On with Kara Swisher Graydon Carter on Vanity Fair, Editing & a Short-Fingered Vulgarian Named Trump
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Mar 27, 2025 
Graydon Carter, co-founder of Spy Magazine and Air Mail and former editor of Vanity Fair, shares his experiences from the golden age of glossy magazines. He discusses the unique dynamics of editing, the need for anxiety in the role, and the complexities of navigating fame, especially regarding figures like Trump. Carter reflects on the magazine industry's evolution, touching on personal freedoms and the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in modern media landscapes. He also shares insights from his memoir and the importance of creativity in publishing.
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Trump's First National Exposure
- Graydon Carter's 1984 GQ profile of Donald Trump, titled "Donald Trump Gets What He Wants," was Trump's first national exposure.
- Trump, charmed by the attention, reportedly sent staff to buy all copies on New York newsstands, boosting sales figures.
Prescient Prediction
- In the 1991 documentary, Carter jokingly predicted Trump's future as either "ultimate madness" or "taking over the world".
- He also compared Trump to a Bond villain or Howard Hughes.
Trump's Masculinity
- Carter believes Trump's behavior embodies bullying and whining, contradicting traditional masculinity.
- He criticizes the "bro culture" and its negative impact.
