by And how was your Labor Day?
The New Yorker Fest announced its star-studded list of attendees for one-on-one talks Oct. 5-7, 2018, and one name stopped several of the stars from attending. Steve Bannon, the co-founder of Cambridge Analytica, the data-mining firm that helped Donald Trump win the White House while also deceiving Facebook (and worse). Bannon, the guy who proclaimed himself kingmaker of Trump and also helped spread white nationalism. That guy.
Liberals love to think that ideas and debate and tolerance will allow the best of us to win out, but not everyone thinks like that, nor are all of us playing the same “game,” so winning means something completely different to them. Good and evil are not merely hats or character traits; in the real world, allowing evil a seat at the dinner table has devastating consequences.
Bannon was going to get a major platform to spread his malignant messages once more, and some would argue, even succeeded just by getting an invite to the intelligentsia party of the year.
But within hours, even minutes late Monday, the comedians announced to participate in this year’s New Yorker Fest went to Twitter to say they were out if Bannon stayed in.
John Mulaney, scheduled to talk with Susan Morrison:
I’m out. I genuinely support public intellectual debate, and have paid to see people speak with whom I strongly disagree. But this isn’t James Baldwin vs William F Buckley. This is PT Barnum level horseshit. And it was announced on a weekend just before tix went on sale. https://t.co/oYk1llNgvV
— John Mulaney (@mulaney) September 3, 2018
Judd Apatow, on a panel with Christopher Guest and Loudon Wainwright III:
If Steve Bannon is at the New Yorker festival I am out. I will not take part in an event that normalizes hate. I hope the @NewYorker will do the right thing and cancel the Steve Bannon event. Maybe they should read their own reporting about his ideology.
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) September 3, 2018
Bannon? And me? On the same program?
Could never happen.
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) September 3, 2018
I’m out. Sorry, @NewYorker. See if Milo Yiannopoulos is free? https://t.co/pDjlZkUdfO
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/boburnham/status/1036741650612019200
https://twitter.com/bridgeteverett/status/1036742086991732736
I'm out of #TheNewYorkerFestival as well as long as Bannon is involved. I completely agree with @Mulaney and @jackantonoff. I had no idea Bannon was involved. I was really looking forward to it. Have always admired the fine work done by @emmaEWallen and The @NewYorker. https://t.co/JfHfduc1Rd
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) September 3, 2018
The New Yorker‘s editor, David Remnick, rescinded the offer to Bannon, and posted this memo/essay in response to the backlash and boycotts
A statement from David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, explaining his decision to no longer include Steve Bannon in the 2018 New Yorker Festival. pic.twitter.com/opayiw5GQ2
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) September 3, 2018
Jimmy Fallon posted his protest 2 minutes later
I’m out. https://t.co/JkIOGqCxaM
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) September 3, 2018
