DC journalist shows 'why media is so hated' in one surprisingly candid tweet

Journalist Stuart Rothenburg made waves on Twitter Thursday night after slamming West Virginia voters in one tweet.

President Donald Trump traveled to Huntington, West Virginia, Thursday for a campaign-style rally. At the event, the president frequently talked about restoring the state's once vibrant coal industry, which many in the mountainous state have relied on for their livelihoods.

Many West Virginians suffered major financial setbacks as a result of the push for so-called green energy. As West Virginia's coal mining jobs became scarce, so too did the ends to make ends for former coal miners and their families.

Some equated West Virginians' economic hardship with the inability to support themselves and by pointing out that West Virginia's population is among the lowest educated in the country.

Rothenburg became the latest individual to point out these disparities in a tweet Thursday night.

"Lots of people in West Virginia can't support themselves or speak English," Rothenburg tweeted.

Lots of people in West Virginia can't support themselves or speak English.

— Stuart Rothenberg (@StuPolitics) August 3, 2017

But the tweet didn't come without a considerable amount of online backlash.

One user countered Rothenburg's assertion, saying, "the last time I checked I completely support myself, speak English, and come from the great state of WV. I'm a Dem, put myself through college, studied history & have a degree in it, while working full time at 1 job & part time @ 2nd job. And I'm not the only person in this state with a story like this."

"Shame on you and you narrow-minded ideas," the user added.

The last time I checked I completely support myself, speak English, and come from the great state of WV.

— Nikki Massey (@ThatNikkiMassey) August 4, 2017

I'm a Dem, put myself through college, studied history & have a degree in it, while working full time at 1 job & part time @ 2nd job.

— Nikki Massey (@ThatNikkiMassey) August 4, 2017

And I'm not the only person in this state with a story like this. Shame on you and you narrow-minded ideas.

— Nikki Massey (@ThatNikkiMassey) August 4, 2017

Another user replied by simply tweeting, "this is extremely ignorant."

This is extremely ignorant.

— Katie (@KatieHellerWV) August 3, 2017

Yet another individual pointed out that comments like this one are why the "media is so hated."

How insulting! And you wonder why media is so hated???

— barb thompson (@barbthompson4) August 4, 2017

The Daily Caller's Peter Hassan pointed out that Rothenburg is the "same guy" who wrote in a Washington Post editorial last fall that Trump's path to an electoral college victory was "nonexistent."

You're the same guy who wrote this, right? https://t.co/Si5Y6z2Vpt

— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) August 4, 2017

Rothenburg clarified his comment later, when confronted by one of his journalist colleagues.

"Respectfully as someone who comes from the region that is incredibly bigoted — people from West Virginia are incredible hard-working folks," Washington Examiner reporter Salena Zito tweeted.

Rothenburg replied: "Of course they are hard-working. They mean well. Just close-minded, provincial, angry & easily misled."

"My wife's dad was a coal miner in PA," Rothenburg added.

Of course they are hard-working. They mean well. Just close-minded, provincial, angry & easily misled. My wife's dad was a coal miner in PA. https://t.co/9q5JJ3fq90

— Stuart Rothenberg (@StuPolitics) August 4, 2017

Rothenburg then insinuated that he meant the tweet as a joke, asking one user "what happened to your sense of humor?"

"It's Twitter, not a doctoral dissertation. Did you watch the crowd?" Rothenburg tweeted, referring to the Trump rally audience.

What happened to your sense of humor? It's Twitter, not a doctoral dissertation. Did you watch the crowd? https://t.co/wTFRW2JmQf

— Stuart Rothenberg (@StuPolitics) August 4, 2017