Donald Trump’s Makeup-Free Look Sparks Internet Frenzy: Viral Photo Ignites Debate
4 min read
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump has found himself at the center of social media attention once again, this time for a viral, allegedly unedited photo taken during his visit to Arizona. The photo, which circulated widely online, shows Trump without his characteristic tan and heavy makeup, sparking waves of commentary and jokes across various platforms.
The image, originally posted by the account Pop Crave on X (formerly Twitter), captured Donald Trump at a recent rally looking notably different from his usual polished appearance. The account playfully mocked the former president’s look, commenting, “Look close at this unedited photo; it’s Trump apparently without makeup. Could this explain why he paints his face? He looks like he’s 90 years old.” While the comment carried a humorous tone, it also touched on the broader issue of aging and how it can affect one’s public image. The user continued, stating that while no one should shame others for aging, Trump’s physical appearance suggests he may no longer be suited for the rigors of the presidency.
Unedited photo of Donald Trump from his Arizona event is going viral.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 23, 2024
📸: Olivier Touron/Getty pic.twitter.com/QQyRkyocbO
This is not the first time Trump’s appearance has generated headlines. Back in January, a photo showing Trump with makeup melting off his face at a campaign event in Iowa sparked similar discussions. At the time, LGBTQ Nation humorously suggested that Trump needed help understanding makeup undertones. The Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump conservatives, even shared the viral image, urging followers to “Name this foundation shade.”
With the Arizona photo rapidly making its rounds, fact-checking site Snopes conducted an investigation to determine its authenticity. They confirmed that the photo was indeed unedited and taken by photojournalist Tannen Maury during Trump’s rally in Clinton, Iowa, in January 2024. Maury verified the photo as genuine, further fueling the conversation online.
Social media users quickly pounced on the opportunity to troll Donald Trump, making jokes about his use of cosmetics and spray tan. Many users speculated that Trump’s infamous orange hue comes from his reliance on self-tanning products. One user quipped, “When you also failed to pay the invoices for your makeup artist.” Others questioned how Trump would look without the fake tan, with one commenter suggesting he try a simpler look: “It would be really interesting to see what Trump looks like without that fake tan on his face. Also think he would better suit a buzz cut or something, just something cleaner lol.”
yall can’t be serious about voting him pic.twitter.com/lmfQlMiZXc
— Honest Andrew 🥀 (@andrewscomet) August 23, 2024
Another user offered a lighthearted tip for keeping his tan intact: “The makeup tan is sweating off. He should get a fan blowing next to him to cool off, and the tan will stay in place. Just a tip.” The photo also led some to point out what appeared to be two sets of eyebrows, further amplifying the trolling.
The internet’s fascination with Trump’s appearance isn’t new. Reports have long suggested that Trump has used tanning products for decades. A former classmate, in an interview with The Washington Post, claimed that Trump’s obsession with tanning dates back to his high school days when he would use UV lights to maintain his bronzed look.
the eyebrows growing above the eye brows😭 pic.twitter.com/dWMXnDnKoi
— eri˚❀*·ꕤ. (@eternalcumslime) August 23, 2024
Former Trump aide and reality star Omarosa Manigault Newman also detailed Trump’s tanning habits in her book, Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House, stating that he used tanning beds daily. In 2019, dermatologist Tina Alster told The New York Times that Trump’s skin showed the telltale signs of years of sun exposure and improper tanning product application, which contributed to his distinctive orange complexion.
From tanning beds to spray tan, Donald Trump’s look has become a topic of continuous conversation, often with humorous undertones. While some might argue that the obsession with his appearance detracts from more important political discussions, the viral photo from his Arizona visit proves that, for better or worse, Trump’s look remains a defining feature of his public persona.
He needs to drop out of the race omg this is scary pic.twitter.com/TGynII3cBq
— imani 3.0 (@positionsmafiaa) August 23, 2024
This is the guy who said he’s more handsome than Kamala by the way
— Anny Mation (@MationMiss) August 23, 2024
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
