GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert Bashes Ukrainian First Couple For Vogue Photoshoot

Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is not pleased that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olen Zelenska participated in a photoshoot for Vogue magazine during the ongoing conflict with Russia. 

Ukraine’s first couple were photographed for the magazine’s cover by famed photographer Annie Leibowitz for a piece titled: “Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska.”

The piece is largely about the invasion of Ukraine and the couple’s shared history. It’s accompanied by photos of Zelenska with Ukrainian soldiers at a bombed out airport and in a building fortified to take mortar fire, in addition to a grim couple’s shoot that clearly illustrates the toll of war on their relationship and country.  

“These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian,” Zelenska told the publication. “Frankly I don’t think anyone is aware of how we have managed emotionally. We’re looking forward to victory. We have no doubt we will prevail. And this is what keeps us going.”

Despite total departure from Vogue’s typical glossy cover shoots that fixate on celebrity and style, consevative Rep. Lauren Boebert had biting criticism about the article.

“While we send Ukraine $60 billion in aid Zelenskyy is doing photoshoots for Vogue Magazine,” she tweeted on Wednesday.  “These people think we are nothing but a bunch of suckers.”

While we send Ukraine $60 billion in aid Zelenskyy is doing photoshoots for Vogue Magazine.

These people think we are nothing but a bunch of suckers. pic.twitter.com/KXkOtTqw8g

— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 27, 2022

Boebert wasn’t the only one squawking, Texas Congresswoman Mayra Flores wrote: “Biden: Let’s continue to send billions of dollars in foreign aid to Ukraine, they need it! Reality: The Zelensky family graces us with a photo shoot to be on the cover of Vogue magazine.” 

Twitter pundits piled their disapproval of the magazine’s cover model. “So in between all the death and bombings they took some time out to strike a few poses for Vogue,” one person posted. 

“Are you guys seriously selling us a glamorous photo shoot in a war zone,” another blasted the pair. “Was there no other publications available outside of the fashion Bible!!”

Marie Finn