Lefty ex-WaPo journalist Taylor Lorenz has shocking response to post implying Biden died: ‘Got my hopes up’

New York Post - Apr 7th, 2025

Former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz ignited backlash after expressing 'hope' over a social media post that implied former President Joe Biden was dead. The post, shared by another user, labeled Biden with a derogatory term and suggested he wouldn't be missed. Lorenz's response to the post, a frowny face and a comment that it 'got her hopes up,' drew criticism for its insensitivity. She dismissed this backlash, arguing that her detractors were insincere in their defense of Biden, whom they also dislike. This incident adds to Lorenz's history of controversial statements, including past remarks defending the celebration of the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Lorenz's comments have previously led to professional repercussions, such as Vox Media ending its distribution deal with her podcast and YouTube show following her incendiary statements. Her latest controversy further highlights the polarizing nature of her public persona and raises questions about journalistic responsibility and the boundaries of personal expression for media figures. The implications stretch beyond her individual career, touching on broader issues of media ethics and the impact of incendiary rhetoric in public discourse.

United Healthcare Joe Biden Free Speech Media Ethics Taylor Lorenz Social Media Controversy Vox Media

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging account of Taylor Lorenz's controversial social media activity, but it lacks balance and transparency. While it accurately reports her comments and the backlash, it does not present a well-rounded view of the situation, omitting Lorenz's perspective and broader context. The lack of direct sources and citations undermines its credibility, and the sensational tone may skew reader perception. Despite these weaknesses, the article addresses relevant public interest topics and has the potential to provoke discussion and debate. Overall, it is a compelling but flawed piece that could benefit from more thorough sourcing and balanced reporting.

Accuracy

The story accurately presents the controversial social media activity of Taylor Lorenz, including her response to a post implying Joe Biden's death. The factual claims about Lorenz's reaction and the subsequent backlash are supported by her own social media comments. However, the story could benefit from more direct citations or confirmations from primary sources, such as the actual social media posts or statements from Lorenz. The mention of her previous controversies, like the one involving the UnitedHealthcare CEO, aligns with public records, but requires further verification for full accuracy.

Balance

The article leans towards portraying Lorenz in a negative light, primarily focusing on her controversial statements and the backlash she received. It lacks a balanced perspective, as it does not provide Lorenz's side of the story or any context that might justify her statements. The piece could have included more about her professional achievements or other opinions that support her views, to provide a more rounded representation.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in conveying the events and the controversy surrounding Lorenz's comments. However, the narrative could be better structured to separate Lorenz's actions from the reactions they provoked. The tone is somewhat sensational, focusing on the backlash and controversy rather than providing a straightforward account of events.

Source quality

The story does not cite any specific sources or provide links to the original social media posts, which affects the credibility. It relies heavily on unnamed social media users for reactions, which are not authoritative sources. The lack of direct quotes or interviews with Lorenz or other involved parties diminishes the reliability of the report.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and the basis for its claims. It does not specify where the information about Lorenz’s posts and the backlash originated from. There is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or methodology used to gather and verify the information, which limits the reader's ability to assess the impartiality of the reporting.