One of the most common criticisms of former President Donald Trump is his perception as a grifter. Whether he's stiffing contractors or promoting campaign contests with no apparent winner, the former president has demonstrated a laser-focus on generating as much money as possible for his coffers, with others bearing the expenses.
Such was the case for Trump's White House photographer, Shealah Craighead, according to a new report from Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman of the New York Times.
In the final weeks of Trump's time in the White House, Craighead—who's known for her work with Republican presidents—alerted Trump's aides that she would be curating the photos she'd taken of Trump into a book, just as every White House photographer since the late President Ronald Reagan has done.
Initially, Trump's team demanded a portion of Craighead's advance in exchange for Trump to write a foreword, but they later told her to halt the plans.
Now, Trump is selling a book featuring Craighead's photos and those of other photographers, in some instances for more than $200 per copy, and pocketing the profits, and reportedly snagging a multimillion dollar advance.
Trump's former press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, told the Times:
“Shea’s a very talented photographer and this was really all of her hard work. I just keep thinking: What a shame that he is actually now profiting off of it. But then again, this is the guy who is hawking caps and all kinds of stuff right now to raise money for himself.”
Because the photos were taken by an official White House photographer, they're considered public domain, so Trump's hijacking of Craighead's photos is technically legal, but morally loathsome.
For her part, Craighead—who has since shelved her book plans—declined to comment specifically about the matter, but did tell the Times:
“I stay apolitical as possible, as I am a neutral historical documentarian. By staying neutral I am able to remain a keen observer.”
Social media users were disgusted at Trump's latest grift.
In absolutely every way Donald Trump is a major dick. https://t.co/3SVFl3k1Qn
— Marcy Lovitch (@MarcyLovitch) April 1, 2022
He is a terrible person in every way possible. https://t.co/3BQ15hngOI
— Fata Morgana (@maladamus) March 31, 2022
Our Worst Person, Part Infinity https://t.co/4PcNNkQC1c
— Jerry Marcus Freeman is Infrastructure Parshall (@jparsh13) April 1, 2022
Exhibit 9,842 of why our former president was garbage. https://t.co/T9FPIiv1af
— Sean Hale (@seanhaleyeah) March 31, 2022
But they weren't surprised.
Not shocking at all. Grifter. Never does the actual work https://t.co/wFlpPBzoxC
— Kelly D (@KellDA) April 1, 2022
Didn't I just tweet this? I said Trump is a crook, always has been a crook and always will be a crook https://t.co/ULdYVpHeRs
— It's a fair day 🌻 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@Itsafairday) April 1, 2022
i can't believe a tradesperson got screwed over and scammed by a guy who has screwed over and scammed every tradesperson he has ever encountered https://t.co/2kx63omEFu
— lauren (@NotABigJerk) March 31, 2022
This is what happens when you work for a grifter. https://t.co/pbAGdnYvnk
— Mike Brown, Elite football owner (@danaarsenault) April 1, 2022
I feel bad for this photographer but at the same time this is possibly the least surprising thing I have ever read. https://t.co/LNFSSooTux
— Garett Trietsch (@gtrietsc) March 31, 2022
John Bredar, an author with expertise on the history of White House photographers told the Times that the initial arrangement—Trump taking a cut of the Craighead's advance in exchange for promotion and a foreword—was also the first apparent instance of a former President seeking to make money from a White House photographer's planned book.
@huntichon/X
@bigugly/X
@JonCowboyBear/X
@TommyJerry4000/X