On 20 January 2025, Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term. It’s been politically divisive and visually rich. 12 months on, a relentless stream of images have lurched from the serious, ceremonial to surreal and outright ridiculous. Amateur Photographer has brought together a selection of 20 standout captures from visual experts, Getty Images. The objective of the gallery is to reflect on how the press has documented one of the most loved and loathed individuals on the planet.

Trump’s hostility toward the media is well known. He’s repeatedly labelling journalists and news outlets that challenge him as purveyors of ‘fake news’ and an ‘enemy of the people.’ It’s an uneasy relationship. His presidency depends on photography as a core part of communication and preserving his legacy. Photographers depend on the visual harvest he provides to feed the news outlets for which they work.

These photographs form a fragmented portrait of another year in power for one of the world’s most photographed individuals. He pops up everywhere and with everyone. Lips pouted, hair coiffed, fist clenched. From taking the oath in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, signing an executive order accompanied by entertainer Kid Rock, reacting to Chelsea FC’s FIFA Club World Cup win or pardoning a turkey. These images are a reminder that whatever his relationship with the photographers, Donald Trump’s presidency is inseparable from how it is photographed.

The beginning of the end

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters the stage for his inauguration in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump enters the stage for his inauguration in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, center, holds the hand of his wife Melania Trump, right, as their son Barron Trump, center, and Vice President JD Vance, look on after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Morry Gash / AFP) (Photo by MORRY GASH/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: President Donald Trump, center, holds the hand of his wife Melania Trump, right, as their son Barron Trump, center, and Vice President JD Vance, look on after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Morry Gash / AFP) (Photo by MORRY GASH/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump joined by women athletes signs the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order in the East Room at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. The executive order, which Trump signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s sports and is the third order he has signed that targets transgender people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump joined by women athletes signs the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order in the East Room at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. The executive order, which Trump signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s sports and is the third order he has signed that targets transgender people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk with his son X Æ A-Xii join US President Donald Trump as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 11, 2025. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead federal cost-cutting efforts, said the United States would go "bankrupt" without budget cuts. Musk leads the efforts under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and was speaking at the White House with Trump, who has in recent weeks unleashed a flurry of orders aimed at slashing federal spending. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk with his son X Æ A-Xii join US President Donald Trump as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 11, 2025. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead federal cost-cutting efforts, said the United States would go “bankrupt” without budget cuts. Musk leads the efforts under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and was speaking at the White House with Trump, who has in recent weeks unleashed a flurry of orders aimed at slashing federal spending. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: US President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box as he visits the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2025. US President Donald Trump is visiting the Kennedy Center in Washington for the first time since his stunning takeover of the top arts venue that he branded too "woke." Trump will lead a board meeting at the venue, where he installed himself as chairman and ousted the leadership a month ago as part of his broader blitz on almost every aspect of American life. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 17: US President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box as he visits the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2025. US President Donald Trump is visiting the Kennedy Center in Washington for the first time since his stunning takeover of the top arts venue that he branded too “woke.” Trump will lead a board meeting at the venue, where he installed himself as chairman and ousted the leadership a month ago as part of his broader blitz on almost every aspect of American life. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by entertainer Kid Rock (L), speaks with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (R), before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump has signed an executive order against ticket scalping and reforming the live entertainment ticket industry. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by entertainer Kid Rock (L), speaks with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (R), before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump has signed an executive order against ticket scalping and reforming the live entertainment ticket industry. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Touting the event as “Liberation Day”, Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs targeting goods imported to the U.S. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 02: U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Touting the event as “Liberation Day”, Trump is expected to announce additional tariffs targeting goods imported to the U.S. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - APRIL 11: US President Donald Trump raises a fist as he walks to get into a vehicle upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 11, 2025. Trump is heading to Palm Beach to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – APRIL 11: US President Donald Trump raises a fist as he walks to get into a vehicle upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 11, 2025. Trump is heading to Palm Beach to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: U.S. President Donald Trump, along with (L-R behind him) FBI Director Kash Patel and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Elon Musk and his son (seated to Trump's right), watch Australian fighter Alexander Volkanovski and Brazilian fighter Diego Lopes during an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight at the Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. The Trump administration issued a rule late Friday that spared smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other electronics from some of the tariffs they have enacted. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 12: U.S. President Donald Trump, along with (L-R behind him) FBI Director Kash Patel and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Elon Musk and his son (seated to Trump’s right), watch Australian fighter Alexander Volkanovski and Brazilian fighter Diego Lopes during an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight at the Kaseya Center on April 12, 2025 in Miami, Florida. The Trump administration issued a rule late Friday that spared smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other electronics from some of the tariffs they have enacted. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA - APRIL 24: US President Donald Trump uses a cellphone aboard Marine One before it departs Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, Virginia, on April 24, 2025. Trump is returning to the White House after attending a MAGA, Inc. dinner at the Trump National Golf Club Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA – APRIL 24: US President Donald Trump uses a cellphone aboard Marine One before it departs Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, Virginia, on April 24, 2025. Trump is returning to the White House after attending a MAGA, Inc. dinner at the Trump National Golf Club Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - MAY 15: U.S. President Donald J. Trump gestures on stage as he tours the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Trump is on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and Qatar, focusing on regional security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR – MAY 15: U.S. President Donald J. Trump gestures on stage as he tours the Al Udeid Air Base on May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Trump is on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and Qatar, focusing on regional security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 4: A demonstrator takes a picture of his friend in front of a Trump balloon at the Los Angeles City Hall while they protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the presence of the U.S. military in civilian spaces on July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The demonstration on Independence Day drew activists and community members to the streets, calling for immigration reform and demilitarization. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 4: A demonstrator takes a picture of his friend in front of a Trump balloon at the Los Angeles City Hall while they protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the presence of the U.S. military in civilian spaces on July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The demonstration on Independence Day drew activists and community members to the streets, calling for immigration reform and demilitarization. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 13: Reece James #24 of Chelsea FC lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after their team's victory as U.S. President Donald Trump reacts following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Reece James #24 of Chelsea FC lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after their team’s victory as U.S. President Donald Trump reacts following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 18: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting President Zelensky at the White House for a bilateral meeting and later an expanded meeting with European leaders to discuss a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 18: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting President Zelensky at the White House for a bilateral meeting and later an expanded meeting with European leaders to discuss a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
AYLESBURY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a press conference conference at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England. This is the final day of President Trump’s second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
AYLESBURY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a press conference conference at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England. This is the final day of President Trump’s second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 31: US President Donald Trump exits Air Force One upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 31, 2025. Trump is traveling to his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence for the weekend. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 31: US President Donald Trump exits Air Force One upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 31, 2025. Trump is traveling to his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence for the weekend. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 06: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate Crop) U.S. President Donald Trump stands by as attendees help a guest after he collapsed during during an event on lowering drug prices in the Oval Office at the White House on November 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that his administration has reached agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that would lower the price of some GLP-1 weight loss medications. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 06: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate Crop) U.S. President Donald Trump stands by as attendees help a guest after he collapsed during during an event on lowering drug prices in the Oval Office at the White House on November 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that his administration has reached agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that would lower the price of some GLP-1 weight loss medications. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House Rose Garden on November 25, 2025 in Washington DC. Waddle and Gobble, who had their names chosen by the public online, were pardoned by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump Tuesday in the annual tradition that spares two Thanksgiving turkeys from becoming the centerpiece of a holiday meal. (Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House Rose Garden on November 25, 2025 in Washington DC. Waddle and Gobble, who had their names chosen by the public online, were pardoned by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump Tuesday in the annual tradition that spares two Thanksgiving turkeys from becoming the centerpiece of a holiday meal. (Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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