The Atlantic’s Hatchet Job on Trump Backfired [OPINION]

The Atlantic released a bombshell story on Thursday, claiming that President Donald Trump referred to American servicemen from World War I as "losers" and "suckers" while visiting France in 2018. The problem is The Atlantic cited four anonymous sources for the article.

Imagine using not just unnamed sources, but anonymous sources, for such a hit piece. How do you do that? As someone who has been a journalist for more than 40 years, I can tell you that that kind of reporting would never fly back in the day. It doesn't fly today, either.
It stinks.

At least 10 people who were there at the time, including reporters and political foes, say Trump never uttered those words. Talking heads on CNN and commentators for the Washington Post and CBS have even called out The Atlantic for trying to pass off garbage journalism. This report is a new low.

The Daily Wire has dropped a bombshell of its own. It reported that The Atlantic's owner, a billionaire, "is a Democrat megadonor who has donated a substantial amount of money to Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden." According to The Daily Wire, Laurene Powell Jobs "contributed $2,800 to former Vice President Joe Biden’s primary campaign in October, and in June she divvied out an additional $610,600 to the Biden Victory Fund." Powell Jobs has reportedly donated "more than $1.2 million to nearly 70 Democrat politicians since 2019."

It's unfortunate that American voters are faced with such dishonesty in the media. We are living in complicated times made more complicated by deranged individuals who would use the freedom of the press to attempt to destroy their opponents with misinformation and lies. Fortunately, the public has seen enough of this stuff to be able to recognize it for what it is and reject it.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.