Morning Joe says WSJ acted like ‘gutter internet publication’ over Jill Biden column

The hosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe criticised the Wall Street Journal after an op-ed in its paper attempted to diminish the accomplishments of incoming first lady Dr Jill Biden.

Over the weekend, the conservative newspaper published an op-ed from academic, Joseph Epstein, which said that president-elect Joe Biden’s wife, should stop using her “Dr” title when her husband takes office next month.

Mr Epstein argued that “a wise man once said that no one should call himself ‘Dr’ unless he has delivered a child,” in comments that appeared to dismiss Dr Biden’s achievements.

The incoming first lady, 69, received a doctoral degree in education thirteen years ago from the University of Delaware. Dr Biden also has master's degrees from West Chester University and Villanova University.

Mr Epstein also referred to the 69-year-old as “kiddo” in the article that was widely criticised over the weekend.

During Monday morning’s episode of Morning Joe, co-host Mika Brzezinski asked the Journal's editors: “What were you thinking?”

Ms Brzezinski continued: “The piece is quite a dubious trifecta. An attack on Jill Biden's doctorate that managed to be petty, elitist and misogynistic all at once.”

She added: “They call her Dr Biden, out of respect for a highly accomplished woman who deserves much more than the condescending column that The Wall Street Journal stooped to publish this weekend.

“This is a woman who knows her value, and with her in the White House she will help so many others do the same.”

Co-host Joe Scarborough, a former Republican representative in Florida turned prominent critic of President Donald Trump, then criticised the Journal for publishing the article about Dr Biden with the word “kiddo” included.

Mr Scarbrough said that it was not appropriate and claimed that the Journal could publish an article that referred to a woman as “kiddo,” if it was “like a gutter internet publication.”

He added: “But you are not and you know that.”

Dr Biden responded to the Journal’s article herself on Sunday evening, tweeting: “Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished.”

While spokeswoman for the president-elect, Kate Bedingfield, described the op-ed as “patronizing, sexist, elitist drivel” in a tweet on Saturday.

“Dr B earned a doctorate in education, so we call her Doctor. The title Mr Epstein has earned here is perhaps not fit for mixed company,” she wrote over the weekend.

Former first lady Michelle Obama also defended Dr Biden, writing on Instagram: “She will be a terrific role model not just for young girls but for all of us, wearing her accomplishments with grace, good humour, and yes, pride.”

Ms Obama added: “I’m thrilled that the world will see what I have come to know—a brilliant woman who has distinguished herself in her profession and with the life she lives every day, always seeking to lift others up, rather than tearing them.”

Dr Biden will become the US first lady on 20 January, when Mr Biden is inaugurated as the US president.

The Independent has contacted the Wall Street Journal for comment.

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