Donald Trump’s official inauguration portrait has been released ahead of his swearing-in ceremony next Monday, and it looks a lot like his famous mugshot. In the new image, Trump is dressed in a blue suit and tie, and his expression has caught a lot of attention. He has one eyebrow raised, is staring directly at the camera, and his mouth is closed.
Benny Johnson, a Conservative commentator, noted that Trump seems to have adopted the same tough look as in his mugshot. That mugshot was taken in August 2023 when he was booked on racketeering and conspiracy charges, which he denies.
Social media users have compared Trump’s mugshot to Ben Stiller’s “Blue Steel” look from the movie Zoolander. The new portrait, taken by his chief photographer Daniel Torok, has a similarly serious vibe. According to art writer Alex Diggins, the expression looks like something you wouldn’t want to see if you were in a boxing ring. He described it as a mix of Winston Churchill and a low-budget mobster, suggesting it conveys a strong message of defiance and determination.
Torok remarked, “We are entering the golden age of America!” This portrait is very different from the “smiley emoji” picture from 2017, which The New York Times previously described.
Donald Trump Jr. and other Republican supporters have shared the new portrait ahead of the inauguration. Trump’s mugshot also turned into a profitable merchandise opportunity, generating $7.1 million from items like t-shirts and mugs, according to Sky News. Now, products featuring the new inauguration portrait, including clocks and calendars, are already being sold.
