The NYT is probably doing its part to build a “narrative” that benefits Joe. Leftists don’t care about facts, they just create fictional stories to support how they wish things to be, and then they hammer that narrative over and over until they eventually convince enough people that their lies are true.
Thou shalt not bear false witness. One of the more evil things to do. The left is doing it constantly. Too many people who want free stuff believe the lies.