The New York Times’ first front-page editorial since 1920 sparked a lot of reaction as both presidential candidates and conservative media fired back at the paper’s call for accelerated action on gun control.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who’s shown a penchant for ripping liberal media throughout his presidential campaign, panned the Times.
“The New York Times editorial…it ought to be in the dictionary under ‘O,’ for ‘out of touch,’” he said at an event in Iowa Saturday.
James Crugnale, editorial board member of The Wall Street Journal, poured cold water on the Times’ front-page editorial being memorable.
“The New York Times today published the newspaper’s opinion on the front page. The last time it did that was yesterday,” he tweeted.
The Washington Examiner’s Byron York argued that the Times’ priorities are out of whack.
“Amazing that on day CA killings shown to be terrorism, NYT decides moment is right to make huge, front-page push for gun confiscation.”
The National Review’s Charles Cooke took on the paper for deciding against front-page editorials for other tragedies.
Things the NYT didn’t editorialize about on the front page: – 9/11 – Pearl Harbor – Depression – Civil Rights Act – Watergate – Hiroshima
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) December 5, 2015
Even former CNN host and gun-control enthusiast Piers Morgan critiqued the paper: “What took them so damn long?” he tweeted. Other more conservative-leaning Twitters users also criticized the Times.
The New York Times today published the newspaper’s opinion on the front page. The last time it did that was yesterday. — James Taranto (@jamestaranto) December 5, 2015
It’s official. The #Newyorktimes is an advocacy organization. Front pg story states we must regulate our 2nd amendment rights! Uh, NO!!
— Greg (@gregsdaone) December 5, 2015
They are talking about guns because they don’t want to talk about Islam. #newyorktimes #cair #SanBernardino #Ft Hood #Chattanooga — Zeno (@surtsey55) December 5, 2015
#NewYorkTimes 4 tomorrow’s cover u can discuss who should win The Voice. I have a wife for annoying opinions. Just print the news asswipes!
— steve (@NeonStevon) December 5, 2015
Oh please. The #NewYorkTimes @nytimes abandoned the distinction between news and opinion long ago. This editorial is nothing new. — Mirabelle Ward (@MirabelleW18) December 5, 2015
#NewYorkTimes front page is nothing but editorials. Just an agency of the Obama Administration. Dept of Mistruth.
— Kicking Bison (@KickingBison) December 5, 2015
But many praised the paper for being the voice of reason.
Thank you @NewYorkTimes for returning reason and sanity to our national debate on guns https://t.co/vmyYliklV3 — Nicholas Burns (@RNicholasBurns) December 5, 2015
End the Gun Epidemic in America New York Times front page editorial. #guncontrol #gunsense #GunViolence #america???????? https://t.co/AEhQ0X1pN4
— W.D. Steeves (@wdsteeves) December 5, 2015
Gun Debate Yields Page One Editorial https://t.co/MzUADAxcbp #NewYorkTimes BRAVO!!!!! — tdkh (@BigHeartedRebel) December 5, 2015
I love this so much, the New York Times knows what’s up https://t.co/WkPF1oVnDz
— Dylan (@bryandylann) December 5, 2015