Story perspectives

White House Photo Controversy Highlights Press Tensions

3/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

The White House expressed displeasure, prompting AFP to remove the unflattering photo of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt taken during a Thanksgiving briefing.
AFP's Grégoire Lemarchand said the removal followed internal editorial standards, not external pressure.
Despite removal, the image drew social-media attention and remains visible in a Swiss newspaper article.
The incident underscores tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and the press, echoed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

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Story summary

The White House expressed displeasure, prompting AFP to remove the unflattering photo of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt taken during a Thanksgiving briefing.
AFP's Grégoire Lemarchand said the removal followed internal editorial standards, not external pressure.
Despite removal, the image drew social-media attention and remains visible in a Swiss newspaper article.
The incident underscores tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and the press, echoed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.