Prominent Tech Bro’s Claim That Ex-Biden Official Ducked Him on NYT Debate Gets Shut Down in Wild Online Spat

Lina Khan, for TIME’s ‘Next Generation Leaders’

Lina Khan, the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission from 2021 to 2025, did not “chicken out” of an interview with The New York Times with entrepreneur and podcast host Jason Calacanis, her communications head insisted Thursday. The real reason she opted out: she was on maternity leave.

Calacanis tweeted Wednesday, “A major media outlet offered me a debate with Lina Khan on M&A — she chickened out!”

That message was addressed by Douglas Farrar, former FTC Director of Public Affairs. “I handle comms for Lina Khan. I’m the one who declined this invitation in May because she’s on maternity leave. Here’s the receipt,” he wrote. “And it wasn’t a debate. The show’s pitch was ‘opposite sides finding common ground’.”

In a follow-up tweet, Farrar revealed he also notified The New York Times of Calacanis’ claim. “This is the NYT journalist who made the offer. Jason was told exactly why Lina passed,” Farrar added. “Why would anyone debate a liar?”

Calacanis sheepishly backed off the claim.

“My apologies, didn’t read the full email!” He wrote.

Khan was nominated as Chair of the FTC by President Joe Biden in March 2021, and she was confirmed that June. Her term ended in September 2024. Khan was on the receiving end of criticism from Meta and Amazon, who both pointed to evidence she was critical of the companies in the past. She was also an outspoken critic of business monopolies.

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