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Jimmy Wales Walks Out of Podcast After Question on Wikipedia Founding

The episode refocused attention on a long-running dispute over whether Wikipedia has one founder or two.

Overview

  • Wales ended his appearance on Germany's 'Jung & Naiv' in under a minute after the first question about whether he is founder or co‑founder.
  • He called the query "the dumbest question in the world," said the issue was irrelevant, and told the host not to ask "dumb questions" before leaving.
  • The show's host, Tilo Jung, labeled it the channel's shortest interview and noted the video ends after the initial exchange.
  • Wikipedia's entry continues to list both Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger as co‑founders of the encyclopedia launched in 2001.
  • After the clip circulated, Sanger reposted it on X and said he was ready to "bury the hatchet," signaling a conciliatory tone.