tRump's official inaugural portrait is released -- and it bears a striking resemblance to his mugshot

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3. 'Kind of looks familiar': Trump's new presidential portrait spurs theories from CNN panel

"I mean, one, it looks familiar to a mug shot," declared Zolan Kanno-Youngs.

"That's what I mean!" Bash exclaimed. "That's what I was setting you up for!"

'Kind of looks familiar': Trump's new presidential portrait spurs theories from CNN panel

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CNN anchors, led by Dana Bash on Thursday's Inside Politics, were taken aback by President-elect Donald Trump's official portrait for 2025 and how it differed from the official photo taken for his first term.

"I want to talk about that, but particularly as it compares to what it looked like in 2017," Bash said. "Um, very different...it might seem like, okay, why are they focusing on a picture? Well, because he's trying to send a message. There was a smile that you don't normally see in 2017. It was sort of like, 'Oh, my gosh, what did I get myself into?' And then the second one, the one that is going to be used now, is very different. And it also kind of looks familiar."

"I mean, one, it looks familiar to a mug shot," declared Zolan Kanno-Youngs.

"That's what I mean!" Bash exclaimed. "That's what I was setting you up for!"

Kanno-Youngs continued, "During the campaign, that mug shot was key to Trump's strategy here. Immediately after the mug shot was taken, it was on merchandise. He used it to fundraise, as well. In a way, that photo there is a visual representation of Trump's strategy, which is stoking anger."