Conservative commentators have reacted strongly to changes made by fact-checking website Snopes regarding an article assessing the authenticity of Ashley Biden’s stolen diary. The diary, which contained personal writings of President Joe Biden’s daughter, was stolen by Aimee Harris and sold to Project Veritas. Harris was sentenced to a month in prison and three months of home confinement for her role in the theft. Snopes changed their verdict on the diary’s content from “Unproven” to “True” based on testimony provided by Ashley Biden in a letter to the judge overseeing the case.
In her letter to the judge, Ashley Biden expressed her dismay at the violation of her privacy caused by the theft of her diary and subsequent publication of its contents online. She stated that her personal journal being viewed online was a traumatic experience for her and that her “innermost thoughts” had been distorted and manipulated by those who published it without her consent. Snopes argued that Ashley Biden’s letter provided authentication for the contents of the diary that had been printed online. This change in the fact check verdict sparked debate about the interpretation of the diary’s contents and the ethics of publishing private writings without consent.
According to reports, Ashley Biden had stored her diary and other belongings at a friend’s home in Florida while moving in the spring of 2020. Aimee Harris, who later moved into the same room, found the items and conspired with Robert Kurlander to sell them for profit. The diary was eventually sold to Project Veritas for $40,000. Harris and Kurlander were investigated, charged, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. Prosecutors sought stricter penalties for Harris, citing her repeated no-shows at court appearances and the profit-seeking nature of the theft.
The Department of Justice had initially requested six months of home confinement for Harris, but later increased their request to four to 10 months of prison time. Harris, in her defense, cited obligations to her children and family and expressed apologies to Ashley Biden for her role in the theft. She also mentioned the media scrutiny she has faced as a result of the case. Harris has been ordered to pay back the $20,000 she received for the stolen property. The case highlights the ethical implications of stealing and publishing private writings for profit, as well as the repercussions and legal consequences for those involved.
