NY Magazine has come under fire for its controversial editing of a cover image in a story about young MAGA supporters.
Critics have accused the publication of cropping out Black attendees from a photo of a Trump inauguration party held at Butterworth’s bistro in Washington, D.C., on January 20.
The article described the event as showcasing the “young, gleeful, and casually cruel” MAGA faithful celebrating Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Host Calls Out the Magazine’s Narrative
CJ Pearson, a Black conservative activist and political advisor who hosted the party, criticized the magazine for omitting him and other people of color from the image.
Taking to social media platform X, he expressed his frustration, saying, “This is insane.
I hosted this event, and @NYMag intentionally left me out of their story because it would have undermined their narrative that MAGA is some racist cult.”
Other attendees backed Pearson, pointing out the deliberate exclusion.
One noted, “I was at this party as were MANY other conservative influencers who are Black, Latino, Asian, etc.” Another simply commented, “This is low.”
Cropping Sparks Debate on Intentional Exclusion
The controversy escalated after viewers compared the magazine’s cropped cover photo to the original image.
The final version showed only young, white attendees in formal wear, enjoying the celebration with drinks in hand.
However, the uncropped photo revealed several Black individuals on the left side of the frame and one whose face was obscured by the placement of a subtitle reading The Cruel Kids’ Table.
Critics didn’t hold back.
“Why did they intentionally omit conservatives of color? Including the host?” one asked.
Others labeled the edits as “selective and intentionally discriminatory cropping.”
Journalist Faces Backlash Over Narrative on Whiteness
Adding to the uproar, the article itself focused on the “whiteness” of the attendees.
At one point, the journalist wrote, “Almost everyone is white,” and later quoted an older woman at the party saying, “Have you noticed the entire room is white?” However, the article didn’t clarify whether this observation was meant as a criticism or an approval.
Following the backlash from MAGA supporters, the journalist made their X account private, avoiding further public comments.
A New Wave of MAGA Supporters
Despite the controversy, the article did highlight a shift in Trump’s supporter base.
It described the attendees as a new breed of conservatives, distinct from the working-class or anti-elite Trump supporters of 2016.
The reporter portrayed them as young, connected, and urban, often with strong online presences.
They included “crypto nerds, influencer girlies, recent MAGA converts, and gay conservatives,” alongside the more familiar “Joe Rogan-listening bros.”
The piece emphasized their polished appearances and urban sophistication, contrasting them with older stereotypes of Trump supporters.
Critics Question Intentions Behind Cropped Image
As the backlash continues, the focus remains on the magazine’s editorial choices.
Many have questioned whether the cropping was a deliberate attempt to reinforce a particular narrative about MAGA supporters.
“Why erase the diversity at the event when it clearly challenges the stereotype being portrayed?” one critic asked.
Others highlighted the damaging effects of selective representation in shaping public perceptions.
While NY Magazine’s story intended to spotlight a new generation of Trump loyalists, the editing controversy has overshadowed its intended narrative, leaving many questioning the publication’s motives.
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