Skip to content

PoliticsFeature

Indiana Democratic candidate Jaime West says she drank three beers before a TV candidate interview

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 8 outlets, mostly right-leaning (75%).

10 articles in total, 2 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Woman in black blazer and blue campaign shirt seated at desk, mid-speech, against blue backdrop
Image via Washington ExaminerHow images are chosenReport this image

Jaime West, a Democrat running for Fayette County Council in Indiana, said on Piers Morgan Uncensored that she had three beers before a candidate forum interview that drew wide attention online. West said she was not intoxicated and was sober for the podcast interview. Outlets describe the earlier interview, which aired on LocalTV3 on October 9, as one in which she slurred her speech and rambled. West told HuffPost “I said what I said!” and did not express regret. When asked whether she would quit drinking if elected, she took a jab at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to The Independent.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Jaime West is a Democratic candidate for Fayette County Council in Indiana.

    Reported byFar Left1Right3Far Right5See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    HuffPost
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times, Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    RedState, The Western Journal, Breitbart News, Townhall, TheBlaze

  2. West said on Piers Morgan Uncensored that she had three beers before a candidate forum interview.

    Reported byFar Left1Right3Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    HuffPost
    Right
    New York Post, The Washington Times, Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    Breitbart News

  3. The interview aired on LocalTV3 on October 9 and became widely viral online.

    Across the spectrumReported byFar Left1Left1Right2Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    HuffPost
    Left
    The Independent
    Right
    New York Post, Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    RedState, TheBlaze

  4. West said she was not intoxicated during the interview and was sober for the podcast interview.

    One side only: the rightReported byRight1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Right
    New York Post
    Far Right
    Breitbart News, TheBlaze

  5. West reportedly said “We have guns too” during the interview.

    One outletTheBlaze· Far Right

Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points

  1. West said “I said what I said!” and did not express regret for her remarks.

    One outletHuffPost· Far Left

  2. When asked whether she would quit drinking if elected, West made a remark about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    One outletThe Independent· Left

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • West was not intoxicated during the forum interview.

    West said she was “not that intoxicated” and sober for the Piers Morgan interview. Right-side outlets describe slurred, rambling speech and a bizarre performance, and the left-side coverage in the supplied text does not address her sobriety.

How each side tells it

Compare views

Every side reports that West, a Democratic county council candidate in Indiana, said she had three beers before a viral candidate interview. Right-side outlets lead with the drinking and the slurred performance, while left-side outlets focus on her defiance and a jab at Pete Hegseth.

  • the left

    2 outlets

    Left-side headlines center her defiance, either the “drunk” viral interview or her refusal to regret it, and a jab at Pete Hegseth rather than the drinking details.

    Democrat Admits She Had 3 Beers Before THAT Viral Interview — But Regrets Nothing
    HuffPostFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    No coverage yet

    No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

  • the right

    6 outlets · 2 opinion

    Right-side headlines lead with the three-beer admission and the slurred, rambling performance, with Far Right outlets using harsher words such as drunk, insane and trainwreck.

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West reveals how many beers she downed before Sensational language“trainwreck”Trainwreck is a derisive label for the interview rather than a neutral description of it.More neutral: interviewDisagree with this highlight? interview
    New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left4

    belligerentnow-infamouszingsunhinged

  • Center

    Has not covered this story.

  • Right18

    BizarreHilarious ExplanationSloppy Debate Performanceslurring

In the outlets’ own words

  • Sensational language

    BizarreMore neutral: Forum Appearance

    The adjective adds a judgement about the performance that the facts of the forum do not establish.

    Indiana Democrat County Council Candidate Admits to Drinking 3 Beers Ahead of Bizarre Forum Performance

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)TheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Hilarious ExplanationMore neutral: Explanation

    The word hilarious adds mockery that the reported facts do not establish.

    Indiana Dem Offers Hilarious Explanation for Her Sloppy Debate Performance That Went Viral

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Sloppy Debate PerformanceMore neutral: Forum Performance

    Sloppy is a judgement on the candidate's performance rather than a description of what was said.

    Indiana Dem Offers Hilarious Explanation for Her Sloppy Debate Performance That Went Viral

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    slurringMore neutral: speaking

    Slurring asserts a judgement about the candidate's speech that the description does not establish.

    …candidate Jaime West admitted on Monday that she downed “three beers” before slurring through a viral, trainwreck interview — in which she pledged to fire all Republicans.…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

Show 18 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    dumpster fireMore neutral: appearance

    Dumpster fire is a derisive metaphor for the appearance.

    After host Piers Morgan told West many viewers assumed she was drunk during her dumpster fire of an appearance at the forum, she begrudgingly admitted to having “a Coors Light.

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    trainwreckMore neutral: interview

    Trainwreck is a derisive label for the interview rather than a neutral description of it.

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West reveals how many beers she downed before trainwreck interview

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    sotMore neutral: drinker

    Sot is a derisive word for a habitual drunk used in the outlet's own voice.

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West says she’s not a sot — she just had a few beers before she went bad-viral with a local interview in which…

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Partisan shorthand

    dirtbag leftMore neutral: left

    Dirtbag left is a derisive label for the political left that contains the outlet's own judgement.

    …but because she managed to capture some of the je ne sais quoi of the modern dirtbag left.

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Wacky, Viral InterviewMore neutral: Viral Interview

    Wacky is a mocking adjective in the outlet's own voice.

    Indiana Dem Candidate Admits to Drinking Alcohol Before Wacky, Viral Interview: 'I Was Nervous'

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    bizarre performanceMore neutral: forum performance

    The adjective adds a judgement about the performance that the facts of the forum do not establish.

    …in Fayette County, Indiana, has admitted to drinking three beers ahead of her bizarre performance at a recent forum, which featured her slurring her speech and expressing her…

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    belligerentMore neutral: heated

    The adjective characterizes her demeanor as hostile, a judgement the article does not support with a description of her words or conduct.

    The Democratic candidate who went viral for her “drunk” and belligerent local TV interview took a shot at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being asked…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    now-infamousMore neutral: widely shared

    The word adds notoriety and drama to the appearance beyond what the facts state.

    …Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she claimed she drank only three beers before her now-infamous appearance, during which she warned Republicans, “we have guns too.” When Morgan…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    zingsMore neutral: responds to

    The verb frames her remark as a sharp jab rather than describing what she said.

    Democrat who went viral for ‘drunk’ interview zings Trump official when asked if she’ll quit drinking if elected

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Sensational language

    train wreckMore neutral: candidate forum

    Adds a mocking judgement of the forum that goes beyond describing what happened.

    …Jamie West isn’t running for statewide office, but she’s making headlines for this train wreck of a candidate forum, where she slurred through numerous questions.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    weren’t even grounded in realityMore neutral: were disputed

    Presents a contested view of her answers as settled fact in the outlet’s own voice.

    Her partisan answers, obviously, weren’t even grounded in reality, so it’s not worth getting worked up about.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    ShambolicMore neutral: Televised Candidate Forum

    Adds a mocking judgement of the forum that goes beyond describing what happened.

    Indiana Dem Admits to Downing Three Beers Before Shambolic Candidate Forum

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    unhingedMore neutral: the footage

    Adds a dramatic judgement of the footage in the outlet’s own voice beyond what the footage shows.

    …I said!” Indiana Democratic candidate Jaime West said during an interview about the unhinged footage of her that went viral last week.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    sloppily express loathingMore neutral: say she disliked

    Characterizes her manner and her feelings in the outlet’s own voice rather than reporting what she said.

    Not only did West sloppily express loathing for Republicans and call for them to be fired in a county where President…

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    issued an apparent threatMore neutral: said

    Characterizes her words as a threat in the outlet’s own voice; the quoted words are reported without that label.

    …county where President Donald Trump received 77.5% of the vote in 2024; she issued an apparent threat to her political opponents, stating, "We have guns too." 'It's trebled in…

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    a few cards shy of a full deckMore neutral: appeared impaired

    Insults her mental state in the outlet’s own voice, pre-judging her before any evidence is weighed.

    …"We have guns too." Following widespread speculation that West was a few cards shy of a full deck or had at least been intoxicated, the Democrat appeared on "Piers Morgan…

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    Drunk DemocratMore neutral: Democrat who said she had been drinking

    Labels her as drunk in the headline, a state she disputes and the coverage does not measure.

    'Not that intoxicated': Drunk Democrat doubles down on insane remarks about Republicans

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    insane remarksMore neutral: remarks

    Adds a dismissive judgement of her remarks beyond describing what she said.

    'Not that intoxicated': Drunk Democrat doubles down on insane remarks about Republicans

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

2 outlets

Leads with

  • her refusal to regret remarks
  • a jab at Pete Hegseth
  • the viral “drunk” interview

Leaves out

  • the “We have guns too” remark reported by right-side outlets

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • HuffPostFar Left

    Democrat Admits She Had 3 Beers Before THAT Viral Interview — But Regrets Nothing

    “I said what I said!” Indiana Democratic candidate Jaime West said during an interview about the Sensational language“unhinged”Adds a dramatic judgement of the footage in the outlet’s own voice beyond what the footage shows.More neutral: the footageDisagree with this highlight? footage of her that went viral last week.

    Read at HuffPost (opens in a new tab)
  • The IndependentLeft

    Democrat who went viral for ‘drunk’ interview Loaded verb“zings”The verb frames her remark as a sharp jab rather than describing what she said.More neutral: responds toDisagree with this highlight? Trump official when asked if she’ll quit drinking if elected

    The Democratic candidate who went viral for her “drunk” and Loaded modifier“belligerent”The adjective characterizes her demeanor as hostile, a judgement the article does not support with a description of her words or conduct.More neutral: heatedDisagree with this highlight? local TV interview took a shot at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being asked if she’d quit drinking if she were elected.

    Read at The Independent (opens in a new tab)

From the center

0 outlets

No center outlet that Mantle follows has covered this story yet. That absence is part of the picture.

From the right

6 outlets · 2 opinion

Leads with

  • the three-beer admission
  • the slurred, rambling interview
  • her claim she was not intoxicated

Leaves out

  • her response to a question about quitting drinking if elected

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 8 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • TheBlazeFar Right

    'Not that intoxicated': Loaded modifier“Drunk Democrat”Labels her as drunk in the headline, a state she disputes and the coverage does not measure.More neutral: Democrat who said she had been drinkingDisagree with this highlight? doubles down on Sensational language“insane remarks”Adds a dismissive judgement of her remarks beyond describing what she said.More neutral: remarksDisagree with this highlight? about Republicans

    Jaime West, an Indiana Democrat running for the Fayette County Council, went viral online over a Sensational language“bizarre”Adds a dismissive judgement of the interview beyond describing it.More neutral: unusualDisagree with this highlight? Oct. 9 candidate interview on LocalTV3. …

    Read at TheBlaze (opens in a new tab)
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    Indiana Democratic county council candidate admits she had three beers before viral interview

    Indiana Democratic county council candidate Jaime West admitted to consuming alcohol before her viral Oct. 9 interview, during which she slurred words and slumped while on television. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • Breitbart NewsFar Right

    Indiana Democrat County Council Candidate Admits to Drinking 3 Beers Ahead of Sensational language“Bizarre”The adjective adds a judgement about the performance that the facts of the forum do not establish.More neutral: Forum AppearanceDisagree with this highlight? Forum Performance

    Jaime West, a Democrat running for county council in Fayette County, Indiana, has admitted to drinking three beers ahead of her Sensational language“bizarre performance”The adjective adds a judgement about the performance that the facts of the forum do not establish.More neutral: forum performanceDisagree with this highlight? at a recent forum, which featured her slurring her speech and expressing her desire to fire all Republicans because she does not …

    Read at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
  • The Washington TimesRight

    Candidate admits to warm-up drinks before televised interview

    An Indiana Democrat running for county council said she had a three-beer pregame before her televised candidate forum last week.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
  • New York PostRight

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West reveals how many beers she downed before Sensational language“trainwreck”Trainwreck is a derisive label for the interview rather than a neutral description of it.More neutral: interviewDisagree with this highlight? interview

    Indiana Democratic candidate Jaime West admitted on Monday that she downed “three beers” before Loaded verb“slurring”Slurring asserts a judgement about the candidate's speech that the description does not establish.More neutral: speakingDisagree with this highlight? through a viral, trainwreck interview — in which she pledged to fire all Republicans. …

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  • RedStateFar Right

    Indiana Dem Offers Sensational language“Hilarious Explanation”The word hilarious adds mockery that the reported facts do not establish.More neutral: ExplanationDisagree with this highlight? for Her Sensational language“Sloppy Debate Performance”Sloppy is a judgement on the candidate's performance rather than a description of what was said.More neutral: Forum PerformanceDisagree with this highlight? That Went Viral

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West has gotten more earned media over the past week than any super-downballot candidate could reasonably dream of getting – and it's all because of a questionable pre-debate action she took to calm her nerves.

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)
  • TownhallFar RightOpinion

    Indiana Dem Admits to Downing Three Beers Before Sensational language“Shambolic”Adds a mocking judgement of the forum that goes beyond describing what happened.More neutral: Televised Candidate ForumDisagree with this highlight? Candidate Forum

    If you watch the video, you can't leave thinking this woman was sober. Jamie West isn’t running for statewide office, but she’s making headlines for this Sensational language“train wreck”Adds a mocking judgement of the forum that goes beyond describing what happened.More neutral: candidate forumDisagree with this highlight? of a candidate forum, where she slurred through numerous questions. …

    Read at Townhall (opens in a new tab)
  • The Western JournalFar RightOpinion

    Indiana Dem Candidate Admits to Drinking Alcohol Before Sensational language“Wacky, Viral Interview”Wacky is a mocking adjective in the outlet's own voice.More neutral: Viral InterviewDisagree with this highlight?: 'I Was Nervous'

    Indiana Democrat Jaime West says she’s not a Sensational language“sot”Sot is a derisive word for a habitual drunk used in the outlet's own voice.More neutral: drinkerDisagree with this highlight? — she just had a few beers before she went bad-viral with a local interview in which she said, in a

    Read at The Western Journal (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    16 hr 46 min later

    Its first report, Oct 20, 1:48 PM EDT

  • Center

    No report yet

    From the outlets Mantle follows

  • Right

    First to report

    RedState, Oct 19, 9:03 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. RedStateFar RightOct 19, 9:03 PM EDT
  2. New York PostRightOct 19, 10:12 PM EDT
  3. The Washington TimesRightOct 20, 12:11 PM EDT
  4. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 20, 12:31 PM EDT
  5. The IndependentLeftOct 20, 1:48 PM EDT
  6. HuffPostFar LeftOct 20, 3:18 PM EDT
  7. Washington ExaminerRightOct 20, 4:15 PM EDT
  8. TheBlazeFar RightOct 21, 1:15 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page