Bury Any Iconic Photo of Trump After Assassination Attempt
An anonymous photo editor at a prominent news outlet expressed concern over the media’s emphasis on the historic photo of former President Trump standing resolute after the assassination attempt on Saturday, labeling it as “dangerous” and equating it to “free PR” for Trump’s campaign, according to a recent report.
An Axios media trend analysis released on Tuesday highlighted the potential risks associated with the “overuse” of this iconic image. The report cited unnamed photographers who conveyed their worries that the widespread dissemination of these photos could turn into “photoganda.” They fear that, despite their intent to document a news event, the Trump campaign could exploit these images to advance their agenda.
The photograph captured a moment of raw defiance from Donald Trump just seconds after a bullet grazed his right ear, sending him to the ground during a rally on Saturday. In the image, the former president is seen raising his fist to the crowd of supporters while being rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents, blood smeared across his face. An American flag waves above his head, adding a poignant backdrop to the dramatic scene.
Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci snapped the photo that quickly went viral, landing on newspaper front pages and dominating digital news sites and social media platforms around the world. This powerful image encapsulates a moment of intense turmoil and unwavering resolve, resonating deeply with audiences globally.
Axios cited a photo editor and photographer “from a major news outlet” who suggested the media refrain from using the photo “despite how good it is” to avoid casting the former president in a positive light.
“The amount that publications have been using Evan’s photo is kind of free PR for Trump in a way, and it’s dangerous for media organizations to keep sharing that photo despite how good it is,” the editor told the outlet.
The photo has been praised as both iconic and instantly historic, and it will be on the next print cover of TIME Magazine. Some observers have said it could change some people’s perceptions forever of Trump, one of the most controversial, beloved and loathed political figures in American history.
The Washington Post’s art critic Phillip Kennicott called it “a photograph that could change America forever.”
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alter feels the image “encapsulates the essence” of what Americans want from its leaders.
“The image and the preceding event perfectly capture the raw vulnerability of a powerful former leader at his most exposed moment, followed by a display of perseverance, strength, and defiance in the face of danger,” Alter told Fox News Digital.
“This image encapsulates the essence of what many Americans admire in our heroes—both fictional and real. We look to these figures to lead us: to emerge from chaos with resilience, authority, and unwavering toughness,” he continued. “Frankly, it’s an image that could shift the narrative on ‘toxic masculinity.’”
Vucci, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who has covered thousands of similar events for the AP since 2003, told Fox News Digital that he recognized he was witnessing a historic moment as shots rang out in the direction of the former president.
“I was solely focused on doing the best possible job because I knew this was a moment in American history that required me to be at the top of my game,” Vucci shared with Fox News Digital on Monday from Milwaukee, where he was preparing to photograph the Republican National Convention.
“I knew right away that this was going to be one of the most significant photos I’d ever take,” he shared. “I felt a deep responsibility to capture it perfectly.”
Trump discussed the now-iconic image during a Monday interview with the New York Post, joking, “Many people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen. They’re right, and I didn’t even have to die for it. Usually, you have to die to get an iconic picture.”