First lady Melania Trump “laughed” at a request from Vanity Fair last month to appear on the magazine’s cover, according to a report from the New York Post.
The rejection comes as the magazine’s editors reportedly clashed over whether to feature Trump, with some staff threatening a “mass exodus” if global editorial director Mark Guiducci pursued the idea.
“Bigger Priorities” as First Lady
“Her priorities as first lady are far more important,” a source close to Trump told columnist Miranda Devine. “She doesn’t have time to be sitting in a photo shoot. These people don’t deserve her anyway.”
Melania Trump has focused her public role on supporting foster children, combating cyberbullying, and raising awareness of opioid abuse. This week, she called for more “preemptive intervention” to identify potential school shooters and recently wrote a “peace letter” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Media Backlash
According to the Daily Mail, several Vanity Fair staffers warned of a “meltdown” if Trump were placed on the cover.
Fox News host Emily Compagno defended the first lady’s decision, saying: “She is showing the grace that could have epitomized the cover of Vanity Fair but now never will.”
Past Coverage Disparities
During her husband’s first presidency, Trump was excluded from the covers of Vanity Fair and Vogue, both published by Condé Nast. She did, however, appear on the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in 2017.
By contrast, Michelle Obama appeared on Vogue three times while serving as first lady, and Jill Biden landed two Vogue covers during her husband’s presidency.
