Wired takes charge in monitoring Musk’s political moves

In 2023, Wired appointed Katie Drummond as its global editorial director. Driven by her early-morning inspiration, she initiated the creation of a specialized team to explore the convergence of technology with politics, foreseeing the significance this would have leading up to the presidential election. The results have been striking.

Wired has garnered substantial attention due to its bold reporting on the Trump administration, chiefly focusing on Elon Musk’s efforts to streamline federal employment. The magazine didn’t just highlight Musk’s initiatives but also examined the young team behind him, analyzing their roles and influence within government operations. “We were strategically positioned to dive into this coverage,” Drummond reflected.

Among Wired’s notable reports is the case of 25-year-old Marko Elez, who gained access to the vast Treasury Department systems managing government payouts. They’ve also covered the story of Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old dubbed “Big Balls,” employed by a federal cybersecurity agency. Recently, a critical article by Brian Barrett documented numerous errors made by the young government efficiency team, such as mistakenly rehiring critical staff and misreporting project savings as $8 billion instead of $8 million. “Elon Musk excels in making money for himself, but as the effective CEO of the United States? It’s a poor fit. Embarrassingly so,” Barrett remarked.

The in-depth coverage has translated into tangible benefits for Wired, boosting its subscriber numbers significantly. Within just fourteen days in February, Wired secured 62,500 new subscribers in the U.S. The previous year saw a total of 19.5 million subscribers, either digital or for the physical magazine. Globally, its eight editions reach approximately 57 million people.

Wired’s commitment to investigative journalism was evident in the subscriber-driven Zoom call that Drummond hosted. Over a thousand people participated, eager to discuss Wired’s stories with its journalists. Media critic Parker Molloy praised this approach on her blog, “The Present Age,” commending Wired for moving beyond echoing power brokers in favor of uncovering substantive truths. “Wired’s reporters delve into what is really happening,” Molloy noted. Drummond clarified that Wired’s exploration isn’t motivated by resistance but a commitment to reporting vital news. “This is consequential information that isn’t being transparently shared,” she emphasized.

Since its founding in 1993, Wired has been an authoritative source on Silicon Valley’s innovators and innovations. Acquired by Conde Nast in 1998, Wired’s reputation was already solid when Drummond first interned there in 2009. This move back to Wired followed her role as senior vice president of global news and entertainment at Vice Media. To spearhead the new politics team, Drummond hired three reporters and two editors, foreseeing an essential overlap between technology and politics that Wired needed to dissect.

Although technology’s role in disseminating disinformation during the 2024 campaign was a concern, it didn’t unfold as significantly as feared. Instead, Wired focused on the influence of non-traditional media personalities and the close relations between the Trump campaign and tech executives. Musk soon became a key focus.

Despite being unexpected, Musk’s increased prominence was something Wired was prepared for due to past coverage of him as a business figure. Under Trump and with Musk mandated to make substantial governmental changes, Wired prioritized uncovering the individuals Musk was incorporating into his plans. This focus aligned seamlessly with the magazine’s expertise.

The magazine’s coverage has not been without controversy. Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk criticized Wired on social media, accusing it of unnecessarily exposing personal details of young government workers. However, communication expert Jennifer Grygiel argued that Kirk’s claims of doxxing were unfounded, noting the public roles of these individuals within government.

While criticism persists, Drummond stands by the integrity of Wired’s reporting, underscoring its meticulous research and verification processes. She expressed initial surprise at other media outlets’ delay in tackling similar stories, given the tempo of news in the Trump era. Yet, she was pleased to see others take up the mantle. “We’ve laid a foundation and directed the focus of other media regarding this topic,” Drummond remarked.

Looking ahead, Drummond reaffirmed Wired’s commitment to providing exhaustive coverage of Musk, Trump, and the transformative shifts within U.S. federal government operations. With a steadfast dedication to unraveling the facts, Wired remains determined not to falter in its pursuit.