Vogue calls Melania Trump a ‘freelance magician’ in brutal review of her White House portrait

Melania Trump was ripped to shreds in a scathing fashion op-ed published by Vogue Tuesday.

Writer Hannah Jackson ridiculed the first lady’s outfit choice and appearance in her official White House portrait, which was snapped by Belgian photographer Régine Mahaux and released earlier this week.

“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 the former model chose to wear for the picture.

Jackson then added, “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.”

Vogue published a piece criticizing Melania Trump’s 2025 White House portrait, comparing her to a “freelance magician.” The White House

The writer also said the first lady “looked more like she was guest starring on an episode of ‘The Apprentice’ than assuming the role of first lady of the United States.” AP

The writer then decided to take a more personal jab, claiming that perhaps Trump, 54, 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.”

Jackson concluded her message with a backhanded compliment, stating that the new photo was a step up, however, from the first lady’s 2017 portrait, in which her face was “airbrushed into oblivion.”

She added, “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.”

Page Six has reached out to Trump’s reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The Vogue writer also referenced Trump’s 2017 White House portrait (seen here), which she said was “airbrushed into oblivion.” The White House

Reps for Vogue and editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (seen here) have not responded to the criticism the piece has gotten. Dave Benett/Getty Images

Since publication, many people have defended President Trump’s wife on social media.

In the thread of Vogue’s X post, in which they promoted the piece, one fan wrote, “She’s stunning and rarely misses when it comes to fashion…your opinions are trash and based purely on politics. Pathetic.”

Another added, “Vogue you are pathetic. Melania is beautiful and elegant.”

A third chimed in, “@voguemagazine are haters and prove their positions are purely political. You all worshipped Jill Biden! LOL,” referencing the former first lady’s August 2024 Vogue cover.

Many people took to social media to defend Melania and say she is “beautiful and elegant.” AP

A critic pointed out that the piece appeared to be politically driven as Vogue featured former first lady Jill Biden on their cover last year.

A rep for Vogue did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment on the criticism. However, it appears they are standing by the piece, as it has not been removed or edited.

The fashion publication, which is run by editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, perhaps has a bone to pick with Melania since the Slovenian-born beauty recently said she has “no interest” in appearing on their covers.

The response was prompted by “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade, who asked last December, “You’re in the White House, and you’re not on the cover of any of these magazines. Do you think that will change? And would you say yes to them — the Vogues, the Peoples, whatever?”

The Trumps were once friendly with Wintour. Penske Media via Getty Images

Melania appeared on Vogue’s cover in 2005.

“Look, I’ve been there on the covers — on the cover of Vogue, on the covers of many magazines before,” Melania said in response.

“We have so many other important things to do than to be on the cover of any magazine. I think that life would not change for anybody if I’m on the cover.”

The first lady posed for the magazine’s cover ahead of her and the president’s Palm Beach, Fla., nuptials in February 2005, wearing a custom Dior wedding dress, which was chosen at the time with the assistance of the late fashion journalist André Leon Talley and Wintour.

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