Social media giant X, previously known as Twitter, has provided readers with an important contextual update concerning a biased hit piece by The Washington Post against Barstool founder Dave Portnoy. The Post writer, Emily Heil, had participated in a deceitful attempt to undermine the reputation of the One Bite Pizza Festival that Portnoy was organizing. He had confronted the reporter about her sneaky tactics of contacting pizzerias and sponsors with disingenuous intentions of getting them to vilify Portnoy.
This weekend, New York will host Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza Festival.
Participating pizzerias have had to navigate buzz around the festival and backlash against the Barstool Sports founder's controversial remarks and allegations of sexual misconduct. https://t.co/v2XqLxkJwg
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 22, 2023
However, X’s note, “Readers added context,” revealed that Heil had admitted to intentionally misleading advertisers to speak negatively of the festival. The note added that Heil backed out of an interview previously agreed to, exposing her cowardly stance.
The @washingtonpost got community noted for lying 😂😂😂. Ain't no fun when the rabbit got the gun https://t.co/kUtVMsFI9M
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 23, 2023
Portnoy’s response to this incident was remarkably mature, considering the malicious efforts of the activist reporters. “It’s surreal we live in a country where activist reporters can openly get caught lying and admitting they are creating a false narrative to generate engagement and controversy AND still publish the article,” Portnoy commented following the Post’s publication of the story.
It's surreal we live in a country where activist reporters can openly get caught lying and admitting they are creating a false narrative to generate engagement and controversy AND still publish the article https://t.co/kUtVMsFI9M pic.twitter.com/R9wk8B9d3V
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 22, 2023
In the video shared by Portnoy, Heil admitted her tactics of trying to get the sponsors to respond by indicating that something negative was going to be published. Heil’s admission of using such despicable tactics was shocking.
Despite the Post’s attempts to smear Portnoy’s reputation, his sponsors did not pull out from the festival. The piece said, “None of the pizzerias or sponsors contacted by The Post indicated that they were pulling their support. Some said they lent their name and reputation to the event in exchange for publicity or access to the young, social media-savvy audience that Portnoy attracts. And some support Portnoy, whom they see as a champion of small business. His pizza reviews, they say, can increase revenue up to 50 percent. They point out that his Barstool Fund has raised tens of millions of dollars to help restaurants and other small businesses during the pandemic.”
New York Times reporter trying to play nice to my face. I know they’re nothing but bad news pic.twitter.com/JcERlGvpFE
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 23, 2023
Portnoy has many supporters who are disgusted by the Post’s unethical, biased hit piece and are equally proud of his accomplishments. His pizza reviews are a hit, and his Barstool Fund has raised millions to help small businesses during this pandemic. The New York Times reporter trying to play nice with Portnoy is nothing but bad news, as the Barstool founder bluntly puts it.
It is a shame that activist reporters will go to such lengths to push their agenda and manipulate the public. Thankfully, X’s update to the article has made these dishonest tactics more clear to its readers.
