The Washington Post updated its headline on the death of President Trump’s younger brother after some political commentators and politicians condemned it as “sick” and biased.
“This headline, on an ‘obituary’ no less, is sick. WaPo should be ashamed of itself. Robert Trump, RIP,” Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted just after midnight on Sunday, accompanied by a screenshot of the newspaper’s headline, which read, “Robert Trump, younger brother of President Trump who filed lawsuit against niece, dies at 71.”
This headline, on an “obituary” no less, is sick. WaPo should be ashamed of itself.
Robert Trump, RIP. pic.twitter.com/5iG4EmmK9D
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 16, 2020
As of Sunday morning, the Washington Post’s headline on the piece reads “Robert Trump, younger brother of President Trump, dies at 71.”
Others on Twitter pointed out the headline, with Turning Point USA’s Benny Johnson comparing it to the Washington Post‘s headline on a report on the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in 2019.
“They treated the Leader of ISIS better than the brother of the President of the United States,” Johnson tweeted, alongside screenshots comparing headlines on Robert Trump and al Baghdadi’s deaths.
The Washington Post couldn’t put politics aside for one night.
They treated the Leader of ISIS better than the brother of the President of the United States.. pic.twitter.com/wqnnK6mTRy
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) August 16, 2020
An utterly despicable headline and report on the death of the President’s brother by the leftists at the @WashingtonPost. https://t.co/NKn10gPbrH
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) August 16, 2020
The Washington Post should be shut down after this disgusting headline about Robert Trump’s death. pic.twitter.com/J92KeOoHPP
— JT Lewis (@thejtlewis) August 16, 2020
“Sick bastards of the Left, including the media,” conservative commentator Mark Levin said in response to a Daily Wire story concerning the Washington Post’s headline, as well as some critics using the death to attack the president.
Sick bastards of the Left, including the mediahttps://t.co/70LhSYBwO9
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) August 16, 2020
Robert Trump died Saturday of an undisclosed illness, and the president celebrated his brother as his “best friend” after he died.
“It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight,” Trump said in a statement. “He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace.”
The Washington Post wasn’t alone in being criticized for its coverage of the death, with the Associated Press also facing condemnation.
“This @AP obit of Robert Trump will go in newspapers and on websites for news outlets all over the world. Absolutely evil and sadistic,” NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck tweeted.
The Associated Press’s lead sentence stated that Robert Trump was “a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name.”
This @AP obit of Robert Trump will go in newspapers and on websites for news outlets all over the world. Absolutely evil and sadistic. pic.twitter.com/ll2GamLpvE
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 16, 2020
The Washington Post did not immediately respond to request for comment on the headline change.
