Trump shares rare monochrome photo with parents Fred and Mary at New York Military Academy

President Donald Trump, in a rare lighthearted moment, shared a photo from the past.
PUBLISHED MAR 13, 2026
Donald Trump shared a photo from his younger military days, looking sharp in uniform while standing next to his parents. (@realDonaldTrump/X)
Donald Trump shared a photo from his younger military days, looking sharp in uniform while standing next to his parents. (@realDonaldTrump/X)


WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump recently shared a black-and-white photo of himself with his parents. The image shows a young Trump in a military uniform, smirking at the camera. He posted it on Truth Social with the caption: “At Military Academy with my parents, Fred and Mary!”

The photo drew significant attention on social media. It was shared while the US is carrying out Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The particular image provides a lighter moment amid the current tense situation.

President Donald Trump speaks at a women's history month event in the East Room at the White House, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump speaks at a women's history month event in the East Room at the White House, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Young Trump with parents Fred and Mary 

President Trump shared a photo on Truth Social on Friday, March 13. The monochrome image shows a young Trump in a formal outfit, standing to the left of his mother, Mary Anne Trump, with his father, Fred Trump, beside her. Mary Anne wears a black knee-length dress, a short wool shrug, a hat, and white gloves, looking elegant. 

While Fred appears sharp in a coat, white shirt, and tie, holding a hat in his right hand. In the photo, Trump looks lively and cheerful, exuding the energy and confidence that would become familiar in his later years.

Although the exact date and circumstances of the photo are not provided, it is clear it was taken during his time at the New York Military Academy, the military-style boarding school he attended as a teenager. The post quickly attracted attention online, with some users speculating that Trump may have considered a military career. The image offers a rare, nostalgic glimpse into his early life. 

Trump’s school years and military academy experience



Trump joined the NY Military Academy in 1959 when he was 13 years-old and graduated in 1964. The academy is structured like a military school, with strict inspections, marching drills, and a hierarchy of ranks, according to Britannica

At the NY Military Academy, Trump rose through the cadet ranks and held duties such as a supply sergeant. He helped ensure younger cadets followed the rules and participated in leadership tasks. Former classmates say the academy was highly disciplined, with uniforms, parades, and daily drills as a major part of life, according to Wikipedia.

After leaving the Military Academy, Trump spent two years at Fordham University before transferring to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1968 with a degree in economics. 

While in college, he received four draft deferments. Trump did not serve in the military because doctors said he had bone spurs in his heels, which made him ineligible to join. He later joined his father Fred Trump’s real-estate business. 

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