Longtime conservative media personality and Trump supporter turned Trump critic Ann Coulter got her first byline in the New York Times’ opinion section today.
Coulter’s history of controversial comments on gun ownership, international relations, and race have many questioning why the Times would platform a media personality that has previously espoused hatred towards minority groups. Coulter’s writing appeared in the opinion section, thus giving it a loophole to not be considered reporting.
“I still prefer candidates who tell us to try to find the good in, and common cause with, one another rather than identify whom to hate and how much,” says @FrankBruni, in a chat with @stuartpstevens and @AnnCoulter. “I’m old-fashioned that way.” https://t.co/4SpTnYfaWu
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) August 23, 2023
The feature is sparking a debate on political columnists in the mainstream media. Many feel that Coulter’s ideas did not provoke any new train of thought that voters had not thought of, and therefore was unnecessary to include.
Elsewhere, others argued that the inclusion of Coulter’s voice in the piece was an effort to continue to keep the Times balanced. The paper is home to numerous left-leaning and centrist political writers, as well as left-leaning culture columnists.
What is wrong with this in the opinion section? I thought progressives would approve since it is anti Trump?
— Scottie Nell Hughes (@scottienhughes) August 23, 2023
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Though Coulter has backed out of supporting former President Donald Trump for re-election, many of her far right leaning views remain. Coulter once attacked the New York Times verbally, saying that she wished convicted domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh would have entered the building of the publication. McVeigh committed the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
This is the same Ann Coulter who once joked about her "regret" that terrorist Timothy McVeigh did not murder employees of the New York Times. https://t.co/T46xZPlMQ4
— Chris Bury (@ChrisBuryNews) August 23, 2023
Coulter also continues to post racially charged remarks about several writers of color at the Times. She notably appeared to accuse columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom of being “enraged” by white blonde women when Cottom penned an Op-Ed surrounding the exclusivity of the University of Alabama sorority rush culture.
<<[T]he umpty-umpth op-ed by a black woman enraged by the sheer effrontery of pretty blondes continuing to exist …>>https://t.co/vNYwMJP9hX
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) August 23, 2023
Elsewhere, some felt that Coulter should not have been considered on account of her disrespect for the Times alone.
— Tammy Parker ???? (@tamparker6) August 23, 2023
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Some X users find it interesting that Coulter has suddenly turned on Trump now that the former president is facing a series of arrests for a number of criminal charges.
She worked so hard to elevate the PAB and put him into the White House, and then got pissed off when he turned out to be exactly what we rational folks already knew him to be. pic.twitter.com/u3usoQY2wU
— Hieronymus McGillicuddy (@HieronymusMcG) August 23, 2023
Others argue that regardless of the nature of Coulter’s opinion contribution, her name in the Times sets an allegedly dangerous precedent–that media personalities who have utilized hate speech for their own gain can still earn a spot at the most prestigious news source in the nation.
Seriously ranks among the lowest, most irresponsible things the New York Times has done https://t.co/wxHQ4OVmnS
— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) August 23, 2023
On the contrary, some assert that the paper should not be “cancelled” for publishing something they do not agree with.
Unpopular opinion: I don’t necessarily disagree but it may bear repeating that it was in the opinion section. Also I think it’s good to hear what’s in the right wing mindset to effectively fight against it.
— Priscilla (@PriscillaSpice) August 23, 2023
Coulter shared the piece to her own social media, calling it “solid content.”
Solid content in the @nytimes today.https://t.co/BHVH427Xqq
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) August 23, 2023
Instead of addressing the criticisms surrounding her contribution to the Times and overall media persona, Coulter continues to share her political views on X today.
NEW COLUMN POSTED!
WE NEED IMMIGRATION, NOT TRUMP, AT THE DEBATEhttps://t.co/bAbGMuthFq pic.twitter.com/xwCMxBOmQo
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) August 23, 2023
The Times is yet to comment on their decision to include Coulter in the Opinion section this week.
