New York Times Removes Nicolás Maduro From 2026 Style List Following Viral Tracksuit Image

The New York Times scrubbed former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro from its curated list of stylish figures in 2026, with editors issuing a formal note on July 7 explaining the decision. The publication’s style section determined that an initial feature about Maduro warranted removal following widespread online mockery of an image showing him in a grey tracksuit after his January capture.

President Donald Trump posted the photograph to Truth Social shortly after U.S. military operations led to Maduro’s apprehension on January 3, prompting internet users to focus on his casual athletic wear rather than the geopolitical implications of his detention. The Times’ original January article acknowledged this phenomenon, noting that despite the gravity of the situation, “some people online have sidestepped the politics and seized upon the image itself, in order to talk about the clothing.”

The Times’ stylish figures list featured prominent Americans including late-night host Stephen Colbert, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and several Trump administration officials. The outlet devoted particular attention to Second Lady Usha Vance, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and podcast host Katie Miller, grouping them under a category titled “Pregnant Women in the Trump Sphere” and describing them as embodying “idealized femininity.”

The U.S. military operation that led to Maduro’s capture involved more than 150 aircraft, including bombers and fighter jets, and disabled Venezuela’s defense systems while reportedly conducting cyber operations against Caracas. Maduro currently faces federal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons violations and awaits trial in the United States.