New York Times under fire for including ‘death’ on list of six ways to cancel student debt

The New York Times has been roasted on social media for listing “death” as a means to escape crippling student loans, after the Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s plan to cancel debt for millions of Americans. In an article soon after the Supreme Court’s ruling was released on Friday, the Times explained six ways “to get your student debt wiped away”. The suggestions included making an income-driven repayment, appealing for public service loan forgiveness, and bankruptcy and disability discharges. Under a subhead “death”, the Times wrote: “This is not something that most people would choose as a solution to their debt burden”. It went on to explain that federal student loan debt “dies with the person or people who take it on”. The macabre phrasing drew a swift backlash on social media. “That's a little dark, NYT,” writer Parker Molloy tweeted. “We’ve reached the point where The New York Times is suggesting death as a viable solution to crushing student debt,” wrote former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. “I’ll try it out and tell u guys how it went,” another posted. The article was later revised, with the “death” subhead being changed to “debt won’t carry on”. The Times did not respond to a request for comment by The Independent. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration had overstepped its authority in implementing a sweeping $400bn student debt relief plan. The decision means an estimated 43 million Americans will be back on the hook for student loan repayments later this year. In a press conference on Friday, President Joe Biden insisted the fight was not over, and promised a “new path” for relief that would be legally sound. He has tasked Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona with coming up with a new forgiveness plan that was consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Read More Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debts Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief after Supreme Court strikes down president’s plan An Area 51 blogger was raided at gunpoint by federal agents. He says the US Government is trying to silence him Trump makes brash Georgia 2020 case prediction as DoJ ‘prepares new charges’ – live Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief Army combat veteran to take over key election security role working with state, local officials