Most of us have done it… posted a photo on social media designed to be read in a certain way by a certain someone. Often partially clothed or at the very least in our best light, these pictures are known as ‘thirst traps’ and were common currency online way before Instagram was a thing. , pictured mid-punch in behind-the-scenes photos from a recent boxing training session. The photo was taken by one of his staff photographers.
It is easy to poke fun at the idea of a political leader posting photos in a tight t-shirt designed to show another world leader that he means what he says, and it has won Macron as much criticism as it has praise for his glistening muscles. Curating an image and selling it to the public has always been part of politics, but by becoming publishers of their own content, politicians have a tool more powerful than any other, especially when it comes to elections. Donald Trump is the master of this craft, often going further and accusing the media of doing exactly what he is guilty of: editing and clipping interviews to suit a particular narrative.that has gone before it and we are yet to set the terms.