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On Monday, the New Yorker Festival announced that its headliner would be former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon. But since then, other celebrity speakers protested his involvement. The result? Steve Bannon just got uninvited.
Several celebrities tweeted that they would no longer speak or participate in any way if Bannon were to be there.
The opponents included:
Judd Apatow
If Steve Bannon is at the New Yorker festival I am out. I will not take part in an event that normalizes hate. I… https://t.co/MmwrLcmQwg— Judd Apatow (@Judd Apatow) 1536011272.0
Jimmy Fallon
I’m out. https://t.co/JkIOGqCxaM— jimmy fallon (@jimmy fallon) 1536014770.0
Patton Oswald
I apologize to @EricLach — a lively, funny writer. I would’ve loved to have spoken with him. I hope @NewYorker keep… https://t.co/ZA9MebHOjp— Patton Oswalt (@Patton Oswalt) 1536013387.0
John Mulaney
I’m out. I genuinely support public intellectual debate, and have paid to see people speak with whom I strongly dis… https://t.co/kiDi3Dwatb— John Mulaney (@John Mulaney) 1536010503.0
Bo Burnham
and Jim Carrey
Bannon? And me? On the same program? Could never happen.— Jim Carrey (@Jim Carrey) 1536011716.0
The result? The New Yorker just told Bannon he is out.
A statement from David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, explaining his decision to no longer include Steve Bannon… https://t.co/TfZNkMDViD— The New Yorker (@The New Yorker) 1536014588.0
David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker, released the following statement.
@NewYorker (Twitter)
@NewYorker (Twitter)
Most poignantly from his letter, Remnick wrote,
"The main argument for not engaging someone like Bannon is that we are giving him a platform and that he will use it, unfiltered, to propel further the "ideas" of white nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, and illiberalism. But to interview Bannon is not to endorse him."
He concluded,
"I've changed my mind. There is a better way to do this. Our writers have interviewed Steve Bannon for The New Yorker before, and if the opportunity presents itself I'll interview him in a more traditionally journalistic setting as we first discussed, not on stage."
Critics of Remnick's decision are applauding him on his change in mind, but many feel like the damage has already been done.
@NewYorker A well written and considered letter, but the fact remains that not only did you invite him, you announc… https://t.co/5h0fxi9YbT— Sleeping Giants (@Sleeping Giants) 1536016080.0
@NewYorker David Remnick needlessly damaged the New Yorker brand; it is time for him to move on.— Richard Schilling (@Richard Schilling) 1536015738.0
@NewYorker As subscribers for probably fifteen years, we don’t understand how you ever thought to give Steve Bannon… https://t.co/t36wjU885w— B. Demas (@B. Demas) 1536015221.0
@PGourevitch @NewYorker What does that even mean? Engaging with Bannon is pointless. Do some investigative pieces o… https://t.co/I9OVHRyNwS— eli friedmann (@eli friedmann) 1536013362.0
@PGourevitch @NewYorker I appreciate that Remnick has reconsidered but I want to understand why anyone thought this… https://t.co/nqtlb9cMJS— Super Jew Girl Space Laser Emporium (@Super Jew Girl Space Laser Emporium) 1536013609.0
@dlbogosian @mlcalderone The damage has been done, Bannon’s cause empowered. Remnick should take a leave of absence… https://t.co/vLEo0IWkDK— Leena Soman Navani (@Leena Soman Navani) 1536014615.0
@AP The Fact they asked him to begin with is shameful in its own right. https://t.co/KmBAeLgtvR— LadyLiberty (@LadyLiberty) 1536016763.0
@MSNBC @JoeNBC Look, I don’t need to entertain a “flat-earther” for an hour as he tries to convince me with pogo st… https://t.co/n0vLf3VRGw— WH Aide 🌊 (@WH Aide 🌊) 1536063391.0
@mlcalderone TY, David Remnick, for reconsidering, but I’d really like to know what made you consider him in the fi… https://t.co/8ne9NNZw80— Rita (she/her/hers)- VoteBlue MomsDemandAction (@Rita (she/her/hers)- VoteBlue MomsDemandAction) 1536014493.0
Did Remnick's mistake cost him the permanent absence of his other celebrity guests, or will they come back now that Bannon is gone?