Viewers of Pope Francis’ funeral couldn’t help but be sidetracked by an unusually “extra orange” Donald Trump, with some suggesting his vivid complexion might reflect his “stress”.
The US President joined other global dignitaries at the Vatican today to pay respects to the late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Despite the Pope’s wishes for a humble farewell, featuring a “simple” coffin amidst the grandeur, Trump managed to draw significant attention during the service.
Commentary has been rife not just about his choice of a blue suit or the moment he bowed before the Pope’s coffin, but also about his notably bright orange skin tone. Observers have remarked that Trump appears more bronzed than usual, a change previously thought to be linked to the president’s stress levels.
Social media users have been quick to quip about the situation. “They got all those heads of state sitting in the scorching sun. Trump is about to go from orange to crimson,” one person posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Another said: “Either that, or the orange is gonna start dripping off..” And yet another was left pondering: “Why is he looking so orange?” Indeed, there might be an explanation for Trump’s strikingly intense coloration. His deep bronze shade was last observed to this degree prior to the election in November 2024.
As the campaign heated up and election day approached, it was noted that Trump’s orangeness intensified with each passing day, reports the Daily Star. A seasoned photographer even offered their professional take on the possible reasons behind this phenomenon.
Observers have noted that the intensity of Trump’s tan seems to correlate with his stress levels, with Emily Keegin pointing out that his complexion tends to darken during periods of heightened tension, particularly in the run-up to elections. Keegin offered insight into the psychology behind makeup choices, stating: “Our makeup choices are not made blindly. We use makeup because we see the limitations of our own face far too clearly.”
She added: “Like we do in many other aspects of our lives, we overcompensate to cover our flaws. The presence of an exaggerated mask [like Trump’s] implies an ego in utter despair, desperately trying to hide.”
Given the speculation surrounding Trump’s strained relationship with Elon Musk and the escalating tensions resulting from imposing tariffs on numerous countries, it raises the question of whether Trump might be intentionally darkening his tan to conceal his genuine emotions. Attending the Pope’s funeral alongside other world leaders, many of whom he has recently antagonized, could understandably be a source of significant stress for Trump.
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