Politics and fashion don’t always collide, but when they do, it can get… messy.
That’s exactly what happened after Vogue published a profile of California Governor Gavin Newsom that many critics say crossed the line from political coverage into outright admiration.
The magazine’s piece, released Sunday, painted Newsom, 58, in glowing terms—both as a leader and as a public figure—fueling speculation about his possible 2028 presidential ambitions.
But not everyone was impressed.
Vogue Accused of “Fawning” Over Gavin Newsom
The backlash came quickly, especially from commentators on Fox News’ Outnumbered, who slammed the profile as “inappropriate” and overly flattering.
Host Emily Compagno opened the segment with sarcasm, suggesting the magazine seemed less like a serious publication and more like a fan club.
She joked that the profile read more like an advertisement than journalism.
The Descriptions That Made People Uncomfortable
Compagno pointed to passages she called “gushing” and “frankly inappropriate,” warning viewers before reading aloud.
One line that drew particular attention described Newsom as “embarrassingly handsome,” with silver-streaked hair, confident in his stature as he delivered his State of the State address.
Another passage compared him to a Kennedy-style figure, full of energy and optimism, while also highlighting his “stunning wife” and “four adorable kids.”
For Compagno, this wasn’t just flattering—it was over the top.
She even joked that if she were Newsom, she might have considered filing a restraining order against the journalist.
Critics Say It Lacked Substance
Guest panelist Charles Payne argued that the flowery language was being used to cover up what he claimed was a lack of real political substance.
In his view, the profile spent more time admiring Newsom’s appearance and aura than digging into his qualifications or record.
Payne compared it to similar glowing coverage once given to Barack Obama, calling the whole thing “embarrassing for everyone involved.”
He insisted that publications should inform voters, not publish “puff pieces” that feel more like promotional material.
Double Standards and Missed Opportunities
Compagno also raised the question of gender, arguing that if a female politician were written about in such an admiring, almost romantic tone, it would have caused a much bigger uproar.
She said the article should have focused instead on serious issues Newsom faces as governor, such as the state budget, homelessness, and California’s ongoing challenges.
“Smutty Erotica,” Not Journalism?
The panel’s criticism only intensified.
Lisa Kennedy bluntly described the profile as reading like “smutty erotica,” arguing that political journalism should always maintain skepticism rather than admiration.
Kayleigh McEnany admitted she couldn’t even finish the article, but shared another passage she found especially bizarre.
It described late-summer sunlight pouring through windows, giving Newsom a “California magic-hour glow,” before calling his presence “immaculate” and almost unreal.
McEnany’s reaction was simple: “This is weird.”
The OnlyFans Comparison That Had Everyone Laughing
Host Harris Faulkner took the criticism further, joking that the profile sounded like an “OnlyFans ad” rather than a serious political piece.
She said the tone was so over-the-top that if readers didn’t know it was about a potential presidential contender, they might think it was something entirely different.
Faulkner compared it to “the 51st shade of Grey,” leaving the panel laughing—and wondering aloud: what’s next?
A Profile That Left People Asking Questions
The controversy highlights a bigger debate about media, politics, and presentation.
Should magazines like Vogue be writing political profiles at all? And if they do, where’s the line between storytelling and swooning?
For Fox News critics, this profile didn’t just blur the line—it sprinted right past it.
