New Yorker Faces Pushback After Cover Featuring Top Politicians With Walkers - The Messenger
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New Yorker Faces Pushback After Cover Featuring Top Politicians With Walkers

The illustration by Barry Blitt portrays Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, and Joe Biden racing with walkers

The Oct 2, 2023 New Yorker cover shows Trump, McConnell, Pelosi and Biden using walkers in a raceBill Blitt for The New Yorker

A New Yorker cover featuring former President Donald Trump, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and President Joe Biden racing while using walkers has earned the outlet ageist and ableism accusations.

While many on social media appreciated the humor in the illustration showing Trump, 77, Pelosi, 83, McConnell, 81, and Biden, 80, racing, some pushed back on the October cover by Barry Blitt.

"Hey, New Yorker: THIS is seriously your cover for next week’s magazine? Not only is it incredibly ageist but it’s ableist & a slap in the face to every person in America who needs a walker & who has a disability. This is disgusting & vulgar beyond words. Just STOP it already," Democratic activist Victor Shi posted to X, formerly Twitter, in response.

Others echoed the accusations against the New Yorker.

The New Yorker story, which includes an interview with Blitt about aging, pairs the image of Trump to highlight "the irony and absurdity of the advanced-age politicians currently vying for our top offices."

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