It isn’t odd for a publication to print features or feel-good stories on the president-elect. But it is, at best, a little insensitive to publish a number of cutesy “He’s hired!” and “Will the house be gold?” social media headlines after one of your writers has accused the man of sexual assault.
https://twitter.com/people/status/796446370106224640
https://twitter.com/people/status/796409545736290304
https://twitter.com/people/status/796326336126132224
In October, People writer Natasha Stoynoff wrote a piece for the magazine detailing how then-presidential candidate Donald Trump had allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was on assignment to profile him in 2005. She claims he pushed her against a wall, shoved his tongue down her throat, and kept telling her they were destined to have an affair. In the week she made those allegations, over a dozen other women came forward with similar predatory stories about Trump.
People‘s sudden disregard of Stoynoff’s and the other women’s allegations in the dawn of a Trump presidency is why many are calling for a boycott of the magazine.
#BOYCOTTPEOPLEMAGAZINE
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) November 10, 2016
Celebs: do not give them your interviews or sell them your pictures
Readers: do not give them your money
This matters https://t.co/cwIJEOpbEl
Way to jump on the train @people. #BoycottPeopleMagazine in support of sexual assault survivors. #NotMyPresident #GrabYourWallet https://t.co/KNnmn242ly
— Sandra Kruse (@boomboomsandi) November 10, 2016
I will be cancelling my subscription Disgraceful #boycotttrump #boycottPeopleMagazine
— trish 💚☘️ 🇮🇪🇨🇦 (@irishheart1960) November 10, 2016
The boycott is emblematic of women’s general frustrations of living in a culture that continually dismisses sexual assault claims. Not only are they often ignored or dismissed or never brought to trial, but the men who have been accused of committing such violent acts are often let off the hook or, in some cases, rewarded. The election of Trump is a testament to that.