Vogue's unfavorable critique of Melania Trump's White House portrait

 January 29, 2025

Melania Trump’s recent unveiling of her White House portrait sparked controversy due to the critical review it received from Vogue magazine.

Vogue magazine published a critical review of Melania Trump’s new official White House portrait, describing her appearance as reminiscent of a magician and critiquing her choice of attire, Daily Mail reported.

Hannah Jackson, a writer for Vogue, penned the critique that took issue with both Melania’s stylistic choices and the thematic portrayal in her portrait. Depicted in a sharply tailored black Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit, the former First Lady stood against the iconic backdrop of the Yellow Oval Room with the Washington Monument looming in the distance. The photograph, credited to Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux, was styled to convey a boardroom aesthetic on January 21, a day after the presidential inauguration.

Mixed Reactions Across Social Media Platforms

However, the photograph itself drew attention not just for its style but for its perceived excessive digital alteration. "It's so over-processed, heavy softening and blurring filtering. There's nothing warm or real about this image," remarked one social media user, echoing a sentiment of artificiality that pervaded online discussions.

These criticisms starkly contrast the favorable coverage Vogue has historically offered to Democrat figures such as Jill Biden and Kamala Harris, with both having graced the magazine's cover multiple times during their tenure in roles similar to Melania's. Melania Trump herself expressed discontent in 2018 about the lack of a Vogue cover feature, a gesture she perceived as a snub given her status as First Lady.

Vogue's Editorial Choices Under Scrutiny

Under the leadership of Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief and a known supporter of the Democratic Party, the magazine has exhibited a pattern of favoring Democratic personalities for its covers. Wintour, speculated to have been a candidate for an ambassadorship during President Barack Obama’s administration, notably did not extend cover invitations to Republican first ladies like Melania during their terms.

This disparity has not gone unnoticed, prompting criticism from various quarters about the magazine's editorial fairness. Former senior advisor to RFK Jr., Link Lauren, highlighted this in a tweet where she compared Jill Biden's three Vogue cover features to Melania's none, labeling it a "joke."

Portrayal in Media and Public Reaction

Anna Wintour's editorial decisions and the resultant media portrayals beg questions about the intersection of fashion, politics, and media representation. The critical tone adopted by Vogue in its review of Melania Trump's portrait was epitomized by Hannah Jackson's commentary, suggesting Melania seemed "more like a freelance magician than a public servant." Hannah Jackson also critiqued, "Trump’s clothing certainly didn’t help the boardroom pastiche. She looked more like she was guest starring on an episode of The Apprentice than assuming the role of first lady of the United States."

It’s perhaps unsurprising that a woman who lived in a gold-encrusted penthouse, whose fame is so intertwined with a reality television empire, would refuse to abandon theatrics—even when faced with 248 years of tradition.

Frustrated with the magazine's stance, Melania was recorded stating her indifference toward Vogue in 2018. "Vogue said like, oh, we want to do a profile. Profile? F*** you, profile. I don't need a profile. Yeah, I need another profile. It might be a cover. I'm like, might be a cover? I don't give a f*** about Vogue and any magazine," she declared.

Melania's Portrayal and Public Perception

Moreover, the official FLOTUS Instagram account shared Melania's portrait, boasting four million followers, many of whom had transitioned from following Jill Biden. This added another layer of complexity to the public's engagement with her portrayal.

The divergence in Melania Trump’s media portrayal, especially in the partisan contexts of high fashion's intersection with American politics, underscores not just the complex dynamics of media bias but also the broader societal reactions to such representations.

In closing, the narrative around Melania Trump's White House portrait layers elements of media bias, public perception, and political affiliation, capturing a snapshot of the current media landscape and its aftermath on public figures and political entities alike.

About Victor Winston

Victor is a freelance writer and researcher who focuses on national politics, geopolitics, and economics.

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