Elle Magazine apologized on Thursday evening after falsely reporting that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian had split. Stunned Twitter users who clicked into the story to know more, were instead met with a voter registration form.
“We made a bad joke,” said the magazine. “Our passion for voter registration clouded our judgement and we are sincerely sorry.”
We made a bad joke. Our passion for voter registration clouded our judgement and we are sincerely sorry. https://t.co/cYGGrpfBCz
— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 18, 2018
The actual post still remains live, however, and the website did not respond to inquires from TheWrap about why they had decided to leave it up.
The voter registration link was a direct appeal and did not acknowledge the website’s duplicitous means of directing readers there.
“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,” read a description.
“No matter your party or your state, it’s more essential than ever to make your voice heard. Take a few minutes to complete the form below, and be sure to cast your vote on Nov. 6.”
Though its intentions may have been honorable, the post was widely mocked Thursday, with many questioning the wisdom of intentionally posting fake news in 2018.
this is a link to a voter registration page, which implies that elle readers aren't interested in voting unless they're being tricked into it with fake celeb breakup news, which seems…super insulting to elle readers, actually?
</humorlessness> https://t.co/u5o9d6fJhC
— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) October 18, 2018
Spreading fake news, even if to trick us into doing something good, only impugns real news, and makes it harder for people to trust the media. Take this click bait down please. https://t.co/89TGf6fCQr
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/lizzywol/status/1052984150175690752
2018, where publishers intentionally post fake news about Kimye on social media to try to get people to vote https://t.co/QcNYlkhWBu
— Cristiano Lima (@viaCristiano) October 18, 2018
Their marriage isn't in trouble and is a link to voter registration. Don't click their stupid link and encourage this kind of bullshit. https://t.co/Bmb730RUG1
— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) October 18, 2018
… On the other hand — Chris Cillizza liked it.
This is brilliant https://t.co/piqIa5j1dZ
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) October 18, 2018