First Lady Melania Trump rejected a request from Vanity Fair to appear on the cover of the magazine last month, according to reporting from the New York Post.
The Post reported that Trump “laughed” at the offer, and sources close to her said she had no interest in entertaining the idea.
Vanity Fair editors were reportedly divided over the suggestion, with some expressing strong opposition to featuring the first lady.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
One editor told the Daily Mail there would be a “mass exodus” of staffers if Trump were placed on the cover.
Others warned of a potential “meltdown” if global editorial director Mark Guiducci moved forward with the plan.
A source familiar with the first lady’s thinking told the Post’s Miranda Devine that Trump has other priorities.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
[esi random_video_player ttl=”0″]
“She doesn’t have time to be sitting in a photo shoot,” the source said.
“Her priorities as first lady are far more important. These people don’t deserve her anyway.”
Since returning to the White House, Melania Trump has focused her efforts on a number of initiatives.
She has worked to support children in foster care, combat cyberbullying, and address opioid abuse.
On Wednesday, she called for more “preemptive intervention” to identify potential school shooters. She also recently wrote a “peace letter” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reaction to Trump’s decision has been noted across media outlets. On Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” host Emily Compagno praised the first lady’s response.
“I love this because she is showing the grace that could have epitomized the cover of Vanity Fair but now never will,” Compagno said.
Trump’s relationship with the fashion press has been a point of contention for years.
During her husband’s first term as president, she was largely excluded from features in Vanity Fair and Vogue, both publications owned by Condé Nast.
This stood in contrast to previous first ladies, many of whom were frequently highlighted by the magazines.
Trump did appear on the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in 2017, but has not been featured on the main editions of Vanity Fair or Vogue.
By comparison, former first lady Michelle Obama appeared on the cover of Vogue three times during President Barack Obama’s two terms in office.
Jill Biden, wife of former president Joe Biden, appeared on two Vogue covers during her husband’s presidency.
The Post noted that Vanity Fair’s internal debates over featuring Trump reflect the divisions within Condé Nast when it comes to covering the Trump White House.
Despite the tensions, sources said the first lady is not concerned with the magazine’s editorial choices.
The first lady continues to maintain a lower media profile than many of her predecessors, focusing instead on policy and advocacy work.
Her initiatives related to child welfare, mental health, and education remain central to her role.
The reports of Vanity Fair’s staff reaction, coupled with Trump’s rejection of the offer, underscore the ongoing rift between the Trump White House and fashion media outlets.
For now, Melania Trump appears content to focus on her official duties rather than magazine covers.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here