The New York Times on Monday night changed its front page headline after the first edition was derided as 'possibly one of the worst h...
The New York Times on Monday night changed its front page headline after the first edition was derided as 'possibly one of the worst headlines ever written'.
With America reeling from six nights of protest in response to the killing of George Floyd, and with Donald Trump having taken to the Rose Garden on Monday night to announce he would send in the military to U.S. cities if rioting continued, the editors were under pressure to capture the moment.
Police barricading the White House tear gassed peaceful protesters on Monday evening to clear the area for Trump to leave the White House and walk to a photo opportunity at a nearby church.
The paper chose to focus on Trump's words, with the headline: 'As the chaos spreads, Trump vows to "end it now"'.
The New York Times was strongly criticized on Monday night for the headline in its paper
Journalist Jonathan Myerson Katz said the headline was 'pathetic'
Jon Lovett, a former Obama speechwriter turned podcaster, said the headline was insulting
The online backlash was swift, with commentators noting that it echoed Trump's narrative that the protests were all 'chaos', and minimized the legitimacy of the demonstrations.
'This is a terrible headline,' wrote Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.
'The Times is erasing the reason for the protest. This is exactly what Trump wants. To erase the treatment of Black Americans as the rationale for opposition. Shame on The New York Times.'
Ben Rhodes, a former Obama adviser, said: 'If the New York Times thinks this accurately describes what happened today, I have no idea what country they've been living in - they should just let Trump write their headlines.'
Leading Democrats reacted with shock and anger at the headline.
'You’ve got to be kidding me,' tweeted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, congresswoman for New York.
Brian Schatz, senator for Hawaii, mocked the paper for going too far in the pursuit of fairness and balance.
'The New York Times headline writers are going to Both Sides the country to death,' he joked.
Julian Castro, former presidential candidate, said: 'The President is acting like a budding dictator. Headline fail, @nytimes.'
Even several members of the media joined the chorus of complaint.
Many people pointed out the contrast between the NYT and the Washington Post headlines
'Possibly one of the worst headlines ever written, and I used to write headlines for a living,' said Michael Dresser, former Baltimore Sun correspondent.
'NYT editor Dean Bacquet is a disgrace to journalism and ought to be fired.
'He consistently panders to Trump. He didn’t write the headline but set the tone where that government organ headline could be written.'
The paper later changed its headline to read: 'Trump threatens to send troops into states'.
Trump made a televised address to the nation on Monday evening, vowing a tough response to nationwide disorder.
The New York Times later changed its headline, in response to the anger online
Donald Trump speaking from the Rose Garden on Monday night, prior to walking to the church
Trump described himself as 'your president of law and order' and said he would send the military into U.S. cities unless the rioting was brought under control by governors and mayors
Protesters are tear gassed to get them out the way before Trump left the White House
Trump then posed outside a church - a move which was criticized by the church pastor
'The biggest victims of the rioting are peace loving citizens in our poorest communities, and as they are president, I will fight to keep them safe,' he said.
'I will fight to protect you. I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.'
As he spoke helicopters circled over head and booming sounds could be heard.
Armed offices on horseback then cleared protesters from around the White House so the president could walk across Lafayette Park to St. John's Church, the historic chapel across from the White House known as the president's church.
It suffered damage in Sunday night's protest.
The episode in DC occurred before riots continued across the US on Monday night, including attacks on police that saw four officers shot in St Louis and one policeman shot in the head in Las Vegas.
In New York City, thieves descended on luxury stores for a second night in a row as peaceful protests gave way to looting when the sun went down.
No comments