Washington Post publishes al-Baghdadi headline referring to ISIS leader as ‘austere religious scholar’
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Washington Post published a gasp-inducing headline for the ages Sunday, describing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as an "austere religious scholar."
The obituary, written by The Post’s National Security reporter Joby Warrick , followed confirmation of al-Baghdadi’s death in a U.S. military operation in Syria Saturday night. It details al-Baghdadi’s rise to the terrorist group's shadow leader from what the paper described as his origins as a “religious scholar with wireframe glasses.”
The headline read: “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar at helm of Islamic State, dies at 48.”
The headline read: “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar at helm of Islamic State, dies at 48.”
The Washington Post appeared to change the headline for ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's obituary. The headline changed from calling him the “Islamic State’s ‘terrorist-in-chief'" to calling him an "austere religious scholar at the helm of the Islamic State." It appeared to change once again to call him an "extremist leader."
The story first appeared to run under a headline that referred to al-Baghdadi as the “Islamic State’s ‘terrorist-in-chief.’” It was unclear why or who decided to change the “terrorist” label to “austere religious scholar.”
The Post then changed the headline again, settling on “extremist leader of Islamic State.”
The Post didn't immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham tweeted that she had “no words” regarding The Post headline. Former Press Secretary Sean Spicer also responded, writing:
“Stop, read this & think about it: last night a ruthless, brutal terrorist who threatened our country & is responsible for the death of American citizens was killed in a successful operation by US military & @washingtonpost described #Albagdadi as an “austere religious scholar.”
Others on social media took notice of the bizarre headline changes, taking digs at the paper.
“They had it right the first time,” Yashar Ali, New York Magazine and HuffPost contributor tweeted, alongside screenshots of the two headlines.
"@washingtonpost trying desperately to hold on to #ISIS on-line subscribers," Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said .
Social media users mocked the paper by writing death notices for other historic figures who committed crimes and atrocities.
"#WaPoDeathNotices Genghis Khan, accomplished horseman and indefatigable traveler, breathes his last," Bard College professor and Wall Stree Journal columnist Walter Russel Mead wrote .
"Adolf Hitler, passionate community planner and dynamic public speaker, dies at 56. #WaPoDeathNotices ," wrote Jason Howerton.
Under Al-Baghdadi’s leadership, ISIS carried out a slew of barbaric atrocities, including the enslavement and rape of thousands of women from Iraq's Yazidi minority. They massacred captives and threw individuals believed to be gay from the rooftops of buildings.
Journalists and aid workers were beheaded, including Americans, in videos and photos the terror group broadcast with delight.
James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller were American killed at the hands of ISIS under al-Baghdadi's leadership.
James Foley, an American journalist , was beheaded by ISIS terrorists in August 2014 while covering the Syrian civil war. Foley, 45, was the first U.S. citizen to be murdered by the terrorist group.
The beheadings of Steven Sotloff, another American journalist , and Peter Kassig, an American aid worker and former Army Ranger , followed the death of Foley. The beheadings of all three were broadcast on video.
Kayla Mueller, another American aid worker , was also killed at the hands of ISIS, after having been taken hostage in 2013 and forced to “marry” one of their leaders. Her death was confirmed in 2015.
The killings and barbaric treatment extended to citizens from other countries, including journalists from Britain and Japan, who were also beheaded.
In December 2014, Jordanian pilot Muath Al-Kaseasbeh was shot down and captured in Syria. He was taken hostage and months later seen on video being burned alive in a cage.
President Trump announced the death of al-Baghdadi Sunday morning , describing him as dying “in a vicious and violent way, as a coward, running and crying.”
Al-Baghdadi had retreated to a dead-end tunnel, taking three children with him, and detonated a suicide vest. He along with the children were killed in the blast.
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Good riddance. It has to be pretty depressing to know the schiff is about to hit the fan. Sorry I spelled that wrong, but you get the idea. It's about time. These Marxist professor searching politicians have had their time at the helm trying to push this country into socialism. Smooth talking has lost its appeal.
Not a shocker. This is the same kind of bullshit the Anti Trumpers spew every day. Between WaPo and believing the crap Occupy Democrats post no wonder they are so misinformed.
I mean like gosh President Trump gave detailed plans to the Russians about the raid don't you know...smh.
I am done with Bezo. I know he doesn't give a shit about me but I am done with him.
No more Amazon purchases and no more shopping at Whole Foods.
I mean it, I liked the convenience of Amazon, but f u Bezo.
Betcha a lot of folks don't remember that he was one of the five released from Gitmo by Obama in exchange for Bergdahl.
Apologize - was given erroneous information.
That qualifies you to be hired by the Washington Post.