After Donald Trump chose former presidential candidate Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), journalists ridiculed the choice, mocked Carson’s beliefs and labeled him a “scammer.”
Squawk Box co-anchor Joe Kernen anticipated the liberal media reaction on Dec. 5, saying, "Let's see, he's not a billionaire, so how's the mainstream media going to trash him? He's a -- he's just a loyalist. He's a doctor. Doesn't know anything about housing."
Kernen was right. Journalists criticized Carson’s lack of experience, ridiculed his beliefs and doubted his ability to lead HUD. New Yorker writer Andy Borowitz, for example, mocked Carson’s faith. “Ben Carson warns that Bible makes no mention of housing or urban development,” he joked on Dec. 5.
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As usual, the Huffington Post panicked and splashed across its front page on Dec. 5, “YIKES,” in reaction to the news. “YIKES: CARSON GETS CABINET JOB,” it read.
New York Magazine writer Jonathan Chait called Carson a “world-class scammer.”
Ben Carson may not know housing policy or how to run an agency but he's a world-class scammer. https://t.co/wb5xBf2R9q pic.twitter.com/ZPEdiFsQkH
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) December 5, 2016
On Dec. 5, New York Times sports columnist Michael Powell tweeted criticism of Carson and Trump's decision:
He has no experience in housing. NONE. Trump to nominate Carson to lead U.S. housing, urban policy https://t.co/BEy7lxBPDy
— Michael Powell (@powellnyt) December 5, 2016
NYC & dozens of Cities overseen spectacular rebuilds. Now Trump nominates surgeon w a condo to head HUD https://t.co/BEy7lxBPDy
— Michael Powell (@powellnyt) December 5, 2016
He also retweeted someone saying that Americans deserved better than Carson.
Several media figures from lefty Think Progress, Huffington Post, NBC News and others joined in ridiculing Carson and criticizing Trump’s decision:
13 ridiculous things Ben Carson actually believes https://t.co/Rb9tlTaRTQ
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 5, 2016
He also said evolution is an idea encouraged by the devil and that Obamacare is the worst thing that's happened in US since slavery. https://t.co/Icjsb9BYVv
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) December 5, 2016
Since Dr Ben Carson will be running HUD, Maybe Mitt Romney could be surgeon general
— David Lazarus (@Davidlaz) December 5, 2016
Ben Carson, with zero housing experience, named head of HUD. Another day in the kakistocracy. https://t.co/aU9WdLaVqG
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) December 5, 2016
Yet another calamity--contemptuous choice for critical dept. Wonder if Carson would like a housing expert to perform brain surgery on him? https://t.co/i6l9L3fsLE
— Michael Kimmelman (@kimmelman) December 5, 2016
He has lived in a house. https://t.co/lIsDOV3KRk
— Chris Buckley 储百亮 (@ChuBailiang) December 5, 2016
Trump picked Ben Carson as HUD Secretary. In related news, U.S. hospitals admitted dozens for head injuries due to extreme facepalming.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 5, 2016
Trump picks Ben Carson for Sec. of HUD. Settle down, folks. Of course Carson knows low-income housing projects are not grain silos...I hope!
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) December 5, 2016
Ben Carson was a great surgeon! He'll be a great secretary of HUD! Now if you'll excuse me, my land lord is about to perform my vasectomy.
— Matt Fernandez (@FattMernandez) December 5, 2016
Others speculated he would hurt the poor and cause housing segregation.
Trump choice of Carson will spell calamity for poor but not just poor. It betrays utter ignorance about cities and economic development.
— Michael Kimmelman (@kimmelman) December 5, 2016
How Ben Carson at Housing Could Undo a Desegregation Effort https://t.co/FNWBW36VOi
— deray mckesson (@deray) December 5, 2016
