Wall Street Journal columnist Joseph Epstein sparked backlash in an op-ed on Friday when he called on soon-to-be First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, to drop the "doctor" from her name because she isn't a medical doctor.
Dr. Biden earned a doctorate in education as well as two masters degrees. She continues to teach as a full time professor.
In his op-ed, titled Is There a Doctor in the White House? Not if You Need an M.D., Epstein—whose highest degree is a Bachelor of Arts—seems content to call Biden anything but doctor, writing:
"Madame First Lady—Mrs. Biden—Jill—kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the 'Dr.' before your name? 'Dr. Jill Biden' sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic."
Epstein's tone generated immediate backlash.
A waste of column space. After calling Dr. Biden kiddo & dismissing her dissertation on support for community college education, we have to endure a long brag because the author took his final exam on a pool table on a military base. Tired of the misogyny. https://t.co/M2UjbVsp9h
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) December 12, 2020
I am so sick of the way accomplished, educated, successful women like @DrBiden are talked about in the media by misogynistic men. BEYOND SO SICK OF IT. https://t.co/7zNJiY4SUl
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 12, 2020
Her name is Dr. Jill Biden. Get used to it.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 13, 2020
In an indirect rebuke of the op-ed, Biden—whose Twitter handle is @DrBiden—pushed back against the disproportionate scrutiny from men toward the accomplishments of women.
Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished.
— Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) December 14, 2020
Dr. Biden wrote:
"Together, we will build a world where the accomplishments of our daughters will be celebrated, rather than diminished."
Twitter users commended Dr. Biden's response.
Thank you Dr. Biden. https://t.co/oXSymrCeQH
— Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) December 14, 2020
Thank you, DR. BIDEN. https://t.co/j95zK70eEz
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) December 14, 2020
You better believe it. #DrJillBiden https://t.co/FS4jJC4w7J
— Courtney Watson (@courtneywatson1) December 14, 2020
Say it again louder for the idiots in the opinion section of the @WSJ @WSJopinion !!! https://t.co/i10PUFv8t4
— Aubrey Artz (@FindAartz) December 14, 2020
This. This is the future. #thepresentisfemale https://t.co/U1wPzDGhmU
— Anthony Garrison (@AnthonyGarrison) December 14, 2020
Yes Dr. Biden. You and Vice-President elect Kamala Harris are an inspiration to our daughters here and across the world. #DrBiden https://t.co/KAVcwfiQFC
— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) December 14, 2020
Nevertheless, some conservative Twitter users continued to belittle her credentials.
You're not a doctor. https://t.co/6O2awrpOO9
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 14, 2020
Trying to turn a criticism of the idiotic equation between liberal arts doctorates and medical degrees into a referendum on misogyny is ::chef's kiss:: https://t.co/GymUKbM7dc
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 14, 2020
Dr. Biden is undeterred, making expanded education access and free community college key parts of her platform as First Lady.
breast cancer GIF by Baptist Health South Florida 
Teddy Bear Doctor GIF 
feeling neck skin GIF 
praying GIF 
Snail Ugh GIF by Sticker Book iOS GIFs 
Serious 
Home Alone Reaction GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 
Cat Working GIF