HOME ABOUT REPORTS CONTACT HELP WANTED
First Lady Jill Biden's July 1, 2024, Vogue cover, on which she is seen
wearing a silk cream Ralph Lauren dress that cost $4,990 and $4,600 Irene
Neuwirth earrings, has sparked a significant debate, underscoring a perceived
disconnect between the Biden family and average Americans. The cover is seen as
an attempt to project an idealized image of the First Lady, focusing on her
elegance and poise while sidestepping the country's real challenges.
The value of her outfit is close to $10,000, double the annual cost of
groceries, with the average price in 2023 being around $415.53 per month or
$4,986.36 annually. Critics argue that the cover places style above substance,
particularly during national challenges and soaring inflation, as many Americans
struggle to put food on the table, stating such features come off as tone-deaf.
To make matters worse, during the Vogue interview itself, after an attempt to
empathize with Americans concerned about inflation, Biden explains that her
"go-to clothes for traveling" are the Amor knit dresses in cashmere silk from
luxury fashion designer Gabriela Hearst, which retail for $1,550 each. She tells
Vogue she has them in all nine available colors, which is around $13,950 for
travel clothes alone, and that does not include possible doubles for specific
colors should she own any. That is roughly 20% of a median household's income in
the United States.
The Trump family, notably Donald Trump Jr. and Lara Trump, have been vocal in
their criticism of the cover. They have pointed out that Melania Trump, a former
model and First Lady, never graced Vogue's cover during her time in the White
House. This has been interpreted by some as a deliberate snub, reflecting media
bias. Donald Trump Jr. even went as far as to mock the cover on social media,
creating a viral spoof image. Critics, including many Trump supporters, view the
cover as yet another instance of media favoritism and an attempt to divert
attention from the administration's shortcomings.
First Lady Jill Biden on What’s at Stake in 2024 (Vogue, 7-1-24)
Trump family meltdown over Jill Biden’s Vogue cover: Don Jr photoshops First Lady, Lara rants at Melania snub (Yahoo! Life, 7-1-24)
Jill Biden’s Vogue cover proves how painfully out of touch the president’s family is (New York Post, 7-1-24)
Opinion | Only Jill Biden can save Joe Biden’s presidency (The Washington Post, 7-3-24)