2018 State of the Union: The Trump Show in Screenshots

Was just tweeting about this. @jabinbotsford @washpostphoto does a holy number on the false righteousness. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/Pb0pfCYNQ3

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

These are our favorite screenshots from Trump’s first State of the Union. Although the speech was deceptive, dark, and divisive, the SOTU is not a document or an address as much as it’s a show. As we emphasize near the bottom of this mostly chronological thread, Trump achieved two important things. He managed his tone, distancing himself from the Twitter madman. And he told stories, wrapping his frightful ideas around the inspirational or gut wrenching tales of one invited guest after another. Tailored for the folks at home, it was a powerful device, and one that the opposition party is frankly terrible at. In spite of all our snark, Dems better watch out because this exercise demonstrated many of the skills that got Trump elected.

#CongressionalBlackCaucus and Dem Caucus take pre-event pix wearing all black and #timesup #RecyTaylor pins. Far from a report out, the #SOTU has evolved into a visual face-off in battle for hearts and minds. 📷 @thehill #teamrhetoric pic.twitter.com/JcEjCeSJdJ

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Talking PR battle, the @WhiteHouse actually rolled out studio shots of all its #SOTU guests. https://t.co/VbPeOihDfz pic.twitter.com/M4vlAF5p2r

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Women’s rights group projects Trump sexual misconduct allegations on Trump hotel ahead of State of the Union https://t.co/P9wNPHut7x pic.twitter.com/hRofhLXIf5

— The Hill (@thehill) January 31, 2018

Meanwhile, at the Trump hotel…. #SOTU https://t.co/vMybkTvFcD

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Love these profiles. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/W0vL7mNCo3

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Hail to the limo. He’s going with the (bipartisan) blue tie. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/TAr6XQtVP9

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Heartburn. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/P439MoIziv

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

2024. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/L5GZODfg8C

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

“Looking for common ground.” #SOTU pic.twitter.com/Km39o5buQA

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

African-American unemployment has reached the lowest levels ever. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/L6C359jKCS

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Something about tax cuts. #SOTUBLACKOUT pic.twitter.com/50irvgzSo0

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

She never wanted this job. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/HaLmfHa3pm

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Throws love at Gorsuch. The man eats glass. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/8sr8JIREpN

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Starting to do that annoying thing, staring over at Dems, or jutting arms as in: “what do you have to say?” #SOTU pic.twitter.com/xqTgMt9EtE

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

The cut-away profile on gangs. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/UYhEjfT1Jw

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

President Trump reads prepared remarks. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/yLuTTw1YNw

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 31, 2018

Sourcing. https://t.co/Lzkj3xpVJK

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

The opioid op. Still another intention devoid of policy or funding. #thewhitescourge #SOTU pic.twitter.com/NWcNsbRwhG

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Something, something “the capital of Israel.” #SOTU pic.twitter.com/4pZlYuphGh

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Taking nothing away from the heroic Ji Seong-ho, it’s also a reflective commentary on how thoroughly these guests served as props. (Have more ever been used in a #SOTU before?) 📸 Saul Love @GettyImages @cnnpolitics pic.twitter.com/4UX3F7f4Jg

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Make no mistake, Trump is a good television actor. Love this screen shot as he appeals on high. Goes full Norman Vincent Peale. His narcissism blunts any story telling but someone sketched dozens of effective ones. And, they coached the anger out of him. Good for 2 hrs. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/167ZdLD5yj

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) January 31, 2018

Photo: Jabin Botsford/Washington Post. Caption: President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, January 30, 2018, Washington D.C.