In a now-deleted tweet, far-left news website Vox wasted no time smearing John McCain just minutes after news broke that the longtime Arizona senator had died following a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer.
What did Vox say?
In a tweet commemorating McCain's political career, Vox inevitably sought to connect McCain to President Donald Trump, invoking McCain's 2008 presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, in the process.
Yeah @ezraklein we’re not going to let you just memory hole that one. Your website is a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/1diH8sBAwW
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 26, 2018
Once users clicked on the story, it got even worse.
"The party of Donald Trump began almost 10 years ago to the day, when John McCain tapped Sarah Palin to join his ticket," Vox's politics editor, Laura McGann, wrote.
"It’s one of the most important moments of McCain’s career. He proved willing to empower a demagogue when he thought doing so would improve his political fortunes, exactly the sin so many of his colleagues in the Republican Party have committed since Trump won their party’s nomination," she said.
McGann later followed her story with a tweet:
Today, I’m told, we should pretend John McCain didn’t pick Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008.— Laura McGann (@Laura McGann)1535245552.0
What was the reaction?
The reaction to both Vox and McGann was swift. Vox later tweeted its tweet, however McGann's remained published.
Maybe don't tweet? No one said you can't mention that he picked Sarah Palin, in fact, I'm sure most of his obituari… https://t.co/hE2AG0dU9V— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@Yashar Ali 🐘)1535247641.0
Today, you should have the basic human decency to give those grieving the loss of an American hero space to breathe.
— Alex Arena (@alexarena) August 26, 2018
Publishing a political hit-piece upon the death of someone who gave so much for their country is really sick.
Seriously think of going on medication.
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) August 26, 2018
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 26, 2018
Rethink your life, Laura.
— Arthur Boreman Once Held His Breath for 30 Seconds (@ArthurBoreman) August 26, 2018
The backlash continued after McGann tweeted about the vitriol she received for her story.
@lkmcgann You published a piece attacking him within an hour of his death being announced. You aren't the victim here.— (((AG))) (@(((AG))))1535247248.0
You’re a pile of human garbage. Stop trying to play the victim you coward.
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) August 26, 2018
Only took you 12 minutes to play victim.
— Ryan (@RyanCornez) August 26, 2018