Vogue published an article that criticized First Lady Melania Trump‘s outfit and appearance in her official White House portrait, released a few days ago. Writer Hannah Jackson said Melania does not look like a public servant but in her tuxedo, she looks like a freelance magician. According to Jackson, Melania should have worn a blazer or blouse in the official photo — but she said it was better than her 2017 photo.
“Trump looked more like she was guest starring on an episode of ‘The Apprentice’ than assuming the role of first lady of the United States,” she wrote, referring to the black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket, white button-up and Ralph Lauren cummerbund Melania wore for the photo taken by Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux.
“The choice to wear a tuxedo — as opposed to a blazer or blouse — made Trump look more like a freelance magician than a public servant.”
The writer said Melania perhaps refused to “abandon theatrics” for the portrait since she lived in a “gold-encrusted penthouse” and her fame is “so intertwined with a reality-television empire”.
“This time, while the portrait remains more subdued, the Trumps are displaying wealth not through diamond rings but through the coterie of tech CEOs who sat in the front row at the 2025 inauguration, whose combined net worth was over a trillion dollars.”
The black and white photo of Melania drew flak as many social media users called it “heavily photoshopped” but Vogue’s harsh criticism of Melania has a context. Vogue did not make a cover on Melania during her first stint as the First Lady ditching a long-running tradition which they again reversed for Jill Biden as Jill was featured on Vogue cover months before the election.
Melania Trump had earlier reacted to Vogue’s snub to her not featuring her on the cover. “They’re biased and they have likes and dislikes, and it’s so obvious,” she had said. “And I think American people and everyone sees it. It was their decision, and I have much more important things to do—and I did in the White House—than being on the cover of Vogue.”
Vogue slammed, social media users share writer Hannah Jackson’s photo asking if she can criticize anyone’s fashion choice
On Vogue’s X post, users called the magazine petty. “She’s stunning and rarely misses when it comes to fashion…your opinions are trash and based purely on politics. Pathetic,” one wrote. One shared the photo of writer Hannah Jackson and asked whether she should be giving out fashion advice to anyone. “She’s stunning and rarely misses when it comes to fashion…your opinions are trash and based purely on politics. Pathetic,” another wrote.
