Donald Trump’s official portrait, released ahead of his inauguration, has sparked quite a bit of conversation
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. Unlike the smiling, broad-shouldered image from his first term, this new portrait shows a more stern and intense Trump
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. Dressed in a blue suit, white collared shirt, and blue tie, Trump’s head is slightly tilted downward, one eyebrow raised, and his lips pressed together
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. The lighting is dramatic, casting an almost eerie glow on his face, reminiscent of a mugshot taken during his legal troubles in Fulton County, Georgia
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This new portrait has drawn comparisons to his previous mugshot, which he famously used in his campaign materials
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. The contrast between this serious image and the relaxed, smiling portrait of Vice President-elect JD Vance, who stands beside him in the same attire, is stark
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. Vance’s arms are crossed, and he appears calm and composed, while Trump’s intense gaze seems to convey a message of determination and strength
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The choice of this portrait has been interpreted in various ways
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. Some see it as a signal of the strong, retributive stance Trump promised during his campaign
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. Others believe it reflects his desire to project a Churchillian image, as he once restored a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office on his first day in office
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. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, succinctly summed it up: “America. Is. Back.”
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The portrait was taken by Daniel Torok, Trump’s chief photographer, and was specifically intended for the inauguration
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. It’s worth noting that a different photo will be selected as Trump’s official presidential portrait, which will be distributed to government agencies and US embassies around the world
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For a deeper dive into the story behind Trump’s official portrait, you can watch this YouTube video.
What do you think about this new portrayal of Trump?
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The Straits Times
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Daily Jang
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