Marie Claire’s election coverage reveals media disconnect
November 11, 2024
Marie Claire’s recent feature attempted to gauge voter sentiment across all 50 states, but highlights a familiar issue: a lack of political diversity. Out of the 50 voters interviewed, only one openly identified as a Republican, despite the GOP winning the Senate, House, and the popular vote in the presidential election.
This oversight recalls the story of Pauline Kael, the renowned film critic for The New Yorker, who once noted her surprise at Nixon’s landslide victory because she didn’t personally know any Nixon voters. Unlike Marie Claire, however, Kael was self-aware, acknowledging the limitations of her New York liberal circle. Her comment was a recognition of her disconnect from mainstream America.
Marie Claire, on the other hand, seems oblivious to the implications of its own editorial choices. In a national election where Trump received 50.4% of the vote and Harris 48%, the magazine’s sample features only 2% Republican voices—far from a representative reflection of the electorate.
This highlights a broader issue within certain segments of the media: a failure to understand or accurately portray the perspectives of average Americans. As we move forward, it’s a reminder of the growing gap between media narratives and the reality experienced by many voters.