The blue checks of Twitter attacked New York Times columnist David Brooks for his latest column attempting to explain how a Trump voter in middle America views the president’s potential impeachment.
Brooks created a fictional character called “Flyover Man” to represent the average Trump voter in a column called “Why Trump Voters Stick With Him.” Flyover Man argues with a character called “Urban Guy” that no matter what deals Trump may or may not have struck with the government of Ukraine, the president does not deserve to be impeached.
Brooks was mocked for his characterization from people all across the political spectrum.
The Nation national affairs correspondent Jeet Heer said, “The New York Times is paying David Brooks a king’s salary to just make s— up.”
The New York Times is paying David Brooks a king’s salary to just make shit up. https://t.co/TUA3i7GyRU
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) October 3, 2019
“With so much real news to report, and so many real Trump supporters to speak to, why would David Brooks publish an *imaginary* conversation with a Trump supporter?” Manhattan Institute scholar Claire Berlinski wrote.
With so much real news to report, and so many real Trump supporters to speak to, why would David Brooks publish an *imaginary* conversation with a Trump supporter? https://t.co/iAPakI5ZdF
— Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) October 4, 2019
“How is it that @nytopinion can’t get a single Trump supporter to write for them? Instead we have to make due with David Brooks’ fantasies of what they would say,” said Batya Ungar-Sargon, opinion editor at the Forward. “Do they not seek them out? Refuse to publish them? It’s absolutely mind-boggling and a huge disservice to readers.”
How is it that @nytopinion can’t get a single Trump supporter to write for them? Instead we have to make due with David Brooks’ fantasies of what they would say. Do they not seek them out? Refuse to publish them? It’s absolutely mind-boggling and a huge disservice to readers. https://t.co/pLpCzDjnZz
— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) October 4, 2019
