https://news.yahoo.com/removal-norman-rockwell-paintings-white-224411711.html
Removal of Norman Rockwell paintings from White House sparks right-wing conspiracy theories
John Bowden
Thu, July 7, 2022 at 5:44 PM
The removal of a set of paintings from display at the White House because the owners wanted them back has become the latest half-hearted attack line for conservatives.
Politico Playbook reported on Tuesday that a set of iconic Norman Rockwell paintings depicting various people waiting to meet with the president were taken down and replaced with images of Mr Biden after the family of Franklin D Roosevelt’s press secretary Steven Early requested them back as far back as a year ago.
Experts told the publication that one reason for their return could be the increased value the paintings now have following their display at the White House.
The four sketches have been on display for decades, after being given to Mr Early by the artist himself.
But the lack of an official statement from the Early family was enough to spin the gears of the right-wing conspiracy industry, which was hard at work this week to find a reason to bash Joe Biden over the news.
“Yes, the White House replaced Norman Rockwell Paintings with jumbo photos of Joe Biden, and no one can go on the record to explain why,” wrote Charlie Spiering of right-wing Breitbart News, suggesting that some elaborate plot was afoot despite the explanation given by the White House.
“If Donald Trump removed four famous pictures in the White House for more photos of himself, the media would be having a field day. So why does Joe Biden get a pass? Because he's a Democrat, and the media are desperate to defend him no matter what,” wrote Trump-supporting cable news commentator Dan Eberhart, who falsely attributed the paintings’ removal to Mr Biden and not the family who actually owned them.
Not to be outdone, a spokesman for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted that it was “disgraceful” for the White House to return property to its rightful owners upon their request. The Independent has reached out to inquire why that is.
Norman Rockwell
Joe Biden
Joe Biden
John Bowden
Thu, July 7, 2022 at 5:44 PM·3 min read
In this article:
Norman Rockwell
American painter (1894–1978)
Joe Biden
Joe Biden
46th president of the United States since 2021
The White House in Washington DC (AFP via Getty Images)
The White House in Washington DC (AFP via Getty Images)
The removal of a set of paintings from display at the White House because the owners wanted them back has become the latest half-hearted attack line for conservatives.
Politico Playbook reported on Tuesday that a set of iconic Norman Rockwell paintings depicting various people waiting to meet with the president were taken down and replaced with images of Mr Biden after the family of Franklin D Roosevelt’s press secretary Steven Early requested them back as far back as a year ago.
Experts told the publication that one reason for their return could be the increased value the paintings now have following their display at the White House.
The four sketches have been on display for decades, after being given to Mr Early by the artist himself.
But the lack of an official statement from the Early family was enough to spin the gears of the right-wing conspiracy industry, which was hard at work this week to find a reason to bash Joe Biden over the news.
“Yes, the White House replaced Norman Rockwell Paintings with jumbo photos of Joe Biden, and no one can go on the record to explain why,” wrote Charlie Spiering of right-wing Breitbart News, suggesting that some elaborate plot was afoot despite the explanation given by the White House.
“If Donald Trump removed four famous pictures in the White House for more photos of himself, the media would be having a field day. So why does Joe Biden get a pass? Because he's a Democrat, and the media are desperate to defend him no matter what,” wrote Trump-supporting cable news commentator Dan Eberhart, who falsely attributed the paintings’ removal to Mr Biden and not the family who actually owned them.
Not to be outdone, a spokesman for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted that it was “disgraceful” for the White House to return property to its rightful owners upon their request. The Independent has reached out to inquire why that is.
Tweets aside, the incident is a good example of how right-wing media (and, subsequently, the politicians who consume it) fall for baseless conspiracies and wind up deep into the realm of misinformation out of pure zeal resulting from their desire to attack Democrats or “the left” in general.