it's also just an objectively fantastic word
100% disagree
"X criticises Y over Z" or "X denounces Y over Z" or "X castigates Y over Z"
All of these are better. They're honest about what's happening and most people understand them. "Slams" implies some level of violence or at least force. Not only isn't that dishonest most of the time, it could devalue the word to that point that it just simply has no meaning. I refuse to internalize it as best as I can, but if they had their way I would think "slam" means a brutal vitriolic takedown. Instead I know it normally means "mildly comments on" these days.
Fuck "slam" in headlines.