This ends at 'gunpoint': N.Y. Times blasted for oped casting Trump as 'outlaw hero'
The New York Times faced blowback Thursday from outraged journalists who argued a new editorial irresponsibly, and incorrectly, cast former President Donald Trump as an "outlaw hero."
Former Chicago Tribune editor Mark Jacob was among those who took to X to share his disgust with American Conservative contributing editor Matthew Schmitz's editorial, entitled "Trump Embraces Lawlessness, but in the Name of a Higher Law," published by the Times Thursday.
"This is the New York Times’ performative objectivity: publishing a stupid piece by [Schmitz] that depicts a traitorous criminal as an 'outlaw hero,'" Jacob scoffed. "[The Times] apparently will treat this crisis like a Netflix series until the last editor is led out of the newsroom at gunpoint."
Schmitz's editorial arrives as Trump stands trial in New York City on charges he falsified business records to cover up hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. He also faces criminal charges linked to election interference and Espionage Act violation accusations in Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Florida.
Trump pleaded not guilty and claims, without evidence, that he is the political target of President Joe Biden. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg contends the then-presidential candidate was illegally moving cash around to shorten the odds of an election night victory.
The charges, according to Schmitz, are benefit to his 2024 presidential campaign.
"For those whose inclination is to trust and respect the American legal system, Mr. Trump’s mug shot, in which he defiantly glowers at the camera, may seem to lack humility," Schmitz argues.
"But for some others, the image may be a sign that he understands what it’s like to be on the wrong side of the law."
As proof, Schmitz points to pro-MAGA rappers Lil Pump and Bandman Kevo, both of whom have reportedly tattooed Trump's mugshots on their bodies.
"Lil Pump and Bandman Kevo have criminal records, a distinction they share with 70 million to 100 million other Americans," Schmitz writes, "comparable to the roughly 100 million who have college degrees. It’s possible that a rap sheet is a political asset."
This argument was dubbed dangerous and absurd by a number of journalists who took to social media to rebut the opinion piece and chastise the New York Times for publishing it.
"Times op-ed buys Trump efforts to paint him as 'the outlaw hero, a figure of defiance with deep roots in American culture who exposes the injustices and hypocrisies of a corrupt system,'" replied journalism professor Jeff Jarvis. "No, he's a fascist."
"This column is a ludicrous misreading of Trump," added former New Yorker staff writer James Surowiecki. "Trump does present himself as an outlaw, which is part of what his followers like about him. But he is not lawless 'in the name of a higher law.' He's lawless in the name of his own self-interest."
Surowiecki continued, "Trump's public image is not Robin Hood, or Jesse James. It's closer to Al Capone, with a touch of the Joker thrown in. He's going to burn the place down, but make sure he comes out on the other end with his pockets full of loot."
Readers expressed disapprobation as well.
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"The title is horrifying," replied X user Benoit Lheureux. "These are dystopian times."
"I used to write for my college newspaper (early 90s) and always looked at The NYT in high regard and their writing as top notch," added Mark Mineau. "How they’ve changed."
"They think he’s a Robin Hood kinda guy?" asked @cmadmax. "What a fairy tale they’re spinning at the NYTimes."
The parody account New York Times Pitchbot shared a screenshot of the editorial's title with the request: "Someone shoot me."
