Former Politico Reporters Accuse Outlet of Suppressing Hunter Biden Laptop Story and Other Key Narratives
Former Politico reporters Marc Caputo and Tara Palmeri have publicly criticized their former employer, accusing the outlet’s editors of deliberately suppressing stories related to Hunter Biden’s laptop and other potentially damaging narratives surrounding the Biden family in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. In a recent podcast appearance, Caputo and Palmeri expressed their frustration with what they perceived as a concerted effort to downplay or ignore information that could have negatively impacted Joe Biden’s campaign. They allege that this editorial stance contributed to a false narrative that reporting on the laptop was "disinformation."
Caputo specifically cited a Politico headline referencing 51 intelligence officials who characterized the laptop story as bearing the hallmarks of disinformation, a claim he now believes was closer to disinformation itself. He further alleges he was explicitly instructed by senior Politico staff to avoid reporting on the laptop altogether. Palmeri, meanwhile, questioned whether a story she co-authored about Secret Service agents attempting to obtain Hunter Biden’s gun purchase form was delayed due to the "honeymoon period" of the Biden administration.
Adding fuel to their accusations, Caputo revealed that a 2019 story he was working on regarding Hunter Biden’s tax lien during his time at Burisma Holdings was killed by an editor. This story, based on opposition research provided by a rival Democratic campaign, would have highlighted the controversial Ukrainian natural gas company connection that dogged Joe Biden throughout his campaign. Caputo expressed his frustration with what he termed “cowardly editors” making decisions that ultimately deprived readers of crucial information.
Politico has vehemently denied these accusations, stating that their reporters, particularly Ben Schreckinger, author of "The Bidens: Inside the First Family’s Fifty-Year Rise to Power," extensively covered the Biden family’s business dealings. The outlet also defended its editorial process, emphasizing its commitment to rigorous fact-checking and accuracy. They attributed Caputo’s claims to "false memory" and highlighted Schreckinger’s in-depth reporting on the Bidens.
However, Caputo and Palmeri’s allegations raise serious questions about potential editorial bias and the suppression of information during a critical election cycle. The timing of the alleged suppression, occurring just before the 2020 election, adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Their claims, if substantiated, could further erode public trust in media institutions already grappling with accusations of partisan bias.
The controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop continues to be a source of debate, with varying perspectives on its significance and the handling of related information by media outlets and social media platforms. The suppression of The New York Post’s initial reporting on the laptop by Twitter and Facebook, later revealed to be influenced by pressure from the FBI, only adds to the controversy. The accusations from former Politico reporters Caputo and Palmeri contribute another dimension to the ongoing discussion about media transparency and the potential influence of political considerations on editorial decisions.