Karoline Leavitt's New Photos for 'Vanity Fair' Photoshoot Ignite Buzz

A tightly cropped photo of a senior Trump official has set off a wildfire of online gossip, after the shocking close-up revealed something unusual around her lips.

On December 16, 2025, Vanity Fair released a hard-hitting feature on Donald Trump's inner circle, filled with raw insights and high-definition portraits meant to strip away the polish.

But among all the powerful figures captured, it was the image of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt that instantly grabbed attention; not just for the striking realism, but for one very specific facial detail that viewers couldn't stop staring at.

An Unforgiving Photo Triggers Buzz

The article, written by veteran journalist Chris Whipple, described Leavitt as someone with the "subtlety of a Rottweiler," while calling her "scary good" at defending the White House.

Alongside profiles of other administration figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vanity Fair had enlisted acclaimed photographer Christopher Anderson to shoot the portraits for the feature.

Known for his stark, unfiltered visual style, Anderson delivered what the magazine wanted... and perhaps more than anyone expected.

One of the photos, an extreme close-up of Leavitt, has become the center of intense internet attention as the image offers no space for airbrushing or filters.

Leavitt's makeup is visible, but so are the natural lines around her eyes, her cheeks, and especially her smile. Her piercing blue eyes are captivating, but all attention quickly shifted to her lips.

Though seemingly covered with a clear or pale pink gloss, viewers noted dark red marks near her Cupid's Bow and along the Vermillion border. That's when the speculation exploded.

Online Reactions Point to Possible Injections

Social media erupted with theories about whether the visible markings were signs of recent cosmetic work. "Are those injection marks on the edges of her lip?" one Redditor asked.

An Instagram commenter mocked, "The injection marks from the lip filler 😂😂😂," while another pointed out, "the lip filler marks close up."

Others sounded genuinely confused. "Are those lip line scars from injections?" someone wondered. Another speculated, "She got lip collagen knowing she had a photoshoot, but did it too close to the day. You can see the injection sites on her upper lip."

Netizens on X were more direct. "Lip injections," one wrote bluntly. Another posted, "Syringe marks." And one Instagrammer added with sarcasm, "I love that cover image for her. Good work, team."

Still, Vanity Fair has stood behind the portrait and its bold visual choices.

Why the Photographer Went So Close

Some of the other close-up portraits were also shared on social media by the magazine, and Anderson himself spoke to The Independent about his stylistic approach.

"Very close-up portraiture has been a fixture in a lot of my work over the years," he explained. "Particularly, political portraits that I've done over the years. I like the idea of penetrating the theater of politics."

Anderson is no stranger to elite publications, having worked for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other major outlets. He and his team were at the White House on November 13, using a medium-format camera and special lighting setups to photograph each figure in their own office.

He also addressed critics who accused him of trying to humiliate the staff. That, he insisted, was "not the case," pointing out that his portfolio is filled with similarly styled portraits.

Whether the marks were from a cosmetic procedure or not, one thing is certain: Karoline Leavitt's close-up has stirred more reaction than any other image in the feature, proving that in politics, nothing escapes the lens.

But the pictures of the White House figures aren't the only part about this article has ignited talk. As previously reported, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles's comments about the president in her Vanity Fair interview have been widely discussed.

The One Who Channels Trump's Instincts

Wiles managed Trump's 2024 campaign and now holds the top staff position in the White House. Her role differs from that of most chiefs of staff, who often act as guards or filters. Wiles sees herself as a partner in Trump's agenda.

According to Vance, many in the first administration tried to "control" or "influence" the president to serve what they believed was the national interest, but not Wiles. He added:

"Susie just takes the diametrically opposite viewpoint, which is that she's a facilitator, that the American people have elected Donald Trump. And her job is to actually facilitate his vision and to make his vision come to life."

A former Republican chief of staff underscored just how pivotal Wiles has become in the White House. He described her as the sole figure capable of guiding the president's spur-of-the-moment decisions:

"And as far as I can tell, the only force that can direct or channel that whim is Susie...In most White Houses, the chief of staff is first among a bunch of equals. She may be first with no equals."

Rubio expressed strong admiration for Wiles, saying that no one else could handle the demanding role she currently holds. He called her relationship with Trump "an earned trust."

Wiles has worked with Trump for nearly a decade. "I am entering my ninth year altogether, my fifth year day-to-day," she said. "So it's hard to surprise me."

How Wiles Understands Trump's Personality

Wiles said her upbringing taught her how to navigate strong-willed men. Her father, sportscaster Pat Summerall, struggled with alcoholism and was largely absent during her childhood.

She and her mother had to stage interventions to get him into treatment. He remained sober for 21 years before he died in 2013. "Alcoholism does bad things to relationships, and so it was with my dad and me," she said.

She continued, "Some clinical psychologist that knows one million times more than I do will dispute what I'm going to say. But high-functioning alcoholics or alcoholics in general, their personalities are exaggerated when they drink. And so I'm a little bit of an expert in big personalities."

Wiles also said Trump has "an alcoholic's personality." She added that he "operates [with] a view that there's nothing he can't do. Nothing, zero, nothing."

Earlier in the interview, while discussing her ability to deal with difficult men, Wiles said with a laugh, "I make a specialty of it." Her words sparked interest, but it appears that Trump didn't flinch.

Trump Defends Wiles and Stands by Her Judgment

In an interview with the New York Post, the president defended Wiles and said her observation didn't bother him. In fact, he said it echoed something he's long believed about himself. He explained:

"No, she meant that I'm — you see, I don't drink alcohol. So everybody knows that — but I've often said that if I did, I'd have a very good chance of being an alcoholic. I have said that many times about myself, I do. It's a very possessive personality."

Trump cited the death of his brother Fred from alcoholism as the reason for his lifelong abstinence, saying he was "fortunate" to have stayed away from it. It’s a personal truth, he noted, that he has acknowledged "many times."

Although he said he had not read the Vanity Fair article, Trump dismissed any concerns and reaffirmed his support, stating, "She's done a fantastic job."

Trump's admiration for Wiles has also played out in public. At a White House summer soiree in June 2025, he stunned guests with an unexpected tribute.

"I want to thank the great chief of staff, most powerful woman anywhere in the world, they say. She got the most powerful woman in the world," Trump told the crowd.

He made a dramatic suggestion that Wiles held so much power, a single phone call from her could trigger a major action. He quickly walked back the implication, emphasizing that the US is a peace-loving nation. Only after delivering this remark did he turn to the crowd and acknowledge Wiles by name.