Right-wing activist and self-proclaimed “independent journalist” Christopher Rufo praises his “friend New York TimesThis week, the grey lady reportedly was eager to publish a controversial story about how Zohran Mamdani filled out his college application because it didn't want to be “sc”.
Just before the weekend of July 4 era When the newspaper abandoned an article about the New York City mayoral candidate, he identified himself as “Asian” and “Black or African American” in his 2009 application to Columbia University, it sparked protests. Mamdani is of Indian descent and was born in Uganda.
The 33-year-old state legislator told era Although he does not consider himself black, he does see himself as “African-born American.” He also explained that as a 17-year-old, he tried to represent his complex race and ethnic background, while the options offered on the table were limited.
“Most college applications don't have Indian-Uganda boxes, so I checked multiple boxes that tried to capture my background,” Mamdani said. “Even if these boxes are restricted, I want my college applications to reflect who I am.”
While criticism focuses on the overall news value, the fierce debate focuses on the era How Mamdani self-identifies in high school is a scandal, and most of the anger is also focused on the main source of the story.
The New York Times faces opposition to how Zohran Mamdani self-identifies on college application forms, and the report comes from supporters of white supremacist views. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Originally published era The article points out that the story revolves around files that were hacked by the Colombian computer system and is provided to the paper by a “mediation” called Crémieux, who are simply identified as “academic and opponents of affirmative action.”
Yet, journalists and researchers of right-wing extremism were quick to point out that Kremix was a social media alias for Jordan Lasker, a supplier of white supremacist and eugenic views whose public identity has been for a long time. In an increasing outcry, this article will subsequently update its article to show that Craimix “commonly writes about IQ and race”, while editor Patrick Healy openly defended the decision to publish the story and grant the source anonymity.
Healy told The Columbia News that although he did admit on social media that this is “fair feedback” from readers because the information is independently verified, and that is most important whether the information is true and factual, which is confirmed by Mr. Mamdani; it has been independently verified; it is related to the public. ”
On Sunday night, Semafor Media added wrinkles to another controversy era When the report said the newspaper was eager to publish a story Thursday afternoon about Rufo's concerns that would beat them.
“There are two people familiar with the reporting process that told Semafor that this article knows that other journalists are studying admission stories, including Rufo.” In recent years, Rufo has served as a prominent figure in the Crusader who opposed critical racial theory, dei policy and “awakening” ideology.
Semafor notes that Rufo confirms that he has reported the story era The article abandoned Thursday, adding that he will follow up on other details within the next few days of the replacement.
Meanwhile, in order to further adjust the progressives and trigger an additional rebound in Mamdani's story, Rufue era For reports and suggest them on the same page.
“It's hard to scalp, but friends who first published this story in The New York Times pay tribute to my friends,” the conservative provocateur tweeted Sunday night.
The Democrats also explained that as a 17-year-old, he tried to represent his complex race and ethnic background, with limited options available on the table. (Reuters)
one era The spokesman declined to comment to Semafor on whether Rufo’s coverage prompted the paper to go through a story ahead of time, pointing out that Healy’s statement to Columbia Remessismism Review explains his reasons for publishing the work.
Among journalists and writers eraviews on the story have been divided, recreating the long-term tension between left-leaning employees and editorial leaders. era For example era Social Media Guide.
Meanwhile, the senior editor of the paper appears to have agreed on the decision to publish the work, and the veterans era The reporter believes that the reaction to the story shows why it is worth pursuing first.
“This story sparked all the conversation and debate, that is, you need all the evidence, and it's a legal report,” a senior journalist told Semafor.
As for the revelation that this article is playing against Rufo to make the story come out first, several media critics bring the paper to a mission that seems to be manipulated by the right-wing media ecosystem.
“Anyway, if you run out of the door with racist criminals on the holiday weekend because you’re worried about Chris Rufo’s “scroll”, then what you want to tell the world is that you think you’re in the same business as Chris Rufo,” Chris Rufo,” indignant editor Tom Scocca posted on Bluesky.
“Indeed. The right story is Chris Rufo's manipulation style,” tech columnist Kara Swisher once hosted the podcast New York Times – Response to Scocca.
