Donald Trump has always managed to grab attention, whether for his political moves or his personal style. But one question has lingered for years and continues to spark debates every time his face appears on television: why is the former president so orange?
His glowing complexion has become almost as recognizable as his trademark hair. While some dismiss it as a simple tan, others argue there’s more behind the unusual hue. Trump himself has shrugged off the chatter, once telling supporters, “The light’s no good. I always look orange.”
An official from his previous administration even tried to settle the matter, insisting his look came down to “good genes” and a little translucent powder for the cameras. But makeup artists and photo experts say that explanation doesn’t tell the full story.
Jason Kelly, a makeup artist who worked the Republican convention in 2016, recalled that Trump arrived already heavily coated. “There was a line of oxidized bronzer around his hairline… The application is like a kindergartner did it,” he explained.
Photo editor Emily Elsie has also tracked the changes over time, noticing patterns in Trump’s appearance. She argued that the more stressed he appears, the heavier the makeup becomes.
“When Trump took office in 2017, he was significantly less orange, but as his term wore on, more bronzer was applied,” Elsie said.
She pointed out that after his debate with Joe Biden in June 2024, his bronzer nearly vanished as polls tipped in his favor. But during tougher periods, his face and even his hands showed darker layers of makeup. “The more stressed, the more makeup,” she noted.
Experts in beauty and skincare have offered another angle. Many believe his complexion reflects overuse of bronzer and self-tanners.
The active ingredient in most self-tanners, dihydroxyacetone, can turn orange when not properly matched to skin tone or when layered heavily with other products.
That theory gained traction in 2019, when The Washington Post reported that housekeepers at a Trump property often checked his supply of Bronx Colors, a budget Swiss makeup brand. At the time, the company’s orange concealer even sold out after being linked to the president.
Photographs from rallies and speeches seem to back these claims, showing streaks of makeup under bright lights. Experts argue this is less about unusual lighting and more about poorly blended product.
But the surprising connective tissue is a medical condition: chronic venous insufficiency. In July 2025, the White House confirmed that Trump had been diagnosed with this common circulatory issue, following visible swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his hands.
The physician’s memo ruled out any serious heart or vascular issues; the bruises were attributed to frequent handshakes and his aspirin regimen
The diagnosis helps explain why makeup often applied over bruises might be heavier and more extensive than it seems, especially under high-stress, high-visibility scenarios.
In other words, the orange is not caused by veins but careful curation of image, stress, and concealing marks tied to a vascular condition.
That unexpected medical twist reframes the glow: it’s not just about vanity or weird lighting, but about the everyday pressures and human vulnerabilities of the individual behind the public persona.
Featured Image: (Wikipedia)
