After facing financial hardships, controversial political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos reportedly laid off the small staff at his media company earlier this month.
Three sources close to the situation told Politico that Milo Entertainment Inc. has laid off several employees in the past few weeks after the unexpected death of cryptocurrency billionaire Matthew Mellon, who was expected to give significant financial help. Without that financial assurance, Yiannopoulos could no longer afford to pay his staff.
The company has allegedly been struggling since his former benefactors, Robert and Rebekah Mercer, cut ties with the controversial right-wing figure and his businesses last year.
“He fired everybody,” one person familiar with the operation said.
However, others within Yiannopoulos’ orbit are disputing Politico’s report and claiming that the layoffs are more akin to a company reshuffle between Milo Worldwide LLC and Milo Entertainment Inc.
Journalist Chadwick Moore was technically terminated from Milo Entertainment for several days before he was aware of the situation. Moore spent time with Yiannopoulos during that period but wasn’t informed of his termination until he received a phone call from the CEO.
When asked about his termination, Moore said: “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. I’m just an editor. I got paid today and the work continues!”
Moore is reportedly still working for Yiannopoulos, but under the Milo Worldwide branch along with another former employee of the media branch. Two other full-time employees were laid off completely.
Yiannopoulos brushed off the layoffs as not being a major setback.
“The video component of my daily show was stopped recently as the cost wasn’t justifiable,” said in a text, according to Politico. “Show is now audio only. There were two layoffs as a result. But nothing has changed elsewhere or at Dangerous.com.”
