Trump Accuses The New York Times of Doctoring Trump National Doral Photo

He claimed the second image, showing a bright white façade, reflected the resort’s true condition. The dispute unfolded in two posts on Monday, with Trump labeling the newspaper “totally dishonest” and “CROOKED.”

Alternet

The Trump National Doral, acquired by Trump in 2012 and renovated in 2014, has become a focal point for scrutiny of the overlap between Trump’s presidential role and his private business interests. The resort is slated to host the December G20 summit, reviving controversy that first emerged when the property hosted a G7 summit during Trump’s first term. *The New York Times* article that featured the disputed photo examined this renewed merging of presidential and personal assets.

Newsweek

• The Times photo was taken by photographer Scott McIntyre; its metadata did not confirm or refute editing.

Newsweek

• Newsweek reviewed archival images, including Getty Images photographs from 2023 and 2026, which display discoloration or weathering on the same façade sections seen in the Times image.

Newsweek

• A close-up shot taken in May by photographer Carmen Mandato also shows darkened dirt on the building’s exterior.

Newsweek

President Trump’s accusations are captured in his own words:

Forbes

• “The New York Times, in writing a story about one of the finest and most successful resorts anywhere in the World, Trump National Doral, in Miami, posted a picture where the facade has been blackened and denigrated by them in order to make it look shoddy, filthy, and just plain BAD,” — Donald Trump, president

Newsweek

• “The actual facade looks like the second picture posted, rather than the one doctored by The Times,” — Donald Trump, president

Newsweek

• “This is what I have to deal with on a constant basis—Artificial News! The Times is a CROOKED outfit that caters to Lunatics who want to see our Country fail,” — Donald Trump, president

Newsweek

No response from *The New York Times* or photographer Scott McIntyre was obtained by Newsweek.

Newsweek

• Newsweek could not verify whether the Times image had been digitally altered; the available metadata was inconclusive.

Newsweek

• Archival photographs show similar dirt patterns, suggesting the façade may indeed exhibit weathering, but the timing of the Times photo relative to those conditions remains unclear.

Newsweek

• No independent forensic analysis of the image has been reported.

Newsweek

The episode shows how visual representations of Trump-owned properties can become flashpoints in the president’s broader conflict with mainstream media. With the G20 summit scheduled for December at the Doral, perceptions of the resort’s condition may influence public and diplomatic impressions of the event.

Newsweek

*The New York Times* has not announced any plan to address the president’s allegations. No further legal or journalistic actions concerning the photograph have been reported.

Newsweek