Vanity Fair’s new global editorial director Mark Guiducci has sparked internal company turmoil after considering placing First Lady Melania Trump on the magazine’s cover, prompting fierce resistance from staff members who are threatening to resign in protest.
The controversy erupted on Monday, August 25, 2025, following a Semafor report detailing Guiducci’s plans to feature more conservative figures in the high-fashion publication. The 37-year-old editor, who assumed his role in June after leaving his position at Vogue, is seeking greater representation of cultural right-wing figures in Vanity Fair, according to the report.
A mid-level editor at the magazine expressed vehement opposition to the proposal, telling the Daily Mail on Monday that they would “walk out the motherf***ing door, and half my staff will follow me.” The staffer indicated they would refuse to normalize what they characterized as despotic leadership, declaring their willingness to work bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s rather than participate in such a cover story.
The employee guaranteed that half the editorial staff would walk out if Guiducci proceeds with placing Melania Trump on the cover, expressing disgust at even the prospect of such a decision.
However, not all Vanity Fair employees share this militant stance. Another staffer dismissed the threats as empty posturing, suggesting colleagues would not actually abandon such prestigious positions over editorial decisions. This employee characterized the opposition as temporary griping that would ultimately fade, noting that the decision rests solely with Guiducci, who would bear responsibility for the consequences.
The controversy highlights the magazine’s complicated relationship with political coverage under different leadership regimes. During President Trump’s first administration from 2017 to 2021, Melania Trump was notably absent from both Vanity Fair and its sister publication Vogue, despite her background as a former model.
In stark contrast, Democratic first ladies received extensive magazine coverage during their respective tenures. Michelle Obama appeared on Vogue’s cover three times during her husband Barack Obama’s eight-year presidency. Jill Biden secured two Vogue covers during President Biden’s single term, while Hillary Clinton was featured on the magazine’s front page in 1998 during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
Melania Trump’s only American Vogue appearance came in January 2005, featuring exclusive wedding photos from her marriage to Donald Trump. She also appeared on Vanity Fair’s Mexican edition cover in January 2017, photographed in an artistic pose with a platinum necklace.
Both Vanity Fair and Vogue operate under Conde Nast, where Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, serves as the global chief content officer. Guiducci maintains close ties with Wintour, serving as both a confidante and family friend, which could potentially facilitate Melania Trump’s eventual appearance on Vogue as well.
The first lady herself has expressed indifference toward magazine coverage. In a 2022 Fox News interview, she acknowledged the apparent bias in fashion publications while emphasizing her focus on more substantive matters. Melania Trump noted her previous magazine appearances and suggested that her presence on any cover would not significantly impact anyone’s life.
The Trump administration has previously criticized fashion magazines for their selective coverage. Both the president and first lady have publicly complained about her exclusion from major publication covers, with Melania Trump characterizing the bias as obvious to American observers.
Guiducci’s leadership represents a potential editorial shift for Vanity Fair, which has struggled with declining web traffic and staff departures in recent years. His predecessor, Radhika Jones, led the magazine through seven years of digital transition while maintaining a staunchly anti-Trump editorial stance, similar to former longtime editor Graydon Carter.
The proposed editorial changes align with broader industry trends, as several liberal media outlets, including CNN and MSNBC, have moved toward more centrist positioning following audience losses after the 2024 presidential election.
