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New Debate Over Scott Adams Obits Puts Media Framing Under the Microscope

A New York Post opinion contends major outlets emphasized his racist remarks in death notices as proof of partisan obituary practices.

Overview

  • Obituary blurbs from the New York Times and Washington Post foregrounded that Adams made racist comments on his podcast, noting publishers cut ties with him afterward.
  • The Post piece cites contrasting headlines for figures such as Hugo Chávez, Fidel Castro, Yasir Arafat, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Rush Limbaugh, Jackie Walorski, and Alcee Hastings to argue a double standard.
  • In 2023, Adams said on his livestream that white people should “get the hell away from black people,” comments widely condemned and followed by newspapers and his syndicate severing relationships.
  • The Washington Examiner’s obituary recounts his rise with Dilbert, the strip’s decline in newspaper prominence, his pivot to livestream commentary, and the move of his work to the Locals platform.
  • Adams died at 68 of metastatic prostate cancer, and President Donald Trump posted a tribute praising him for his support and resilience during his illness.