CBS Draws Attention to Media’s ‘Apparent Double Standard’ for First Ladies

Nicholas Fondacaro | April 25, 2018
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***To read the full blog, please check out the complete post on NewsBusters***

CBS Evening News ended Tuesday’s program with a report highlighting that night’s state dinner at the White House and the behind-the-scenes efforts of First Lady Melania Trump to pull it off. But in the middle of the segment, reporter Jan Crawford pointed out what many considered a blatant double standard from the media, in that Mrs. Trump has been on the cover far fewer American magazines when compared to Michelle Obama.

She has been a woman of few words, considered so mysterious, even her clothing choices are scrutinized for clues,” Crawford noted at the start of her report (in fact, CNN once tried to claim Melania was protesting her husband by wearing a white dress). Mrs. Trump’s mysteriousness was a point Crawford would revisit, later on, saying: “But if she's seen mysterious, maybe one reason is the media hasn't exactly embraced her.

Crawford highlighted the “apparent double standard” by noting a tweet from actor and Trump supporter James Woods. “If the Trumps were Democrats, Melania would be on every cover of every chic women’s magazine in the world every month,” he wrote.

Michelle Obama graced more than 30 major U.S. magazine covers when her husband was president. So far, Mrs. Trump has been on exactly none, and only one foreign magazine,” Crawford recalled. The huge difference was a completely fair point to make, but it is unclear if Mrs. Trump, who was known for being a reserved first lady, had turned down offers to be featured on the covers of magazines.

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