Global Courant
The left-leaning publication The New Republic sparked a fierce viral backlash for fixating on the CEO of the missing Titanic submarine’s political donations, while time is running out to save those on board.
OceanGate chief Stockton Rush is one of five individuals who were on the Titan ship to explore the wreckage of the famed Titanic cruise ship when the submarine went missing on Sunday, as experts believe the crew could run out of oxygen on Thursday.
But on Wednesday, The New Republic prioritized Rush’s “history” of donations to GOP candidates, with the story titled “OceanGate CEO Missing in Titanic Sub had a history of donating to GOP candidates.”
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This file image from OceanGate shows the Titan submarine descending into the ocean. (OceanGate Expeditions)
“Public campaign finances indicate that Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, is currently stuck with the missing Titan submarine that is carrying a tourism expedition from the Titanic wreck, has been a consistent Republican donor over the years,” New Republic senior political correspondent Daniel Strauss wrote, adding, “According to these public finances, Rush was not a Republican mega-donor, but his donations over the years relied heavily on Republican candidates. “
The report then listed the various Republicans who were financially supported by Rush.
Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Exhibitions, is one of five crewmembers trapped in the missing Titan submarine. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
The outlandish focus on the potentially ill-fated CEO sparked fervent condemnation on social media.
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“What the hell is wrong with you?” commentator Noam Blum responded.
“The New Republic believes OceanGate’s CEO deserves to suffocate at the bottom of the ocean for supporting Republicans,” writes Nicholas Fondacaro, editor-in-chief of the Media Research Center.
The New Republic went viral with a tweet that echoed the headline, “OceanGate CEO Missing in Titanic Sub Had History of Donating to GOP Candidates.” (Screenshot/The New Republic)
“Wow. What if the missing CEO had donated to the other party? How disgusting and pathetic,” Fox News’ Janice Dean tweeted.
“When you lose your humanity, this is what you write about,” said radio host Tony Katz.
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“Thank you for this very vital information. I really didn’t know what to make of the whole story until now,” conservative writer AG Hamilton sarcastically told The New Republic.
“The whole article – from top to bottom – is like a work of art. A how-to on how NOT to do journalism. It’s really beautiful, in a hilariously idiotic way,” National Journalism Center Program Director T. Becket Adams wrote.
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The tweet was later deleted, although the headline of the original article remains intact.
The New Republic did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.
