Donald Trump's Giant Portrait on USDA Building Sparks Controversy

Authoritarian Iconography

• authoritarianism often involves tacky posturing, demeanor, and threats, exemplified by large public portraits of leaders.
• 🇨🇳 In Beijing's Tiananmen Square, a portrait of Mao, who founded the People's Republic of China, has hung since 1949 and is replaced annually.
• 🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North Korea, features large, permanent portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il overlooking Kim Il-sung Square.
• 🇷🇺 During Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea, temporary portraits of him and Kim Jong-un were displayed together.

Global Precedents for Leader Portraits

• 🇷🇺 Joseph Stalin, ruler of the Soviet Union, frequently had his portraits displayed publicly and carried during parades.
• 🇪🇬 In Egypt, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's image is ubiquitous on billboards and banners, especially before elections.
• 🇮🇷 Iran displays abundant murals, posters, and portraits of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Trump's Portrait in Washington D.C.

• 🇺🇸 A giant banner featuring Donald Trump's official portrait was recently hung on the Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington D.C.
• 🇺🇸 A similar banner with Abraham Lincoln was also displayed, understandable given Lincoln founded the USDA.
• ⚠️ The placement of Trump's portrait on a federal building is unusual, especially considering his policies negatively impact farmers.
• 🇺🇸 Unlike previous presidents such as Biden, Obama, Bush, or Clinton, Trump's image has not been displayed for public viewing in this manner.