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What is the 'Libs of TikTok'? Washington Post accused of 'doxxing' trigger group

WaPo journalist Taylor Lorenz sparked outrage and criticism from conservatives, who accused her of doxxing and harassing the creator of the Twitter account

Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz is facing a major backlash after allegedly doxxing the person behind the popular conservative Twitter account 'Libs of TikTok'. Conservatives lashed out at the journalist for her alleged hypocrisy after she broke down in an MSNBC interview last month, claiming to be a victim of cyberbullying.

Lorenz's intention to reveal the identity of the creator of the account surfaced after Florida's governor Ron DeSantis' press secretary Christina Pushaw shared a screenshot of an email sent by the Washington Post journalist asking for comment on a story exposing "the woman" behind the Libs of TikTok account. The revelation sparked outrage and criticism from conservatives, who accused Lorenz of doxxing and harassing conservatives on the Internet. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, to "dox" someone is to leak their private or identifying information on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.

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Who are the 'Libs of TikTok'?

'Libs of TikTok' is one of the most influential handles in the conservative social media landscape, with its tweets garnering thousands of likes. The account is known to post content mocking liberals, school teachers, and members of the trans community. Some videos also accuse teachers of "grooming" or "indoctrinating" children on LGBT rights. The handle has nearly 700,000 followers on Twitter, over 66,000 on Instagram, and over 9,000 on YouTube. The creator anonymously told the New York Post in February that they also had an account on TikTok but it was eventually deactivated. Lorenz, despite the social media storm brewing against her, revealed the identity of the Twitter user behind the 'Libs of TikTok' account as Chaya Raichik. According to the Washington Post exposé, Raichik was working as a real estate agent in Brooklyn when she created the sensational account in November 2020.

Conservatives were furious after the creator was doxxed by Lorenz and Washington Post editors. "Taylor Lorenz & WaPo editors found it appropriate to publish @libsoftiktok’s address," conservative lawyer Arthur Schwartz tweeted. "Any Republicans that talk to WaPo reporters for their stories (@PhilipRucker, @AshleyRParker, @jdawsey1 — any of them) should be dragged mercilessly. Treat them like the enemies they are." 

"In an earlier era, @TaylorLorenz would be the village busybody, sneaking on people, ratting them out, and deriving twisted pleasure in their public discomfort," right-wing pundit Dinesh D'Souza wrote. "A petty, nasty individual!" he added.

"Taylor Lorenz is a terrible journalist and worse human," conservative pundit Ben Shapiro chimed in. "Targeting a Twitter account that literally just posts Leftists owning themselves because that account damages the Left is pure Lorenz."

Many accused Lorenz of hypocrisy after she exposed a woman to the same online harassment that she herself claimed to be a victim of in a recent interview with MSNBC'S 'Meet the Press'. She said the harassment had given her severe post-traumatic stress disorder. “They’ll threaten children — they’ll threaten my parents. I’ve had to remove every single social tie. I have severe PTSD from this,” Lorenz said in the segment. “I contemplated suicide, and it got really bad. You feel like any little piece of information that gets out on you will be used by the worst people on the Internet to destroy your life, and it’s so isolating.” Lorenz then apologized as she broke down and said the experience had been "horrifying." She added through tears, “It’s overwhelming. It’s really hard."

"Surely not the same Taylor Lorenz who was crying like a child over online harassment? Amazing," YouTuber Blair White tweeted. "Taylor Lorenz is a 43-year-old woman who has a byline at one of the most powerful outlets in media—which she uses to dox private people on Twitter—and then cries on MSNBC about her self-proclaimed victim status," New York Post writer Emma-Jo Morris wrote. 

"There's a real story about how @libsoftiktok by simply posting videos became objectively one of the most important conservative activists in the entire country," journalist Saagar Enjeti offered. "Taylor Lorenz refuses to engage with the actual content/why it resonates and chooses to try and destroy her instead"

What's more, Lorenz was also accused of showing up unannounced at one or more of the Libs of TikTok founder's relatives' houses. "Taylor Lorenz is knocking on doors of relatives and trying to doxx anonymous figures from Twitter but will cry on tv about being harassed and how it’s impacted her life," political commentator Meghan McCain tweeted. "Is she a sociopath? This right here - is why the vast majority of the American public hates the press," she added. "I am told Taylor Lorenz even showed up at the homes of family members of @libsoftiktok today," journalist Jack Posobiec wrote. Meanwhile, the Libs of TikTok account also shared a photo that appears to show Lorenz outside a relative's house.

The controversial Twitter handle responded to the doxxing episode with words of gratitude for its followers. "Words cannot express how appreciative I am of the support I’m receiving right now," a tweet read. "Thankfully I’m currently holed up in a safe location. I’m confident we will get through this and come out even stronger. Grateful for all the thoughts and prayers."