'He likes to be noticed': Anna Wintour offers rare insight into Donald Trump’s style

WASHINGTON, DC: Anna Wintour shared her thoughts on President Donald Trump’s style in a wide-ranging interview on 'The Rest Is Politics: Leading' podcast on December 8. 

Speaking with hosts Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, Wintour discussed Trump’s personal style and the current state of the media. 

Anna Wintour wants politicians to take fashion seriously

The 76-year-old Anna Wintour told hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart that she is cautious about artificial intelligence and wants politicians to take fashion seriously.

Wintour noted that she sees her political work differently from her editorial role. “I have advocated with the White House, and with ministers here in the UK, to help support the fashion industry because it doesn't always get the political attention it should,” she said.

Wintour also criticized Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s pre-Thanksgiving advice for travelers to be polite and avoid wearing pajamas to the airport.

“It was ironic to hear our Secretary of Transport urging the public to be polite the same week our president was calling a female journalist 'piggy' and 'ugly.' Maybe they need to connect their messaging,” she said, later commenting on President Trump’s style: “I think he likes to be noticed.” 

Anna Wintour reveals her publication's aim

Anna Wintour emphasized that her publication does not aim to take people down. “I don't think our job is a takedown job. I don't think that’s what our publication does. Our publication celebrates people all over the world who excel at what they do,” Wintour said.

With AI transforming journalism, she remains committed to traditional standards. “Particularly in the age of AI, where everything is so mass and so easily accessible, I push hard to maintain our authority,” she said.

“Our belief in fact-checking, our belief in truth, our belief in reporting, our belief in journalism, and to maintain the highest standards, whatever the platform.”

The Meta Gala chairperson added, “The journalists you respect - at the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Atlantic, Vanity Fair - believe in excellent reporting, fact-checking, telling the truth. Unfortunately, on the other side, there’s a lot of fake news.”

Sean Duffy urges travelers to dress up

Wintour pointed to comments made on November 24, when Sean Duffy drew criticism for urging Americans to “dress up” during the busy holiday travel season.

Speaking at Newark Liberty Airport, Duffy advised travelers to avoid wearing “slippers and pajamas” on planes, arguing that even simple upgrades—such as jeans and a clean shirt—could help restore a “return to civility” in air travel.

He said, "I call this 'dressing with some respect.' Whether it's a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourage encourages us to maybe behave a little better."

Wintour also referenced remarks Trump made earlier in the month. On November 18, he told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey to “be quiet, piggy” after she asked about the release of Jeffrey Epstein files.

Later that week, Trump called a New York Times reporter “ugly” on Truth Social after she raised questions about “creepy” health rumors surrounding him.