A photo editor thinks she knows why Donald Trump has been wearing an exorbitant amount of bronzer lately, and it has to do with the outcome of the election.
Emily Keegin, a photo editor residing in Oakland, California, shared on her Instagram story that she used to think the inconsistency with Trump's bronzer usage across different photos and videos was a retouching issue. But then she felt "something more psychological is happening."
When Trump took office in 2017, she noted in her story the former president was significantly less bronzed than he was by the time 2020 rolled around, when he was elected out of office.
But, four years later when he debated President Joe Biden in June 2024, Trump was hardly wearing any, and he kept it that way even after his initial assassination attempt.
"When Trump was up in the polls, and a victory was all but certain... the bronzer was... Gone," Keegin wrote, with an accompanying image of Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance from July 2024.
Fast-forward to Oct. 30, and Trump is potentially the most bronzed we have ever seen him. Keegin likens the makeup to a mask.
"The presence of an exaggerated mask implies an ego in utter despair, desperately trying to hide and overcompensate for perceived flaws or weaknesses," she wrote. "When the mask in question is 'bronzer,' we should remember that in 2004 'just a bit of bronzer' could turn a citizen into a TV star," referencing to Trump's first season of "The Apprentice," which Keegin determined was when Trump got his first spray tan.
Based on her theory, Keegin declared, "I can say with absolute certainty, Trump thinks he's losing."
Keegin's theory has now been viewed more than 34 million times on X.
A photographer I follow on Instagram has put together that his bronzer use amps up when he's stressed / close to an election and is tied to his days in the rise of reality tv, and it's fascinating
— Alyssa 🌻 (@alyssaleann) October 31, 2024
(More screenshots in replies) https://t.co/8x7dapdPsH pic.twitter.com/yVgS4otg9N
Some users commented that they were "fascinated" by it, with one sharing that they tend to "overdo it" under pressure too.
Fascinating read 10/10 no notes he wants to be Paris Hilton soooo bad
— alex (@barelyyalex) October 31, 2024
There absolutely has to be some connection. More importantly, why isn’t anybody telling him how ridiculous he looks! 🤨
— Finn o’cabbage (@finn_cabbage) October 31, 2024
FINALLY someone has noticed and commented on now how makeup is noticeably way darker all of the sudden.
— Witty & Worldly (@WittyWorldly) October 31, 2024
It’s verging on legit being blackface and it’s so fucking weird.
I mean- I have a tendency to overdo it under pressure. 🤣 isn’t that the time we always get the most heavy handed.
— Chaotic Good (@ChaoticGood42_) November 1, 2024
My question is - is the person responsible for bronzing him hourly or salary?
it totally makes sense that he'd turn to bronzer during stressful times especially with the visibility around elections and his reality TV background
— Harshit Mishra (@HarsitMisra) November 1, 2024
Good analysis… and underscores how he’s stuck in different decades
— Firas D (@firasd) October 31, 2024
The big suits are 80s, the fake tan is 2003, the low-water-pressure complaint is early 90s, the idea that cities are filled with crime and decay is 80s… the YMCA song fandom is god knows from when
Another fascinating aspect of his bronzer age was that all of his allies started wearing bronzer too. Sean Hannity, Matt Gaetz, et al. So much bronzer. When he stopped, they stopped. It’s wild.
— Pegtasm 👻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@MissedtheFence) October 31, 2024
X user @hannahdianem even found comfort in the theory.
Okay this is one of the only things in a week that’s been able to calm my election anxiety
— hannah m (@hannahdianem) October 31, 2024
Meanwhile, a few found the theory and its virality alarming.
“Use of bronzer” is not a criteria anyone with an IQ over 40 should care about when electing a president.
— rebelHart (@rebelHart2) November 1, 2024
Yall are grasping 😭
— bushidogod (@sono_mozzafiato) October 31, 2024
Have you never been to Florida? And a golfer on top of that? They are all that color down there.
— Karen Walton (@KwaltonK) November 1, 2024
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