Vanity Fair’s global editorial director Mark Guiducci faces potential staff walkouts after reportedly considering featuring First Lady Melania Trump on the magazine’s cover, sparking fierce internal opposition from employees who view the proposal as unacceptable.
The controversy emerged in late August 2025 when reports surfaced that Guiducci, who assumed his role in June after leaving Vogue, was exploring the possibility of putting Trump on Vanity Fair’s cover. The 37-year-old editor, described as a close confidante of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, reportedly seeks greater representation of cultural right figures in the fashion magazine.
Staff reaction proved immediate and hostile. One mid-level editor declared they would “walk out the motherf—– door, and half my staff will follow me” if the cover proceeded. The same staffer indicated they would refuse to normalize what they termed a despot and his wife, expressing willingness to work at Trader Joe’s rather than remain at the magazine under such circumstances.
The editor predicted that half the editorial staff would walk out if Guiducci moved forward with the Trump cover, guaranteeing significant disruption to magazine operations. The staffer emphasized their commitment to standing for what they consider right, regardless of career consequences.
However, not all Vanity Fair employees share this militant stance. Another staffer dismissed the threats as empty posturing, suggesting that while people might protest and complain about a Trump cover, few would actually quit such a prestigious position. This employee noted that the decision ultimately rests with Guiducci, who would bear responsibility for the choice’s success or failure.
The dispute highlights the magazine’s past treatment of Trump during her husband’s first presidency from 2017 to 2021. Despite being a former model with extensive magazine experience, Trump was notably excluded from both Vanity Fair and its sister publication Vogue during that period. This contrasts sharply with the treatment of other first ladies, particularly Michelle Obama, who appeared on Vogue’s cover three times during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Jill Biden also received Vogue cover features twice during Joe Biden’s term, further emphasizing the apparent exclusion of Trump from major fashion magazine coverage. Trump did appear on Vogue’s cover once in 2005 following her marriage to Donald Trump, and graced Vanity Fair Mexico’s cover in 2017.
The first lady herself appears largely indifferent to the magazine coverage controversy. In past statements to Fox News, Trump indicated she has appeared on numerous magazine covers previously and considers such appearances less important than her other responsibilities. She suggested that her presence on any magazine cover would not significantly impact anyone’s life.
Recent reports suggest Trump may have declined the potential Vanity Fair offer, with sources indicating she lacks time for photo shoots given her first lady priorities. One insider suggested the magazine staff does not deserve her participation, noting her extensive current commitments including philanthropic work and various projects.
Trump currently manages multiple initiatives including her Fostering the Future program for foster children, her Be Best campaign addressing cyberbullying and opioid abuse, and the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge encouraging youth interest in technology. She also contributed to the Take It Down Act, requiring social media platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images.
Additionally, Trump is working on an Amazon documentary, promoting her bestselling memoir, and developing an AI-powered audiobook. Sources close to her suggest these priorities far exceed any interest in magazine coverage.
The internal Vanity Fair conflict reflects broader tensions within media organizations regarding coverage of the Trump administration. Conservative media outlets have criticized the magazine staff’s opposition, with some suggesting that dissenting employees should face termination for their stance against featuring the first lady.
Both Vanity Fair and Vogue operate under Condé Nast, where Wintour serves as global chief content officer. Guiducci’s close relationship with Wintour adds complexity to the internal dynamics surrounding his editorial decisions and the staff rebellion against potential Trump coverage.
