After internet outrage, New Yorker disinvites Steve Bannon from festival

When The New Yorker announced that Steve Bannon — the man who mainstreamed white nationalism as a former Donald Trump adviser — would headline its New Yorker Festival, the internet responded with a collective, "Are you kidding me?"

Then, celebrities slated to appear at the event started pulling out on Twitter.

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That appeared to be the last straw. On Monday evening, The New Yorker announced that Bannon wouldn't be welcome at the festival after all.

David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, explained his decision in a lengthy statement.

"Today, The New Yorker announced that, as part of our annual Festival, I would conduct an interview with Bannon," he wrote. "The reaction on social media was critical and a lot of the dismay and anger was directed at me and my decision to engage him. Some members of the staff, too, reached out to say that they objected to the invitation, particularly the forum of the festival."

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Remnick added that, unlike for interviews, the publication pays for travel and lodging for festival guests, which was a problem for New Yorker staffers and readers alike.

"I don’t want well-meaning readers and staff members to think that I’ve ignored their concerns," he wrote. "I’ve thought this through and talked to colleagues — and I’ve re-considered. I’ve changed my mind."

Sooo, we're good?

Not really. Now, white nationalists get to play their favorite game, portraying Bannon as a victim of PC culture and the mainstream media. This could have been avoided. The New Yorker just needed to ignore Bannon, and not offer him a platform in the first place. Sadly, after the magazine tried to right its wrong, the damage was already done.