Washington Post thrashed for calling Ali Khamenei ‘avuncular’ with an ‘easy smile’

WASHINGTON, DC: The Washington Post faced online backlash after its obituary for Ali Khamenei described the ayatollah as avuncular with an easy smile.

The Supreme Leader of Iran was killed on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched a coordinated attack named Operation Epic Fury on Tehran. Khamenei died alongside his daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law, as well as several top Iranian officials.

Washington Post obituary on Ali Khamenei sparks backlash

President Donald Trump announced his death, describing Khamenei as one of the most evil people in history and calling it justice for the people of Iran, Americans, and others around the world whom he accused Khamenei and his associates of harming.

A paragraph in the article stated that with his bushy white beard and easy smile, Ayatollah Khamenei appeared more avuncular in public than his perpetually scowling but more revered mentor.

It added that he enjoyed Persian poetry and classic Western novels, especially Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. The obituary further noted that, like the uncompromising Khomeini, he opposed moderates’ efforts to advance political and social reforms at home and to pursue rapprochement with the United States.

Backlash erupts over Washington Post Khamenei obituary

Internet users demanded 'new staff and owner replacement' for The Post as criticism intensified over its obituary for Ali Khamenei.

Soon, several public figures and social media users condemned the piece. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote, “This is sick.” Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, called it “Peak TDS” that called “a mass murdering dictator as ‘avuncular’ so as to say ‘bad Trump for killing this sweet old man.’” “This is how the Washington Post eulogized the dirt bag who murdered 40,000 innocent civilians this month. This is not satire,” actor James Woods added.

An X user wrote on X, “And they wonder why we hate the media. @washingtonpost Gives Iranian Regime’s Ali Khamenei Glowing Obituary: He Was ‘Fond of Persian Poetry’.” Another X user posted, “WashPo... A ghost of the paper it could have been... Needs a complete new staff and owner replacement.” A person on X asked, “Didn't he JUST kill 10s of 1000s of his own people?”

“The @wapo descends to a new low with a glowing obit for a man responsible for the killing of thousands of Americans, tens of thousands of his own people. What a disgrace,” a comment read. Another satirical comment was, “Washington Post obituary headline: Iran’s Supreme Leader and austere religious scholar, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead at 86 of natural causes.” Someone said, “WaPo swung for the ‘austere religious scholar’ fences with this one.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.