Donald Trump’s orange-tinged complexion has long fueled speculation, jokes, and debate. While he denies using spray tans or heavy makeup—once crediting “good genes”—critics and casual observers remain unconvinced.

The discussion recently resurfaced when photo editor Emily Elsie posted side-by-side comparisons of Trump’s appearance, contrasting photos from July 2024 with more recent ones. The dramatic shifts in tone sparked her question: “Why is no one covering this very important data point?”

At first, Elsie suggested the differences could be explained by lighting, photography, or editing. Cool lighting softened Trump’s bronzer, she noted, while warmer tones exaggerated the orange effect. Makeup designed for TV cameras may have amplified these changes.

But she argues it goes deeper than technical tricks. Over time, she believes, Trump’s bronzer use has steadily increased. The psychological factor, she claims, is stress: “The more stressed Trump appears to be, the more makeup shows up on his face.”

Elsie points to moments of confidence as proof. After the June 2024 debate with Joe Biden, when Trump led in polls, she observed that the bronzer “all but disappeared.” By contrast, in recent months of political uncertainty, darker makeup has returned, now even visible on his hands.

Trump’s team has often dismissed complexion questions, attributing redness or discoloration to constant handshaking. Reports of his chronic venous insufficiency—a circulation issue affecting the legs—have also surfaced, though this condition is not directly tied to facial coloring.

For Elsie, however, the issue is more than cosmetic. She sees Trump’s shifting presentation as a reflection of image management and insecurity under political pressure.

“The orange face,” she argues, is less about vanity and more about the psychological toll of constant exposure to cameras, polls, and power.