Staff members at Vanity Fair are reportedly furious over the possibility of Melania Trump appearing on the magazine’s cover, with some threatening to quit in protest.
Mark Guiducci, the newly appointed global editorial director of the publication, is said to be considering featuring the first lady as a cover star in an effort to reshape the magazine’s editorial direction.
Staff fury and walkout threats
The idea of featuring Melania Trump on the cover of Vanity Fair has stirred strong reactions from some staff members. One editor was quoted saying to DailyMail, “I will walk out the motherf**king door, and half my staff will follow me.” The editor expressed a firm stance against promoting Melania Trump, seeing it as a sign of endorsing the Trump presidency, which many of the magazine’s staff oppose.
“We are not going to normalize this despot and his wife,” the editor added. The threat of resignation, however, has been met with scepticism by others within the office, who suggest that the protest is more of a temporary reaction than a genuine commitment to leave their prestigious positions.
Not everyone at Vanity Fair is on the same page when it comes to the proposed cover story. While some staffers are ready to walk out in protest, others believe that the backlash is overblown.
“If they put her on the cover, people will protest and gripe about it, but I don’t see anyone quitting such a prestigious job over that,” said one employee to DailyMail.
Despite the angry outcry, some within the magazine are accepting that ultimately, it is Guiducci’s decision. “He’s the one who will sink or swim over that choice, not the rest of us,” the employee remarked.
Melania Trump’s history with magazine covers
While Melania Trump has graced the cover of Vanity Fair’s Mexican edition in 2017, her exclusion from major fashion magazines like Vogue has been a topic of public discussion. During her husband’s presidency, Vogue notably gave Michelle Obama multiple covers, while Melania only appeared once, in 2005.
Melania herself has expressed a lack of interest in being featured on the cover of magazines, stating, “Life would not change for anybody if I’m on the cover.” She has also criticised the media for their bias, due to the exclusion from Vogue as evidence of their selective preferences.
Guiducci’s potential move to feature Melania Trump could signal a broader shift in Vanity Fair’s editorial policies. Since his arrival at the magazine, there have been reports of a desire to bring in more diverse political voices, including figures from the right.
This decision may align with a wider trend of media outlets adjusting their approach in anticipation of the 2024 election. Like other liberal-leaning networks, Vanity Fair may be looking to reposition itself in the middle of the political spectrum, as it faces challenges in attracting a broader audience. However, such a shift could come with risks, as it may alienate the magazine’s traditional readership.