The official portraits of US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have been unveiled ahead of their inauguration on 20 January 2025.
Portrait Details
- Donald Trump
- Attire: Blue suit, white collared shirt, blue tie, and a US flag pin on his lapel.
- Pose: A slightly tilted head, one raised eyebrow, and pressed lips.
- Expression: Defiant, drawing comparisons to his 2023 Fulton County mugshot, which he leveraged as a symbol of resilience during his campaign.
- JD Vance
- Attire: Blue suit and tie.
- Pose: Arms crossed, slight smile, conveying a more relaxed and approachable demeanor.
Notable Comparisons
- Trump’s New Portrait vs. 2017 Portrait
- In 2017, Trump’s portrait featured a broad smile, presenting a more traditional presidential demeanor.
- The current portrait reflects a shift towards a more combative and resolute public persona, according to Quardricos Driskell, a political science professor at George Washington University.
Historical Context
- The release comes just days before their inauguration, a stark contrast to Trump’s first term when the official portraits of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were delayed by nine months.
- The Trump-Vance transition team described the portraits as ones that “go hard,” signaling a confident start to their administration.
The portraits signify a new chapter in Trump’s leadership, marked by a transformation in public imagery and messaging as he returns to the presidency.
