Misleading Image Falsely Depicts Gregory Bovino in Plaid Shirt and Earring Instead of Actual Green Uniform

In a case of digital manipulation that has been circulating on social media, fact-checkers have confirmed that a widely shared image purportedly showing U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino wearing a plaid shirt and gold hoop earring is fake.

The doctored photograph appeared on Facebook on January 26, 2026, posted by an account called “Costa Meme Bureau.” The post mockingly captioned the image: “the female ‘roommate’ your single aunt brings to all of your family gatherings,” suggesting the altered appearance was meant to stereotype a lesbian relationship.

Investigation by Lead Stories revealed that the original photograph was taken by Associated Press photographer Angelina Katsanis during a Minneapolis news conference on January 20, 2026. The authentic image shows Commander Bovino in his official olive drab Border Patrol uniform, complete with badge and agency patch—with no earring in sight.

The fact-checking organization used Google Lens to trace the original image to a January 26, 2026 article published on CBS8’s website titled “Border chief Gregory Bovino, some agents to leave Minnesota Tuesday.” To demonstrate the extent of the manipulation, Lead Stories created a comparison GIF overlaying the original and altered images, clearly showing how Bovino’s appearance had been digitally transformed.

This incident represents a common form of visual misinformation that has become increasingly prevalent on social media platforms. Digital image manipulation, once the domain of professional graphic artists, has become accessible to virtually anyone with basic editing software or smartphone apps. The resulting doctored images can spread rapidly across platforms, often divorced from their original context.

The Border Patrol has been at the center of intense political debate in recent years, particularly regarding immigration enforcement policies and border security measures. Officials like Commander Bovino frequently appear at press conferences addressing these controversial issues, making them potential targets for politically motivated visual manipulation.

Media literacy experts warn that such altered images can contribute to public confusion and erode trust in legitimate news sources. They recommend that social media users verify images through reverse image searches or by checking reliable news outlets before sharing content that appears unusual or provocative.

This particular manipulation appears designed to mock Bovino by altering his appearance to conform to stereotypical visual cues associated with a specific sexual orientation—a type of digital defacement that raises ethical concerns about targeting public officials with identity-based ridicule.

Facebook and other social media platforms have implemented various measures to combat misinformation, including partnerships with third-party fact-checkers like Lead Stories. However, altered images continue to proliferate faster than they can be debunked.

Digital media experts note that while some image manipulations are created as obvious humor or satire, others are designed to mislead viewers or damage reputations. The distinction often depends on context, presentation, and the creator’s apparent intent.

For news consumers, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating visual information encountered online, particularly when images show public figures in unexpected contexts or attire.

Commander Bovino, who was in Minnesota on official Border Patrol business in January 2026, has not publicly commented on the manipulated image at the time of reporting.