Karoline Leavitt Photo Drama Reportedly Ignites Buzz over Getty Images Removal

Karoline Leavitt has appeared in numerous White House photos, including last Thanksgiving. One image from that event, described by some outlets as unflattering, is now drawing attention for how it was handled.

A White House press briefing ahead of the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon in November 2025 has come back into focus following renewed attention surrounding one widely circulated image.

The moment involved Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and the agencies behind the image later addressed the circumstances surrounding it.

A Photo That Sparked More than Smiles

What began as a lighthearted White House moment quickly shifted after one snapshot drew unexpected attention. The image, taken during a Thanksgiving-themed press briefing, shows Leavitt smiling while holding her son as a turkey named "Waddle" stands prominently in the foreground.

According to reports echoed across multiple outlets, the low-angle shot allegedly created a perspective that drew criticism and broader discussion.

The Disappearance That Raised Eyebrows

According to Status, as cited by TMZ, the image was withdrawn from Agence France-Presse's (AFP) distribution, leading to its deletion from Getty Images' archive. AFP photographer Andrew Caballero-Reynolds reportedly took the image.

Anne Flanagan, Vice President of brand and communications for Getty Images, reportedly told Status that AFP retains full editorial control over the images it distributes. She did not say whether Getty had received any complaints from the White House.

A separate report from The Daily Beast indicated that AFP had already been made aware of the White House's dissatisfaction with the photo.

AFP's director of brand and communications, Grégoire Lemarchand, later addressed the situation, explaining that during high-volume events such as White House briefings, editors process a large number of images quickly to ensure timely distribution. He told the news outlet:

"Upon a subsequent review of the day's production, our editor-in-chief determined that this specific image did not meet our editorial standards. The angle was poor and, more importantly, we already had a selection of superior images from the same event available on the wire."

Lemarchand maintained that the White House did not request the image's removal and that no external pressure was applied. The administration did not respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Status reporter Oliver Darcy added that formal requests may not always be necessary, suggesting that expressions of dissatisfaction can still influence editorial decisions.

Although the image is no longer available for purchase online, it remained accessible through previously published coverage, including a November article by the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.

The unusual composition is only part of what brought the image into focus.

Why This Image Stands Out

As reported by the Times of India, the frame, captured from a low angle, shows Leavitt holding her young son as they look downward. In the foreground, a large turkey appears close to the camera, dominating the scene and creating a slightly distorted perspective.

This angle draws attention toward Leavitt's face, emphasizing her chin. Online, the image also sparked reactions, with some social media users claiming the White House pressured Getty Images to remove it.

The episode does not appear to be an isolated case.

A Wider Pattern in the Spotlight

As reported by TMZ, press photographers were restricted after publishing photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that staff allegedly disliked. President Donald Trump has also criticized media images, including a magazine cover photo that he called a "super bad picture."

Leavitt's Thanksgiving photo comes after another image of the press secretary drew widespread attention online.

On December 16, 2025, Vanity Fair released a hard-hitting feature on 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 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, became the center of intense internet attention as the image offered no space for airbrushing or filters.

Leavitt's makeup was visible, but so were the natural lines around her eyes, her cheeks, and especially her smile. Her piercing blue eyes were 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 was 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."

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 stirred more reaction than any other image in the feature, proving that in politics, nothing escapes the lens.