The Karoline Leavitt Photo That White House Was Unhappy With | Double Chin Turkey Picture Controversy Explained

A photograph of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quietly removed from circulation after it drew disapproval from the White House, sparking fresh debate over the administration’s relationship with the press.,The image, captured by AFP photographer Andrew Caballero-Reynolds during a Thanksgiving-themed briefing in November, showed Leavitt holding her young son while standing next to “Waddle,” one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys.

However, the angle of the photo was widely described as unflattering, prompting concern within the White House.,,According to reports, AFP was “made aware” that the administration was unhappy with the image. Soon after, the agency removed it from its library, automatically leading to its removal from Getty Images as well.

Despite this, AFP has maintained that the decision was editorial and, not influenced by outside pressure.,AFP’s director of brand and communications, Grégoire Lemarchand, confirmed that the image was taken down after an internal review. He explained that during high-volume events like White House briefings, editors often move quickly to distribute photos, and later reassess them. In this case, the editor-in-chief determined the image did not meet editorial standards, citing a poor angle and the availability of better-quality photos from the same event.,While Lemarchand acknowledged the agency was aware of the White House’s dissatisfaction, he emphasized that there was no formal request to remove the photo and no external pressure applied.

Getty Images also confirmed that AFP retains full editorial control over its content.,However, the episode has fueled criticism. Some observers argue that even informal signals from the White House can influence editorial decisions. As one commentator noted, a formal request may not be necessary if displeasure is clearly communicated.,The controversy comes amid broader tensions between the Trump administration and the press, particularly photographers.

Earlier in the month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly restricted photographer access to a Pentagon briefing following complaints about unflattering images of himself.,Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.