Donald Trump abruptly pauses live speech to call out Pulitzer-winning photographer for making him look ‘heavy’

President Donald Trump briefly stopped his speech at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to single out a photographer in the audience, complaining that the images taken of him have made him look “heavy.”

After launching into familiar criticism of the “fake news” media, Trump appeared to recognize New York Times photographer Doug Mills standing among the crowd. Mills drew international attention last year after capturing a dramatic image of the moment a bullet grazed Trump during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.

Spotting him mid-speech, Trump pointed in Mills’ direction and called him out by name. “Pulitzer Prize! Pulitzer Prize!” Trump shouted. “Right, Doug? He got one for the bullet. He had the bullet,” he said, according to HuffPost. Trump then went on to emphasise Mills’ career accolades, adding, “But he got, how many Pulitzer Prizes? Three Pulitzer Prizes,” drawing a reaction from the audience.

Trump’s complaint about his appearance reveals his ongoing focus on image

Trump then shifted tone, offering praise to the photographers positioned directly in front of the stage. Gesturing toward them, he told the crowd, “All talented guys. These are great guys.” But Trump then pointed to the back of the room and said, “I don’t like the people back there,” while making a sucking sound with his teeth. The audience laughed. Trump’s behavior at public events has raised concerns about potential impeachment among some observers.

Trump then returned his focus to Mills, jokingly, but pointedly, asking the photographer to portray him more favourably in future images. “Make me look thin for a change, Doug,” he said. “You are making me look a little heavy. I’m not happy about it.”

The remark fit a familiar pattern for Trump, who frequently comments on his own appearance or that of others during public events. His offhand observations about body image have long been a recurring feature of his unscripted speeches.

As recently as October, Trump drew attention for comparing his own beach body to that of former President Joe Biden. At the time, he quipped, “I’m not sure it would be appreciated on the beach, but I’m not gonna take a chance,” a line that quickly went viral online. The moment happened while Trump was speaking at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday. Trump has been making headlines recently with his oil deal proposal for Venezuela.