This was helpful in understanding how these visuals work. The detail and examples were so clear and concise. I didn't know about the all female crew for Harris's final flight and I appreciated knowing that as well. Even though I see how the framing and stance of $tRump is deliberately planned for strength, he still looks ridiculously childish as if in a pretentious game as does Vance.
The fact that Trump (cadet "bone-spurs ") is our Commander in Chief makes both me and my Vietnam veteran husband downright nauseous. He treats the members of our military like toy soldiers in his toy box and has demonstrated no true respect for our active duty military members or the veterans he claims he supports. Carefully choreographed photo shoots of him "supporting" and being supported by our military are nothing more than part of the continuing con job he is doing to and against our citizenry as he makes a mockery of the presidency.
At one point I was looking forward to a joyous July 4th celebration in 2026 celebrating our 250 years as a democracy. I now have no doubt Trump will also make a mockery of this celebration by demanding a full blown military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue with military bands, tanks, and marching columns of soldiers from all branches of our military who will be expected to salute him as they pass by his "grandstand". To me this will be the ultimate insult to all military members both past and present, and I firmly believe Trump's parade will make those of China, North Korea, and the former USSR look like grade school productions.
Sherry, thank you for sharing. First of all, thank you to you and your husband for serving our country. I have the same sadness about the July 4th celebration. We all deserve a better leader.
Really super informative; thank you. Vance is just an embarrassment all around. His crude vocabulary and dressing like a street thug is, in addition, disrespectful to everyone he gets in front of. I’ll pay more attention to “visuals”, thanks to you.
Thank you, Wendy! I am constantly struck by how casual he dresses — if a woman did that … I can’t even imagine the comments. VP Harris always looked nice when addressing our military. It’s a sign of respect.
Excellent article! Thank you for taking a different approach to analyzing these interactions. We look but don't always pay attention to the details. As you say, they communicate a lot.
It is truly astonishing how detailed is the prior planning for this administration. They thought of nearly everything that would promote their ideology and influence voters. With smart, experienced people arranging so much detail to enable their success, I wonder again why they put uncredentialed, inexperienced, unprofessional, clueless, limited-thinkers in all leadership positions in the government. Maybe the intuitive planners in the background figure that the faces in front need to be easily handled and disposable.
Glenda this is such a good point. These photos are not an accident - these are intentional framing choices and I find it very disturbing and disrespectful.
I agree. I think that that observation is the answer itself. Trump /Vance were malleable because of all those 'qualities' and the money and power behind those faces could easily set the agendas and direction of the country. Add the accompanying personality disorders and you have hit a trifecta of a bloodless coup in the disassembly of our democracy.
Disgusting American President and Vice President. I can't fathom how law enforcement personnel is supposedly supportive of this regime. The total disrespect for our military leadership and service personnel should have everyone making sure never ever to vote them into office. What exactly was law enforcement voters hoping for????
Thank you for this very interesting and insightful article. Can we please have another one? Perhaps looking at the visual framing of other aspects of past administrations compared to this regime - culture and the arts, education, the courts, foreign relations…
Thanks Julie! I will be writing more. SPLIT SCREEN is at least every other week now so subscribe to The Contrarian and my personal page so you can see the rest! And if you have ideas for the column, send them to submit@contrariannews.org or comment directly to me on Substack. I want this to be a community effort!
The felon is a draft dodger. His phony photo ops show a deep disrespect to those of us who serve and did serve. He is a coward, plain and simple and a disgrace to this Country. Those who voted for him will at some point, learn they got played by a life long con man.
What a brilliant and eye opening article. Certainly will change how I view photos. My mom had a saying, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear" - I guess she was on to something back in the day.
And yet the importance and strength of art to affect us on a very deep level is still underestimated and under valued. We are primarily a visual animal, sight before all other senses and we need to be carefully discerning of those who would use it to manipulate us to their benefit.
Thank you for sharing this insight to sharpen our skill!
What a most informative article. I will be looking at all these photos in a very different way from now on.
Thank you so much for this kind comment! Yes, visuals are everywhere and we need to start paying attention and looking for these.
I’m impressed with this excellent interpretation of how we are encouraged to view our leaders. Thank you!
Thank you, Tilly! I appreciate the kind words.
This was helpful in understanding how these visuals work. The detail and examples were so clear and concise. I didn't know about the all female crew for Harris's final flight and I appreciated knowing that as well. Even though I see how the framing and stance of $tRump is deliberately planned for strength, he still looks ridiculously childish as if in a pretentious game as does Vance.
Thank you, Elizabeth! I agree that Trump & Vance’s framing looks odd to me. At the very least, it does not convey respect for the troops.
The fact that Trump (cadet "bone-spurs ") is our Commander in Chief makes both me and my Vietnam veteran husband downright nauseous. He treats the members of our military like toy soldiers in his toy box and has demonstrated no true respect for our active duty military members or the veterans he claims he supports. Carefully choreographed photo shoots of him "supporting" and being supported by our military are nothing more than part of the continuing con job he is doing to and against our citizenry as he makes a mockery of the presidency.
At one point I was looking forward to a joyous July 4th celebration in 2026 celebrating our 250 years as a democracy. I now have no doubt Trump will also make a mockery of this celebration by demanding a full blown military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue with military bands, tanks, and marching columns of soldiers from all branches of our military who will be expected to salute him as they pass by his "grandstand". To me this will be the ultimate insult to all military members both past and present, and I firmly believe Trump's parade will make those of China, North Korea, and the former USSR look like grade school productions.
Sherry, thank you for sharing. First of all, thank you to you and your husband for serving our country. I have the same sadness about the July 4th celebration. We all deserve a better leader.
Really super informative; thank you. Vance is just an embarrassment all around. His crude vocabulary and dressing like a street thug is, in addition, disrespectful to everyone he gets in front of. I’ll pay more attention to “visuals”, thanks to you.
Thank you, Wendy! I am constantly struck by how casual he dresses — if a woman did that … I can’t even imagine the comments. VP Harris always looked nice when addressing our military. It’s a sign of respect.
Seeing the images of VP Harris on her final flight made me tear up.
Beth, same. These images and legacy will live on though!
Excellent article! Thank you for taking a different approach to analyzing these interactions. We look but don't always pay attention to the details. As you say, they communicate a lot.
Thank you, M! It’s true. Images carry so much weight and it’s time to start paying attention.
It is truly astonishing how detailed is the prior planning for this administration. They thought of nearly everything that would promote their ideology and influence voters. With smart, experienced people arranging so much detail to enable their success, I wonder again why they put uncredentialed, inexperienced, unprofessional, clueless, limited-thinkers in all leadership positions in the government. Maybe the intuitive planners in the background figure that the faces in front need to be easily handled and disposable.
Glenda this is such a good point. These photos are not an accident - these are intentional framing choices and I find it very disturbing and disrespectful.
I agree. I think that that observation is the answer itself. Trump /Vance were malleable because of all those 'qualities' and the money and power behind those faces could easily set the agendas and direction of the country. Add the accompanying personality disorders and you have hit a trifecta of a bloodless coup in the disassembly of our democracy.
Disgusting American President and Vice President. I can't fathom how law enforcement personnel is supposedly supportive of this regime. The total disrespect for our military leadership and service personnel should have everyone making sure never ever to vote them into office. What exactly was law enforcement voters hoping for????
Great article! I subconsciously noticed a few of these techniques, but now I will be so much more aware of them.
Thank you, Elizabeth! There are so many things to notice and pay attention to.
Thank you for this very interesting and insightful article. Can we please have another one? Perhaps looking at the visual framing of other aspects of past administrations compared to this regime - culture and the arts, education, the courts, foreign relations…
Thanks Julie! I will be writing more. SPLIT SCREEN is at least every other week now so subscribe to The Contrarian and my personal page so you can see the rest! And if you have ideas for the column, send them to submit@contrariannews.org or comment directly to me on Substack. I want this to be a community effort!
Thanks. Subscribed to your page. Will think more on topics and send along some suggestions.
Awesome can’t wait to hear your ideas!
The felon is a draft dodger. His phony photo ops show a deep disrespect to those of us who serve and did serve. He is a coward, plain and simple and a disgrace to this Country. Those who voted for him will at some point, learn they got played by a life long con man.
T. Matchette USAF VET.
What a brilliant and eye opening article. Certainly will change how I view photos. My mom had a saying, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear" - I guess she was on to something back in the day.
And yet the importance and strength of art to affect us on a very deep level is still underestimated and under valued. We are primarily a visual animal, sight before all other senses and we need to be carefully discerning of those who would use it to manipulate us to their benefit.
Thank you for sharing this insight to sharpen our skill!
I learn so much through your perspectives. Thank you.
Marie, thank you for sharing. Let me tell you I cried a lot after filming VP Harris’s last flight with the all female crew!