Skip to content
Who's in the Video
Michael Wolff is a columnist for Vanity Fair and the founder of news aggregation site Newser.com. He is a two-time National Magazine Award winner, and his latest book, "The Man[…]

The media entrepreneur defends his online aggregation site Newser and explains his lofty alternate career plans.

Question: What do you say to people like Sharon Waxman who rncall Newser a parasite? 

Michael Wolff: Well I say, rnand I think I did say it, that that's ridiculous. She’s a parasite. rnShe's first a monumentally moronic woman who got fired from The New Yorkrn Times, who went into her business having written about someone in the rnNew York Times who then invested in her company. This woman is beyond rnthe pale and I assume she's just saying this kind of think about me rnbecause she knows I will rise to the occasion and she will get more rnpublicity. So I don't think that I have to be the... this is a de-facto rncase of the parasite calling the parasite or black or whatever the rnmetaphor would be. Anyway, I think she has a ridiculous site, which rncontributes nothing and serves no function and she will shortly go out rnof business. 

Question: What is Newser’s ultimate rnfunction? 

Michael Wolff: The ultimate function is to rngive you the news in a more efficient and more entertaining way than yourn get it now. So, we certainly would argue it offers real and certain rnvalue. 

Question: Why would someone choose Newser over rnthe Daily Beast? 

Michael Wolff: The Daily Beast is rnvery good, but I don't think you're going to your news, a comprehensive rnpicture of the news in a very quick and entertaining way. You're going rnto the Daily Beast to read its articles, many of which are good, many ofrn which are way too long and the Daily Beast is a source of commentary rnand good and less-good writing. Newser is the news, quick and fun. 

Question:rn If you couldn’t be a writer or Internet entrepreneur, what would you rnbe? 

Michael Wolff: I guess I would be on television, Irn don't know. I would be the President of the United States. Recordedrn on May 19, 2010
rnInterviewed by Jessica Liebman

Related