Donald Trump updates official White House portrait, says previous one made him look too harsh and intimidating
President Donald Trump has replaced his official White House portrait months into his term, choosing a softer expression and new background. The change follows criticism of his earlier portraits, including one removed from the Colorado state capitol.
U.S. President Donald Trump has updated his official White House portrait just a few months into his term. The move, which breaks from presidential tradition, appears aimed at presenting a softer image after criticism of his earlier photos. The new portrait, shared via White House social media channels, shows him in a more relaxed pose with a slight change in attire and setting.
Portrait now features softer expression and black background
The updated portrait replaces Trump's original stern expression with a more neutral look. Instead of the earlier background featuring the U.S. flag in a state room, the new image opts for a plain black backdrop. Trump also switched from a turquoise tie to his usual red power tie. The changes mark a rare early update of a sitting president’s official portrait.
US President Donald Trump | Credit: X
Original portrait faced comparisons with mugshot
Trump’s first official portrait was released just days before his January inauguration. In the photo, he appeared squinting, with lips tightly pressed—a look that drew public comparisons to his 2023 mugshot following racketeering charges in Georgia. According to reports, Trump had practiced for that mugshot pose and later described it as the “number-one selling mugshot” in history, claiming it surpassed those of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. After his election win last year, he even hung the mugshot on a wall in the Oval Office, unlike his official portrait, which he reportedly did not favour.
Trump previously objected to other unflattering portraits
This is not the first time Trump has rejected how he was portrayed in official artwork. Earlier in March, a painting of him hanging in the Colorado state capitol was taken down following his request. Trump had contacted Colorado Governor Jared Polis, asking for its removal. The portrait, painted by British artist Sarah Boardman in 2018, was described by the artist as showing a “serious, thoughtful, non-confrontational” Trump. However, Trump criticised it on Truth Social, calling it the “worst portrait ever done” and suggesting the artist had “lost her talent” with age. He compared it unfavourably to her earlier painting of Barack Obama.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions—yet!). For her, writing isn’t just work; it’s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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