The media world is mourning the death of popular Daily Caller gossip columnist Betsy Rothstein, who lost a long battle with cancer on Sunday — but a CNN reporter came under fire for oddly claiming that almost “everyone mourning her online” is white.
Rothstein was a beloved figure in Washington, D.C. media circles, with friends on all sides of the political spectrum. Fox News’ Tucker Carlson called her “the most honest person I’ve ever met,” while New York magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi penned a tribute to her friend.
“It was an honor to love Betsy,” Nuzzi wrote.
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CNN reporter Nathan McDermott, part of the liberal network’s K-FILE investigative unit, shocked media peers when he attempted to politicize Rothstein’s death on Monday night.
CNN reporter Nathan McDermott was slammed for his reaction to the death of Daily Caller columnist Betsy Rothstein.
“I didn't know Betsy Rothstein and only read her occasionally, and I am sad that she passed away, but there's clearly a divide in values political journalists hold when (almost) everybody mourning her online is a white reporter who covers DC,” McDermott wrote.
“And I do appreciate the irony that occurs when provocateurs who disdain sanctimony die and people get outraged when you don't say they were perfect,” McDermott added in a follow-up tweet.
McDermott was immediately criticized on Twitter for the remarks. Many of Rothstein’s friends and colleagues used colorful language to express how they felt. The Daily Caller told the CNN reporter to “do us all a favor and log off forever,” while others expressed disbelief.
CNN executive Matt Dornic even responded on Twitter that he “doesn’t support” McDermott’s tweet.
"I’m grieving my friend right now. All I’m asking is that you don’t generalize it as a CNN position,” Dornic wrote. He also wrote a tribute to Rothstein in CNN’s media newsletter, calling her “fearless, fanatical and funny” while noting that D.C. “feels a lot darker” without her.
CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on McDermott's tweet.
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Many took to Twitter to condemn the CNN reporter's messages:
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