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Global lifestyle magazine Elle has apologised for a false tweet about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West “splitting up” that linked to a voter registration form, calling it a “bad joke” – although the post remains live.
The link in the tweet appeared to direct to a story on the Elle US website about the break-up but actually diverted to a “register to vote” form on the website of non-profit campaign When We All Vote.
Encouraging readers to sign-up as voters ahead of the US mid-term elections, the page reads: “So far in the primaries, women have beat long-time incumbents and created historic races, all while redefining what it looks like to be a woman in politics.
“And now you have the opportunity to vote for them, or whomever you choose, in the midterm elections.
“No matter your party or your state, it’s more essential than ever to make your voice heard.”
Journalists were among those criticising the magazine for posting the misleading tweet.
New York Magazine writer Yashar Ali tweeted: “When a random tweeter did this it was clever but now you’re just stealing their tweet and also spreading fake news.”
HuffPost UK head of news Jess Brammar said the tweet was “kind of nuts” and an “error of judgement”.
Writer Roxane Gay dubbed the tweet “trash nonsense”, adding: “Who do you think you are reaching with this? Guess what? One can be civic minded and interested in celebrity gossip. Do better.”
The magazine has since tweeted an apology to its 6.8m followers, writing: “We made a bad joke. Our passion for voter registration clouded our judgement and we are sincerely sorry.”
However the original “fake news” tweet, posted yesterday evening, remains online and has amassed more than 9,000 retweets. The apology has seen far less engagement.
Press Gazette has contacted Elle and Kardashian for a statement.
Picture: Twitter/Elle
Parliamentary Reporter, PA Media
Deputy News Picture Desk Manager (6 month fixed term contract), Alamy
Executive Director, Society of Editors
Given the real issues surrounding voter suppression and manipulation it makes perfect sense to focus on….. celebrities????
ah, my ‘quote marks’ clashed with your html and removed the quote. so here it is: this, clegg, is what i wrote on facebook in response to claims that (a) no one intelligent votes leave and (b) non white leave voters are “ethnic traitors”….
Without a doubt one of the most intelligent white men of my generation I have met in years, interestingly ex British army, with programming skills – clearly extremely good ones, employed by one of the biggest companies in the world as a programmer, but currently working in his preferred profession as plumber – and this guy, his wife is European and a remain voter, and he is without a doubt someone whom YOU, reader, would desperately want in your home if your boiler and plumbing were fucked or even not fucked. Because most of the people you will deal with are incompetent or thieving or both. Usually both. Extensive evidence can back this claim, but now’s not the right time. However my point is that given how likely you are to be screwed over and basically lied to, a man like this one – brilliant intelligence, sharp, honest, on the case as you would most want – he’s also a leave voter. and you’d be lost without him. many people are saved from cowboys and much evil by him. Unlike me I don’t see him changing his position. A lot of soldiers are the same – they blame Brussels for allowing the USA to control us – rightly or wrongly – I mean Chomsky clearly feels that Brexit will make Britain’s lapdoghood more pronounced not less.
Generalising about leave (or remain) voters is silly. The evidence mounts everywhere. However in lieu of facing up to that, I suggest you find someone to blame and blame them forthwith.
in fact one reason why most non white working class people i know vote leave is the same reason the white builders and plumbers say they vote leave – it has a direct impact on their income and life – cheap eu labour has destroyed their industry and made it a nightmare
it’s worth noting that. and once you understand it you’ll get out of your neoliberal and middle class denial, whatever your so-called ‘race’. one thing’s for sure – no ‘race’ label you give yourself can put you on equal footing, intellectually, with the most advanced individuals of our species.