Former veep and possible Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden’s facing scrutiny about inappropriate behavior, but as MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski proved earlier, Biden will have his defenders even in the “#MeToo” era. Here’s the Washington Post’s contribution to the downplay effort:

Joe Biden’s affectionate, physical style with women comes under scrutiny https://t.co/ZPfzpK4cWX — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 1, 2019

Hoo boy.

Tell 'em I've got an affectionate, physical style. That's it. An affectionate, physical style… https://t.co/2UtyJA8dcg pic.twitter.com/rqvSzkacD3 — Byron York (@ByronYork) April 1, 2019

It’s April 1st so there’s an obligatory question that must be asked:

This is WashPost's official April Fools' Day article, right? RIGHT? pic.twitter.com/tpesASAMW5 — Jevaughn Brown ?+++ (@Jevaughn_Brown) April 1, 2019

This is an April Fools Day post, right? ??‍♂️ — Richard Armande Mills (RAM) (@RAMRANTS) April 1, 2019

Unfortunately with the MSM that question has to be asked the other 364 days of the year as well.

one can only stand back and marvel at this masterpiece of the headline writer's arthttps://t.co/q9HqIUDs9b — David Burge (@iowahawkblog) April 1, 2019

It’s certainly one for the “Journalism” Hall of Fame.

"affectionate, physical style with women" So, we are no longer calling this sexual assault? https://t.co/c609wA53Gn — Michelle Ray (@GaltsGirl) April 1, 2019

The letter after the name determines what media treatment the person receives, apparently.

Is this headline an #AprilFools joke? Or is this just another example of media bias favoring liberal politicians? Because there’s ZERO chance @washingtonpost would word a headline this way for a conservative accused of what @JoeBiden is being accused of. https://t.co/hqxcDtvI7X — Ben Giselbach (@benhardlastname) April 1, 2019

Affectionate? Would any politician on the right get that free pass out of #MeToo jail? https://t.co/mGaBJgZj1k — Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) April 1, 2019

I feel like this headline would read a bit differently were Biden a Republican… https://t.co/Amxbiv890x — Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) April 1, 2019

So do we.

Democracy Dies in Story-Framing Dishonesty — Razor (@hale_razor) April 1, 2019

Great new slogan!

joe biden's affectionate physical style would be facing scrutiny from my kneecap if it came anywhere near me — atomickristin (@atomickristin) April 1, 2019

Tired: Rape! Sexual assault!!! Expel him! Shun him! Hate him! Burn him!!! Wired: Affectionate, physical style. https://t.co/IH8rR1OP1Z — Scott Greenfield (@ScottGreenfield) April 1, 2019

Wow. Helluva way to frame it, Wapo. https://t.co/b6nw8VEy7j — Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) April 1, 2019

"Affectionate." Log off forever. — hrönir hoarder (@orbis_quintus) April 1, 2019

Not an April fool's joke! https://t.co/DC5l8Jle8E — Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) April 1, 2019

Narrator: This @WashingtonPost headline was apparently written by Joe Biden's campaign manager. https://t.co/aAk8D7ViPY — David Blackmon (@GDBlackmon) April 1, 2019

It might as well have been.