Throughout Donald Trump's presidency, his appearance drew almost as much attention as his policies.
With rumors of a fake tan, make-up and multiple hair transplants, the business mogul's unique look has continued to be a talking point for critics as he dominates the 2024 Republican primaries. However, a new video showing the 77-year-old without his signature golden glow is causing a stir on social media.
In footage shared by Team Trump—the official X account for Trump's campaign—on Tuesday, the former president slams Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for supporting his presidential primary rival, Ron DeSantis.
"Kim Reynolds of Iowa has gone from a popular to the most unpopular governor in the United States of America," Trump says in the clip.
"Her endorsement of Ron DeSanctimonious, who is 50 points down to me in the polls, has given him exactly zero ballots."
He continued: "I wonder what position Kim was promised in order to back someone so far down in the polls."
However, it wasn't Trump's words that grabbed viewers' attention, but his apparent physical transformation.
"Trump forgot to put on his makeup today," commented X user Han Shawnity.
"I think he still has on make up, just not his orange cake," said Jennifer Greene.
"Trump got tired of being called an orange t*** and cut back," wrote Chris Nelson.
However, some users didn't dig the new look, with Nita writing: "This dude looks old and tired."
User @EricFromSTL agreed, writing: "Looks like fighting 4 court cases and running for president is starting to take a toll on him."
Newsweek has reached out to Donald Trump for comment via email.
Trump's appearance has sparked debate since he first ran for president in 2016, with Meryl Streep even dressing up as the real estate magnate for Halloween.
The politician has denied using tanning lotion or sunbeds. In response to a suspected fake tan reportedly gone wrong in 2020, Trump said the viral image was photo-shopped.
In September, a former White House aid Cassidy Hutchinson claimed the reason Trump wouldn't wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic was due to it smudging his make-up, leaving an N95 mask "covered in bronzer."
The recent X video isn't the first time Trump has attracted similar attention. A photograph of the former president playing golf at the Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey, in July 2022, went viral due to his supposed bare face—with some social media users struggling to recognize him.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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