Popular Magazine Under Fire For Sick Headline Announcing Scott Adams’ Death

A major national magazine is facing intense backlash after publishing a headline many critics described as vindictive and unnecessary in the wake of conservative commentator and Dilbert creator Scott Adams’ death.

On Tuesday, People Magazine initially announced Adams’ passing with a headline that labeled him a “disgraced” figure, a framing that immediately sparked outrage across social media from conservatives, free speech advocates, and even some apolitical observers who argued the language was gratuitous given the circumstances.

The headline was later deleted, but not before screenshots spread widely online. Adams, who died at 68 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer, had publicly shared updates about his deteriorating health in recent months, including that he was receiving end-of-life care. His death was confirmed during a livestream of his podcast, Real Coffee with Scott Adams.

Within hours of the magazine’s post, prominent conservative voices blasted the outlet for a deliberate attempt to smear Adams even in death.

“This is the monstrosity who wrote this vile article,” conservative commentator Matt Walsh wrote in a viral post responding to the headline. “Scott Adams was a great man loved and mourned by millions.”

This is the monstrosity who wrote this vile article. Scott Adams was a great man loved and mourned by millions. This person is a nobody, loved by no one. The world won’t even notice when she dies. https://t.co/Ck4fJeDF29 pic.twitter.com/5LQMdahtsW

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 13, 2026

Others echoed the sentiment, accusing the publication of using Adams’ death to relitigate political and cultural disputes rather than report the news with basic dignity. Conservative commentator Troy Sitko responded bluntly to the outlet’s post, writing, “F*** off, People Magazine,” in a reaction that quickly gained traction.

Fuck off, People Magazine. pic.twitter.com/MFWxtgPZCX

— Troy Sitko (@TroySitko) January 13, 2026

The controversy intensified after critics pointed out a glaring double standard in how the magazine has covered deaths of public figures in the past. One user highlighted the contrast between the outlet’s headline for Adams and its reporting on the death of O.J. Simpson, who also died of cancer.

“Both died of cancer, yet look at the headlines,” Lace wrote. “Same cause of death. Totally different tone.”

Simpson’s death was announced by People Magazine with a straightforward, neutral headline that made no reference to controversy or past conduct, a contrast critics argue reveals ideological bias rather than journalistic consistency.

🚨 People Magazine is a total disgrace!

Both died of cancer, yet look at the headlines:

OJ Simpson: Dead at 76 From Cancer, Family Announces

Scott Adams: Disgraced Dilbert Creator, Dies at 68

Same cause of death. Totally different tone. pic.twitter.com/lC1w8CBmkz

— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) January 13, 2026

Adams, best known for creating Dilbert, rose to prominence in the late 1980s with a comic strip that satirized corporate culture and workplace absurdity. At its peak, Dilbert ran in more than 2,000 newspapers across dozens of countries and became a cultural fixture for generations of office workers.

In later years, Adams became a polarizing political figure after voicing conservative views and openly supporting President Donald Trump. His outspoken commentary made him a frequent target of media criticism, and Dilbert was eventually dropped by many newspapers during the height of cancel culture controversies.