Credited from: NYTIMES
The White House recently unveiled a new official portrait of President Trump, showcasing the incumbent in a close-up format against a stark dark background. His serious expression, accentuated by high contrast, departs from the previous January portrait, which was characterized by "egregious spotlighting from below" that drew comparisons to a mugshot, lending a more ominous tone to the image. The latest portrait was announced through a short video shared on social media, demonstrating a more traditional image of the President, wearing a blue suit and a red tie, as reported by Indiatimes, NY Times, and NPR.
This image marks a notable departure from the tradition of including the American flag in official portraits, as previous portraits since Gerald Ford's have prominently featured the flag backdrop. The absence of this iconic symbol has drawn commentary regarding the ongoing evolution of presidential representation, contrasting sharply with previous images of Trump. According to experts, this shift addresses a modern interpretation of presidential imagery, as highlighted by NY Times and NPR.