High-profile Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz is at the center of a social media controversy after a screenshot allegedly showing her calling President Biden a "war criminal" surfaced online.
Fox News reported that The Washington Post is currently investigating the matter, although Lorenz has denied the authenticity of the post, claiming it was edited.
Questions have arisen after Jonathan Levine of the New York Post shared a screenshot of Lorenz's Instagram story, reportedly showing her at the White House Creator Economy Conference with a caption that read "War criminal" next to a frowny face.
The post in question was supposedly shared using Instagram's "close friends" feature, as indicated by the green star icon visible in the screenshot.
The image shows Lorenz masked and taking a selfie with President Biden speaking in the background. This post has since sparked significant debate online regarding its legitimacy and intent.
Lorenz has strongly denied the authenticity of the screenshot, suggesting that the image was manipulated. "You people will fall for any dumba-- edit someone makes," Lorenz stated, dismissing the allegations as baseless. However, skepticism remains, particularly from Levine, who has expressed doubts about Lorenz's denial.
"She's denying it's real, but she has a long history of lying about things like this — and it came to me from someone reliable. So take it as you will," Levine said in response to Lorenz's comments.
This statement has added fuel to the ongoing debate, with many questioning whether the post was indeed fabricated or whether Lorenz is attempting to cover her tracks.
In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for the Washington Post confirmed that the newspaper is aware of the situation and is looking into the alleged social media post.
The spokesperson did not provide further details on the nature of the investigation or the steps being taken to verify the authenticity of the screenshot.
While the specific post was allegedly private, shared only with Lorenz's "close friends" on Instagram, it is noteworthy that she actively updated her Instagram story with other videos from the White House conference that were public. This has led to further speculation about whether the "war criminal" post was a targeted message meant for a select audience.
The controversy has also brought attention to the potential context behind the alleged post. Some have speculated that the "war criminal" caption might be an obscure reference to singer Lucy Dacus, who previously used a similar phrase to describe former President Obama.
This theory was suggested by a user on the social media platform Blue Sky, adding another layer of complexity to the story.
However, the timing of the alleged post has also raised concerns, particularly given recent criticisms of President Biden from the far-left. Biden has faced backlash for his handling of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with some critics dubbing him "Genocide Joe."
Lorenz, who is known for her far-left views and criticism of Israel, may have been referencing these sentiments in her alleged post.
This is not the first time Lorenz has found herself embroiled in controversy. She has a history of sparking debates both on social media and in her reporting tactics. Her outspoken views and willingness to challenge powerful figures have made her a polarizing figure, and this latest incident only adds to her reputation as a lightning rod for controversy.
Given her past, the allegations against Lorenz are being closely scrutinized, with many waiting to see how the Washington Post will handle the situation. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for Lorenz's career and the newspaper's credibility.
