The Hill published a veritable puff piece on House Intelligence Committer Chairman Adam Schiff on Saturday in which it described him as a “progressive rock star.”

“But it is precisely Shiff’s sober demeanor and steady hand guiding the two-month impeachment investigation — including two weeks of televised public hearings — that have made him a national political figure, a household name and unlikely progressive rock star,” the piece reads.

It drew immediate criticism, not to mention a notable Twitter ratio, because the notion of Schiff being any sort of star — save for perhaps a “death star” designed to destroy things — just didn’t sit well with some in the public.

Some argued he’s too much of a jerk to be any sort of star, suggested that he’s so boring he puts people to sleep like the drug Ambien and bemoaned the death of rock and roll.

Others argued that for a “progressive rock star,” the congressman has done much to boost President Donald Trump’s chances of reelection.

Look (*Language warning):

If by rockstar you mean absolute jackass. — Nickarama (@Nickarama1) December 1, 2019

You spelled human ambien wrong. — Itsallgood, man (@recoveringlibrl) December 1, 2019

Is that what rock stars look like now? That’s kinda sad. — Granny’s Cookies (@Gr_Cookies) November 30, 2019

Rock’n’roll really is dead. — COLLECT ROCKS, PLANT FLAG (@deanriehm) December 1, 2019

rock must truly be dead — Dave (@dccrue) November 30, 2019

“Rock star” indeed. His impeachment hoax virtually guarantees Trump’s re-election. Trump should send this “rock star” a thank you note! — Shark Tank Trading LLC (@SharkTankTrader) December 1, 2019

I’m curious, if he’s such a rock star and the impeachment hearings were so successful, why did support for impeachment drop, and was does Shifty shit head have to go on Sunday shows to try and make the case for impeachment? — AH (@heyrendelectric) December 1, 2019

I didn’t know progressive rock star meant “makes Trump more popular than before impeachment hearings began.” — Habib Jones (@habib2001) December 1, 2019

“Rock star” indeed. His impeachment hoax virtually guarantees Trump’s re-election. Trump should send this “rock star” a thank you note! — Shark Tank Trading LLC (@SharkTankTrader) December 1, 2019

The meaning of Rock Star is now tainted. It will longer carries the meaning of a great performance used in a positive light! Something positive and done well is not part of lying or the embellishment of a false narrative to create a fictional truth. Mr. Schiff gets a ZERO! — Sam McMcgee (@anthklo55) November 30, 2019

You suck at rock. pic.twitter.com/ajzuUtk1e8 — Anthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) December 1, 2019

Another criticism shared by Twitter users involved claims of bias. The question they posed was whether any politician should be celebrated as a “rock star.”

While it’s a valid question, and while The Hill does admittedly lean to the left — as evidenced by its treatment of former contributor John Solomon — the outlet does have a history of using the term “rock star” to describe folks on the left and right.

Including but not limited to first lady Melania Trump.

“Melania gets rock-star welcome at White House Christmas event,” a headline from 2017 reads.

Look:



(Source: The Hill)

“‘Rock star’ Paul Ryan to be tested in glare of national campaign,” another headline, this one from 2012, reads.

Look:



(Source: The Hill)

However, context matters, and there’s a difference between reporting on Christmas events and political campaigns versus a serious impeachment process.

Not to mention an impeachment process that’s been accused of being unfair and unjust.

This criticism has been more bipartisan, with even clear-cut liberal Democrats arguing that the impeachment of a president deserves more seriousness.

“‘Rock star’ isn’t a term that has any place in this impeachment process,” one liberal whose feed is a hodgepodge of leftist agitprop tweeted. “May we please treat this process with the seriousness that defending our democracy deserves? This isn’t a ‘reality show,’— this IS reality. And it IS deadly serious.”

That may admittedly be taking things a bit too far …

Nevertheless, see more of this criticism below:

“Rock star” isn’t a term that has any place in this impeachment process. May we please treat this process with the seriousness that defending our democracy deserves? This isn’t a ‘reality show,’— this IS reality. And it IS deadly serious. — Once A Great Nation (@lightheart1) November 30, 2019

So the impeachment hearings overthrowing an elected president, because progressives can’t win elections fair and square is a Rock Concert? Gross. — afdmunich (@afdmunich) November 30, 2019

So much for the weighty and serious nature of the proceedings… — Adeptus Archer (@ArcherMint) December 1, 2019

Of course, it appears that the majority of liberal Democrats who responded to The Hill’s story did so with praise for Schiff, a man whom they genuinely believe is a rock star.

And not just any rock star …

But a QUOTE “sexy” rock star …

No joke: