The most controversial magazine covers in the U.S. in 2021

The most controversial U.S. magazine covers of 2021 were criticized for being tasteless or offering dangerous messages, among other things.
What follows are the magazine covers that generated the most news coverage and social media outrage in the past year.

Newsweek magazine was accused of fearmongering with its Nov. 5 issue. It featured a photo of a scared child wearing a face mask with the cover line “Would you give this kid a shot?” The subhead, in smaller black print, said “Health experts strongly back a Covid vaccine for children,” then in red, said “Parents aren’t so sure.” (See article by Mediaite.)

The June cover of Los Angeles magazine was too racy for Gelson’s supermarket in L.A. It covered up the image of Kim Kardashian exposing her bare bottom in a reenactment of an iconic Coppertone ad. (See article by the Hollywood Reporter.)

V magazine came under fire in late October for its cover that featured singer Madonna recreating Marilyn Monroe’s death scene. (See articles by Today, the Sun, TMZ, Uproxx, the Daily Mail and Page Six.)

Critics condemned the December issue of Newsmax for describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as the “master of the world” on its cover. The issue featured a photo of Putin with the cover line “Vlad the Great.” It claimed Putin as the de facto leader of the world now that Donald Trump is no longer in the White House. (See articles by the Washington Post and Newsweek.)

Meanwhile, partisans blasted Time magazine for its over-the-top attempt to make U.S. President Joe Biden look cool. One critic said the June 21 cover was “sycophantic.” (See articles by Fox News, the Daily Mail, and Blaze Media.)

Time magazine also was roasted for its Sept. 27 issue, which featured an awkward cover shot of Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle. The photo seemed to show an emasculated Harry cowering behind his wife. (See articles by Fox News, Page Six, the Sun, Mirror, the Daily Mail and Mandatory.)

In May, N magazine apologized for putting Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy on the cover of the glossy Nantucket publication. N magazine had received backlash from readers over the cover story. (See articles by Page Six, Boston.com and Fox Business.)

The cover of February’s Vogue magazine was called disrespectful to Vice President Kamala Harris because she was photographed in casual attire, including Converse sneakers, in front of cheap-looking backdrop. (See articles by the Hill, the Daily Beast, CBS News, the New York Times, Today, Page Six and CNN.)

And finally, W magazine attempted to pull its latest issue before it could hit store shelves. The cover featured rapper Travis Scott and his partner and child but would have hit newsstands after the Astroworld Fest concert tragedy. (See articles by TMZ, Complex and the Daily Mail.)

Bonus cover:

Social media trolled People magazine for its Jan. 10, 2022, issue, which published in late December. The cover story titled “Betty White Turns 100!” hit newsstands three days before her death, which occurred a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on Jan. 17, 1922. (See articles by Insider, the Daily Mail, and Meaww.)

Related article:

The most controversial foreign magazine covers of 2021 (Tech-media-tainment; Dec. 19, 2021)