Donald Trump has been President for a little more than one year, and regardless of your political persuasion you would have to concede that it's been an eventful year. From Russia to infighting and porn star hush-money, this regime has been a constant swirl of scandal and melodrama. Pundits are falling over themselves to put out their first-year retrospectives, many of which read more like an Oliver Stone script than reality.
While The Ephemeric could devote an entire series of blog posts to scrutinising the scarcely believable happenings of the past twelve months, I have decided that sometimes images do speak louder than words. So rather than make you sit through an essay of analysis and opinion, The Ephemeric is documenting a year of President Trump in pictures, running through the most striking and iconic images that encapsulate the nation that we have become. We will let the images speak for themselves with only light captioning, so that you can form your own opinion on Trump's America.
Low attendance at Trump's inauguration (right) compared to Obama's eight years earlier (left). Trump's Press Secretary Sean Spicer would then inexplicably claim that Trump had "the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period".
A mother consoles her child as Trump's travel ban takes effect and leaves thousands unable to return home.
Lawyers pull all-night shifts at the airport providing pro-bono assistance to stranded families.
FBI Director James Comey (back, centre) claims he was attempting to blend in with the curtains in order to avoid Trump following his demand for a "loyalty pledge".
In his first Cabinet meeting, Trump has his ministers go around the table heaping fawning praise upon him. Actual quotes include "We thank you for the blessing that you've given us to serve your agenda".
"I love trucks".
Radical white supremacist extremists march on Charlottesville chanting "Jews will not replace us". Trump would later praise them as "very fine people".
A white supremacist drives his car into a group of peaceful protesters, killing Heather Heyer. Trump condemned "both sides" for the terror attack.
Students rise and turn their backs to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in protest. DeVos is a longtime Republican donor with no experience in education. She would later praise the concept of black-only schools.
Trump on a diplomatic mission to the Saudi royal family.
The day after Trump fires FBI Director James Comey, in his own words to stop "The Russia thing" he invites Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Kislyak, known as the "Spymaster" for a closed-doors meeting in the Oval Office. Only Russian state media are allowed entry.
A visibly flustered Jeff Sessions becomes the first sitting Attorney General to be questioned in a criminal investigation.
Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort (left) attends hearing after being indicted for "Conspiracy against the United States".
Melania Trump brings the first year to a close by personally designing the White House Christmas decorations.
