An op-ed article published in the Wall Street Journal has sparked controversy after it referred to the United States’ First Lady-elect Jill Biden, 69, as ‘kiddo’ and that she should drop her “Dr.” title because she has a doctorate degree and is not a medical doctor. The article also suggested that her name ‘sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic’.

Jill Biden, who holds a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate of education, will become the only First Lady to keep a full-time job while serving in office.

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The article by the oped writer Joseph Epstein, who identified himself as a lecturer of English at Northwestern University, said that by virtue of the doctorate in education Biden had obtained at the University of Delaware she is entitled to use the title “Dr.”, but added that she should refrain from doing so. “A wise man once said that no one should call himself ‘Dr.’ unless he has delivered a child,” he wrote. “Think about it, Dr. Jill, and forthwith drop the doc.”

Soon after the article was out it sparked outrage on social media.

A rebuttal came from Jill Biden’s communications director Elizabeth Alexander as well, who called the piece “sexist and shameful” on Twitter, while Michael LaRosa, a spokesman for Dr. Biden, called out the op-ed editor James Taranto on Twitter, saying the paper “should be embarrassed to print the disgusting and sexist attack” on Biden.

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Bernice King, the youngest daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, offered her support to Biden, saying, “My father was a non-medical doctor. And his work benefited humanity greatly. Yours does, too”.

Journalist and Cultural Critic Virginia Hefferman tweeted supporting Biden. Addressing Epstein, she said, “Joe, kiddo. I got my PhD when 2 ancient & 2 mod langs were required & 10y of bowing & scraping to men like you. So I use my title. Sure, it’s not for BAs like you mistaken for MDs, but for ppl like me & Dr. Biden who are mistaken for housewives”.

According to a report by the BBC, Northwestern University also tweeted out, making its stance clear by saying that it “strongly disagrees with Mr Epstein’s misogynistic views”.