Yana Paskova - Photojournalist, Writer, Editor

Politics: Trump Gawkers

Photos + written essay proposed to and published by The New York Times - Lens 

- Trump Gawkers 

I searched the folded glass above me, smooth as tar and just as dark. Trump Tower attracted a persistent ring of gawkers — mouths ajar, eyes scaling the opaque tiers, fingers twitching with a constant urge to self-record. It was November 9th, 2016, and I was there on assignment, the cacophony of Election Day still deafening my ears. Donald Trump was president.  

Days coalesced into weeks, and I found myself unable to look away, wading through the pulsating crowds — they, undeterred by the imposition of a growing security detail, weather elements, or their own scale. Daily, hoards undertook the trek, to stare, gawk, absorb, document. This fascination with Trump Tower seemed like an extension of what elected the man inside it, and I had to find out more — through pictures and words, from Trump foe and supporter alike.  

Upon first look, people traveled to Trump Tower for sport and amusement, but underneath the upturned eyes and selfie smiles, I discovered a common undercurrent of anxiety — and not just from those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary was now unsure which version of Trump they’ve elected. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, sought answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?  

In the days between Election and Inauguration, voter sentiment spanned from elation to dismissal and finally, to bewildered anger. I met a woman dressed as a giant middle finger; a female corporate executive who, while choosing anonymity, opined that Trump was the "real Cinderella story,” and that his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton had "slept her way to the top"; a Muslim woman from Albania who did not believe Trump would enact any anti-immigration policies (and later professed shock from the new administration’s immediate ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries) — and her friend, a Moroccan immigrant who had changed his name from Mohamed to Steve in order to get more resume callbacks — which he said he did; the Las Vegas business owner who labeled minorities as responsible for losses to his business profits; a family of Trump supporters chanting “America First” upon entering the Tower's lobby.  

Post-inauguration, another vein of thought grew in strength: fear and uncertainty. It overtook fascination, now second to deciphering a new reality. I noticed many more felt the need to temper, modify, disclaim their words: in apologetic, hesitant tones, via half-serious humor, or in direct request to go off-record. The first I met was a Muslim woman who couldn’t spare me a minute (let alone a photo or any further identifying information) because her consulate had forbidden any conversation on Trump, in fear of retaliation. Unsurprisingly, a German visitor drew a parallel between the current political climate in America to pre-Fascist Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. Most unexpected was an avid traveler from the U.K., who capped an incredibly temperate interview with a chuckling defense: "I'm normally pretty neutral, but I just don't want to get banned from the U.S. if I say the wrong thing.” His joke belied a real anxiety: his very own postscript, that no one knew who would be targeted next.  

Then there were the bold, now even bolder: a group of University of Florida women arriving on Women’s Day to photograph themselves with roses expressing their “femininity” and fight “against sexualization” in the media and by other men, that they said is now more permissible under Trump — who got cat-called the entire time they photographed. A former journalist and artist who said she emigrated from Communist China in 1992 to seek more artistic freedom, nonetheless believed most news reports on Trump in America were “fake," and thus, justified any resulting media censorship. As we were each survivors of Communist regimes in disparate parts of the world, I was especially interested in why, after running away from government control of journalism and the arts and nearly everything else in her home country, she supported an iteration of it here. 

“This is different from China — there the government controls everything. But in America, there's too much freedom. That's why we need Trump as president,” she said. "He's blocked media from press conferences because they're doing too much damage to the country. I don't think he deserves the bad stories. I know it's all fake news because Trump's not going to be fake. That doesn't make sense — it would damage him to be that.” 

This cognitive dissonance — the urge to blend one’s own hopeful perceptions with the contradictions of reality — is something I’d seen in many Trump supporters. Most notably, a retired psychotherapist from Palm Beach — who thought the First Amendment did not bestow the public with the right to protest, but instead, protected Trump himself against protesting — offered a head-turning theory on why Trump had chosen anti-environmentalist Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency: reverse psychology.  

"I think that Trump's just making a statement that he'll turn this guy around. This guy, Pruitt, is aware of climate change despite being against it. Trump has a strategy — he takes the underdog and turns him around because he likes a challenge. And sometimes people do the opposite of what they want to do, because they like a challenge. There's a method to his madness.” 

The point being, that this bizarre, humorous, and horror-filled stream of attention has not simply been frivolous selfie fodder; without the voyeurism synonymous with our era, a politically inexperienced celebrity with a fiery social media account might not have gotten elected. As one Canadian visitor put it, "I like him. He is trendy.”  

From trendy to trending, a hashtag turned president. These are his gawkers.  

 

 

  • Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, is reflected in the eyes of a man gazing up at it in New York, NY on December 31, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A man stares up at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan, NY on November 28, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • Passersby walk through a throng of people photographing Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan, NY on November 22, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A woman photographs Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 09, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • Debra Tomarin takes selfie in front of Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 08, 2016. Tomarin is a real estate agent and retired psychotherapist - and lives in Palm Beach, FL, down the street from Trump's Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago. On people protesting Trump's nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency - a man who has sued the EPA more than a dozen times to block air, water and climate protections - outside of Trump Tower, she said: {quote}Protesting is irrelevant and wrong, and won't make a difference. He won't even see it, and people don't stop to pay attention. We have to move on. It's too late to sell anti-Donald Trump buttons. They should be asked to leave. Sure, they have a right to be out here, but what about his right to live in a home without someone standing in front of it with a sign?{quote}On climate change, she said, {quote}I believe climate change is real. I am not concerned about this because of his choices of cabinet people and because his children understand climate change is real. But maybe he hasn't been paying attention so far, being so busy with his business, and now he has to.{quote}On Pruitt as the choice to lead the EPA, she said: {quote}Pruitt as the head of the EPA is an interesting appointee. I think that's making a statement that he'll turn this guy around. This guy, Pruitt, is aware of climate change despite being against it. Trump did this because he's gotta please the people. Trump has a strategy - he takes the underdog and turns him around because he likes a challenge. Sometimes people do the opposite of what they want to do, because they like a challenge. There's a method to his madness. You don't want a guy you can just push over, and he wants a challenge in this guy. This is his strategy - who's going to pay attention to a guy who is simply for battling climate change as opposed to a guy who's against it, yet actually ends up battling it? Now that's a wake-up call.{quote}-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A woman points to Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 14, 2016.-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A woman pauses to gaze at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 11, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • (L-R) Hillary Ewing and her aunt, Sally Weiner, join thousands of people in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan, NY, on August 14, 2017, protesting this weekend's violent white nationalist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • (L-R) Fr. Ambroise Pellaumail, Fr. Louis De Blignieres, and Fr. Reginald Rivoire, from Fraternite Saint Vincent Ferrier in France, walk by Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan, NY on November 18, 2016.-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A passerby photographs Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, from a cab in New York, NY on November 25, 2016.-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A protester looks up at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan, NY on November 09, 2016.-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • Passersby walk to Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 28, 2016.-{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • David Skellington,  doorman of Trump Tower of eight years, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, looks out onto passersby photographing the building in New York, NY on December 15, 2016. On crowds constantly recording Trump Tower, Skellington said: {quote}It's interesting, you see a lot of people, it's history. But this could be awkward, so many people taking pictures. I'd rather be behind the camera. My family and friends are always seeing me on the news. Tourists say, 'you're famous.' {quote} -{quote}Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, through in-depth interviews and still photos - a project I started the day after the election. At first, I simply followed where my assignments sent me, but then found myself returning to the place on my own, unable to look away - and I wasn’t alone. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to Trump Tower (and by extension, to the man in the tower,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A group of boys gather to photograph Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on December 07, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A passerby gazes at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in Manhattan, NY on November 28, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A passerby takes a look at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on November 29, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • A passerby points up at Trump Tower, the current residence of Republican President elect Donald Trump, in New York, NY on November 29, 2016.-“Trump Gawkers{quote} is a visceral look at what draws people to Trump Tower, the current residence of U.S. President elect Donald Trump. Hoards of people undertake the trek, bearing security and weather roadblocks, to stare, gawk, absorb, record. The magnetism to the tower (and by extension, to the man inside it,) manifests in the sheer numbers of daily visitors, as well as in the fascination etched across their faces. Upon first look, the time so many spend there seems like sport and amusement, but underneath upturned eyes and selfie smiles prevails an undercurrent of anxiety - and not just for those who didn't want Trump in the Oval Office. Some of the electorate that voted against Hillary is now unsure for which version of Trump they voted. People's upward gazes, no matter their political views, seek answers: How could this happen? Or now that it has, what will it mean?
  • INTRO
  • Photo Editing | Project Management | Grant Work | Fundraising
    • Ezras Nashim - Helping Women
    • Where Women Rule - Widows of Varanasi
    • The Power of Poo
    • Democracy + Communism
      • 1. Bulgaria: 25 Years After Democracy
      • 2. Cuba: Communism Relived
      • 3. Cuba + Bulgaria, in Layers
  • New Yorkers
    • Before Times
    • After Times
    • City Monochrome
  • People, in Portrait
  • Politics
    • U.S. Presidential Campaign Trails (in chronology)
    • Trump Gawkers
  • Travel
    • Liquid Rose Gold
    • Everywhere
    • Indian Kushti
    • Beginnings: A Dark Room
  • Fashion + The Arts
    • Fashion
    • The Arts
  • In Print
  • :: About me
  • :: Contact
  • :: Copyright Agreement

All images and text on this website are protected under domestic and international copyright laws. Copyright: Yana Paskova © 2005-2022. Site design © 2010-2022 Neon Sky Creative Media