0
0
The New York Times recently found themselves on the receiving end of a joke made by Colin Jost, which seemed to hit a nerve regarding the publication’s financial situation. At the recent White House Correspondents Dinner, Jost quipped, “Wordle is here tonight. Sorry. I meant the New York Times. I forgot they do stuff in addition to puzzles. It is not a great sign when the only thing keeping a print media company alive are games people play on their phones.” This lighthearted jab, however, ignited a new wave of tension between the publication and Jost.
An Unlikely Feud
Politico’s Playbook delved into this unexpected showdown between Biden’s administration and The New York Times, focusing on the question of whether Jost’s humor was well-received. The WHCD set by the ‘Saturday Night Live’ veteran was criticized by NYT’s Jason Zinoman as “muted, vanilla, less assured than usual,” leading to a flurry of responses from supporters in the presidential circle. Treasury spokesperson Megan Bates-Apper hinted that the review was possibly retaliation for Jost’s jest aimed at the Times during his performance. Campaign official T.J. Ducklo added fuel to the fire by suggesting that the paper’s assessments often miss the mark and are more reflective of their own insecurities. Former White House communications official Jennifer Palmieri, on the other hand, praised Jost as “the best comedian I have seen in that room.”
Political Tensions Escalate
The exchange of banter between Jost and The New York Times is just one example of the ongoing feud between the White House and the publication. With the NYT’s recent barrage of critiques aimed at President Biden, stemming from their admitted bias against him due to his reluctance to grant them an exclusive interview, tensions have been on the rise. Biden’s decision to opt for an appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show rather than engaging with The New York Times further exacerbated the situation.
As the rift between Biden’s administration and The New York Times widens, the publication appears to be mirroring some of the pettiness and bitterness often associated with Donald Trump. While Jost’s jest may have been lighthearted in nature, it seems to have struck a chord, unveiling deeper underlying tensions between the two parties.
Image/Photo credit: source url
