Politics

Jill Biden touts husband’s COVID vaccine rollout in Vogue cover story

First lady Jill Biden said Americans are able to “breathe” again because of how her husband handled the pandemic and got “shots in everybody’s arms” — but she neglected to mention the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed, which provided those vaccines.

“When I travel around the country now, I feel as though people can breathe again,” Biden, 70, said in a lengthy profile in Vogue accompanying her August cover.

“I think that’s part of the reason Joe was elected. People wanted someone to come in and heal this nation, not just from the pandemic, which I feel Joe did by, you know, getting shots in everybody’s arms. But also … he’s just a calmer president. He lowers the temperature.”

Still, President Biden will likely miss his goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults by July 4. Currently, only 66 percent of US adults have received at least one shot and only 57 percent of people are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.

And the misplaced shoutout also ignores that the life-saving vaccines were created in record time under the Trump Administration — which also ordered 200 million doses of the Pfizer jab and 200 million doses of the Moderna jab last year.

The glowing cover of the magazine, released Tuesday, is titled, “Dr. Jill Biden: A First Lady for All of Us.”

In it, Biden also addressed the debate about her bold choice of fishnet-looking stockings in April. 

“It’s kind of surprising, I think, how much commentary is made about what I wear or if I put my hair in a scrunchie. I put my hair up! Or the stocking thing…,” she told Vogue. 

Dr. Jill Biden
The first lady said Americans are able to “breathe” again because of how her husband handled the pandemic. Annie Leibovitz/Vogue

For the record, the first lady clarified that they were not fishnet tights.

“It’s amazing how much people pay attention to every little detail,” she continued. “And they weren’t fishnets. They weren’t lace. They were very pretty stockings.”

Biden also had some kind words about her predecessor’s style, complimenting former first lady Melania Trump’s redesign of the Rose Garden.

“Apparently she put in these walkways. Are these, like, some of the most beautiful roses you’ve ever seen?” Biden said.

But while traversing the country ahead of the 2020 election, the first lady said she felt people across the United States were on edge.

“During the campaign, I felt so much anxiety from people; they were scared,” said Biden.

In the more than 6,000-word effusive profile, Biden is described as “shy,” “always laughing,” a “joy multiplier,” and a “key player” in the Biden administration.

“It’s hard to imagine Joe doing this without her,” gushed Washington Post reporter Mary Jordan.

Biden, a community college educator, is also described comforting a “nervous” Albuquerque woman who was about to receive a vaccine.

“Look at me,” Biden told her, according to Vogue. “It doesn’t hurt. Really. It’s mostly in your head.”

But many social media users were quick to point out the unconditional, lavish praise the first lady received from the legacy magazine — in contrast to how Melania Trump was treated.

“Irrespective of your politics, pretty unfair to see Melania Trump, a supermodel who dressed impeccably, be ignored, while Jill Biden gets a Vogue cover and YAAAASSS KWEENing from social media,” writer Ellen Carmichael tweeted.

Vogue’s August 2021 Cover Star is Dr. Jill Biden
Dr. Biden also said on the campaign trail she felt people were on edge throughout the country. Annie Leibovitz/Vogue

“It’s shameful that Melania Trump, a former model, was never featured on the cover of Vogue during the Trump admin,” another critic tweeted.

But others enjoyed the profile.

“It’s nice to see love back in the White House,” said political commentator Ana Navarro-Cárdenas.

Another added: “Look at our First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in Vogue showing a perfect example of a woman who is educated + beautiful inside and outside. Go FLOTUS!”