] Ben [Smith’s] decision to publish this newsworthy document, which was reported on by multiple news outlets and seen by high level government officials including the president and president-elect,” Peretti said Wednesday in a note to staff, according to Business Insider.

He said BuzzFeed would not respond to Trump’s criticism. At a press conference, Trump called the website “a failing pile of garbage.” 

{mosads}“As a result of this decision, we were criticized by the incoming administration,” added Peretti, who is also BuzzFeed’s founder. 

“We are not going to respond to these divisive comments. We are going to do what we do best, which is deliver impactful journalism.”

BuzzFeed has begun selling T-shirts other products in its online store featuring the phrase “failing pile of garbage” and Peretti additionally noted how Trump’s criticism had increased BuzzFeed’s visibility.

“[They] put us in great company, by the way. The New York Times, CNN and The Washington Post have all been attacked,” he said.

“So has Meryl Streep and the cast of ‘Hamilton,’ but we’d never compare ourselves to people that talented.”