Melania Trump may most likely not make it again on the cover of Vogue magazine, if Anna Wintour still had a say who should be on it, judging from what the latter said---or rather, did not say---in a recent interview.
The First Lady of the United States, who had worn her Christian Dior wedding dress for the occasion, had already appeared once on it in 2005 when she got married to the now United States President Donald Trump.
Presently, one would think that, by now, with the 2020 elections already looming, she would have had her chance to be featured again, but this time as the FLOTUS.
However, during a recent CNN exclusive with Christiane Amanpour, the 69-year-old strongly Democrat supporter was asked about the magazine's leaning toward more political involvement and had responded that she did not believe it was the time to "not take a stand."
At this interview, Wintour talked about how, when considering who to feature in her iconic magazine's cover, the choice was based on selecting women who took a stand for what they believed in, even more so about the magazine's tradition of featuring First Ladies of the United States.
The three-decades-long Vogue editor in chief shared that she did not think one "could please everybody" at all times and pointed out some women her magazine has featured who she thought inspired other women "from a global perspective."
Among her examples, she spoke of First Ladies who have graced the Vogue cover, as well as other American women who have had what she perceived as significant roles in politics. She went on to say that these women invariably were those who had a "point of view" in issues that mattered, and it became clear that Melania may not make the cut.
The former first lady Michelle Obama was mentioned as a particular favorite of the Vogue icon, having been featured not once but three times on the said publication.
Michelle, the chief editor of Vogue, shared, was "so inspiring" to "women," not to mention the former first lady "did wonders" for the fashion world. The choice was telling, with Mrs. Obama's first Vogue cover underlining her role as "The First Lady of American Fashion."
Other women politicians who have been very visible on the political landscape like Senator Kamala Harris, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have graced the cover as well.
In her precise bob haircut and signature sunglasses, the Conde Nast artistic director revealed a soft spot for the former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton who she strongly backed in the last presidential elections, revealing her leaning toward the Democrats, which was also taken up at the interview above.
Regarding her preference for women Democrats to feature, she stated that it was important that the women profiled in her publication were those "we believe in." She went on to say that, after Clinton's defeat, "we believe" in women taking on a position of "leadership" and that her magazine intended "to support them."
It should be noted though that Republican women have been featured in the magazine, like Barbara as well as Laura, just not on the cover.
It is notable, however, that though she is not a political figure or a first lady, adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford in real life), who was involved in a scandal with President Trump, had been Vogue's cover girl on the magazine's October 2018 issue.
At that time, people on social media, like this Twitter user, noticed that this happened "before Melania Trump."
As a former model, Melania has been featured on countless magazine covers, the U.S. Vogue being one of those. But since she became the First Lady of the United States, her absence on any of the publications she previously figured in has been glaringly noticeable.
It is more so since her husband is highly visible, particularly on news media.
This has been put down to magazine editors having second thoughts about placing on front cover someone so closely associated with President Trump, which could mean dissatisfaction from readers or advertisers.
Then there is this consideration that Melania's conspicuous absence on magazine covers could be due to a political stand being made by editors, like Wintour. Then again, with the slew of infidelity issues that have been thrown at the President, coupled with her minimal forays into the limelight, it is no wonder she gets rarely featured on front pages anymore.
And her silence has not helped.
One particular editor, whose identity has been withheld, has been quoted saying it is difficult to satisfy everyone when "covering the Trumps," adding that, while political figures can be "divisive" for their audience, the couple are "especially so."
The experience of one magazine, People, was put forth as an example, when it featured Trump shortly before his election and again when he got elected. Many of its readers reacted pointing out how it could consider featuring Trump on their cover after Natasha Stoynoff, who wrote for the magazine, had shared how the president had attempted to kiss her when she was on an assignment.
Then again, there was that Wintour brush with Trump when the latter posted a not so complimentary comment on the former, after Vanity Fair, a sister publication, put out an apology for having poked fun at Hillary Clinton.
Early 2017, when it was asked whether Vogue had made a move toward putting Melania on its cover, the magazine's spokesperson at the time had referred this query to Wintour's interview with The Wall Street Journal where the last made reference to the tradition as mentioned earlier on First Ladies being featured.
At the time, Wintour had commented that she did not feel that the said tradition would be any different. However, when a slide show of featured First Ladies was shown, Melania was not included.
Magazine editors can hardly get close to Melania, making it harder for them to have any material to say about her, much less write about. The mother of one has been avoidant of interviews, perhaps because it could hold unpleasant questions on her marriage.
Mrs. Trump has been coming out to speak on cyber-bullying and recently on the issue of drugs. She has also gone on social media to say her piece on kindness and the victims of the Florida school shooting.
After the many sexual accusations leveled against the president, Melania has been seen as a figure or mystery "but also compassion." But as to whether this sentiment will go as far as to bring Melania as the First Lady on magazine covers, is something that is to be looked out for.
The editor-in-chief of Town and Country, Stellene Vollandes, remarked that when the time comes that Melania decides to come out to speak, "everyone" will be paying attention.
