President Trump is unlike his predecessors in a number of ways, and among them is his reported attitude towards Oval Office photo ops.
President Trump is unlike his predecessors in a number of ways, and among them is his reported attitude towards Oval Office photo ops.
While a number of recent leaders have viewed the practice largely as a job requirement, Trump apparently seems to find genuine joy in the experience.
Politico reported on Monday that, “Several advisers and aides say Trump appears happiest when showing off the Oval Office, almost seeing it as the ultimate prize, just as he once showed off his celebrity photos, trophies and other memorabilia, such as Shaquille O'Neal's shoes, at Trump Tower.”
The media outlet further notes, “The pose has become something of a punch line among some aides, who have seen it hundreds of times — occasionally dozens of times in a day. One senior White House official said Trump has ‘probably taken 10,000 pictures.’”
While most of the photos show him seated and smiling wide, there are some exceptions.
For instance, when Sarah Palin, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent dropped by before an April dinner at the White House, some seemingly impromptu--yet happy--moments were caught on camera.
Notably, the promise of a photo op isn’t always enough to keep Trump’s spirits high.
Back in March, he was prepared to sign trade-related executive orders in the Oval Office and photographers stood ready to capture the moment, notes The Hill.
That day, he didn’t even take time to sit at his desk.
The publication reports that this might have been due to a reporter’s touchy question, just prior, concerning President Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and his request for immunity in providing testimony on Russia’s ties in the election.
Trump promptly and without comment left the room.
