10 Headlines That Were Rewritten After Public Backlash
These headlines sparked such intense reactions that news outlets had to rewrite them quickly.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Sometimes, news headlines miss the mark — badly. Whether they were tone-deaf, misleading, or just plain offensive, these controversial headlines ignited online firestorms and forced editors to walk them back. Here are 10 real-world examples where public outrage drove an immediate rewrite.
1. New York Times: “Trump Urges Unity vs. Racism” (2019)
mali maeder on Pexels
After mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, this headline about President Trump’s response drew bipartisan outrage. Critics said it downplayed his history of divisive rhetoric.
2. BBC: “Man Dies After ‘Being Attacked by Shark’” (2020)
Nathan J Hilton on Pexels
The use of quotation marks around “being attacked” made the headline sound bizarrely skeptical. People accused the BBC of minimizing a tragic event. Facing ridicule and confusion, they edited it to clarify the nature of the incident.
3. HuffPost: “People Who Take COVID Seriously Are Overreacting, Experts Say” (2020)
Chris Messina on Flickr
This headline appeared to contradict public health advice, especially early in the pandemic. It quickly drew flak for seeming irresponsible and misleading.
4. Vogue: “Kamala Harris and the New American Dream” (2021)
Laura Chouette on Unsplash
While the story praised Harris, the magazine’s chosen photo sparked a storm. Critics said the casual image lacked the dignity of her role and disrespected her historic win.
5. CNN: “How One Dad’s Love of Guns Helped His Son Survive a School Shooting” (2018)
ifood ijourney on Unsplash
The framing here struck many as deeply inappropriate. Readers slammed it for glorifying guns in the context of school violence. CNN quickly revised the headline to shift focus to the emotional aftermath.
6. Fox News: “Protester Dies of Natural Causes After Being Hit by Police” (2020)
Rubaitul Azad on Unsplash
This headline clashed with video evidence and sparked outrage online. It appeared to dismiss the role of law enforcement in the death. After public criticism, the outlet revised it to reflect more accurate details.
7. The Guardian: “Meghan Markle ‘Straight Outta Compton’” (2016)
The Guardian Newspaper on Unsplash
Referring to Meghan Markle’s background, this headline echoed stereotypes and was widely condemned as racist. It implied a dangerous upbringing based on her biracial identity.
8. NBC: “Harvey Weinstein’s Fall From Grace: A Tragic End to a Storied Career” (2017)
Norval Glover on Unsplash
Describing Weinstein’s downfall as “tragic” didn’t sit well with readers, especially victims of his abuse. The headline appeared to sympathize with the predator rather than his victims.
9. NPR: “Jeffrey Epstein, Who Died in Jail, Was a Wealthy Financier and Philanthropist” (2019)
Mr.TinMD on Flickr
Calling Epstein a “philanthropist” sparked immediate backlash given his criminal history. Critics said the headline whitewashed his sex trafficking crimes.
10. TIME: “How Kobe Bryant Inspired a Generation” (2020)
Time Magazine on Wikimedia Commons
After Bryant’s death, this tribute piece initially ignored past controversies. Many accused TIME of erasing parts of his story to fit a clean narrative.