Many questioned how Buzzfeed had gotten the information, and even more skepticism arose after Robert Mueller, the head of the Special Counsel currently investigating the role that Russia played in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, pushed back against the report. Buzzfeed reporters have stood by the story in response, causing even more confusion. Some call the entire ordeal Buzzfeed’s biggest mistake, which begs the question whether the layoffs are related.
Ultimately, Peretti saluted those who will be leaving the company, stating that he cares about his Buzzfeed employees “more than anything other than my family.” He even stated that he hoped that they would get to “work together again in the future”, as well, and that he knew the employees would “go on to make formidable contributions” at other organizations.
