Teen Vogue: The Unlikely Champion of Progressive Politics Under Trump 2.0
In the aftermath of Donald Trump's re-election, Teen Vogue, a magazine once known for its lighthearted coverage of Disney stars and prom fever, has transformed into a beacon of progressive politics and feminism. Just a few weeks after Trump won his first presidential election in late 2016, Teen Vogue published a story that set the internet ablaze: "Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America," garnering over 1.3 million hits and selling more copies than it had all year. This moment marked a turning point for the publication, as it deepened its coverage of politics and identity.
Under the editorship of Elaine Welteroth, Teen Vogue became an unlikely voice for radical feminism within the Condé Nast offices. The magazine's shift in tone was driven by a desire to amplify the voices of young people, particularly those from marginalized communities. However, nearly a decade since that "Gaslighting America" story, Trump is once again in office, and Teen Vogue as we knew it has vanished.
The decision to fold Teen Vogue into its flagship property, Vogue, under Condé Nast's umbrella was met with resistance from employees, who claimed the company was trying to avoid scrutiny from the Trump administration. Six unionized employees were laid off, including the politics editor, sparking outrage and a pledge from New York's attorney general, Letitia James, to take action.
The demise of Teen Vogue is part of a broader trend in journalism, particularly among progressive outlets, which have seen significant layoffs and closures over the past decade. The internet economics have decimated publications of all stripes, but feminist media has been disproportionately affected. The rise of the "womanosphere" – a conservative online community that promotes traditional gender roles – has also become a concern.
Young people, who were once the target audience for Teen Vogue, are now facing a dearth of media options that cater to their interests and values. In an interview with a local news outlet, Lex McMenamin, a former Teen Vogue staffer, expressed her concerns about the future of feminist media: "Feminist media is not dead... Young people are so smart... There's more trans people and more queer people every day, even though they're doing their damnedest to make us want to die. It doesn't matter. Our readers will always exist."
The loss of Teen Vogue serves as a stark reminder that progressive journalism is under threat, particularly when it comes to covering issues affecting young people and marginalized communities. As Shara Crookston, an associate professor of women's and gender studies at the University of Toledo, noted: "I worry that young girls are going to have less options for media content that helps them explore different aspects of their life... What if you are a teenage girl who knows that you don't want to get married and have kids and all that you're seeing is 'This is why this is important to be straight, to get married, to have kids'? What options are going to be available to her?"
The future of feminist media hangs in the balance, but it's clear that young people will continue to find ways to express themselves and demand coverage of their issues. As Paxton Smith, a 20-year-old Texan, recalled from a Cosmopolitan Snapchat story: "What's sexy is what's sexy to you and you should prioritize you." This sentiment embodies the kind of media that Teen Vogue once provided – empowering young people to take control of their own narratives and fight for their rights.
In the aftermath of Donald Trump's re-election, Teen Vogue, a magazine once known for its lighthearted coverage of Disney stars and prom fever, has transformed into a beacon of progressive politics and feminism. Just a few weeks after Trump won his first presidential election in late 2016, Teen Vogue published a story that set the internet ablaze: "Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America," garnering over 1.3 million hits and selling more copies than it had all year. This moment marked a turning point for the publication, as it deepened its coverage of politics and identity.
Under the editorship of Elaine Welteroth, Teen Vogue became an unlikely voice for radical feminism within the Condé Nast offices. The magazine's shift in tone was driven by a desire to amplify the voices of young people, particularly those from marginalized communities. However, nearly a decade since that "Gaslighting America" story, Trump is once again in office, and Teen Vogue as we knew it has vanished.
The decision to fold Teen Vogue into its flagship property, Vogue, under Condé Nast's umbrella was met with resistance from employees, who claimed the company was trying to avoid scrutiny from the Trump administration. Six unionized employees were laid off, including the politics editor, sparking outrage and a pledge from New York's attorney general, Letitia James, to take action.
The demise of Teen Vogue is part of a broader trend in journalism, particularly among progressive outlets, which have seen significant layoffs and closures over the past decade. The internet economics have decimated publications of all stripes, but feminist media has been disproportionately affected. The rise of the "womanosphere" – a conservative online community that promotes traditional gender roles – has also become a concern.
Young people, who were once the target audience for Teen Vogue, are now facing a dearth of media options that cater to their interests and values. In an interview with a local news outlet, Lex McMenamin, a former Teen Vogue staffer, expressed her concerns about the future of feminist media: "Feminist media is not dead... Young people are so smart... There's more trans people and more queer people every day, even though they're doing their damnedest to make us want to die. It doesn't matter. Our readers will always exist."
The loss of Teen Vogue serves as a stark reminder that progressive journalism is under threat, particularly when it comes to covering issues affecting young people and marginalized communities. As Shara Crookston, an associate professor of women's and gender studies at the University of Toledo, noted: "I worry that young girls are going to have less options for media content that helps them explore different aspects of their life... What if you are a teenage girl who knows that you don't want to get married and have kids and all that you're seeing is 'This is why this is important to be straight, to get married, to have kids'? What options are going to be available to her?"
The future of feminist media hangs in the balance, but it's clear that young people will continue to find ways to express themselves and demand coverage of their issues. As Paxton Smith, a 20-year-old Texan, recalled from a Cosmopolitan Snapchat story: "What's sexy is what's sexy to you and you should prioritize you." This sentiment embodies the kind of media that Teen Vogue once provided – empowering young people to take control of their own narratives and fight for their rights.
, especially now under Trump 2.0 
. It's wild to think that a mag that used to be all about Disney stars is now talking about radical feminism and politics 
. The fact that they had to lay off employees and fold into another pub because of the gov 
makes it even more crazy. Young ppl are still gonna find ways to express themselves online, tho 
Condé Nast just cancelled one of the few progressive voices out there 
I mean, Teen Vogue used to be all about promoting feminism, LGBTQ+ issues, and body positivity... now it's just a shadow of its former self 
. The fact that they're folding it into Vogue is just going to make it even harder for young people like Lex to find media that speaks to them 
What's next? 
like what even happened 2 them?? 
the Condé Nast thing is sus tbh 
cant believe they just folded them into another mag cuz of trump 
like isnt that exactly wut they were fightin against? 
anywayz i think its sad cuz teen vogue was literally one of the few places where young ppl could see themselves & their probs reflected back @ us 
u gotta find new ways 2 amplify voices & fight 4 change 
and then now they're just another casualty of the decline of progressive outlets 
The power of progressive politics can't be underestimated, just like Steve Jobs said: "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." But the sad truth remains that many voices in mainstream media are silenced, and it affects not only progressive outlets but also young people's access to content that resonates with them. 
. It's crazy how quickly things can change in the media landscape 
. As Lex said, "Feminist media is not dead... our readers will always exist" 
! Maybe we'll see a rise in independent online publications or social media influencers who can fill the gap left by Teen Vogue 
it's crazy to think about how fast things have changed, right? Like, just a few years ago we were all talking about #Resistance and now it feels like everything is getting shut down left and right... 
It's like they're saying young people don't deserve media that represents them and their experiences, you know? 
Condé Nast is so extra! 
Folding Teen Vogue into Vogue was a total cop-out 
. We need more outlets like Teen Vogue that are willing to take risks and push boundaries 
. The future of feminist media is uncertain, but one thing's for sure: young people will find ways to express themselves and demand coverage of their issues 
anyway I feel for all those young people who relied on Teen Vogue as a source of empowerment 
like lex said, feminist media isn't dead, it's just evolving... and i think that's what teen vogue was all about, empowering us to find our own way and be true to ourselves 
Elaine Welteroth's leadership was a breath of fresh air and it was amazing to see them amplify marginalized voices 
I'm not surprised though, the media landscape has been brutal for progressive outlets in recent years 
But Lex's quote really got me thinking... young people might be more resilient than we give them credit for 
I'm kinda sad about Teen Vogue folding, but at the same time, it's like, they're still speaking truth to power, you know? Even though they aren't a separate magazine anymore, I think that energy is gonna be absorbed into other outlets 
. And honestly, it's awesome that young people are already finding their own voices and ways to express themselves online 
. that's all i'm saying 
i mean, they wanted to avoid scrutiny from trump but now theres no one left to speak out against the admin 
we gotta support each other & create our own spaces for radical feminism to thrive