Journalist Apologises For 'Truly Awful' Meg White Comments Following Artist Outrage

If you’re not a frequent Twitter user, you may have missed the latest controversy in music: politics journalist Lachlan Markay sent out an “ill-advised” tweet about Meg White of The White Stripes’ fame that has since been deleted.

In the tweet - which has been screenshotted and circulated across the social media platform - Markay wrote, “The tragedy of The White Stripes is how great they would’ve been with a half-decent drummer.” He elaborated by calling Meg White “terrible” and “no band is better for having shitty percussion.”

Of course, the tweet has received considerable backlash, with Markay subsequently taking it down.

READ MORE: Jack White Responds Following 'Nasty' Meg White Remarks From Journalist

Ben Lee was one of many to take offence to the take, writing, “If you’re dissing Meg White you fundamentally misunderstand what makes music good”.

English songwriter and model Karen Elson, who was married to Jack White from 2005 until 2013, sent the best response: “Not only is Meg White a fantastic drummer, Jack also said the White Stripes would be nothing without her. To the journalist who dissed her, keep my ex husband’s ex wife name out of your f*cking mouth.

“(Please and Thank You)”.

Not only is Meg White a fantastic drummer, Jack also said the White Stripes would be nothing without her. To the journalist who dissed her, keep my ex husband’s ex wife name out of your f*cking mouth.
(Please and Thank You) https://t.co/qnnxgT3Rxh

— Karen Elson (@KarenElson_) March 14, 2023

Music journalist and author Jessica Hopper saw an even bigger issue, writing, “It's almost like some folks won't be happy until Meg White apologizes [sic] for having the fucking nerve to exist.”

Country music singer-songwriter Margo Price cited Meg White’s influence, saying that she may not have picked up drumsticks without her. “Meg White inspired me to sit behind the drum throne and pick up the sticks. Her style and the White Stripes music was a breath of fresh air compared to most of the stuff going on at the time,” Price wrote. 

“Anyone who shit talks her wouldn’t know rock and roll if it bit then in the ass.”

Markay has since retracted his statement and issued an apology, calling his original tweet “ill-advised” that was “just truly awful in every way. Petty, obnoxious and just plain wrong.”

Markay continued, “A lot of people have now weighed in, both on my nasty and totally unjustified tone, and on the merits, pointing out it’s simply untrue. Guess what: they’re right! It was a terrible, mean thing to say—and also just, you know, wrong—and I deeply regret saying it.”

Markay concluded, “So to Meg White: I am sorry. Really. And to women in the music business generally, who I think are disproportionately subject to this sort of shit, I am sorry to have fed that as well. I’m really going to try to be more thoughtful in the future, both on here and off.”

Meg White has retreated from the public spotlight since the disbandment of The White Stripes in 2011.