Tech billionaire Elon Musk has reignited his long-standing feud with the Wall Street Journal, sharing a viral meme on X (formerly Twitter) that rebrands the publication’s logo as “We Suck at Journalism.” The meme, created by the satirical account PlanetOfMemes, was posted by Musk just hours before 5:45 PM (+03 GMT), adding fuel to an ongoing dispute over media bias and journalistic credibility.
Musk’s post appears to mock the WSJ’s reporting standards and reinforce his frequent criticisms of legacy media. The timing coincides with a growing wave of public skepticism toward mainstream outlets. According to the 2023 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, global trust in news has fallen to just 40%, a context that may explain the meme’s resonance online.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has previously accused the WSJ of “deliberately false” reporting, particularly in articles speculating about executive changes at Tesla and coverage of his personal life, which he has called “sensationalist clickbait.” The WSJ, which has earned 37 Pulitzer Prizes and maintains a reputation for rigorous financial journalism, has defended its work, stating it adheres to journalistic standards and that Tesla is always offered the opportunity to comment.
The meme also arrives amid a broader media narrative, including resurfaced criticism of a 2015 study that ranked the WSJamong the least likely major newspapers to publish the negative effects of climate change. This critique may further explain Musk’s contempt, especially given his companies’ prominent roles in the clean energy sector.
Musk’s approach to media has long included leveraging his massive social following to directly counter negative press. The latest jab continues a pattern seen in other high-profile disputes — from a 2020 episode in which China revoked WSJjournalists’ credentials over a controversial op-ed, to Musk’s own recent online clash with former President Donald Trump over federal spending.
While critics accuse Musk of undermining journalistic institutions, supporters praise his willingness to call out what they see as entrenched media bias. The WSJ, for its part, remains firm in its editorial direction, with its coverage — particularly on the opinion pages — maintaining a traditionally conservative slant that often places it at odds with progressive and technocratic figures alike.
As debates over media integrity, political polarization, and elite accountability continue to intensify, Musk’s latest meme is more than a joke — it’s a salvo in a larger cultural war over who gets to shape the truth in the digital age.