Mainstream Media Faces Backlash Over ‘Disgraceful’ Coverage of Boulder Terrorist’s Family

USA Today is facing mounting backlash after publishing a report focused on the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian national accused of carrying out a firebombing attack against Jewish Americans in Boulder, Colorado. Critics across social media and political circles have labeled the article as "disgraceful," accusing the outlet of shifting attention away from the victims to the alleged perpetrator’s family facing possible deportation.

The controversy centers around an article that initially highlighted the aspirations of Soliman's teenage daughter, Habiba Soliman, who reportedly hoped to study medicine in the United States. The report recounted her journey learning English and striving for academic success before her father's arrest on hate crime charges for allegedly targeting peaceful Jewish demonstrators with Molotov cocktails. The attack left over a dozen individuals seriously injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and prompted widespread condemnation from officials and advocacy groups.

Following a wave of criticism online, the publication changed the article’s headline and stated it had been "recast and updated with new information." However, the changes did little to quell the backlash. Several lawmakers demanded a greater focus on the victims rather than what they described as attempts to elicit sympathy for the family of a suspect in a violent hate crime.

Soliman, 45, is reported to have overstayed his visa after entering the U.S. during the current administration. He and his family are now in federal custody, with their visas revoked and expedited removal proceedings underway. Authorities are also investigating whether Soliman’s wife and children had any prior knowledge of or connection to the alleged attack. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that if evidence emerges indicating complicity or foreknowledge, further action would be taken.

The debate over the media’s role in covering such incidents reached the White House, where spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a sharp rebuke, calling the article "disgraceful" and asserting that coverage should prioritize the stories of those harmed by the attack. Political commentators echoed these sentiments, arguing that the narrative should remain focused on the victims.

Meanwhile, Jewish lawmakers and advocacy groups intensified calls for not only prosecution of the suspect but also the swift removal of his family from the country. They underscored the gravity of the attack, labeling it a "vile, antisemitic act of terror," and called for heightened vigilance in the face of rising hate crimes nationwide.

As the investigation continues, the incident has reignited discussions about both immigration policy and media responsibility in cases involving terrorism and hate crimes. While the public outcry against the report remains, questions persist regarding the handling of families connected to suspects accused of such acts—balancing legal due process with national security and the sensitivities of high-profile cases.