Friends of the late Bre Payton aren’t sure what’s worse — the young conservative commentator’s unexpected death Friday from swine flu and possibly meningitis, or the media’s glaringly biased and “disgusting” portrayal of her otherwise prolific life’s work.
Known for her insightful columns at The Federalist and intelligent commentary on Fox News, Payton passed unexpectedly Friday at the age of 26 after a friend found her unconscious a day earlier.
“Around 8:30, on December 27th, Bre’s friend went into her room and found her unresponsive and barely breathing,” a profile of Peyton maintained at the website for the CaringBridge non-profit reads.
“She immediately called 911 and Bre was taken to the hospital where she was admitted to the ICU, sedated & intubated, and doctors began working up a diagnosis. After a CT scan and hours of testing, they have determined she has the H1N1 flu and meningitis.”
I am asking you all to pray this morning for our own @Bre_payton, who is battling a horrible and sudden medical condition.https://t.co/rXtJvlskWR
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) December 28, 2018
Sadly, the efforts failed to revive her.
“She fought her illness with strength but, passed on December 28th, 2018. She will be survived by her four siblings and parents. She fought strong and lived a life worth noting in the books. We are so incredibly honored to have known this wonderful human being,” her profile reads.
Fast forward to Friday afternoon, when the media began running reports about her death in which they classified her as just another “right-wing” writer. To many, it felt as if the media were purposefully focusing on Payton’s political views to slight her.
What the Associated Press reported about the late commentator also exacerbated this frustration.
“In recent appearances on Fox News, Payton had condemned what she called ‘fake news’ media coverage of President Donald Trump and ‘sexist and bigoted’ coverage of first lady Melania Trump,” the left-wing outlet reported, choosing to boil her life down to two quotes.
The reaction to this simplistic portrayal was scathing:
I will never follow an AP story again. Absolutely disgusting. A life is lost far too soon. Couldn’t you stop the crap for 5 seconds.
— Richard J Werhle Jr (@rwerhle) December 29, 2018
Why is this necessary @AP? Bre Payton died suddenly at a very young age and you’re politicizing it? pic.twitter.com/P1sn7x7FwW
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) December 29, 2018
They knew exactly what they were doing when they reduced her body of work to that particular comment. One might even call it a dog-whistle. I feel sorry for them.
— Amber Athey (@amber_athey) December 29, 2018
At this point I feel pretty immune to media bias rage, but this just disgusting.
— Tiana Lowe (@TianaTheFirst) December 29, 2018
Though the AP reduced @Bre_payton ‘s journalistic output to “condemned fake news media,” she should be remembered as a prolific writer as well as a pundit; see her fantastic article on the homeless problem in DC’s NoMa, where both of us lived https://t.co/SAUjZiCld5
— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) December 29, 2018
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) December 29, 2018
This @AP obituary of @Bre_payton is trash. https://t.co/t97ygFWZIo
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 29, 2018
Are you surprised? Remember how @AP covered their first article on the death of Pres. Bush 41? @AP can’t cover the death of a republican/conservative without it being political.
— Andrea E T. (@coollatina76) December 29, 2018
Following former President George H.W. Bush’s death in late November, the AP ran a lede on social media that appeared to diminish the former president’s legacy.
In the case of Payton, at least the media made an attempt — however minute — to try and hide their bias. No such attempt was made by everyday Democrats, some of whom celebrated her passing.
Look:
Two children died at the hands of our government and they have all my empathy and thoughts! To this lady – good riddance.
— LolaInDC (@Kferrel84) December 29, 2018
Aww. She’s dead. Good riddance.
— Just Watching (@yabadabadoo1212) December 28, 2018
BYE,FELICIA.
— CarlosM (@Carlosm74472061) December 29, 2018
Nope. So glad she is dead. She was a mean person
— bernie kerik jr (@JrKerik) December 29, 2018
I’m not going to say you deserved to die for this tweet. I’m just gonna say that Jesus is petty, please do not try him.
— Chamanárá (@Galhadin) December 29, 2018
If this is what you contributed in life, then your death is worthy of celebration, not mourning.
I am glad Bre Payton is dead. I hope more like her drop dead of natural causes or accidents in the future.https://t.co/8JQbQhztQj
— Chris G. Sweeney (@cgregsweeney) December 29, 2018
What’s that? @Bre_payton died at age 26?
Hooray! ????? pic.twitter.com/751bLnIszF
— Chris G. Sweeney (@cgregsweeney) December 29, 2018
This attitude reflects a growing hatred among the left for anyone who refuses to toe the Democrat Party line. Ginned up by the demonstrably far-left media, this animosity has led to a rise in vandalism, discrimination and sometimes even assault against conservatives.
And apparently, this hatred runs so deep that it inspired some Democrats to celebrate her death and the media to seemingly smear her with what appears to be biased portrayals of her life.
No matter, because though the media remain unwilling to pay proper tribute to Payton (or any conservative), there are plenty of other Americans, including Meghan McCain, who are:
Ben and I are absolutely gutted and horrified by this news. Our prayers for @Bre_payton and her family. We are less without her – in every possible way. A wonderful, fearless, vibrant, intelligent young woman. Sending prayers to all of her family and friends during this darkness. https://t.co/K5nfRiB7gy
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 28, 2018
@Bre_payton was the first person to demonstrate to me that if we left the NYC Fox studio by 8:50, we could make the 9:05 train to DC—if we ran. She was fun and fiery and full of life, and will be so very missed by all. https://t.co/D0glWdfShS
— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) December 28, 2018
My podcast co-host. My Problematic Woman in crime. My birthday twin. My very dear friend. At just 26, @Bre_payton was youger than me, but felt more like my big sister. I am in complete shock that we lost this beautiful soul, and am comforted only by the faith she had in the Lord. pic.twitter.com/8rUNejejdu
— Kelsey Harkness (@kelseyjharkness) December 28, 2018
I remember I was in the back of the room at CPAC and Bre walked up to say hello to me. Crossing the room, she turned the heads of so many male journalists I nearly laughed out loud. Of course, that she was stunning only meant that people underestimated her intellect. What a loss.
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) December 28, 2018
Most people don’t realize how small the staff of @FDRLST really is. We are about the size of a large nuclear family (and often feel like one). Losing Bre Payton is simply devastating. She was not just a smart and incisive reporter, but also a sweet, kind person. RIP.
— John Daniel Davidson (@johnddavidson) December 28, 2018
Writing through tears. Bre was the most beautiful soul to grace this world. She was loyal to her friends, faith, and convictions. I first met Bre when she was my intern years ago, and it has been a privilege to call her a dear friend. Heaven is brighter, but earth cries today. https://t.co/XASiJd2ima
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) December 28, 2018
Writing through tears. Bre was the most beautiful soul to grace this world. She was loyal to her friends, faith, and convictions. I first met Bre when she was my intern years ago, and it has been a privilege to call her a dear friend. Heaven is brighter, but earth cries today. https://t.co/XASiJd2ima
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) December 28, 2018
R.I.P.
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.
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