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The White House on Monday unveiled a new official portrait of former President Donald Trump, replacing the image that had been in circulation since just before his 2017 inauguration.
The updated portrait, taken by White House chief photographer Daniel Torok, presents Trump in a more dramatic light — literally and figuratively. The image features deep shadowing across his face, a stark black background, and the former president wearing his signature red tie. The composition marks a significant shift from his earlier official portrait, which showed a brightly lit Trump smiling in front of the American flag, donning a blue tie.
The new image was revealed in a short video shared by the White House, showing the portrait being installed in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. While the video provided no explanation for the timing or reasoning behind the change, a White House official told CBS News that the updated portrait will soon replace Trump’s previous official photo in federal buildings and government offices across the country.
The earlier portrait — also taken by Torok — had served as the standard image displayed in government facilities during Trump’s time in office. That image is now being phased out in favor of the new, more stylized version, which has already been updated on the White House’s official website.
Some observers noted the symbolic shift in tone between the two portraits. While the original reflected a more conventional presidential aesthetic — complete with patriotic colors and optimistic lighting — the new portrait adopts a bold, cinematic style more in line with Trump’s personal brand.
The decision to update Trump’s portrait comes amid broader discussions about presidential legacies and the role of official imagery in shaping public perception.
The White House has not announced whether similar portrait updates are being planned for other living former presidents.
