Obama’s ‘profound hypocrisy’, ending Hamas’ aid racket and other commentary

New York Post - Apr 20th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard University for standing up to the Trump administration regarding the school's First Amendment rights, sparking accusations of hypocrisy from Reason's Robby Soave. Soave argues that Obama's own administration enforced similar policies that compromised due process and harmed free speech at universities nationwide. These policies were strongly opposed by Harvard's law faculty, yet the university eventually complied. The irony is noted as Harvard now takes a stand against similar federal overreach, while Obama criticizes government interference in academic freedom.

This controversy highlights ongoing debates about governmental influence on educational institutions and the broader implications for academic freedom and free speech. The situation underscores the complex relationship between federal policies and institutional autonomy, with Harvard's response serving as a potential turning point. The story also reflects the political dynamics influencing educational policy and the challenges faced by institutions navigating these pressures while maintaining their core values.

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RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a range of timely and relevant topics that are likely to engage readers interested in current events and public debates. Its clear and accessible language, combined with the coverage of controversial issues, makes it both engaging and provocative.

However, the article's reliance on opinionated sources and lack of balance in presenting multiple perspectives limits its overall accuracy and impact. While it effectively captures attention and has the potential to influence opinions among like-minded readers, it may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues for those seeking a more nuanced view.

To enhance its credibility and impact, the article could benefit from greater transparency, more diverse sourcing, and a more balanced presentation of viewpoints. Overall, the article succeeds in engaging readers with its clear writing and topical content, but it falls short in providing a fully balanced and well-supported analysis of the issues discussed.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that are mostly supported by available sources. For example, the claim that Obama praised Harvard for standing up to the Trump administration is confirmed by public reports. Additionally, the assertion that the Obama administration's Title IX policies were controversial due to perceived impacts on due process is well-documented in public discourse. However, some claims, such as the specific opposition from Harvard's law faculty, require further verification as the extent of opposition is less documented.

The section on Hamas controlling aid shipments into Gaza is consistent with reports from multiple sources, although specific details, like the 20% commission charged by money-changers, are less commonly verified. The claim about Israel's actions against Hamas and the strategic implications are based on reported facts but also include speculative elements about the effectiveness of such strategies.

In the cultural commentary about UK women's rights, the article claims vindication from a Supreme Court ruling. While there have been legal affirmations of certain biological sex distinctions, the broader claim of societal vindication is more interpretive. Overall, the article's accuracy is supported in many areas, though some claims would benefit from additional source verification.

6
Balance

The article presents a range of perspectives but tends to lean towards certain viewpoints, particularly in its criticism of Obama and support for Israel’s actions against Hamas. The piece on Obama’s alleged hypocrisy is clearly critical and does not include counterarguments or defenses of his administration's policies, which could provide a more balanced view.

The discussion on Hamas and aid control offers a perspective that aligns with Israeli policy without presenting the humanitarian concerns or counterarguments from Palestinian or international aid organizations. Similarly, the cultural commentary on UK women's rights predominantly supports one side of a highly polarized debate without acknowledging the complexities or opposing viewpoints.

While the article covers multiple topics, the balance within each section could be improved by including a wider range of perspectives and counterpoints, particularly in areas with significant public debate.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, with each section focusing on a distinct topic. The writing is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the arguments presented.

However, the article occasionally assumes the reader's familiarity with complex issues, such as Title IX policies or the intricacies of Middle Eastern geopolitics, without providing sufficient background information. This can lead to misunderstandings or oversimplifications of nuanced topics.

While the article is well-organized, it could benefit from additional context and explanations in certain areas to ensure that all readers, regardless of prior knowledge, can fully understand the issues being discussed.

5
Source quality

The article relies on commentary from known publications and commentators, such as The Wall Street Journal and Commentary, which are reputable but have clear editorial biases. The use of sources like Spiked and Reason indicates a preference for opinionated pieces rather than primary sources or independent investigative journalism.

The lack of direct citations or references to primary data or official statements in some sections, such as the claims about Hamas and the specific impacts of Obama-era policies, affects the overall credibility. The article would benefit from a more diverse range of sources, including those that provide firsthand accounts or data-driven analyses.

Overall, while the sources used are credible within their respective ideological contexts, the article lacks a variety of perspectives and primary source material that would enhance its reliability.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of providing detailed attribution and context for its claims. Many statements are presented without specifying the sources or methodologies used to arrive at the conclusions, which makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the information.

There is little disclosure about potential conflicts of interest or the editorial stance of the sources cited, which is important for understanding potential biases. For instance, the criticism of Obama and the portrayal of UK women's rights rely heavily on opinion pieces without clarifying the basis for these opinions.

Improving transparency by including more explicit citations and context about the sources and their potential biases would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better evaluate the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.thefire.org/news/harvard-stands-firm-rejects-trump-administrations-unconstitutional-demands
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-praises-harvard-rejecting-white-house-demands-trump/story?id=120824379
  3. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/harvards-fight-against-trump-could-test-limits-of-government-power