Donald Trump understands the power of imagery, showcasing himself next to influential figures such as Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Kim Kardashian—now, he has set his sights on George Washington.
In the midst of grappling with his ongoing conflict with Iran and facing plunging approval ratings in his second term, Trump has recently shared a series of AI-generated images featuring himself alongside pivotal historical American figures. Amidst concerns regarding the living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after its lengthy deployment and ongoing negotiations with Tehran, he has turned to his Truth Social platform to create what appear to be crafted depictions aimed at reinforcing his legacy.
Earlier this month, he uploaded an AI-generated image of himself standing next to George Washington in what seems to be a vision of a completed ballroom in the White House. Shortly after, he shared three additional images featuring himself and Washington in the ballroom, portraying varying scenes, including one where Trump points upwards while holding a piece of paper.
The day following this post, he shared yet another AI creation depicting him and Washington at a table over a map, as well as an image of the two on horseback—one in black and one in white—presented without any accompanying text.
However, the most eye-catching post came on Sunday, where a video showed Trump and Washington strolling through the ballroom, taking turns to point towards the ceiling as if assessing its construction.
According to Angelo Carusone, the president and CEO of Media Matters, Trump appears to be projecting an image of himself as a figure on par with, or perhaps even superior to, Washington. "He is essentially trying to position himself as a founding figure," Carusone observed. "AI allows him to express his vision to the public."
When The Guardian inquired whether the 80-year-old Trump believed he had met Washington, who passed away over two centuries ago, a spokesperson responded without addressing the question directly. Instead, they emphasized that Truth Social represents Trump’s unfiltered voice, enabling him to communicate directly with the American populace without media distortion.
"The landscape of Washington DC is continuously evolving with more elements branded by Trump," Carusone noted. "This mirrors the posthumous naming of landmarks after Washington; however, with Trump, it feels as if he is constructing a living commemoration."
Throughout his second term, Trump's ballroom project has emerged as a focal point. He has explicitly expressed his desire for the ballroom to become a "legacy project," and frequently retreats to it during challenging times. Evidence suggests he aspires to be seen not just as a ballroom builder but also as a wartime leader.
In another notable instance, Trump shared an AI image of himself donned in a military uniform, accompanied by World War II generals George Patton and Douglas MacArthur, standing on a battlefield. The composite image even depicts two tanks ablaze in the background, while Trump, enhanced by AI, boasts an array of six rows of medals on his chest—outnumbering the combined medals of Patton and MacArthur.
