Jill Biden reveals her preferred title in 2016
Mr Carlson claimed Jill Biden has “the same degree as Bill Cosby” after a Wall Street Journal article sparked a sexism row. Jill Biden is the wife of Joe Biden, president elect of the United States.
The magazine published an article by Joseph Epstein arguing Jill Biden should stop using her ‘Dr’ title as “in the social sciences and humanities, calling oneself Dr. is thought bush league”.
Critics claimed the article was sexist and there were calls for the Wall Street Journal to apologise.
However, Mr Carlson rushed to Mr Epstein’s defence claiming Jill Biden is a doctor “in the same sense Dr Pepper is”.
He added: “In 2007, at the age of 55, she got a doctorate in education, so she’s basically got the same degree as Dr Bill Cosby.”
“She’s basically got the same degree as Dr Bill Cosby” (Image: Fox News )
Tucker Carlson hosts a popular show on Fox News (Image: Fox News )
In 2018 Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced to between three and ten years in prison.
He received a doctorate in education during 1976 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
On his show Mr Carlson claimed Dr Biden is “a doctor of education, which means basically nothing” and said Mr Epstein had made a “true and obvious point”.
Mr Epstein called Jill Biden, aged 69, ‘kiddo’ in the piece titled ‘Is There a Doctor in the White House? Not if You Need an M.D.’
READ MORE: Michelle Obama defends Jill Biden as future FLOTUS urged to drop ‘Dr’
Dr Jill Biden will be the next US First Lady (Image: GETTY)
He added: “A wise man once said that no one should call himself ‘Dr.’ unless he has delivered a child.
“Think about it, Dr. Jill, and forthwith drop the doc.”
However, the article sparked a storm with Elizabeth Alexander, Mr Biden’s director of communications, branding it “sexist and shameful”.
Doug Emhoff, husband of vice-president elect Kamala Harris, commented: “This story would never have been written about a man.”
DON’T MISS
Joe Biden and wife Jill appear closely united as Trump split rumoured [INSIGHT]
Joe Biden first wife: Tragedy that struck US President [SHOCK]
Jill Biden: President-elect’s wife hated being called ‘Second Lady’ [REVEAL]
“This story would never have been written about a man” (Image: GETTY)
Tucker Carlson is an outspoken supporter of President Trump (Image: GETTY)
Mr Carlson also noted a 2009 report from the Los Angeles Times which reported Jill Biden was keen to receive a doctorate so she no longer received letters to “Senator and Mrs Biden’ and accused her of having “status anxiety”.
The publication quotes Ms Biden as saying: “I was so sick of the mail coming to Sen. and Mrs. Biden. I wanted to get mail addressed to Dr. and Sen. Biden.”
The intervention by Mr Tucker into the already heated debate triggered a strong reaction online.
Referring to a comical newsreader from the 2004 Will Ferrell movie ‘Anchorman’ David Fox said: “And Tucker is a journalist in the same sense Ron Burgundy is.”
US Election: Jill Biden speaks to supporters in Florida
Another user replied: “The title of Doctor began as a title for academics in the Middle Ages, not for medical doctors.”
A third added: “Funny how they don’t say this about right wingers like Seb Gorka [former deputy assistant to President Trump].”
The Wall Street Journal has strongly defended its decision to publish the article by Mr Epstein.
Paul Gigot, the publication’s opinion editor, accused the Biden team of attempting to “stifle criticism”.
Joe Biden will be inaugurated as president on January 20 (Image: GETTY)
He wrote: “Why go to such lengths to highlight a single op-ed on a relatively minor issue? My guess is that the Biden team concluded it was a chance to use the big gun of identity politics to send a message to critics as it prepares to take power.
He added: “There’s nothing like playing the race or gender card to stifle criticism. It’s the left’s version of Donald Trump’s ‘enemy of the people’ tweets.
“If you disagree with Mr. Epstein, fair enough. Write a letter or shout your objections on Twitter. But these pages aren’t going to stop publishing provocative essays merely because they offend the new administration or the political censors in the media and academe.”
