The official photo of Donald Trump was revealed a few days before his inauguration but it could still change.
This Monday, January 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated president of the United States. A few days before the event, his official portrait as well as that of his vice-president, JD Vance, were unveiled by his photographer Daniel Torok. These photos show the two men in blue suits and ties. Donald Trump adorned his outfit with a small American flag pin. In his new photo, Donald Trump appears with an impassive look, slightly furrowed eyebrows, while his vice-president is more smiling.
This photo stood out because of its resemblance to another photo from 2023, when Donald Trump was incarcerated in Fulton County Prison. He was then accused of “criminal” maneuvers to try to overturn his defeat against Joe Biden in 2020. He then surrendered to the authorities of the state of Georgia and had to submit to the traditional judicial ID photo. , which is then added to the folder.
It was a first for a president, the photo was then broadcast everywhere despite Donald Trump’s release on bail. The billionaire himself published it on X, thus making it the symbol of the legal persecution he felt he had suffered. In this “mugshot”, he displayed the same look as in his new portrait, with his face closed. This probably voluntary nod to the famous cliché then appears to be quite a communication move.
A photo soon to be changed?
This choice could also aim to mark a difference between his two mandates, announcing a much more severe tone. Donald Trump had already warned that his first measure would be to put “all the gangs out of harm’s way.” He also said he wanted to launch “the largest expulsion of illegal immigrants in the history of the United States.” On the economic side, Donald Trump has promised to implement significant customs duties.
Furthermore, the president could carry out the same process as in 2017. During his first term, the first official portrait of Trump was, in fact, not very different from that of 2025 but was changed nine months later to another where the president appeared all smiles. Originally, he wore a black suit with a red tie and held a tough look, while he later opted for a photo with a big smile, which is now well known, recalls CNBC. The president could therefore very well change his photo in a few months, the first not having been released by the White House.