“Same vibe”: Donald Trump’s presidential portraits get hilarious Squid Game comparisons

Donald Trump’s inauguration portrait has dropped and the President-elect is back with a look that’s got social media buzzing. Trump’s two presidential portraits have been put side by side, and the comparison to the Squid Game’s Seong Gi-hun is downright uncanny.

In 2017, Trump’s inaugural portrait had him all smiles with an optimistic “Let’s Make America Great Again” vibe radiating from every pixel. Fast forward to 2025, and we’ve got a new portrait that screams, “I’ve seen things.”

That facial shift is sending everyone cracking jokes about how much he's Seong Gi-hun from Squid Game–– you know, that wide-eyed dude with hope that slowly morphs into the man ready to face everything coming at him by the end.

It's like Trump’s got his own version of the Squid Game arc.

“Same vibe,” quipped one X user, alongside side-by-side pics of Gi-hun from seasons 1 and 2.

Another chimed in with,

“It’s the Squid Game meme 😭”.

Yet another user shared Gi-hun’s portraits, stating:

“im in tears he basically did this”

“I played this game before”, a user mentioned, hinting at Squid Game.

A user playfully mentioned:

“he's been watching Squid Games after 2020 loss 😭”

“Bro thinks he's in Squid Game 😭”, a user commented.

The comparison did not stop at Squid Game. Some users compared Trump portraits with Hank memes from Breaking Bad.

“When meme becomes reality 😭”, a comment read.

“with the way this year started it makes sense”, another user mentioned.

A user thinks:

“it looks like his mugshot 2.0 I’m crying 😭”

Personalizing the experience, a user said:

“when i get food vs when they snatch my food.”

Another added:

"When somebody follows you. When somebody unfollows you."

Some users even dropped a traumatized Mr. Incredible meme.

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Trump’s presidential portraits

Throwing it back to January 19, 2017—a day before Trump’s first inauguration—when photographer Shealah Craighead snapped the first official portrait.

Trump’s look is formal. This image graced the official @POTUS X account until May 5, 2017.

But 2025 Trump has got stories to tell. His new portrait, rolling out just before his second inauguration, is making waves for its stark contrast.

Supporters say it’s confident. Critics say it’s intense. Everyone else is just pointing out the mugshot vibes from 2023’s legal issues.

These two historic portraits will soon be coming home together in the National Portrait Gallery for history buffs and meme lords alike.

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Trump’s inauguration

January 20, 2025, is the day. Trump 2.0 will take an oath as America's 47th president through a full-day program.

His day starts with a service conducted at St John's Church along Lafayette Square, where he is proceeding to the White House for tea.

The major event is the swearing-in ceremony, which is happening at 12:00 pm EST on the West Front of the United States Capitol. John Roberts, the Chief Justice, will once again administer the oath in service, while Vice President-elect JD Vance attends by Trump’s side.

Then, after his oath, President Trump's inauguration speech will focus on what this country needs and wants over the next four years. Look out for quotes, tweets, and, as usual, more memes afterward.

Then, it's off to the President's Room for some document signing before a traditional luncheon in Statuary Hall with Congress members and VIPs.

What's an inauguration without a parade? Roughly 7,500 participants—military regiments and marching bands will march down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Three balls mark the final day: Commander-in-Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and Starlight Ball. Trump is then expected to make an appearance and give a speech at all of them.