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Critics Blast People Magazine Cover Celebrating Trump’s Win

They accused the magazine of pandering despite a former writer accusing Trump of sexual assault.

The internet is furious about a People magazine cover featuring Donald Trump for celebrating the president-elect, given that one of their former writers recently accused him of sexual assault.

He’s hired! Donald Trump is elected 45th President of the United States in stunning upset https://t.co/nIJUq46x27 pic.twitter.com/XbnrfokfoW

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

Over 1,800 words into Charlotte Triggs’ cover story, “He’s Hired! Donald Trump Is Elected 45th President of the United States in Stunning Upset,” there are two paragraphs about sexual assault allegations against Trump, including from former People writer Natasha Stoynoff.

Feminist blog Jezebel called out a separate article from writer Julie Mazziotta for being a “disgraceful piece of literal propaganda.” The piece focuses on his victory party and the mood of the crowd.

Every time a women's magazine tries to normalize the Trumps, we are going to be on their asses. Four years of this. https://t.co/9NSOXaS4Sk

— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) November 10, 2016

People’s tweet of its forthcoming cover (which links to the story that mentions Stoynoff’s assault allegation) received scorn, and a number of readers said they wouldn’t buy the magazine.

People's so psyched for its new First Family. Never tell me sexual assault accusations ruin a man's life ever again. https://t.co/QGhy0vXaNp

— Caroline Framke (@carolineframke) November 10, 2016

@people I am never going to purchase your magazine again; your blatant disregard for half the country (and facts) is a bridge too far.

— Kate (@katemacmac) November 10, 2016

@people I will not follow you or purchase this! Your own writer accused him of sexual assault. Wth is wrong w you?! I'm done.

— IBG (@Iris007Gill) November 10, 2016

@people : Thank you for ensuring I never buy your magazine ever again. This is not ok. We do not normalize this kind of behaviour

— Alem Tedeneke (@eyealem) November 10, 2016

A People spokesperson sent The Huffington Post the following statement:

Donald Trump’s win is a history-making news event that warranted the cover of the magazine. The story is not a celebration or an endorsement and we continue to stand by Natasha Stoynoff, whose account of being attacked by Trump in 2005 is recounted in this week’s cover story.

Stoynoff wrote an essay for the magazine in October detailing her encounter with Trump while interviewing him for a 2005 story marking the one-year anniversary of his marriage to Melania Trump. Stoynoff wrote that when they were alone at Trump’s vacation home, he told her, “You know we’re going to have an affair, don’t you?”

She said that after she and Trump walked into a room alone, he shut the door.

“I turned around, and within seconds he was pushing me against the wall and forcing his tongue down my throat,” she wrote.

Trump denied the event ever took place, as he did with assault allegations that came from over a dozen other women. Melania Trump demanded a retraction and threatened to sue over People’s story, saying Stoynoff’s description of the two women meeting on the street after the alleged assault was false.

After the followup piece, Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple questioned People’s decision to publish the 2005 puff piece on the Trumps’ anniversary, considering Stoynoff had told some of her colleagues about the attack.

Following Trump’s win early Wednesday, People has published a number of other flattering stories about the Trumps, which the Cut called “shameless pandering.”

22 photos of Ivanka Trump and her family that are way too cute https://t.co/AZdq7b2Gwa pic.twitter.com/e6cSxQAft1

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

‘Back to business’ for the Trumps as Ivanka steps out after father’s shocking victory https://t.co/BuIaYww8hC pic.twitter.com/vUYjfWMliL

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

Will it be the gold house? Donald Trump reveals his plans for the most famous home in America https://t.co/VBxsL0gQmQ via @peoplehome pic.twitter.com/bB2RnHac1p

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

Donald Trump is ‘totally calm’ and ‘really ready to take’ on the presidency, source says https://t.co/TOjM8E9qN6 pic.twitter.com/0Ts0O7zYSV

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

Melania Trump’s First Lady style: See her best moments on the campaign trail https://t.co/p5hLZK4u5h pic.twitter.com/wLCcvcgsEk

— People Magazine (@people) November 9, 2016

The magazine also published stories about Trump’s ongoing legal battles, anti-Trump protests and celebrities’ responses to his win, both positive and negative.

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