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The communication team of the elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, revealed this Thursday his new official portrait as head of state, captured by his personal photographer, Daniel Torok, and the image has left no one indifferent.
The serious and defiant expression displayed by Trump in the photograph symbolizes, according to his team, "the dawn of a new golden age for America."
The image has generated significant media buzz, not only for the symbolism it represents but also for the comparisons it has sparked with his 2023 police photo, taken after he was arrested at the Fulton County jail in Georgia.
In his new official portrait, Trump poses with a defiant gesture: slightly leaning forward, with a furrowed brow and a fixed gaze that conveys authority and determination.
This gesture inevitably brings to mind the expression shown in his police record, an image that also went viral at the time and even became a political symbol for his supporters.
At that time, Trump was charged in a case of electoral interference in Georgia, becoming the first former U.S. president to face such a proceeding.
The impact of the police photo was significant. According to reports, the former president raised over 7.1 million dollars by selling commemorative items featuring that image.
His gestures in both photographs have sparked a debate about the implicit message that Trump seeks to convey: a defiant leader who does not back down in the face of adversity.
The contrast between this official portrait and the one published during his first term is significant.
In 2017, Trump appeared smiling and relaxed in his presidential image, a more conventional representation of power.
However, on this occasion, his stern expression and firm posture seem to reflect the tone he wants to establish for his second term, which he has already hinted at with threats of tariffs everywhere and threats to return the Panama Canal or his obsession with buying Greenland.
The intention behind this change may also be related to a carefully calculated communication strategy.
Frowning, as experts in body language explain, can convey emotions such as focus, determination, or even resilience.
Science supports that this facial expression can influence both the person displaying it and those observing it, enhancing the perception of firmness and authority.
The Trump transition team also released the official portrait of the next vice president, J.D. Vance, who appears with a more friendly and serene expression, sporting a slight smile, reminiscent of the Mona Lisa, without showing his teeth.
Both leaders are wearing dark blue suits with white shirts and blue ties, and Trump is additionally wearing a lapel pin featuring the American flag on his jacket.
These portraits will be exhibited in embassies and official buildings of the United States around the world.
Social media has quickly reacted. From comments highlighting the "strange similarity" between the new image and the 2023 police photo, to memes and comparisons with the popular series "Squid Game," the official portrait has sparked a multitude of interpretations and debates.
Some users even suggested that the official photo should have been replaced by the police record, which many consider an icon of political resistance.
It's important to remember that, following his electoral victory, several of the criminal cases Trump was facing have either stalled or had the charges withdrawn.
Nonetheless, the former president was convicted in New York for irregular payments to actress Stormy Daniels, although he was not imposed any fines or prison sentence.
With his new official portrait and just days away from assuming his second term, Donald Trump reaffirms his intention to chart a new course in the political history of the United States.
Frequently asked questions about the new official portrait of Donald Trump
Why has the new official portrait of Donald Trump generated so much controversy?
The portrait has stirred controversy due to its defiant expression and the comparisons to his 2023 mugshot. The image symbolizes, according to his team, the entry into a "new gilded age for America" and has been interpreted as a symbol of political resistance.
How does this portrait compare to the one from 2017?
Unlike the 2017 portrait, where Trump appeared smiling and relaxed, the new portrait presents a serious and defiant pose. This change seems to reflect a firmer and more challenging tone for his second term.
What message does Donald Trump convey with his expression in the official portrait?
The defiant gesture of Trump seeks to convey authority and determination. Body language experts suggest that a furrowed brow can express focus and resilience, enhancing the perception of strong leadership.
What effects has the police photo of Trump had on his public image?
The police photo of Trump, taken in 2023 following his arrest, became a political symbol for his supporters. The image allowed him to raise over 7.1 million dollars by selling commemorative products, highlighting his ability to capitalize on controversial moments.
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