Everyone is making the same joke about Melania Trump’s official portrait.
The latest official portrait of the U.S. First Lady is generating buzz online but not for the reasons the White House may have anticipated.
The sleek black-and-white photo, captured by Belgian photographer Regine Mahaux, shows Melania exuding authority and elegance.
However, social media users are saying there’s something else about it that looks rather familiar.
The portrait was taken in the White House’s Yellow Oval Room on January 21, just one day after Donald Trump’s inauguration marking the start of his second term in office.
Melania is dressed in a tailored dark business suit, her hands resting on a reflective surface in a pose that some critics have described as calculated and ‘on-brand’ for the Trump dynasty.
For this new chapter in Washington, Melania opted for a sharp, commanding look contrasting her softer, more approachable style during her earlier tenure as First Lady.
This isn’t the first time Mahaux has photographed the Trump family.
She also shot Melania’s first official portrait during Trump’s initial presidency in 2017, in addition to various family events and promotional materials.
The photographer’s signature style – polished and meticulously lit – has become closely associated with the Trump brand.
Many social media users have drawn comparisons between the image and promotional shots for Trump’s reality TV show, The Apprentice, noting the striking resemblance to a glossy TV promo.
One person joked: “This isn’t an official portrait; it’s the season premiere poster for The Apprentice: White House Edition.”
“I feel like she’s about to tell me, ‘You’re fired,’ and honestly, I deserve it,” laughed another.
A third wrote: “Why does it look like she’s about to announce the launch of Trump Airlines?”
“She’s not the First Lady – she’s the Executive Producer,” added a fourth.
A further user agreed: “The lighting is great, but when do we find out who gets eliminated this week?”
Adding to the comparisons, Trump’s own official portrait, released earlier this month, also drew widespread commentary, though for very different reasons.
His stern, no-nonsense expression reminded some of his police mugshot, an image that dominated headlines during his legal challenges.
As the Trumps settle back into the White House, they’re clearly maintaining their flair for the theatrical, whether through fashion or photography.
And with fan comments like: “When do auditions open for The Apprentice: Presidential Edition?” it’s safe to say the internet isn’t done talking about this photo anytime soon.
