Media outlets were quick on the draw with explanations after Harvard president Claudine Gay on Tuesday announced her resignation amid allegations of plagiarism and mishandling the university's response to anti-Semitism. Pundits' defenses stretched from saying that Gay did not commit "true plagiarism" to arguing that criticism of Gay amounted to "racial bias" and claiming that conservative outlets launched a "well-orchestrated attack" on Gay because of a "thirst to dethrone her."

Gay announced her resignation shortly after the Washington Free Beacon on Monday reported six additional allegations of plagiarism.