Photographer captures Trump’s cue card reminding him to be sympathetic to shooting survivors
Feb 22, 2018
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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It’s nothing new that politicians use notes and cue cards when giving speeches. But a recent AP photo shows that Donald Trump uses notes that remind him to be sympathetic. AP photographer Carolyn Kaster managed to capture the notes president Trump used when meeting people impacted by the mass school shootings across the US. The photo made the public worried and caused a lot of reaction.
On Wednesday 21 February, Donald Trump met with those impacted by the mass school shootings, some of them being the survivors. They had a “listening session” and proposed some solutions for increasing safety in schools (some of them being pretty shocking).
Carolyn Kaster managed to snap two photos that show the president’s notes for the session. They show something that most likely wasn’t meant for the public eyes. We can see five bullet points reminding the president what to ask and what to say, although the third one isn’t fully visible:
1.What would you most want me to know about your experience?
2. What can we do to help you feel safe?
3. Do you see something […] something effective?
4. Resources? Ideas?
5. I hear you.
President Donald Trump holds notes during a White House listening session with students and parents affected by school shootings. (AP Photo by Carolyn Kaster) pic.twitter.com/Z0lZbSVaoF
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) February 21, 2018
This AP photo shows more of what’s on Trump’s notes. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) pic.twitter.com/mxqqteRdhs
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 22, 2018
As for the first four, perhaps we can give him a pass. They are reminders about what to discuss and they help not to miss anything important. But “I hear you?” A reminder to tell people that you are hearing their concerns, a reminder to be sympathetic?
Of course, the Internet started making a joke out of the photos, photoshopping the cue cards with all kinds of drawings. One would expect something like that, I suppose. But, the majority of people who’ve seen them feel bitter and worried, and I think it’s completely understandable. If a man of such power and responsibility needs a reminder to express sympathy, we have a reason to be concerned.
[via Gizmodo; lead image credits: Anythingyouwant]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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35 responses to “Photographer captures Trump’s cue card reminding him to be sympathetic to shooting survivors”
I don’t like the guy, and this is very telling. However, I don’t come to DIY Photography for political commentary. This story isn’t about photography, except for the fact that a photo exists. Low class, DIY.
Yeah, recently there’s a bunch of gossips and news about celebrities instead of DIY stuff for photogs.
So ?
A good photographer looking for the details during an event that communicate a deeper meaning.
This isn’t the site for political discussions, come on DIY and contributors let’s talk Photography. I like your site as a respite from all the political crap we get elsewhere.
The subject matter of a photojournalist photo is just as relevant as the subject matter of a landscape or still life photographer’s photo.
Kevin Johnson I agree, so let’s talk about photojournalism photography.
Just been going back over my recent comments here…. We have had “climate change” in relation to trees, mountains and polar bears, plenty of general leftyism, and now anti-tumpism…
Bugger all to do with photography, other than the presence of pictures in each of the stories.
What next, vegans against plates of steak?
For those who say this has nothing to do with photography, I object. It is photojournalism, it captured a moment, it captured something important. It may not please you because it doesn’t reflect your values or it goes in the pile of what you’d rather ignore but it still is quite good photojournalism…
All true, but how does it help us be better photographers? I thought that’s what this page was about.
DanaSue Van Kampen Maybe it’s an example of how photographers, especially photojournalists, should look for more than the obvious shots that their subjects want them to take.
Virginie , There was no problem with the photo . It was the text suggesting that Trump needs notes to remind himself what to feel that offended me .
Except the text literally just describes what you see:
“President Donald Trump holds notes during a White House listening session with students and parents affected by school shootings. (AP Photo by Carolyn Kaster)”
(1) Trump is holding notes.
(2) He’s holding them during a listening session with students & parents.
Those are facts. The AP was very careful not to go beyond them. They didn’t imply anything.
The description of the photo totally “spun” what the notes actually said . Not surprised considering the source .
Harry Simon, why does it offend you? I think it’s legitimate to wonder why the President needs to have “I hear you” written down on this situation, it should have been a natural thing to say, comfort shouldn’t need to be scripted. The author got a bit political, yes, and the picture is too. But it should be okay for anyone, even a photojournalist or an author to question the actions and motivation of any political figure, the US isn’t a dictatorship. Even if it displeases people who think Trump is doing a great job…
Because it is easy to get wrapped up in a discussion, and not get everything out that you want to; this is a simple reminder to reinforce this point to the attendees, and nothing more. It says “I hear you” not “Remember to act like you care.”
DanaSue Van Kampen Photojournalism is about telling a story with images (actually all photography is really). Sometimes that story is a behind-the-scenes look at what we don’t normally see. Here the story is that even the leader of our country has to take notes, especially during a rather sensitive meeting of people who just recently lost loved ones. You have to be careful what you say to someone who is grieving, no matter who you are. I’m no Trump fan, but I actually found some sympathy for him in this photo. I take notes all the time now that i’m getting older and my memory just doesn’t seem as sharp. And BTW there are photos of Obama doing the exact same thing.
I disagree. Photography has to do with conveying a feeling. Spy photos serve to convey an agenda!
What a good way to get rid of drump supporters
photojournalism
FYI everything is political. Only animals are apolitical.
Tell that to those two bull moose fighting for dominance.
This has everything to do with photojournalism. It’s capturing a moment in history.
My a$*
Photoshop is so easy to do.
So he uses an index card. The last president was legally married to a teleprompter. The implication that he needs a written reminder to experience basic human emotion (because he’s a robot? Alien?) Is absurd. Every president since the beginning had spoken from notes, and this one is no different. I’m not a fan of his, but I don’t follow photo books for politics. This is not notable. This is not journalism. This is political opinion tripe (again not a Trump fan, so no, I’m not whining because this goes against my political views). Please sick to photography.
6) Try to be clever !
Have you not witnessed what Obama did (without script) with the family of Sandy Hook? Have you not heard him plead for better regulations? Please be fair to the other presidents who have tried. The Congress and Senate won’t take action because of the NRA lobby.
Speaking of prompts, I remember the two times Obama’s teleprompter malfunctioned. Once a quit and once a repeat of the last couple paragraphs.
So this is how MSNBC gets its news! The research they do is amazing!!!
It’s easy to cover an event by getting face shots. Quality candids are harder to get. I like that the AP and the photographer captured this and presented it, leaving interpretation to the viewers and readers.
I am holding a note to remind me i be polite to you and accurate in what I say. Good day. I find this article ,which will offend many others like me who thought you were about photography, left shacking our heads. I find your judgment bordering on fiscally suicidal. I hereby cancel my subscriptions and bid you farewell.
Seriously? This is a story? Are we all a part of the “Gotcha Network” now? Grow up people.