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Drew’s Receipts: Media Failures of the Week

June 24, 2023

Think about Hunter Biden's pain. Talk to your dad about his feelings—and his period. And be warned: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is suspiciously cozy with his wife.  

These were actual mainstream media narratives last week. As usual, I’m saving the receipts.

"I don’t know how they sleep at night"

Almost as soon as news broke Tuesday that Hunter Biden reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors that will probably allow him to avoid jail time for tax and gun charges, the media were ready to move on. What kind of monster wouldn't be? 

ABC News focused on the emotional impact of the development on Hunter Biden and his father:

President Joe Biden had just six words to offer after his 53-year-old son Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax offenses in a deal that is also likely to spare him time behind bars on a weapons charge.

"I’m very proud of my son," he said.

That pride has been accompanied by pain, and for the president’s family, both have been on public display. Republicans have worked to use Hunter Biden’s actions—and his acknowledged struggle with addiction—as an anchor to try to drag down his father.

Also ABC News: "It is clear Republicans are not going to drop [their investigations of Biden's corruption] despite the fact that there is nothing in this agreement to substantiate their concerns."

On MSNBC, former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) raged at Republicans for daring to continue investigating the Bidens: "I don’t know what America they live in. And I don’t know how they sleep at night. What do these jerks in the House want Joe Biden to do, throw [Hunter Biden] out, refuse to speak to him, say he doesn’t love him publicly?"

Watch two more glorious minutes of the media rushing to Biden's defense, courtesy of Washington Free Beacon video guru Thaleigha Rampersad.

"I want to know more about how you’re feeling"

Father's Day 2023 was about getting in touch with your feminine side, at least according to the media.

An MSNBC host praised her dad for defying "tired, old gender roles" and urged: "In this time of intolerance, we should encourage everyone to say goodbye to old harmful gender stereotypes and allow them to freely express themselves. To be vulnerable and open and to embrace and celebrate that open vulnerability."

CNBC featured an essay by a father suggesting that "instead of telling dads how strong and emotionally bulletproof they are, consider saying: 'I’m grateful for the time we get to spend together, and I want to know more about how you’re feeling.'"

NPR profiled a "father" who recently gave birth to two young daughters and looks forward to one day sharing his lived experience as a "menstruator" with them:

Both pregnancies were difficult because he "spent more time fighting for autonomy over myself to just get an equitable space comfortable enough for me to give birth" and didn't get a chance to "actually enjoy the process of being pregnant." ... 

"For those of us who identify more on the masculine spectrum, just because we identify as such does not take away our desire to have kids. If we have the body parts to do so, why not?" ...

"I also just have certain experiences. I know how to do hair. I'll know how to navigate when the menstrual cycle starts and the bodies start changing. I know how to prepare them for what society is going to be expecting of them and teach them that they have autonomy over themselves."

"Ron was always talking about the two of them"

The Washington Post came out with the latest anonymously sourced hit-piece about how Casey DeSantis's husband loves and respects her too much.

Ron DeSantis regularly refers to his wife and himself as a unit, the Post scooped:

Ron was always talking about the two of them as one—when "we" got elected, when "we" protect freedom, when "we" fight the woke agenda—as if it was hard to see his role and hers in clear relief.

Furthermore, the newspaper was able to report, the couple enjoys spending time together as a family.

They don’t take social calls to the mansion, except for Christmas receptions and Easter egg rolls and the like.

In unrelated news, the Post's new CEO, Patricia Stonesifer, has contributed more than $600,000 to Democrats, according to campaign finance disclosures reviewed by the Free Beacon.

That’s enough media for now. See you next week.