Friday night we told you about an article in USA Today’s sports section that was nothing short of a disgusting smear on Brett Kavanaugh. After nearly a full day, the backlash was so great that the USA Today obviously felt like a major backpedal was in order:
A previous tweet contained a statement that has since been edited out of a sports column. That tweet has been deleted. The updated opinion column and editor’s clarification are here: https://t.co/zhFOWMIjCb
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 29, 2018
This was the original tweet containing a photo and quote from the article that earned a ratio of epic proportions:
The tweet has been deleted and the content changed, as USA Today noted with this addition that now precedes the article:
Editor’s note: Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh has told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee he loves coaching his daughters’ girls basketball teams, but said in testimony Thursday “thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to coach again.” The intent of this commentary was to address that question. The column was re-edited to more closely reflect that intent and labeled to reflect it as the writer’s opinion.
Many remain not so forgiving:
@USATODAY deleted the original tweet about this shameful piece because it got ratio'd into oblivion, not because they are trying to correct their disgusting take. They obviously make no apologies for their gross implication against Judge Kavanaugh and are doubling down. https://t.co/zD9mupT71F
— Jack Sun (@jacque_sun88) September 29, 2018
"The intent of the article was to address the question" what a load of BS. The intent of the article was obvious to anyone with at least 2 brain cells: smear Judge Kavanaugh & operate as a propaganda arm of the Democrat party. Upstate NY hates the lying, sleezy, libelous media.
— John (@John06612569) September 30, 2018
Yes, the original version seemed to better display the actual intent of the article, and everybody knows it.
You people are absolutely disgusting liberal hacks! To smear a man this way with no evidence is beyond the pail. USA Today? Pfffft! Try USSA Today with your Soviet style reporting. Putin would be proud you scum bags! No wonder no one likes the so called "media"!
— MAGA!!! Mattdaddy (@mattdaddyX6) September 29, 2018
Too late for any type of apologies. Your "opinion" is bunk. https://t.co/1EIg19F7Up
— ~Napoleon Semtex~ (@TheRealHuyPham) September 30, 2018
Root cause: leftist agenda dominated editorial practices. https://t.co/N3zM6DmnCQ
— The Acerbic (@Source_Persil) September 30, 2018
You did go far enough in J School to know what Libel & Slander are, right? Let's face it: Excellent Political Journalism DIED when Tim Russert Did. https://t.co/EvtVr3V1Re
— Kimberley Monari (@KimberleyMonari) September 29, 2018
How NOT to print an apology. USA Today is toast. https://t.co/mQ2fGe1Kg7
— Bill Bonn (@AlongtheBillabo) September 30, 2018
It's no better then it was before. You're still garbage https://t.co/5zrqfpdJwL
— Michael O'Donovan (@BeardedMinarchy) September 30, 2018
It was a despicable article and the only reason @USATODAY deleted it was because it contained a photo of the "Blessed Sacrament" MINOR girls basketball team. I hope their parents sue the sh*t out of y'all!#ABCNews https://t.co/IBdLhwV43A
— Maria ? The Deplorable Dreg ? (@OhSumthinShiny) September 30, 2018
It was beyond despicable. Shame on you. I'll always remember it. Firing the columnist wouldn't be enough for me. You should voluntarily pay the Kavanaugh family damages. Shame on you forever. https://t.co/H3ojkVN208
— MJGS (@mjbenchmark) September 30, 2018
What a shameful act of so called journalism. To include any insinuation that children need to be protected from BK is a vile, despicable attempt to smear a mans name. I will never, ever read anything published by your newspaper again.
— The Angry Bystander (@angry_bystander) September 30, 2018
Maybe USA Today should have considered not publishing the thing in the first place.
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