It was reported Friday by CNN Money that the conservative outlet RedState, owned by Salem Media, has fired many of their writers.
Erik Erickson, a former RedState editor who retired from the site in 2015 tweeted Friday morning:
Mass firing at RedState today by Salem/Townhall. Very sad to see, but not really surprising given Salem's direction. And, finally, after all these years, they've turned off my account.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 27, 2018
In a blog post @ The Resurgent, titled “RedState is No More” Erik Erickson writes:
My understanding from the writers is that there were two contracts, one more expensive than the other. Most of those on the expensive contracts were tossed, though some very good ones will stay. Of those under the cheaper contracts, it seems the dividing line was loyalty to the President. In fact, among those under the expensive contracts, I’m aware of some writers having near equal traffic generation, and those insufficiently loyal to the President were fired.
His post seems to confirm what is being reported by CNN Money:
“They fired everybody who was insufficiently supportive of Trump,” one of the sources who spoke with CNNMoney said, adding, “how do you define being ‘sufficiently supportive’ of Trump?”
CNN Money goes on to say that they obtained a internal memo that points to another motive for the purge, money:
“We had to make some tough changes to RedState today,” Townhall general manager Jonathan Garthwaite wrote in the memo. “While these changes are painful, they were necessary once we reached the conclusion that we could no longer support the entire roster of writers and editors.”
Of those writers that have been fired we can only confirm five via tweets:
There is a right way to do something and a fucked up way. I don't make you choose the fucked up way, I just make you pay for it if you choose it. You can call me back or you can watch this unfold right here, guy.
— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) April 27, 2018
But in fairness, sustained increased traffic and ad revenue not based on click bait designed to present a philandering man-child as Reagan reborn probably made certain executives’ cocktail party conversations positively unbearable.
— Ben (@BenHowe) April 27, 2018
Today's #FridayReads wont be anything I do over at @RedState. Feel free to follow me over @resurgent
— Susan_Wright (@SweetieWalker) April 27, 2018
My affiliation with @RedState changed my life. I met amazing people and made valued friendships. I changed the entire direction of my career.
It tears me up to see what they did to @CalebHowe of all people. The man is tenacious and loyal and an asset to whoever he works for.
— Neil Stevens (@presjpolk) April 27, 2018
The rumors are true. There has been a mass firing at RedState, and those let go (including me) are all Trump critics. His supporters remain.
— Patterico (@Patterico) April 27, 2018
Though it is unclear based on the tweet it’s believed that Jay Caruso has also been fired:
Whenever you want a take that is 100% wrong, Gateway Pundit is there for you. pic.twitter.com/fFrYFIyNDC
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) April 27, 2018
Also via twitter we found two writers who state they were not fired:
Thank you everyone for your support. To clarify:
1. I’m still (for now) employed by RedState.
2. If I’m told to forsake principles and bend to Trump, I won’t do it.
3. I hope you continue to read my takes (wherever they are published) in which I try to be fair.— Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) April 27, 2018
I was not fired. Still trying to process everything. That’s all for now. https://t.co/3FzZlQF2at
— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) April 27, 2018
Erik Erickson has invited those fired to write at The Resurgent for now.
