That's one way for the fake news reporters at The Washington Post to put it. We're amazed to see The Post call out The Atlantic, as subtly as they could.
Elizabeth Bruenig’s account of a mother’s experience learning her child will die of measles has remained one of the Atlantic’s most read stories since it was published.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 19, 2026
But some say the story felt misleading once they learned it was reported fiction. https://t.co/1hf3Svinmy
"Some say …." Where's intrepid fact-checker Glenn Kessler when you need him?
Scott Nover reports:
When Kelly McBride read Elizabeth Bruenig’s essay in the Atlantic about a child’s death from measles complications, she was moved and quickly shared the story on her Facebook account. She hadn’t realized that Bruenig’s family had been ravaged by virus and the well-known journalist had lost a child.
McBride, a media ethicist and senior vice president at the Poynter Institute, also didn’t realize the story was a hypothetical scenario — and the child a composite character based on the author’s research — until a friend alerted her to an editor’s note at the bottom of the story. Then, McBride felt duped.
A composite character … like Barack Obama's composite girlfriend.
Why would people ever feel misled by a fictional story meant to emotionally manipulate them, that didn't tell them it had been fictionalized until the editor's note at the end?
— XcentricXennial (@XcentricXennial) February 19, 2026
It's not an account, it is a work of fiction
— Gary in DFW (@LakerGMC_) February 19, 2026
People found fiction misleading? That's what you're going with? I think some more layoffs would help you guys out.
— Kyle (@KylePostingOnX) February 19, 2026
Note the framing of journalists looking out for each other. The Post doesn't come out and say that Elizabeth Bruenig’s essay was fictional, just that some people who read it felt duped.
People felt it was misleading once they realized it was a lie. Wow. What incredible reporting.
— Andrew Campbell (@camp_bean) February 19, 2026
It wasn’t “misleading”. It was fiction. Another round of layoffs there is badly needed.
— Taro Tsujimoto (@LegendofTaro183) February 19, 2026
Was this typed with a straight face??
— Laochra Fitheach (@lethbhreac1971) February 19, 2026
“But some say the story felt misleading once they learned it was reported fiction.” pic.twitter.com/5WTSz9mzaV
If it wasn't misleading political propaganda you wouldn't have published it
— Mediocrates (@BGWhite42) February 19, 2026
Some felt misled simply because.... the story was a complete lie: pure imagination presented as fact.
— LuluFufu (@ZorroOrejon) February 19, 2026
“…misleading once they learned it was reported fiction”
— Barr Wilf (@BarrWilf) February 19, 2026
You can’t hate these miscreants enough.
"I felt misled when I found out what I was being told was untrue - totally made up to manipulate me."
— George Binder (@bindergeorge2) February 19, 2026
Great WAPO style take there. It's such a mystery why you are circling the drain.
"Reported fiction." How is it possible you people don't realize that you are abject clowns?
— The League of Embarassed Journalists (@mediapostate) February 19, 2026
Imagine feeling misled by fiction purporting to be fact.
— OSRDwarf2 (@OSRDwarf2) February 19, 2026
Seriously fuck you people. I hope Bezos shuts you down completely and starts over.
The Atlantic didn't mislead people; people felt misled.
***
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
Help us continue to expose their left-wing bias by reading news you can trust. Join Twitchy VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
Join the Conversation
VIP members get the ability to comment on articles.