So, it is pretty difficult to figure put what you mean by "this behavior" and where "being in touch with average American" is supposed to be relevant. Being in touch with average American is specifically not relevant at all.
I say strangely, because it's not very typical, afaict, but just occasionally someone feels the need to throw something really bizarre out there. Which is why there's several variations on things like the "NYT pitchbot" out there, making fun of how bizarre those are.
That far right went bonkers over that project does not mean the project was far left one.
This comment is so false and divorced from reality it may be some Russian/Chinese/etc. disinformation campaign: https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart
NYT is center-left: https://www.allsides.com/news-source/new-york-times
Jacobian is further left than that: https://www.allsides.com/news-source/jacobin-media-bias