‘New York Post’ Reporter Quits After Being ‘Ordered’ To Falsely Write Kamala Harris’ Book Was Given To Migrant Children

The New York Post pulled, edited and later republished a story falsely claiming that copies of Vice President Kamala Harris‘ book were included in care packages for migrant children in Long Beach, California. The reporter who wrote the story soon after resigned from the Post saying she was “ordered to write” the article, knowing it was an “incorrect story.”

The Kamala Harris story — an incorrect story I was ordered to write and which I failed to push back hard enough against — was my breaking point.

— Laura Italiano (@Italiano_Laura) April 27, 2021

Reporter Laura Italiano wrote, “The Kamala Harris story – an incorrect story I was ordered to write and which I failed to push back hard enough against – was my breaking point.”

The Post‘s story stemmed from a picture of care packages for migrant children in Long Beach that showed one copy of Harris’ children’s book Superheroes Are Everywhere alongside backpacks and shoes. Italiano’s story originally claimed that Harris’ book was being added to each care package for children, then accusing the vice president of profiting off migrant children.

Long Beach spokesperson Kevin Lee said in a statement Tuesday that the municipal government, nor the federal government had purchased copies of Harris’ book. One copy of Harris’ book was donated by a community member during a book drive. “Children will be able to pick and choose what they read from the available donated inventory. Children also get to pick and choose clothes from a variety of options as well. Having the ability to make personal choices like these are important for them during this challenging time in their lives,” Lee said in an email to CNN.

After Lee’s comments were published, the New York Post article was taken down and edited. While the revised article agrees that the book was donated, it calls the book’s presence an “open-arms gesture by the Biden administration.” An editor’s note at the bottom of the article also reads, “The original version of this article said migrant kids were getting Harris’ book in a welcome kit, but has been updated to note that only one known copy of the book was given to a child.”