Taylor Lorenz leaving New York Times for Washington Post

Journalist Taylor Lorenz is leaving The New York Times to join The Washington Post as a columnist for its Features section. 

Lorenz, who covers digital culture, internet trends and the creator economy for the Times, told Vanity Fair she was attracted to The Washington Post because of its ability and willingness to build “out this universe of my content and the different products I deliver to someone.” 

The Post, Lorenz noted, was “the first brand I ever really saw on TikTok.”

“I think that people do not understand my beat. They don’t take it seriously,” Lorenz said, adding one of the reasons she made the decision to leave the Times is due to the fact “there’s not room for the commentary aspect” of her job. She added that the new position at the Post will allow her to take her work and “blow it up bigger.” 

“I think that other legacy news organizations might share a different view where it’s always about service of the bigger brand and of course I’m on board with that,” she continued. “I’m not trying to be a YouTuber here. … I think there’s a balance, and I just felt like I kind of hit a ceiling [at the Times] … Like, okay, this is great, but what can I do to really expand?”

In a statement announcing her hire, Post leadership applauded Lorenz as having a “rare gift for being able to write about the Internet in a way that appeals to digital natives and late adopters alike.” 

“She treats her subjects and readers with a respect that has earned her the trust and admiration of a younger generation of news consumers,” the Post said. “Her columns will feature the illuminating reporting she is known for and will focus on how technology is reshaping culture, how we communicate and connect, and the ways online influencers are reorienting our world.” 

Lorenz has been outspoken about the targeted harassment she says she has faced online from people critical of her reporting. 

Fox News host Tucker Carlson last year attacked Lorenz over those claims, prompting a rebuke from Times leadership. Fox News said in a response to the Times “no public figure or journalist is immune to legitimate criticism of their reporting, claims or journalistic tactics.” 

Lorenz, who formerly worked at The Hill, lives and will be based out of Los Angeles and begins work at the Post on March 7.