Why is Donald Trump so orange? An expert thinks she has the answer

Donald Trump’s famously orange complexion has long drawn attention, but fresh speculation is now emerging about what’s really behind his shifting appearance.

During his presidency, questions about spray tans or makeup became constant, though Trump denied them—one aide even credited his look to “good genes.” Still, the internet has never stopped pointing out his unusual glow.

Photo editor Emily Elsie recently reignited the debate on Instagram, comparing images of Trump after the 2024 assassination attempt to more recent photos, noting striking differences in his skin tone.

At first, she suspected lighting tricks or editing. Cooler tones made his bronzer appear lighter, while warmer shades exaggerated the orange effect. She argued that Trump’s makeup once seemed designed for TV cameras but has grown more pronounced over time.

Elsie proposed stress as a factor. In 2017, his face appeared less orange, but as pressure mounted in office, the makeup thickened. Away from the presidency, his complexion often softened.

A key shift came after the June 2024 debate with Biden. When polls favored him, Elsie observed, the bronzer nearly vanished—only to reappear as the campaign intensified.

More recently, she noticed Trump applying makeup to his hands. While his team claimed discoloration came from constant handshaking, reports later linked it to chronic venous insufficiency. Elsie urged people not to dismiss his changing look as a joke, suggesting it reflects stress, insecurity, and self-image.