Sad news: Helen Thomas, groundbreaking female journalist who became enmeshed in controversy, has died at 92. RIP.
— Susan Page (@SusanPage) July 20, 2013
Veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas died Saturday at the age of 92 after a long illness.
It seems Helen Thomas lived long enough that news of her death broke on Twitter instead of the traditional newswires.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) July 20, 2013
Helen Thomas, veteran reporter, dead at 92 http://t.co/cda34R8CP3 via @POLITICO
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) July 20, 2013
Rest in peace, Helen Thomas. First day I ever took the podium she came to encourage me. This was that day. pic.twitter.com/wpAl3bMR10
— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) July 20, 2013
Thomas was the first female member of the Gridiron Club and covered 10 consecutive presidential administrations. Her long career screeched to a halt after she suggested Jews should go back to Poland or Germany.
The controversial comments that got Helen Thomas in hot water: http://t.co/qEbMVpekPZ
— Sam Litzinger (@SamLitzinger) July 20, 2013
Fellow journos remembered their colleague on Twitter, focusing on her decades of reporting rather than the anti-Semitism that shaped many of her questions at the White House.
A little snapshot of Helen Thomas history from some of us who were a part of it. @jaketapper @JimAxelrod @chucktodd pic.twitter.com/oi3ebaqQ9v
— Ben Feller (@BenFellerNY) July 20, 2013
For decades, Helen was UPI's chief WH correspondent who often got to say "Thank you, Mr. President," ending prime time news confs.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
Recommended
Helen had a well-earned take-no-prisoners reputation as a reporter. Was never shy about asking the toughest of questions of US Presidents.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
Many WH press secretaries could set their clocks by the early arrival of Helen outside their door to begin the day's pursuit of news.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
Helen was controversial – often asking questions that conveyed a point of view, especially on the Middle East.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
But her trail blazing career rightfully brought Helen many honors.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
For a time, Helen was the only reporter assigned a seat by name in the WH Briefing Room: front row center.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
Helen's WH career ended after she made a comment deemed anti-semitic. Her briefing room seat was reassigned.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 20, 2013
Helen Thomas helped break ground for women covering the White House. She said "men talk to men". She helped change that dynamic.
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) July 20, 2013
Helen Thomas made it possible for all of us who followed: woman pioneer journalist broke barriers died today wld have been 93 nxt month RIP
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) July 20, 2013
Helen Thomas. Fearless. RIP #groundbreaker
— gwen ifill (@gwenifill) July 20, 2013
How strange suddenly to live in a world without Helen Thomas.
— RAGreeneCNN (@RAGreeneCNN) July 20, 2013
Such sad news about Helen Thomas. A real pioneer. RIP
— Sam Stein (@samstein) July 20, 2013
Any woman who has had the privilege of sitting in the front row of the White House briefing room owes huge debt of gratitude to Helen Thomas
— Julie Pace (@jpaceDC) July 20, 2013
Goodbye Helen Thomas! She was a real force! Rest in Peace
— Martha MacCallum (@marthamaccallum) July 20, 2013
Enduring image of Helen Thomas: Literally kicking the door to the WH press office when the Clinton folks had yet to open it one morning.
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) July 20, 2013
Rest in peace Helen Thomas. We sparred. We laughed. I so admired her tenacity.
— GeorgeStephanopoulos (@GStephanopoulos) July 20, 2013
Worth noting:
Reporters tweeting about Helen Thomas are whitewashing her Antisemitism in ways they'd never ignore a non-reporters racism. #TheGuild
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) July 20, 2013
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
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