Hold on to your hats: The Washington Post implied President Joe Biden and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki fibbed.
The mainstream media outlet fact-checked claims by President Biden and Ms. Psaki and Thursday awarded them three Pinocchios.
Generally speaking, the publication’s ratings range from one Pinocchio to four Pinocchios.
One Pinocchio is given for selective telling of the truth. it may include some omissions and exaggerations but no outright falsehoods, according to the Post.
Three Pinocchios: “This gets into the realm of ‘mostly false.'”
Biden and Psaki were called out for their fake claims that congressional Republicans want to raise taxes. Almost as notable as basically calling Biden and Psaki liars is the adjective “false” preceding “claim” in the headline. That treatment usually seems reserved by mainstream media for former President Donald Trump’s words and acts.
“After their massive tax giveaway to the super-wealthy and giant corporations in 2017, congressional Republicans now want to raise taxes on middle class families,” In a tweet sent on tax day, Biden said, “I won’t let that happen.”
The White House Twitter account on April 18 posted a similar broadside against Republicans. “Under the Congressional Republican Tax Plan: -$100 billion will be taken out of the hands of middle class families each year” and “-24 million families of seniors making less than $100,000 per year would face tax increases.”
Psaki continued to spread that talking point in a tax-day press conference at the White House:
“But now, led by Senator Scott, Republicans want to raise taxes on the middle class, with one independent analysis showing their plan would hike taxes by an average of around $1,500 each year on 75 million American families, 96 percent of whom make under $100,000,” the president’s press secretary told reporters. “That’s the plan of congressional Republicans: tax hikes for the middle class; tax hikes for the wealthy and big corporations.”
Fact-checker Glenn Kessler noted that Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and thus is part of the Senate leadership.
“But is it fair to say he represents the views of congressional Republicans?” asked the Post fact-checker. He proceeds to outline the basics of the issue for readers before reaching his conclusion.
He said the Florida Republican’s tax plan is useful political fodder, but opined the White House is trying to make too big a stretch on this issue.
“Scott is a Republican, and he is in Congress and part of the GOP leadership,” explained the fact-checker. “But his snippet of an idea, such as it is, cannot be labeled a ‘congressional Republican’ plan.”
“No legislation has been crafted, and no other Republican lawmakers have announced their support.”
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