I’ve only read about half-way through the article, but this jumped out at me:
“His formerly orange hair was more muted and more silvery, and a less unusual shape. His formerly orange complexion was also toned down. He did look more statesmanlike than previously, and more appropriately his age. Whoever was advising him, those were effective choices.”
Could it be that Ms. Wolf had only seen photo-altered images of Trump as featured in the NYT’s and WaPo and on CNN? It’s not that Trump himself has changed, but instead she is now seeing the actual Trump rather than the media-created Trump. Just a thought. (Now, on to read the remainder of the article).
Likely the first time she’s seen him in person so yes, she’s probably only seen media photos. And she’d be sensitive to appearance more than many of us might. You might recall her advising Gore on his appearance. To wear tan or green I think.
This!
Back when I used to watch Trump every time he was on television, I would watch on several channels at the same time via different technologies. He looked very different on different channels.
IIRC Obama (Clinton?) traveled with his own production crew. He also allowed only his own photographers at most White House events. Thus he controlled what went out over the airwaves. Trump, on the other hand, tolerated (enjoyed?) having the media’s many boom microphones show on TV as well as the clacking noise of the power shutters going off the whole time he would be talking to a foreign leader. I’ve never understood that choice.
Trump does love the country and wants the best for ordinary Americans but he loves outwitting others and being idolized as well.
I came to your same conclusion, and posted my version of it at #22 before reading your post.