Taylor Lorenz Dogpiled by the Leftists of Blue Sky After Comments on 9/11 Jokes Backfire

Taylor Lorenz, a journalist long known for stirring controversy online, has found herself at the center of an unexpected backlash — not from conservatives this time, but from the very progressive users of Blue Sky she might have considered ideological allies. A recent string of posts about the rise of 9/11 humor among younger internet users triggered a torrent of outrage after she appeared to downplay the tragedy as meme material.

That explanation didn’t go over well with the Leftists of Blue Sky, who accused her of normalizing mockery of a national tragedy that killed nearly 3,000 people. Mediaite soon published a headline declaring Lorenz had been “absolutely wrecked” for referring to 9/11 as a “punchline” and referencing that “many believe the US deserved” the attacks — a statement that, even if observational, struck many as callous and incendiary.

The outrage intensified when Lorenz made a lighthearted comment about having a migraine. One user fired back:

“Just think about how 9/11 is a punchline and you’ll laugh and feel better.”

Another user, penthelesia, delivered a much angrier response:

“Too f***ing bad. Have a 9/11 party to boost your spirits while you delight in my cousin and aunt being vaporized!”

And MasterOfDarkness launched a blistering personal attack:

“Caring about 9/11 is for Boomers? I'm glad my family members dying is funny to you. F*** you, you stupid f*ing b**.”

Rather than apologizing or clarifying, Lorenz doubled down:

“I said that zoomers don’t have the same relationship to 9/11 and that 9/11 humor and memes are popular among the younger generation… and Leftists of Blue Sky are once again losing their minds at me as if I invented 9/11 jokes?!”

Her appeal to generational irony and internet trends failed to land. Many interpreted her comments as deflective and dismissive — a way to shift blame rather than take accountability for the platform she gave to a genre that offends many, particularly those directly affected by the attacks.

The episode underscores a broader truth: neither the right nor the online left seems to like Taylor Lorenz. Conservatives have long criticized her as a symbol of elite digital journalism and left-wing activism. Now, the Leftists of Blue Sky are turning on her for trivializing mass death and appearing out of touch with the emotional weight 9/11 still carries.

Whether Lorenz weathers this latest storm or continues to serve as a lightning rod for all sides remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: when it comes to 9/11, irony and detachment are still far from universally accepted — even in the meme age.