See if You Can Spot the Difference Between How the NY Times Covered Dr. Ben Carson vs. Abdul El-Sayed

The media is biased against conservatives. Pretty much everyone on the right knows this.

Even so, sometimes you see evidence of bias that is so over the top, that you really have to marvel at the media’s ability to carry it out with no shame.

Byron York is a writer for the Washington Examiner. He recently stumbled onto an example of media bias that will blow your mind.

Over at the New York Times, they’re covering the various races of the 2026 midterms. In their coverage of Abdul El-Sayed, they constantly refer to El-Sayed as a doctor, even though he isn’t one. El-Sayed has never seen a single patient and has never practiced medicine in any capacity, but they still call him a doctor.

Dr. Ben Carson is not only a doctor, he is a renowned pediatric brain surgeon. Yet the same newspaper, the New York Times, referred to Carson as ‘Mr.’ instead of doctor.

This is almost unbelievable.

Take a look below:

Perhaps there are reasons of style policy involved, but reading New York Times coverage of Dr. El-Sayed, and remembering Times 2016 coverage of renowned brain surgeon Ben Carson makes you wonder: Did Carson ever get an MD? pic.twitter.com/E5Ol6LV8Fx

— Byron York (@ByronYork) October 16, 2026

Here are some reactions:

Byron points out how WaPo repeatedly refers to Abdul El-Sayed in their articles as “Dr.” (despite him never being a licensed doctor) and yet they consistently refer to Ben Carson as “Mr.” despite him being a world-renowned pediatric brain surgeon. https://t.co/XTFhLN0bB2

— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) October 18, 2026

Great comparison.

I’m sure the NYT spokesman will have an explanation. @NYTimesPR Why is brain surgeon Ben Carson a Mr. while unlicensed med school graduate Abdul el-Sayed is a Dr.

Do you know something about Dr. Ben Carson your readers don’t know?? https://t.co/OEwxFMxCm0

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) October 16, 2026

Sometimes bias gives itself away in the most subtle, but telling ways. https://t.co/P7ykjhp1j4

— Brit Hume (@brithume) October 16, 2026

Any explanation @nytimes? Unlike Mr. El-Sayed, Dr. Carson was actually licensed to practice medicine. https://t.co/Q6f8jMN18o

— Marc Thiessen (@marcthiessen) October 16, 2026

Fascinating catch. Perhaps the style policy involved is deference to the Times’ political party & pettiness/hostility toward opponents—especially those seen as demographic turncoats. https://t.co/FScEKRK3kt

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 16, 2026

And then the media wonders why people no longer trust them.

Amazing.