Donald Trump's tan in the spotlight again after photo of former president goes viral

Former US president, and actual candidate in the next election, Donald Trump has always praised himself on his appearance. Just last month, in September 2024, the politician was seen praising his own 'good looks' after seeing someone dressed as him in one of his rallies. However, his hair is not the only part of his body that is a never-ending source of speculation. Donald Trump's tan is also at the heart of many debates.

Donald Trump claims his tan is just 'good genes'

In October 2024, Donald Trump did a photo-op with Republican senator John Corbyn, during a rally in Nevada, which quickly went viral for a very specific reason. Indeed, many Internet users were quick to zoom in on the former president's face, which highlighted the difference in tone between his face and his ears. While his ears are very white, his face is extremely tanned with almost an orange-like colour.

This picture was enough to rekindle a popular rumour about the politician. Indeed, many people believe he is using a tanning bed, or spray tan, to look healthier. However, the results are often quite orange. This is what led several Internet users to believe his tan is not real. One person commented:

Why is he the color of pumpkin-pie - is this for Fall?? Helpppp

Another person claimed they could not focus on anything the presidential candidate was saying, as they were too distracted by his fake tan, and the obvious line between his face and his scalp, as well as his ears.

This is not the first time a photograph of Donald Trump has exposed his fake tan. In 2019, the White House had to release an official statement, claiming the then president's skin tone was the result of 'good genes'.

Donald Trump claims the photographs are fake

After this photo of Donald Trump went viral in 2020, the president himself spoke out on the subject, claiming these photographs were fake. He almost immediately tweeted, using the opportunity to praise his hair:

More Fake News. This was photoshopped, obviously, but the wind was strong and the hair looks good? Anything to demean!

A White House official, who remains unnamed for the time being, spoke to the New York Times about his tan back in 2019. He said the president used to apply a 'dab of powder' on his face before his public appearances, but that the powder was translucent and could not explain the orange tint of his skin. They maintained his tan was quite natural, despite the clear difference in tone on some parts of his body.

On the flipside, a former aide to Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, wrote a book about her former employer, entitled Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House, in which she revealed several of the politician's dirty little secrets. Indeed, she claims Donald Trump often uses a tanning bed. She also said an employee had once been fired after the tanning machine was damaged during transportation.

Read more:

Adam Kinzinger on Donald Trump's body odour: 'It’s truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can'

Donald Trump's health questioned once again as he has still not made medical records public

Donald Trump: 43-feet-tall naked statue of the former president erected in Las Vegas

Sources used:

BuzzFeed: A Picture Of Donald Trump's Face Being Two Completely Different Colors Is Going Viral For Obvious Reasons

Intelligencer: Trump Insists Real Photo Revealing His Fake Tan Is Fake

The Hill: NYT: White House says Trump’s tan is the result of ‘good genes’

New York Times: In the Pale of Winter, Trump’s Tan Remains a State Secret

X