Donald Trump and Joe Biden: The latest cover of New York Magazine causes controversy

The next presidential elections will be held in the US on 5 November, and so far it looks like it will once again be a showdown between US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump—that is unless either of them drop out of the race before that.

Both politicians have been at the centre of media attention in the past couple of months for several reasons, many of which have voters deeply concerned. Joe Biden's constant public gaffes has led the Democratic party into chaos. Whereas Trump has constantly been in thenews over numerous scandals, including being convicted during the hush money trial, and also the attempted assassination he narrowly escaped on 13 July.

However there are two concerns that votes share about both the candidates—their age and how healthy they are to run the country for the next 4 years. To highlight this discourse, New York Magazine has just published their cover for the new health issue and it's stirring up netizens online.

Controversy over the half-naked photo

As seen in the Instagram post, the feature depicts both the current and former POTUS dressed in nothing but a pair of underpants. Of course, it must be said that New York Magazine created this image using photoshop—editing their heads on two other people's bodies.

Nevertheless, it is immediately evident in the comments section of their Instagram post that the photo is causing much controversy. Now major media publications are also reporting on the story.

Indeed, several netizens are finding their move 'disrespectful' and 'inappropriate'. One user says:

this feels wildly disrespectful and inconceivably out of line.

While others commented:

Posted 17 hours ago and y’all still haven’t rethought this decision and taken this down is wild.

@nymag You think you actually did something. Would you this if there were 2 female candidates? Do you have the guts to show them naked and make fun of them ? Probably not cause you would be too scared of sexual harrasment case

This is absolutely ridiculous. This is what we are putting on magazine covers now?!? More embarrassment for our country. My God

An allusion to the age and health of Trump and Biden

So why did New York Magazine go with such a bold choice for their cover? As per Genevieve Smith, the editor-in-chief, they wanted to 'address the fact that the issue would be published in the middle of the presidential campaign.' A campaign that has been marred with talk about the health condition and age of the candidates.

Moreover, as per Huffington Post, the magazine also includes an analysis on the 'existential crisis Democrats are facing as the nation questions President Biden’s fitness for office. This is not the first time that New York Magazine has used a similar photo editing technique to shock readers. In December 2020, they highlighted the 'nepo-baby boom' in Hollywood in their issue and this was the cover:

This article has been adapted from Ohmymag DE.

Read more:

Donald Trump: Melania Trump breaks traditions as she attends campaign rally for the first time

Donald Trump: Video of former POTUS appearing to be falling asleep at RNC going viral

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Sources used:

Huffington Post: New York Mag Cover Of Near-Naked Trump And Biden Sparks Backlash

news.de: Donald Trump and Joe Biden: Stripped down to their underpants - that's what's behind the cover photo

NDTV World: Half-Naked Image Of Trump And Biden On New York Magazine Cover Sparks Controversy

Instagram: @nymag