SANDOVAL: Liberal Elites Embarrass Themselves In Glitzy Magazine Spread

The so-called coastal elite weather a gale of accusations: out of touch, off their rockers, boring, vapid, dishonest, intellectually lazy, etc. But I put it to you, dear reader. Let him who does not possess a giant, framed close-up of his own face cast the first stone.

The New Yorker published a hilarious portfolio peering “inside the living rooms of notable New Yorkers.” Oversized reproductions of the faces of the featured New Yorkers appear to be a common theme. See: Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg posing beneath a younger version of herself, political activist Al Sharpton standing solemnly before his own portrait (and some sort of dog enclosure).

The New Yorker profiling the ritzy homes of left wing mega donor Alex Soros, Huma Abedin, AOC, Al Sharpton, and Ella Emhoff is just so rich.

Also, calling Ella Emhoff a “textile artist” is a total joke. https://t.co/nH9MxPyCXo pic.twitter.com/wLMfIN2slD

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 5, 2025

Sharpton is joined by such illustrious peers as Anna (Delvey) Sorokin, purveyor of rare accents and convicted fraudster. Sorokin strikes a bizarre pose atop a windowsill, wearing what appears to be an ankle monitor. At least it matches her dress. 

The superlative for “Most Likely To Be Mistaken For A Graffiti-Laden Bathroom Stall” goes to Kamala Harris’ step-daughter, Ella Emhoff, who appears in the spread covered with scribbly tattoos and holding a petrified dog. The New Yorker describes Emhoff as a “textile artist.” Yeah, technically. But that’s like describing Jeffrey Epstein as a “New York financier.” Granted, Emhoff’s only crimes are those of fashion. 

Huma Abedin, former political advisor to Hillary Clinton and ex-wife of Anthony Weiner, appeared with her new fiancé, Alexander Soros. (Yes, of those Soros.) So too did Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, whom the magazine caught candidly knitting a scarf. One must applaud Ocasio-Cortez for finding time during the midst of her “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” to appear alongside our illustrious Oligarchs and Oligarchs-In-Waiting. (RELATED: Democrats Find New Scapegoat For Disastrous 2024 Performance)

It’s not wealth or power themselves that warrant objection, but a decided lack of taste which defines the aesthetic of our current “elites.” For what it’s worth, some of the portraits were less terrible than others – that of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, for instance. But being sandwiched between Emhoff and Abedin hardly affords much dignity. 

I just don’t understand how anyone agreed to have their pictures included in that New Yorker spread without realizing they’d come off looking cartoonishly silly pic.twitter.com/ppzwmyw97t

— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) May 5, 2025

If you’re wondering, “Why on Earth would these people allow themselves to be photographed in such a manner, much less approve these photos for publication?” You haven’t assumed the narcissism of a Notable New Yorker. They are totally immune to their own silliness.

Manhattan is an island. But ostensibly, there are bridges connecting it to the rest of America. Ostensibly, they still have internet access. If that understanding is correct, why do New Yorkers appear to be veering towards a Galapagos-like speciation event? Some regional quirks are truly much less charming than others.

Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatalieIrene03