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Wall Street Journal columnist Joseph Epstein sparked backlash in an op-ed on Friday when he called on soon-to-be First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, to drop the "doctor" from her name because she isn't a medical doctor.
Dr. Biden earned a doctorate in education as well as two masters degrees. She continues to teach as a full time professor.
In his op-ed, titled Is There a Doctor in the White House? Not if You Need an M.D., Epstein—whose highest degree is a Bachelor of Arts—seems content to call Biden anything but doctor, writing:
"Madame First Lady—Mrs. Biden—Jill—kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the 'Dr.' before your name? 'Dr. Jill Biden' sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic."
Epstein's tone generated immediate backlash.
A waste of column space. After calling Dr. Biden kiddo & dismissing her dissertation on support for community college education, we have to endure a long brag because the author took his final exam on a pool table on a military base. Tired of the misogyny. https://t.co/M2UjbVsp9h
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) December 12, 2020
I am so sick of the way accomplished, educated, successful women like @DrBiden are talked about in the media by misogynistic men. BEYOND SO SICK OF IT. https://t.co/7zNJiY4SUl
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 12, 2020
Her name is Dr. Jill Biden. Get used to it.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 13, 2020
In an indirect rebuke of the op-ed, Biden—whose Twitter handle is @DrBiden—pushed back against the disproportionate scrutiny from men toward the accomplishments of women.
Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished.
— Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) December 14, 2020
Dr. Biden wrote:
"Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished."
Twitter users commended Dr. Biden's response.
Thank you Dr. Biden. https://t.co/oXSymrCeQH
— Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) December 14, 2020
Thank you, DR. BIDEN. https://t.co/j95zK70eEz
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) December 14, 2020
You better believe it. #DrJillBiden https://t.co/FS4jJC4w7J
— Courtney Watson (@courtneywatson1) December 14, 2020
Say it again louder for the idiots in the opinion section of the @WSJ @WSJopinion !!! https://t.co/i10PUFv8t4
— Aubrey Artz (@FindAartz) December 14, 2020
This. This is the future. #thepresentisfemale https://t.co/U1wPzDGhmU
— Anthony Garrison (@AnthonyGarrison) December 14, 2020
Yes Dr. Biden. You and Vice-President elect Kamala Harris are an inspiration to our daughters here and across the world. #DrBiden https://t.co/KAVcwfiQFC
— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) December 14, 2020
Nevertheless, some conservative Twitter users continued to belittle her credentials.
You're not a doctor. https://t.co/6O2awrpOO9
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 14, 2020
Trying to turn a criticism of the idiotic equation between liberal arts doctorates and medical degrees into a referendum on misogyny is ::chef's kiss:: https://t.co/GymUKbM7dc
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 14, 2020
Dr. Biden is undeterred, making expanded education access and free community college key parts of her platform as First Lady.