The unholy power of that Farage-Trump buddy photo | Jonathan Jones

For the Ukip man, this picture is political gold. But what does it mean when the normal rules of power can be bypassed with a picture of two guys in an elevator?

Traditionally, a British ambassador needs royal documents of accreditation from the Court of St James’s in order to represent Her Majesty abroad. There’s none of that fuss for Nigel Farage: he has appointed himself ambassador to the United States – as a stepping stone to some higher office, such as Foreign Secretary Farage, Prime Minister Farage or perhaps, if The Donald should suggest it in a 3am tweet, King Nigel. Not on the basis of such fussy old paraphernalia as a great seal, a royal charter or (perish the thought) elected office of any kind, but simply by flashing a photograph at us.

In the age of the selfie and the celebrity presidency, Farage has invented a new source of political authority. It dazzles and blinds, more than 10 days after it was taken, as it shines its power-drunk bully-light into every corner of the news. It is the picture that defines 2016, drooled one befuddled commentator.

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