President Trump has unveiled his fourth official portrait since 2017, with two images produced during transitions and two during the initial months of his nonconsecutive presidencies. This evolution marks a departure from the traditional formality of earlier presidential portraits, such as the iconic Lansdowne portrait of George Washington, which depicted the first president standing with solemn republican dignity.
This latest portrait, taken by government photographer Daniel Torok, features the president in a tightly framed close-up set against a shadowed background. The lighting is intense and the atmosphere somewhat stern, yet it conveys a noticeably lighter mood compared to the previous official image.
The preceding portrait, released during the presidential transition in January 2025, used harsh underlighting that cast the president in an ominous, almost cinematic villain-like manner. At that time, the former president, then president-elect, appeared with a squint and a frown reminiscent of his recent mugshot from Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
In contrast, the new image embraces a distinctly Trump-esque contrast of tones. Despite the overall darkness, there is a subtle hint of humor. The lighting is more direct and even, while the president’s posture is relaxed and his expression softened. His neutral face is warmed by a slight brightness in the eyes, a classic look often described in modern fashion as 'smizing'—smiling with the eyes.
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