Trump’s AI-Enhanced Golf Photo Draws Online Mockery

During a weekend LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, President Donald Trump posted an image on his Truth Social platform showing himself driving golf legend Gary Player around the course. The picture, originally captured by freelance photographer Andrew Mordzynski and distributed by Getty Images, was later replaced by a digitally altered version that makes Trump appear younger, slimmer and with a smoother complexion. Online users quickly highlighted the contrast, noting the artificial glow-up and the painted-over background.

Daily BeastDonald Trump uses AI-enhanced photo of himself rather than face reality

In the unaltered photo, Trump wears a white-and-gold cap from his merchandise line, has puffy eyes, a reddish face and an open mouth. The edited image shows wider eyes, a closed mouth, tanned skin, neatly trimmed hair and a smoothed chest area, while the “TRUMP” logo on his shirt is enlarged. The altered background carries a warm, painterly glow. Additional observations from the posted image include bruises of varying sizes on Trump’s forearms and Band-Aids on two fingers of his right hand, details that were not visible in the original. Trump has previously explained similar bruising as the result of a large daily aspirin dose and frequent handshaking.

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The president’s use of AI-generated visuals is not new. In recent weeks he shared an AI-created picture placing himself beside World War II generals George S. Patton and Douglas MacArthur, and earlier posted AI-rendered scenes with President John F. Kennedy and fictional science-fiction film roles. Last October, he circulated an AI video depicting himself as a king flying a jet and dropping a brown substance on protesters.

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Liberal political analyst Harry Sisson posted a video on Instagram pointing out that the Trump-Player photo is clearly fabricated, arguing that the president uses such images to project a youthful, healthy appearance. An X account named Patriot Takes reshared the side-by-side comparison, captioning it “Trump’s AI Image vs. Reality…”. The White House has been contacted for comment but has not responded. Critics view the episode as part of a broader pattern of the president employing AI-enhanced media to shape public perception.

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