Every media personality has something very distinct about them. It could be their outfit, the way they talk and for Donald Trump, it is his orange tan.
Even before Trump became the president of the United States, people knew who he was. Mostly thanks to his reality show- The Apprentice. Since then President Trump has been famous for carrying his ultra tanned personality. It has been such a distinct part of his life that it has become his signature of his public persona.
Yet, images over the years have revealed increasingly stark and uneven “tan lines.” He has sported dramatic bronzed skin, which is sharply contrasted by paler areas near the ears and hairline.
There have been long-time speculations that this could be fake tan lines or a really blotchy makeup job. Some have wondered if there has been skin discolouration too due to makeup.
There have been photos that have been taken under bright lights. Such as those taken on white house lawn. In those photos, there is a visible unevenness in his spray tan.
Several viral pictures show harsh demarcation in the orange tan makeup and his real skin. These have prompted social media reactions. People have called him akin to orange sherbet, oompa loompa, or a living orange man.
Donald Trump has tanned himself into a color that has never existed on any human face in any continent during any season. pic.twitter.com/W3q1yM7OD1
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) April 13, 2024
Makeup artist Jason Kelly has worked with Trump during the 2016 campaign. He candidly remarked to Harper’s Bazaar about Trump’s tanning regimen. He said that Donald Trump wears googles and one can easily see the hyper pigmentation around his eyes.
Kelly also noted that blending a deeper shade would have helped disguise the uneven contrast. But Trump does not care, showing how careless application amplifies his unnatural glow.
As much as Trump is fascinated with tanning beds, he does not do a good job.
Donald Trump got a fresh spray tan for his man crush.
What shade of orange is he, y’all? #TreasonSummit #TraitorTot pic.twitter.com/Bac0d83Rpi
— Koko ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏿 (@Kokomothegreat) July 16, 2018
Beauty experts and editors have offered further insights. One explained that Trump’s tan tone is far beyond the natural range for his typical Caucasian complexion. It is likely an artificial product that reacts with his skin’s amino acids and produces a golden-orange effect.
Another has suggested that the “more stressed, more bronzer” theory could be at play. That could be the reason that his shade intensifies with stress and public appearance frequency.
Some observers suggest that there could be a reason for extreme tan. And that reason has nothing to do with vanity. It could be what is known as peacocking where Donald Trump tries to stand out of the crowd and wants to attract attention.
Trump’s spray on tan is such a small thing, but it’s such a big lie for the White House to claim it’s the natural result of “good genes.” Tangerine is not among the natural skin shades, and natural skin color does not come with tan lines, or missed spots on ears or around eyes. pic.twitter.com/Pejf0ZY3aR
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) February 3, 2019
It could be true as Trump’s tan has become as recognizable as his hair and red tie. If this were a tactic of creating his own trump brand, it is working very well.
Trump’s orange hue has also sparked ample humor and satire. The Borowitz Report’s fictional “Defense Production Act” ordered spray tan production. While cosmetic choices can seem trivial, Trump’s tan raises questions. What does this tan reveal about media influence and political theater?
Whether intentional or habitual, Trump’s orange complexion remains impossible to ignore. It is proof that in modern leadership, optics are everything.
