WaPo journalist torched online for asking Jean-Pierre if Biden admin has looked into stopping Elon Musk interview with Trump

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A Washington Post journalist faced the wrath of online critics after he asked whether the Biden administration was considering taking action against an interview of former President Donald Trump hosted on the X social media platform.

Cleve Wootson asked the bizarre question during Monday's media briefing at the White House just ahead of the interview by X owner and billionaire Elon Musk.

'It is incredibly important to call that out as you are doing.'

"I think that misinformation on Twitter is not just a campaign issue; it's an America issue," said Wootson.

"What role does the White House or the president have in sort of stopping that, or stopping the spread of that or intervening? Some of that was about campaign misinformation, but you know, it's a wider thing, right?" he added.

"Don't have anything to read out from here about specific ways that we're working on it, but we believe that they have the responsibility, these are private companies, so we're also mindful of that too," responded press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

"But, look, it is incredibly important to call that out as you are doing. I just don't have any specifics on what we've been doing internally as it relates to the interviews, and that's something that I'm tracking," she added.

Video of the interaction was posted to social media, where it was widely circulated with millions of views. Many users lambasted the reporter for demanding government censorship.

"Democracy Dies in Darkness," responded writer Charles C.W. Cooke of National Review, referring ironically to the Post's motto.

"This is what 'what in the actual F' was created for," replied commentator Mary Katharine Ham.

"That time when a Washington Post reporter revealed he did not understand the part of the Constitution that literally enables his job," responded history podcaster Jack Henneman.

"Why would any news organization employ someone like @CleveWootson, who wastes their opportunity to ask the White House a question to advocate for censorship? @JeffBezos, you're paying for this to the tune of $77 million per year. You down with this? Do you have zero f's to give?" replied Derek Hunter.

"The White House literally peddled the misinformation/disinformation that Joe Biden was alright for years. They should sit this one out," read another response.

The X interview of the ex-president began late but continued as planned without government intervention.

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Peter Doocy leaves new WH press secretary stumped with single question he is forced to ask three times



Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy left White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stumbling on her first official day behind the lectern after Jen Psaki's departure.

The topic? Inflation and President Joe Biden's claim that raising corporate taxes will help the ongoing economic crisis.

What happened?

Referring to a tweet that Biden published last week, Doocy lobbed a softball question at Jean-Pierre, "How does raising taxes on corporations reduce inflation?"

But the new press secretary appeared unaware that such a tweet from Biden existed, asking if Doocy was, in fact, referring to a specific tweet.

When Doocy informed her that Biden's official Twitter account made such a connection between corporate taxes and inflation last week, Jean-Pierre stumbled her way through recycling Democratic talking points about taxes and corporations paying their "fair share."

Look, you know, we have talked about — we have talked about this this past year, about making sure that the wealthiest among us are paying their fair share. And that is important to do. And that is something that, you know, the president has been, you know, working on every day when we talk about inflation and lowering costs. And so it’s very important that, you know, as we’re seeing costs rise, as we’re talking about how to, you know — you know, build an America that is safe, that’s equal for everyone, and doesn’t leave anyone behind, that is an important part of that as well.

05/16/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre youtu.be

Because Jean-Pierre did not answer the question, Doocy then asked again, "But how does raising taxes on corporations lower the cost of gas, the cost of a used car, the cost of food for everyday Americans?"

This time Jean-Pierre invoked climate change and collective bargaining rights while injecting several mentions of a "fairer tax code," but she still did not answer the question.

"Look, it is — you know, by not — if — without having a fairer tax code, which is what I’m talking about, then all — every — like manufacturing workers, cops — you know, it’s not fair for them to have to pay higher taxes than the folks that — who are — who are — who are not paying taxes at all or barely have," Jean-Pierre added.

Doocy then asked his question a third time and included criticism from Jeff Bezos. But Jean-Pierre, again, refused to answer the question and instead attacked Bezos and regurgitated debunked talking points about deficit reduction.

"It’s not a huge mystery why one of the wealthiest individuals on Earth — right? — opposes an economic agenda that is for the middle class, that cuts some of the biggest costs families face, fights inflation for the long haul — right? — and that’s what we’re talking about; that’s why we’re talking about lowering inflation here — and adds to the historic deficit reduction the president is achieving by asking the richest taxpayers and corporations to pay their fair share. That is what we’re talking about," she said.

Anything else?

Larry Summers, who has been highly critical of the Biden administration amid the inflation crisis, explained Monday that he actually agrees with Biden that hiking corporate taxes would positively impact inflation.

"I think @JeffBezos is mostly wrong in his recent attack on the @JoeBiden Admin," Summers declared. "It is perfectly reasonable to believe, as I do and @POTUS asserts, that we should raise taxes to reduce demand to contain inflation and that the increases should be as progressive as possible."

He added, "I say this even though I have argued vigorously that excessively expansionary macro policy from the @federalreserve and the government have contributed to inflation. I have rejected rhetoric about inflation caused by corporate gouging as preposterous."

I say this even though I have argued vigorously that excessively expansionary macro policy from the @federalreserve and the government have contributed to inflation. I have rejected rhetoric about inflation caused by corporate gouging as preposterous.
— Lawrence H. Summers (@Lawrence H. Summers) 1652703915

Elon Musk rips Biden's unrealized capital gains tax proposal, warns when they run out of wealthy people's money, they'll 'come for you'



Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed the Biden administration's proposed tax on unrealized capital gains Monday, warning Americans that the policy would set an extremely dangerous precedent.

What are the details?

The tax — which would siphon money from people's stock gains before they are sold — is set to affect only billionaires if implemented. But many, including Musk, suspect the federal government won't stop there.

Responding to concerned citizen Rick McCracken's tweet about the dangers of "scope creep" as it relates to new tax laws this week, Musk wrote, "Exactly. Eventually, they run out of other people's money and then they come for you."

@RichardMcCrackn @RonWyden @JeffBezos Exactly. Eventually, they run out of other people’s money and then they come for you.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 1635207765.0

McCracken had posted a letter template for those interested in writing to their congressional representatives regarding the proposal. The template goes as follows:

Dear (Senator or Congress Member's name),

I expect you to oppose the Wyden proposal to tax unrealized capital gains. Although the proposal targets billionaires and not myself, the government of elected representatives have a track record of scope creep in writing new taxes. I anticipate that any new unrealized capital gains taxes will slowly make their way down to the middle-class retirement investments over the next several years. Then the modest investments will get hit possibly within a decade. Although principal residences and holdings in 401K plans apparently will be excluded, the Wyden proposal takes new tax hikes a step closer to imposing unrealized capital gains taxes on the average investor.

Thank you for your support.

McCracken tagged Musk and Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos in the tweet.

What else?

Of course, as the world's richest man, Musk's opposition to the policy in many ways is expected, as he stands the most to lose from the implementation of the tax. But his reasoning is likely to resonate with many Americans who distrust politicians and already think the government taxes too heavily.

Also, Republicans stand opposed to the tax proposal because it is being floated as a way to pay for President Biden's multitrillion-dollar social spending package.

Democrats hope the tax will generate at least $200 billion in revenue over a decade to help pay for the costly legislation, the New York Times reported.

The outlet noted the tax, which is being put together by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden (Ore.), head of the Senate Finance Committee, "would affect people with $1 billion in assets or those who have reported at least $100 million in income for three consecutive years."

Bezos rockets into space, then thanks Amazon employees and customers who 'paid for all of this'



Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos briefly blasted into space on Tuesday along with his brother Mark Bezos and two others aboard an approximately 10 minute flight.

During a press conference following his jaunt into space the Amazon founder expressed his thanks to Amazon employees and customers who he said "paid for all of this."

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York pounced on Bezos' comments.

"Yes, Amazon workers did pay for this - with lower wages, union busting, a frenzied and inhumane workplace, and delivery drivers not having health insurance during a pandemic. And Amazon customers are paying for it with Amazon abusing their market power to hurt small business," the lawmaker tweeted.

Yes, Amazon workers did pay for this - with lower wages, union busting, a frenzied and inhumane workplace, and deli… https://t.co/FqlYtWgxyx

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) 1626802661.0

Joining the 57-year-old billionaire business tycoon and his brother aboard the jaunt into space were 82-year-old Wally Funk and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen who are now respectively the oldest and youngest individuals ever to have ventured into space, according to Blue Origin.

The flight took place on the anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing and marked the company's first flight with people aboard its New Shepherd rocket system.

"Named after Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to go to space, New Shepard is our reusable suborbital rocket system designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of space," according the Blue Origin website.

Bezos said that the way to protect the earth "is slowly over decades to move all heavy industry, all polluting industry, out into space. That's what we're gonna do so we can keep this planet the gem that it is," he said during an interview with BloombergTV's Emily Chang.

"Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos with the vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth," the company's website says. "In order to preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes that humanity will need to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. Blue is working on this today by developing partially and fully reusable launch vehicles that are safe, low cost and serve the needs of all civil, commercial and defense customers."

The very first interview with @jeffbezos and his brother Mark after landing.Jeff: “Awe-inspiring…” and then he’s… https://t.co/gp1yga6nki

— Emily Chang (@emilychangtv) 1626793740.0

Amazon deplatforms book on transgenderism by conservative author without explanation



Amazon's web store has removed a best-selling book by a conservative author on the science and politics of transgenderism without notifying the author or giving him a reason why the book was deplatformed.

Ethics & Public Policy Center President Ryan T. Anderson, Ph.D., on Sunday discovered that his book, "When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment" had been removed from Amazon's online store.

The book, which was an Amazon and Washington Post best-seller, surveys the debate on gender dysphoria, sex reassignment surgeries, and anti-discrimination law and considers biology, psychology, and philosophy to address what the public policy response should be for individuals who struggle to accept their bodies.

Anderson told TheBlaze that Amazon did not provide him with notice or an explanation for why his book was made unavailable to purchase. He only found out after people attempting to buy the book told him the listings on Amazon were taken down. Customers cannot purchase a used copy, the Kindle edition, or even the Audible version of Anderson's book.

I hope you’ve already bought your copy, cause Amazon just removed my book “When Harry Became Sally: Responding to t… https://t.co/Mr35GE61oS
— Ryan T. Anderson (@Ryan T. Anderson)1613939645.0
While you can’t buy the book on Amazon, you can still get it (for now?) at Barnes and Noble. Given the aggressive p… https://t.co/QkuuyEusV4
— Ryan T. Anderson (@Ryan T. Anderson)1613941172.0

"When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment was released exactly three years ago (Feb 20, 2018 to be precise). It was attacked twice on the New York Times op-ed page. The Washington Post ran a hit piece on it that they then had to entirely rewrite to fix all their errors. It was obvious the critics hadn't read the book," Anderson said. "People who have actually read my book discovered that it was a thoughtful and accessible presentation of the state of the scientific, medical, philosophical and legal debates. Yes, it advances an argument from a certain viewpoint. No, it didn't get any facts wrong, and it didn't engage in any name-calling."

He noted that his book received widespread praise from various medical and psychology academics and professionals.

"It was praised by a who's who of experts: the former psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a longtime psychology professor at NYU, a professor of medical ethics at Columbia Medical School, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, a professor of neurobiology at the University of Utah, a distinguished professor at Harvard Law School, an eminent legal philosopher at Oxford, and a professor of jurisprudence at Princeton," said Anderson.

"None of that matters. It's not about how you say it, it's not about how rigorously you argue it, it's not about how charitably you present it. It's about whether you dissent from a new orthodoxy. Three years after publication, in the very same week that the House of Representatives is going to ram through a radical transgender bill amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Amazon erases my book opposing gender ideology from their cyber shelves. Make no mistake, both Big Government and Big Tech can undermine human dignity and liberty, human flourishing and the common good."

Anderson said that his publisher had contacted Amazon but had not yet received an explanation for why the book was deplatformed.

The timing of Amazon’s disappearing of my transgender book is, uh, timely... My op-ed in today’s @nypost is on the… https://t.co/elqpyAdV3O
— Ryan T. Anderson (@Ryan T. Anderson)1613996492.0

TheBlaze also reached out to Amazon, but comment for this article was not made available prior to publication.

Amazon was widely criticized by conservatives on social media for deplatforming the book.

Amazon accounts for over 83% of books sold in the US. When @amazon decides to stop selling a best-selling book, it… https://t.co/4mhOyB3qa9
— Abigail Shrier (@Abigail Shrier)1613942169.0
Hey @JeffBezos, why will you let Americans read Hitler on his Kampf, but not let us read @RyanTAnd on gender ideolo… https://t.co/cf9qsNhjP1
— Rod Dreher (@Rod Dreher)1613943245.0
This is ridiculous. @amazon please fix this error and restore @RyanTAnd’s book immediately. Unless this was intenti… https://t.co/6ftH01CNJ6
— Lila Rose (@Lila Rose)1613947651.0
I am transgender and this book is enlightening, thoughtful and well-researched. It provides necessary and important… https://t.co/203UuIIxOC
— Chad Felix Greene (@Chad Felix Greene)1613950082.0
Bear in mind Amazon has approaching 50% of the entire ecommerce market. One out of five books sold is a Kindle book… https://t.co/LNN0hSNHY7
— Mark Hemingway (@Mark Hemingway)1614002728.0
Some mid-level censor at Amazon appears to be conducting an experiment in what they can get away with:https://t.co/uQTf8XIxbr
— Ross Douthat (@Ross Douthat)1614002207.0
Progressive corporations banning books seems bad. https://t.co/UUOYEJN4Yo
— J.D. Vance (@J.D. Vance)1613952102.0

Charlie Kirk calls on Elon Musk to build 'a better internet' in fight against censorship



Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has delivered a plea for billionaire Elon Musk to build "a better internet" to compete with the online giants' increasingly aggressive censorship of speech.

What are the details?

In an open letter published in Human Events, Kirk issued what he called a "public memorandum" pleading with the Tesla and SpaceX titan to enter the internet and cell phone arena for the sake of "Western Civilization."

Kirk pointed to the recent crackdowns by social media platforms like Twitter, cell phone developers such as Apple, and server providers such as Amazon that have banned the accounts of users and even pulled at least one platform, Parler, from the marketplace under the guise of "protecting public safety" and "stopping threats of violence."

He argued to Musk that "preserving free speech is a market opportunity," and urged the entrepreneur in bold type:

Please use your considerable wealth and influence to start one or more new social media platforms that will provide insulation from Big Tech censorship. Also, please launch a new digital communications company that provides everything from smartphones to networks. Please start and launch everything.

Kirk closed in vowing to support Musk if he took on such initiatives before writing:

"To reach me, you can find me at… well… by the time you respond, I'm not sure where you will be able to find me. It just likely won't be through Google, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, platforms from where myself and millions of others are about to be banished silenced.
Please preserve our voice. Please help. Nothing for you is out of reach."

Musk, one of the richest men in the world, has spoken out several times against large tech companies banning materials and speech they don't like.

Following Twitter's lifetime ban of President Donald Trump, Musk tweeted, "A lot of people are going to be super unhappy with West Coast high tech as the de facto arbiter of free speech."

Fox Business noted that Musk also hit out at Amazon last summer after former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson's book, "Unreported Truths about COVID-19 and Lockdowns" was pulled from the online retailer for not "complying with [their] guidelines."

"This is insane @JeffBezos," Musk tweeted, calling out Amazon's CEO and adding, "Time to break up Amazon. Monopolies are wrong!"

@AlexBerenson This is insane @JeffBezos
— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk)1591293294.0