The Brief: Memes based on a photo of Donald Trump that appears to reveal a fake tan line have gone viral, causing the hashtag #OrangeFace to trend on Twitter.
DEEP DIVE
Trump tan memes are based on a photo posted on February 7, 2020 by the Twitter account @photowhitehouse which shows President Trump with his hair blown back in the wind and what appears to be an extreme tan line on his face. The Twitter account, which is run by a photographer who goes by the name William Moon is unverified and is not associated with the White House.
@realDonaldTrump returns to the White House from Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by William Moon at the South Lawn of the White House on February 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/n1a1Z93LrJ
— White House Photos (@photowhitehouse) February 7, 2020
At the time of writing, it is unclear whether or not this is a parody account or if this photo has been edited. Other photos taken at the same time show a tan line that is less pronounced. @photowhitehouse also posted a black and white version of the photo with the disclaimer “This picture was never photoshopped, but used the Apple smartphone’s photo app to adjust the color of the picture.”
President Donald Trump responded to the circulation of this photo by calling it “more fake news,” saying that it was “photoshopped, obviously,” and noting that “the wind was strong and the hair looks good?”
More Fake News. This was photoshopped, obviously, but the wind was strong and the hair looks good? Anything to demean! https://t.co/t8ptYMCYHf
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
After the photo was posted Trump tan memes spread on Twitter, even causing the hashtag #OrangeFace to trend in the United States. Memes include comparisons between Trump and other orange things as well as photos of how he might look without a spray tan.
'oops #Trump #Heinz pic.twitter.com/nuhWGlWTmI
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) February 8, 2020
Trump is 74 years old. Take away the hair piece and the spray tan. This is what he probably really looks like. Not trying make fun of Trump. Just an observation after some Photoshop manipulation. pic.twitter.com/CpvfpLw2jl
— George Cee (@MrGeorgeCee) February 8, 2020
If Trump was going to fire anyone today, he should have started with whoever is doing his spray tans. pic.twitter.com/wZnde7gqNc
— Josh Bierman (@JaBierman) February 8, 2020
someone removed trump’s horrible fake tan in photoshop and all i see is judi dench in cats pic.twitter.com/VoV9933gbj
— princess carolyn (@carolynmaeee) February 8, 2020
me after watching exactly one makeup YouTube pic.twitter.com/qtdpX0A3II
— Liz Franczak (@liz_franczak) February 8, 2020
Didn’t Trudeau just get in trouble for this pic.twitter.com/v6QfCrL9vZ
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) February 8, 2020
I’m going with ripe pomegranate. #OrangeFace pic.twitter.com/7mJ0fLCYxd
— SAM6 (@travelong6) February 8, 2020
Tupperware after you store spaghetti in it pic.twitter.com/l2Q026Swgj
— Silong (@thefakeSilong) February 8, 2020
What do you think they’re going to call this collab 😯 #OrangeFace pic.twitter.com/RkNSAuLb8q
— Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) February 8, 2020
Meryl Streep @TheRealMStreep as @realDonaldTrump. Priceless! 😅😂🤣😭 #OrangeFace #SaturdayMorning #SaturdayThoughts #SaturdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/L62OLOlljr
— Voice of Reason (@raggapegs) February 8, 2020