Seems Bad

I don't know Ahmed, but accusing a journalist of just fabricating a quote (not that the quote is wrong, or he get played by a source, but that he just made it up) is a big deal!

20 hours after my deadline—now my story has been read by >150k people—WH has sent comment. Spox Adrienne Watson: "This story is not true. Quotes attributed to US officials are made up."

Watson played no role in my interviews.

My quotes are real. Biden team again echoing Trump. https://t.co/cQLVJgnnSK

— Akbar Shahid Ahmed (@AkbarSAhmed) January 13, 2024

We can discuss whether Watson is freelancing or if this is coming from the bosses.

Earlier in the day, a contact told me a US official they contacted about my story said I lack credibility & am seen as an extremist.

Such smear tactics in response to scrutiny & journalism are scary—and reflective of the Trump-style thinking Biden is selling himself as opposing.

— Akbar Shahid Ahmed (@AkbarSAhmed) January 13, 2024

Well he has a funny name so you can say anything about him.