A former New York Times editor wrote an article in The Atlantic about how he was criticized by NYT staff for telling him that his favorite sandwich was Chick-fil-A's spicy chicken sandwich.
On the other hand, the author is Atlantic article, Adam Rubinstein faced backlash on his social media for Rubinstein fabricating the story. However, evidence suggests that Rubinstein's story is true.
For context, Mr. Rubinstein worked as an opinion editor at the NYT from 2019 to 2021. (Related article: 'They hate gay people': Former New York Times editor says he was shamed by HR and colleagues for favoring Chick-fil-A)
In an article in The Atlantic, Rubinstein was reprimanded by NYT human resources (HR) staff and faced isolation from NYT colleagues after admitting at an ice-breaking event that he was a fan of Chick-fil-A's spicy chicken sandwich. He explained that he did. He was first hired in 2019.
NOVATO, CA – JUNE 1: In this illustrated photo, Chick-fil-A meals are displayed at a Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 1, 2023 in Novato, California. The fast food chain has come under fire on social media for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. (Photo illustration: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“We don't do that here. They hate gays,” an anonymous NYT human resources representative allegedly told Rubinstein. (Related: New York state lawmaker calls for rest stop Chick-fil-A to be open on Sundays)
It will never happen. https://t.co/FdLQHzMIan
— Ida Bay Wells (@nhannahjones) February 26, 2024
this sounds like bullshit to me pic.twitter.com/uz2wM67QiV
— John Ganz (@lionel_trolling) February 27, 2024
Journalist Michael Hobbs asked his followers if anyone would submit an investigation to The Atlantic questioning the validity of the anecdotes he deemed fabricated.
Is someone going to contact The Atlantic and ask how they published this grossly false anecdote?https://t.co/yvZ9hZ0l78 pic.twitter.com/vLKAXsaOjh
— Michael Hobbs (@RottenInDenmark) February 26, 2024
Reporter and New York Times alumnus Jesse Singal criticized Hobbs for not asking questions directly to The Atlantic, and shortly thereafter posted the response he received from The Atlantic regarding the process that verified the story's veracity.
2/ Why not send an email to yourself, half-wisdom friend?? pic.twitter.com/z8V5QbF1WF
— Jesse Singhal (@jessesingal) February 27, 2024
An Atlantic spokesperson for the Chick-fil-A incident, which Nicole Hannah-Jones and many others have claimed must have been a hoax, said: “The New York Times, who had contemporaneous knowledge of the incident, Details have been confirmed by an employee.” pic.twitter.com/KL0cptFB6B
— Jesse Singhal (@jessesingal) February 27, 2024
Tiana Law Dosher, a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner, corroborated this account, posting that the former NYT editor-in-chief told her about the incident several years ago.
FWIW, I remembered @RubensteinAdam This anecdote was told to me in 2019, long before Tom Cotton's op-ed was published. The fact that this is a hoax means that Adam literally started lying five years ago for no reason. https://t.co/2Rn3cro84d
— Tiana Law Dosher (@TianaTheFirst) February 26, 2024
The growing list of corroborating posts and the lack of substantive defamation suggest that Rubinstein's anecdote is likely true.
