New York Post reporter Lydia Moynihan joked, 'I don’t think this is the bombshell report that will alienate independents the Washington Post thinks it is'
In the wake of attempts by some in the media to portray vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance as extreme, conservatives on social media insisted that the Washington Post's worry that the Republican is an "anti-woke" warrior could actually be a massive endorsement of the lawmaker.
The Post's headline on Friday read, "Leaked memo shows J.D. Vance’s anti-woke ideology on foreign affairs." Vance himself joked about it on X, writing, "They got me."
The paper's National Security reporter John Hudson authored a piece detailing how Sen. Vance would move to block U.S. State Department nominees from being confirmed if they were shown to be proponents of radical left ideology. The piece seemed to galvanize conservative support for Vance, at least on X.
"The Washington Post didn't have to sell J.D. Vance to me like this, because I already liked him before they got these leaked memos showing how truly based he is," conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong remarked in an X post about the new article.
AMBER ROSE CLAPS BACK AT JOY REID AFTER CRITICIZING CONVENTION SPEECH: ‘STOP BEING A RACE BAITER’
Former President Trump's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), arrives on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
LEAKED: Apparently, leaked memos show that J.D. Vance is so hardcore against wokeness that he froze dozens of ambassador nominations over their views on gender transition and DEI. Incredible.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 20, 2024
To do this, Vance asked prospective ambassadors if they'd increase the number of… pic.twitter.com/7y4gbIFJzs
Hudson’s article described how, as a senator, Vance became "known in the most powerful offices of the State Department as the single biggest obstacle to confirming career ambassadors in the Senate."
The reporter explained how Vance would go about holding up these diplomats in their appointments, stating that he would ask them to fill out a "a questionnaire on hot-button social issues about gay and lesbian rights, gender transition care and hiring practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion."
Many of those who revealed their left-wing bent in their answers to this questionnaire were held up for "more than a year" in attaining their positions at the State Department.
Hudson stated that his outlet obtained a copy of this questionnaire, and shared some of the specific questions that were featured on it.
He wrote that it "asked would-be ambassadors if they would increase the number of ‘gender-neutral bathrooms’ in U.S. embassies, boost resources for ‘gender dysphoria and gender transition care’ and raise the ‘Progress flag’ during ‘regional Pride celebrations.’"
The reporter noted that Vance’s office did not respond to their request for comment, though the vice-presidential nominee did provide a sarcastic remark on social media.
"They got me," Vance wrote on X Saturday afternoon.
They got me pic.twitter.com/J2YYXDCoSz
— JD Vance (@JDVance1) July 20, 2024
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump greets Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance as he attends Day 1 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Monday, July 15, 2024. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)
The piece prompted a wave of mockery online and ginned up support for the lawmaker’s anti-woke conduct.
New York Post reporter Lydia Moynihan joked, "I don’t think this is the bombshell report that will alienate independents the Washington Post thinks it is."
I don’t think this is the bombshell report that will alienate independents the Washington Post thinks it is…
— Lydia Moynihan (@LJMoynihan) July 20, 2024
Leaked memo shows J.D. Vance’s anti-woke ideology on foreign affairs - The Washington Post https://t.co/JmShg4mLzj
Conservative commentator Joey Mannarino addressed Vance, posting, "Thank you for standing against WOKE."
Thank you for standing against WOKE.
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) July 20, 2024
Business owner and conservative Steve Ferguson commented on Vance’s post, "Another great reason you should be Vice President!"
Another great reason you should be Vice President!
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) July 20, 2024
Popular conservative commentator Dom Lucre mocked the Post, stating, "We already voting for him you don’t have to sell it to us."
We already voting for him you don’t have to sell it to us.
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) July 20, 2024
Conservative social media strategist Chuck Callesto wrote, "It's time to implement this in the United States! Vance 2028 - We support you!"
It's time to implement this in the United States!
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) July 20, 2024
Vance 2028 - We support you!
Gabriel Hays is an associate editor for Fox News Digital.