Vanity Fair is reportedly considering featuring First Lady Melania Trump on an upcoming cover as part of an editorial recalibration following the 2024 election.
The potential shift comes under new editor-in-chief Mark Guiducci and would mark a departure from the magazine’s previous leadership, which did not place Mrs. Trump on the cover during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Guiducci has indicated interest in the idea, according to Semafor, which reported he has been telling people that “he’s potentially interested in putting Melania Trump on the cover,” a decision described as “likely to repel magazine’s liberal readers.”
A mid-tier editor “reportedly told the Daily Mail” that they and part of their team would resign if the cover proceeds.
“We are not going to normalize this despot and his wife; we’re just not going to do it. We’re going to stand for what’s right,” the editor said.
“If I have to work bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s, I’ll do it. If [Guiducci] puts Melania on the cover, half of the editorial staff will walk out, I guarantee it.”
Mrs. Trump has previously said she places little value on fashion-magazine covers.
In an interview with Fox News, she noted her prior experience in the industry and emphasized other priorities.
“Look, I’ve been there on the covers — on the cover of Vogue, on the covers of many magazines before … We have so many other important things to do than to be on the cover of any magazine,” she said.
“I think that life would not change for anybody if I’m on the cover.”
During President Trump’s first term, Melania Trump did not appear on U.S. magazine covers such as Vanity Fair and Vogue, both published by Condé Nast.
By contrast, Michelle Obama appeared on multiple magazine covers while serving as First Lady, including three Vogue covers, and Jill Biden appeared on the cover of Vogue twice.
According to the summary provided, Obama appeared on 30 American magazine covers between 2009 and 2017.
In 2017, Melania Trump appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in February, and she later appeared in the February 2025 digital edition of ¡HOLA!
Actor James Woods has argued that coverage decisions would have been different if the Trumps were Democrats.
“If the Trumps were Democrats, Melania would be on every cover of every chic women’s magazine in the world every month,” he said.
President Trump has publicly praised the First Lady’s poise and presentation, comparing her to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and saying she should be referred to as “Melania T.”
The reported deliberations at Vanity Fair come as Mrs. Trump has announced a new White House initiative.
On Tuesday, Melania Trump announced the formation of the Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge. The program, established through an executive order signed by the president, “shall encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI, promote wide geographic adoption of technological advancement, and foster collaboration between government, academia, philanthropy, and industry to address national challenges with AI solutions.”
Mrs. Trump said the effort is intended to prepare students for the technology’s growing role across sectors.
“The Presidential AI Challenge will be the first step in preparing our next generation with a base understanding of this important new technology,” she said.
“In just a few short years, artificial intelligence will be the engine driving every business sector across our economy. It is important America leads the rest of the world.”
Guiducci’s reported consideration of a Melania Trump cover has prompted debate in media circles about audience expectations and editorial strategy following the 2024 election cycle.
Semafor’s reporting characterizes the potential cover as a test of the publication’s direction under new leadership, while the Daily Mail attribution reflects pushback from some within the magazine’s editorial ranks.
No timeline has been reported for a final decision on a possible Vanity Fair cover featuring the First Lady.
Mrs. Trump has continued to emphasize policy-related initiatives and public programs, as reflected in the newly announced AI Challenge, while discussion about magazine coverage continues within the media industry.
