I know that space is limited and short, punchy verbs are used to save space, but it also sacrifices precision and clarity.
In this context, Mediaite used the word "drops" in the sense of a music artist "dropping" a new track (meaning to release or deliver the statement) HOWEVER, it can easily be misread as "abandoning" a claim.
It would not have been too difficult to make the headline clearer, more accurate, and more concise without adding length! ANY of the following verbs could have replaced "drops":
Touts: This is perhaps the most accurate single word. It conveys that the official is actively promoting or praising the high spending as a positive indicator, which was his intent.
Trump Official Touts Odd Boast: 'Credit Card Spending Is Through the Roof!'
Boasts: Used by other outlets reporting the same story, this captures the "odd" nature of bragging about high debt as if it were a sign of economic health.
Trump Official Boasts: 'Credit Card Spending Is Through the Roof!' (Even shorter)
Offers: A neutral alternative that implies the statement was provided during his interview with Fox Business.
Trump Official Offers Odd Boast: 'Credit Card Spending Is Through the Roof!'
Makes ... just another one among many unambiguous choices.
Trump Official Makes Odd Boast: 'Credit Card Spending Is Through the Roof!'
Any of these would still fit within the constraints of space. By choosing a verb that specifically describes the action of the speech (praising vs. recanting/abandoning), the reader could have immediately understood the tone and intent of the official before reading the article.
-------------------
LOL@me! As you can see I had some time on my hands this morning. Obviously, ambiguous headlines bug the pedant in me... but Mediaite's editors are famously AWFUL at their job.
= new reply since forum marked as read