It may not just be those on the left who have lost their sense of humor. Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to drop out of the race after a disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa led to a Babylon Bee story the next day joking about the “olive branch” former President Trump would extend to the entrepreneur.
As is typical with the satirical site, a photo of the former GOP presidential candidate was photoshopped to show him dressed in a 7-Eleven uniform. The headline along with the story read, “Trump Promises Vivek An Administration Position Running The White House 7-Eleven.”
That joke was apparently too much for some, including conservatives in the comments. Some accused the site of going too far, others said the story was in poor taste, and one individual even called for a retraction.
Though Ramaswamy did not seem fazed in the least, the media had a hard time believing that to be the case.
I’m a “survivor” 😂 https://t.co/Dx7yGeWdcJ
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 17, 2024
"We are deeply offended. Are you sure he isn't?"
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) January 17, 2024
The Babylon Bee, for its part, dismissed the criticism.
Some of our readers have expressed concern about this report, suggesting it did not meet the high journalistic standards they've come to expect from us. We want you to know that we've listened to you. We've heard your voices. And they are stupid. https://t.co/7uJVsnUbYA
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) January 17, 2024
On Wednesday, Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon re-upped a piece from 2017 headlined, "Opinion: I Usually Like Satire, But This Time You've Gone Too Far."
[...] I usually like satire, but your recent article went too far.
Here's the problem: other satirical articles you've run have reinforced my worldview, attacked my theological opponents, or simply made me laugh. That's good satire. Good satire punches up, see, which means that it doesn't broach topics that make me examine my own beliefs. Criticizing people or ideas I agree with? Well, that's punching down, and it's a sign that you just don't understand what you're doing.
So your recent stuff went way too far, because it violated these very well-known rules of satire.
You touched on a subject that is deeply personal to me. That idea is a hot-button issue for me, and therefore is off limits to any kind of satire, humor, or critique. It is most certainly exempt from any challenge to examine it closely. How could you, as a satire site, not realize this? I thought you guys were the pros, but obviously you have no idea what you're doing. Do better.
As a matter of fact: next time you're in doubt of what's too far and what's just right, run it by me. (The Babylon Bee)
Others in the comments emphasized that while the Babylon Bee story is satire, Joe Biden's 7-Eleven gaffe from 2006 is very real.
Just a reminder: This is satire. 👆
— X-ray (@XrayFactor) January 17, 2024
This is real. 👇https://t.co/3mHjwiNLld