Why are Vanity Fair staff threatening to quit over a rumored Melania Trump cover?
A new controversy has erupted at Vanity Fair after reports surfaced that newly appointed editor Mark Guiducci floated the idea of featuring Melania Trump on the magazine’s cover.
According to Semafor, Guiducci has been considering ways to broaden the magazine’s readership, including appealing to more conservative audiences. But the suggestion of highlighting the former First Lady — amid ongoing controversies surrounding Donald Trump — has reportedly gone down badly with staff.
A Daily Mail interview with a mid-level editor revealed the depth of anger inside the newsroom:
“I will walk out the door, and half my staff will follow me. We are not going to normalize this despot and his wife. We’re going to stand for what’s right.”
The staffer added that they would rather take another job entirely than help promote Melania Trump on the cover of a publication long known for its progressive leanings.
Meanwhile, conservative media outlets, including Fox News, have embraced the idea. Host Brian Kilmeade went so far as to say the staffer should be identified and fired, arguing that employees who oppose the idea are undermining the magazine’s leadership.
Critics of the proposal argue that putting Melania on the cover risks alienating Vanity Fair’s core readership. While the move might appeal to some conservative consumers, many believe it could cause a backlash among the magazine’s traditional audience at a time when Trump remains highly polarizing in American politics.
The internal dispute highlights the broader tension in media today: should outlets adapt to attract a wider ideological base, or should they hold firmly to their existing brand identity and values?
0 Comments