Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz caused a stir when a screenshot of an Instagram post surfaced showing her taking a selfie with President Biden in the background with the caption “war criminal” and a frowny face. Initially, Lorenz denied that the post was real, calling it a dumb edit. However, she later admitted that the post was real but insisted that it was intended as a joke or meme. Speculation arose online that Lorenz was making a reference to a similar statement made by musician Lucy Dacus about former President Obama. The post was made in an Instagram story using the “close friends” feature, meaning it was only visible to a select group of chosen users.
NPR reported that four people with direct knowledge of the post confirmed its authenticity. Lorenz responded to this reporting by stating that only about seven people saw the actual post, most of whom were her non-media friends. The Washington Post, where Lorenz is a columnist, acknowledged the alleged post and stated that they were looking into it but did not offer further comment. Lorenz did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the situation.
Lorenz’s post comes amid criticism from the far-left towards President Biden for his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Critics have labeled him as “Genocide Joe” for continuing to support Israel with military aid following a terrorist attack. Lorenz, who is known for her far-left opinions, has been a vocal critic of Israel. This incident adds to her history of generating controversy on social media and in her reporting practices.
The situation has attracted attention due to Lorenz’s high profile as a columnist for The Washington Post. While she initially denied the authenticity of the Instagram post, Lorenz later claimed it was meant as a joke. The use of the “close friends” feature on Instagram limited the audience who could view the post, but it still caused a backlash online. With Lorenz’s history of sparking controversy and her stance on political issues, this incident has added fuel to the ongoing debate over media bias and the role of journalists in shaping public opinion.
Lorenz’s Instagram post is just one example of the tension between media figures and their online presence. The scrutiny of journalists’ social media posts and actions has increased in recent years, as they are held to higher standards due to their public platform. Lorenz’s claims that the post was meant as a joke may not be enough to appease critics who view it as unprofessional or inappropriate. As the situation continues to unfold, it underscores the challenges that journalists face in navigating their personal and professional lives in the digital age.
