Russian propagandists imitate cover of magazine that repeatedly mocked Putin

Leading Russian propagandists are spreading the non-existing cover of the American political satire magazine Humor Times. The theme of Russian propaganda’s fabrications has already become ‘eternal’: Western (in this context, American) funding in support of Ukraine.

This cover is fake – there is no such cover on the website of the American political satire magazine Humor Times or its social media. The magazine is published once a month, and the December issue has a completely different cover. It depicts an elephant that symbolizes a supporter of Donald Trump.

Additionally, every new issue of the magazine has its number. In December, it was No. 368. The fabricated cover has ‘special issue’ in its place only, but Humor Times does not produce them.

On the website of the magazine, there is also the January cover. It depicts a caricature of Elon Musk and his activity as Twitter CEO.

At the same time, Humor Times has a satire on Putin, which Russian propaganda did not mention for some reason.

In the Faux News section, where fictional humorous news articles are posted, there is “Putin’s letter” to Santa Claus. In the letter, Putin “writes” about being “good little Babooshki this year” and that he only started “one war”. He asks for an army “like Comrade Stalin had”, Vodka, and Starbucks to return to Russia. And all of that should be delivered to Putin via North Korea.

In March 2022, Putin also appeared on the original cover of Humor Times. There, he sits on a horse, wearing a funny big hat. A representative of “Western diplomats” stands next to Putin, insisting that “people do not go around invading other nations anymore” and “that’s just so 19th century”. Putin replies: “It’s okay… My country is stuck in the 19th century!”

Andrii Olenin