CNN Ex-Pat Chris Cillizza Takes A Virtual Beating Over Claim Biden Never Told Coal Miners To ‘Learn To Code’

 Ex-CNN reporter Chris Cillizza got some backlash — and a community note — for his claim that President Joe Biden never suggested that workers in one profession could change jobs simply by learning to code.

The conversation began with reports of recent layoffs in several media outlets – including The Los Angeles Times – and a response posted via X by DeSantis' press secretary Jeremy Redfern. "The LA Times is not having a good day, and I'm OK with that."

In context, Redfern is referred to as L.A. She has faced numerous media inquiries from the Times and other outlets, many of whom deliberately tailored their pieces to attack her boss. But Cillizza didn't see things that way.

"You will never find people who celebrate when other human beings - with families, mortgages, medical bills, etc. - lose their jobs."

One person replied, "Reporters did this to coal miners so they yelled more," Cillizza replied: "Although they didn't. At all. Biden said this (and he didn't even say that ‘Learn to code.’ Like, facts matter.”

“It's kind of like journalists cheering for people getting fired because of Covid shots. Zero empathy here,” another replied to Cillizza. “Journalists now need to work hard and get real jobs. Hey, maybe learn to code. enjoy."

"It did not happen. And, again, no journalist said 'learn to code.' And neither did Biden,” Cillizza responded.

A community note soon followed, linking to a 2019 article published by The Hill. “Then candidate Joe Biden said during a campaign rally in Derry, NH, in 2019, 'Anyone who can go 3,000 feet down in a mine can certainly learn to program, too,' in support of moving away from fossil fuels. In a policy proposal for,” the note read.

GOP Rapid Response Director Jake Schneider shared video of Biden saying coal miners can learn to program.