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Jimmy Wales Ends Jung&Naiv Interview After Under a Minute Over Founder Question

The walkout followed a query about whether he is founder or co‑founder, a point long disputed in accounts that also credit Larry Sanger.

Overview

  • Wales cut the Jung&Naiv recording short, calling the line of inquiry "the dumbest question in the world" before leaving the studio.
  • He had introduced himself as "founder of Wikipedia" as Tilo Jung asked "founder or co‑founder," prompting the exchange captured on a livestream.
  • Pressed on "what are the facts," Wales replied "that is not a fact, that is an opinion," and ended the interview after roughly 50 seconds.
  • Jung later said the question was journalistically correct because Wikipedia lists Wales as co‑founder and because early statements named both he and Larry Sanger.
  • The incident refocused attention on the long‑running dispute over Wikipedia’s origins as Wales promotes a new book on trust and the project’s principles.