Trump unveils new portrait amidst National Portrait Gallery controversy

In Washington, the White House revealed a new portrait of President Donald Trump on Monday, showing him in a different light compared to two previous official portraits. In the updated version, which emphasizes shadowing, Trump is depicted wearing a red tie, contrasting with a previously released portrait where he wore a blue tie and was brightly illuminated against the backdrop of the American flag. This newly unveiled portrait will eventually replace official photographs currently displayed in federal buildings across the nation and has already been updated on the White House's website. The latest portrait was shared by White House officials through a short video that showed the portrait being hung at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Both the new and previous portraits were photographed by Daniel Torok, the chief White House photographer. The updated portrait was unveiled less than a week after President Trump announced the firing of Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, amid controversy regarding her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Trump stated that Sajet's termination was justified because she was a partisan individual, emphasizing the need for an apolitical figure to lead the gallery. Sajet's termination drew attention partly because she had donated significant amounts of money to Democratic campaigns, including those of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, which raised questions regarding her political neutrality. The situation became even more pronounced when the gallery's exhibit featured a portrait of Trump with a caption highlighting his impeachment for abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after the January 6 Capitol attack, which he was acquitted from. As the new portrait begins to circulate in federal offices, it represents a shift in Trump’s public image compared to his previous presidency. The portrait's updated lighting and attire aim to align with Trump's current persona during his ongoing political activities. The White House's decision to unveil the portrait amid controversy suggests a desire to reshape the narrative surrounding Trump's leadership as he continues to engage prominently in national politics.