Melania Trump is well into her second term as First Lady, yet Vogue continues to withhold one of the most sought-after honors—its iconic cover feature. While Democratic First Ladies like Michelle Obama and Jill Biden have graced its pages, and even Republican figures like Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan secured inside spreads, Melania remains ignored.
Anna Wintour’s conditions for a cover
Sources close to Vogue claim that Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has no intention of extending an invitation unless something drastic happens. “If she was going to leave Donald—if there was a hint of divorce—Anna would be first in line for an interview,” one insider revealed. The stance has reportedly led to a flood of canceled subscriptions from Trump supporters, who now refer to the magazine’s parent company as “Conde Nasty.”
A history of dismissive coverage
Melania’s treatment by the fashion elite has been anything but warm. When her official White House portrait was released, her elegant Dolce & Gabbana suit was ridiculed, with critics comparing her to a magician. A Vogue writer described the look as “situationally inappropriate” while begrudgingly admitting it was an improvement from her earlier portrait, which had been slammed for excessive airbrushing.
Wintour’s selective ‘female empowerment’
Wintour, who claims Vogue champions women “leading change,” has been noticeably silent when asked about Melania’s style. The message is clear—Trump’s First Lady lacks the “substance” deemed worthy of a Vogue feature. Meanwhile, the magazine has showered Jill Biden with praise, running a glowing 2021 cover story that included trivial insights such as, “It’s not that often Joe and I get to have a whole morning together, just coffee, you know, talking.”
Fashion’s shifting allegiance
Melania was once embraced by the industry, mentored by Vogue’s former editor-at-large, André Leon Talley. She appeared on the cover as a bride in 2005 after marrying Donald Trump in a Dior wedding gown and was later featured again while pregnant with Barron. But since stepping into the White House, she has been frozen out by the very designers who once welcomed her.
The First Lady’s indifference
While fashion houses fear Vogue’s disapproval, Melania remains unfazed by the industry’s cold shoulder. Former advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff once recalled her blunt take on the situation: “I don’t give a f*** about Vogue.” Whether Wintour will ever reverse course remains uncertain, but Melania’s effortless glamour continues to command attention—whether Vogue likes it or not.
