‘Vanity Fair’ Has Backtracked After Hillary Clinton “Knitting” Controversy
Over the weekend, Vanity Fair released a satirical video called, Six New Year’s Resolutions for Hilary Clinton. In the video, the mag suggests some of the ways the former presidential candidate and former Secretary of State can stay busy in 2018 now that she’s out of the political game.
Maybe it's time for Hillary Clinton to take up a new hobby in 2018 pic.twitter.com/sbE78rA5At
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) December 23, 2017
Although some of the ideas are simple enough (like writing a sequel to her book, and go hiking more), one suggested that Clinton take up some new hobbies for the new year.
“Take up a hobby in the new year,” the woman says, holding a champagne glass. “Volunteer work, knitting, improv comedy… literally anything that will keep you from running again.” Ouch. Why don’t you tell us how you really feel, VF?
Fans and detractors alike immediately pointed out that the magazine has never suggested a losing male candidate find “something to do” post-election and let the mag know that this double standard won’t stand.
Show me where you put Joe Biden through the same treatment.
You know, the guy who attempted THREE presidential runs so far and never made it past the primaries. The 75 year old whose track record pre-Obama includes reprehensible treatment of Anita Hill.#DoubleStandard
— Selena Adera 🍩 (@Selena_Adera) December 26, 2017
This makes me want to cancel VF
— Escape Artist (@ImageFeeder) December 23, 2017
This video is insulting. You should all be embarrassed of yourselves. Telling a woman what to do-specifically a woman of her accomplishments-is sexist and gross. Enjoy the fallout.
— Jamie Grayson (@TheBabyGuyNYC) December 27, 2017
Hillary Clinton has been the Most Admired Woman for 21 out of the last 24 years, including the last 16 years straight.
But please, @VanityFair, tell us again why she should "go back to knitting."
I'll wait pic.twitter.com/YB6w3ULYbT
— Jack Miller (@politicalmiller) December 27, 2017
After a weekend of backlash much like these tweets, a spokesperson for the magazine issued their attempt at an apology. “It was an attempt at humor and we regret that it missed the mark,” Beth Kseniak, a spokeswoman for Vanity Fair, told multiple media outlets.
Of course, not everyone felt the video was in poor taste. Clinton’s political opponent, President Donald Trump, decided to take a swipe at the magazine for their backtracking after the video’s outcry.
“Vanity Fair, which looks like it is on its last legs, is bending over backwards in apologizing for the minor hit they took at Crooked H,” he tweeted. “Anna Wintour, who was all set to be Amb to Court of St James’s & a big fundraiser for CH, is beside herself in grief & begging for forgiveness!”
Although the president specifically called out Anna Wintour, she doesn’t edit VF, but is the Editor-in-Chief at Vogue and the Editorial Director of Vanity Fair parent company Condé Nast. Radhika Jones is the EIC at Vanity Fair. Clinton has not commented on the video since its release on Saturday.
What do you think of Vanity Fair’s satirical take on Hillary Clinton’s resolutions? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
