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Why was NY Times’ David Brooks mocked on X about meal bill complaint?
New York Times columnist David Brooks has attracted ridicule on social media after he complained about the price of a burger and fries at a Newark Airport restaurant.
David Brooks, a conservative political columnist for the New York Times, is facing widespread derision on social media over an X post complaining about the price of a meal at Newark Liberty International Airport.
On Wednesday, Brooks shared a photo of a burger with fries and salad, accompanied by what appears to be an alcoholic drink, with the caption: “This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible.”
“The burger and fries cost $17″
The 62-year-old’s claim immediately met with scepticism among fellow users of X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Internet sleuths tracked down what seems to be the restaurant where Brooks bought his meal - 1911 Smoke House BBQ - and began to speculate that he may have washed his food down with more than one cheeky snifter.
“Based on the similar table, glass, chair, sheet and cut of fries, this is the Smoke House Restaurant in Newark Airport Terminal A,” said a ‘readers added context’ note posted by X. “The burger and fries cost $17.”
One X user, @TheSnarkTank99, added:
Another, @thePowerBeard, quipped:
What has 1911 Smoke House BBQ said about Brooks’ post?
Speaking to the New York Post, Maurice Hallett, the owner of 1911 Smoke House BBQ, welcomed the free advertising that Brooks’ viral post, which had been viewed nearly 32 million times as of Friday morning ET, has brought the restaurant.
“We will probably do a David Brooks special thanks to all the publicity he’s given us,” Hallett joked. “It’ll be a cheeseburger and a double whiskey.”
He added that Brooks would have to have ordered “two doubles” to take his bill to $78.
1911 Smoke House BBQ also took to its Facebook page to join in the social-media ridicule aimed at Brooks, posting: “Looks like someone was knocking back some serious drinks.
“Bar tab was almost 80% and he’s complaining about the cost of his meal. Keep drinking buddy - we get paid off everything.”