Donald Trump is famous for his distinct style—think blonde combover, sharp suits, and that serious expression. But there’s one accessory you rarely see him with: glasses. It’s pretty common for folks to start using reading glasses as they get older, but Trump seems to go out of his way to avoid being snapped with them.
That said, over the years, some sharp-eyed photographers and insider stories have managed to catch a few rare glimpses of Donald Trump wearing glasses in public. Here are five memorable occasions when the former president was spotted (or reported) wearing specs.
1. January 2020 – The Limo Snapshot That Went Viral
In a moment that’s been captured in great detail, New York Times photographer Doug Mills took a striking photo of Donald Trump inside his limousine on January 14, 2020, as he headed to a campaign rally. The image features Trump glancing down at his phone, sporting a pair of half-rimmed reading glasses.
Credit: X/@dougmillsnyt
This photo quickly made its rounds on social media and even grabbed headlines, mainly because it’s so uncommon to see Trump wearing glasses. It validated what many had long suspected: he does use reading glasses—just not when the cameras are rolling.
Why it’s significant: This was one of the rare, candid photographic pieces of evidence showing Trump with his prescription eyewear.
2. 2017 – Glasses Spotted Through a Car Window
Earlier in his presidency, a subtle moment caught the internet’s attention when Trump was seen through a car window, sporting what appeared to be reading glasses. The images weren’t the clearest, but several media outlets and onlookers noted the glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.
Credit: X/@andyharnik
He wasn’t delivering a speech or addressing reporters—just reading, likely preparing for a briefing or going over notes.
Why it’s significant: This adds weight to the idea that he uses glasses in private and makes a point to take them off before facing the cameras.
3. White House Reading Sessions – Insider Accounts
While not caught on camera, numerous former staffers and insiders have shared that they’ve seen Trump wearing glasses while poring over printed materials in the White House. From daily intelligence briefings to newspapers and reports, reading glasses were a part of his toolkit behind closed doors, according to those who knew his routine well.
Credit: Business Insider and REUTERS/Brian Snyder
He was said to prefer physical documents over digital tablets and would sometimes hold the paper at arm’s length before reluctantly put`ng on glasses to read the smaller text.
Why it’s significant: This reinforces the notion that his reluctance to wear glasses is more about appearances (no pun intended) than necessity.
4. May 2016 – Backstage at a Rally Holding Glasses
In a behind-the-scenes clip from his 2016 campaign trail, Trump was briefly seen holding a pair of rimless reading glasses just before stepping on stage at a rally. He didn’t wear them in front of the audience, but they were in his hand as he reviewed his talking points.
Credit: YouTube
This moment didn’t make major headlines, but it’s one of the rare instances where his glasses were visible—even if they didn’t make it onto his face for the main event.
Why it’s significant: It illustrates that he keeps glasses nearby but consciously chooses not to wear them while speaking publicly.
5. Pre-Politics: Early Business Career Reports
Back in the early 2000s and even the 1990s, there were some unverified yet persistent whispers that Donald Trump sported reading glasses during business meetings or when reviewing contracts. Former colleagues and journalists who encountered him in more private settings often mentioned this detail in their interviews or writings.
Credit: Grok
Although no photos from that era have emerged showing him in glasses, the reports are quite consistent: Trump might have used them discreetly even before he stepped into the political arena.
Why it’s significant: This hints that his reluctance to be seen with glasses has been part of a long-standing strategy for personal branding.
Why Doesn’t Donald Trump Like Wearing Glasses in Public?
Donald Trump is very aware of how he’s perceived in the public eye. Glasses, for better or worse, often carry cultural associations with age, intelligence, or even frailty—traits he’s not exactly eager to highlight. His brand revolves around confidence, dominance, and energy, and anything that might undermine that image tends to stay behind closed doors.
That’s why you’ll rarely hear him admit to needing reading glasses in interviews or see him posing for a press photo with them on. But as these rare instances reveal, even Trump isn’t completely immune to the need for a little visual assistance.
Donald Trump Glasses: Why Doesn’t Trump Wear Them?
While it’s quite uncommon to catch Donald Trump wearing prescription glasses in public, the few times it has happened provide a glimpse into the more relatable side of a meticulously crafted public persona. Whether it’s in the back of a limo, behind the doors of the White House, or briefly captured before a rally, those glasses do exist—they just aren’t part of the show.
So, the next time someone insists Trump doesn’t wear glasses, you can point them to these moments of visual reality.
Have you come across another image of Trump with glasses? Share a link or let us know—because spotting one is like finding a political Bigfoot!
Feature Image Credit: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register
Disclaimer: I do not own the copyrights to any of the images used in this blog. All images have been sourced from YouTube and various resources and are used for informational and educational purposes only. Full credit goes to the original creators and copyright holders.
