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The Trump administration faced criticism Thursday for circulating a manipulated image of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong that falsely depicted her in tears during an arrest connected to an anti-immigration enforcement protest in Minnesota.
The controversy began when the White House shared the altered image on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, showing Levy Armstrong with tears streaming down her face, her arms restrained behind her back, standing in front of someone wearing a badge. The manipulated photo appeared designed to portray her as emotionally distraught during the arrest.
However, the original photograph tells a different story. Unaltered versions of the image show Levy Armstrong with a neutral, composed expression—not crying as suggested by the White House post. Side-by-side comparisons of both images reveal identical elements, including the positioning of a badge worn by a person standing behind her and lighting patterns visible through a nearby curtain, confirming they are the same photograph with one being digitally altered.
Jordan Kushner, Levy Armstrong’s attorney, forcefully denounced the manipulation, stating he was present during her arrest and witnessed her remaining “completely calm and composed and rational” throughout the process.
“It is just so outrageous that the White House would make up stories about someone to try and discredit them,” Kushner said. “There was no one crying. So this is just outrageous defamation.” He added that video footage taken by Levy Armstrong’s husband would soon be released to disprove the White House’s characterization of events.
The timeline of posts suggests a coordinated messaging effort among administration officials. Attorney General Pam Bondi first announced Levy Armstrong’s arrest on X at 9:28 a.m. EST. Less than an hour later, at 10:21 a.m., Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared what appears to be the unaltered photograph. By 10:54 a.m., the White House account had posted the manipulated version showing fabricated tears.
When questioned about the discrepancy, White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr appeared to dismiss concerns about the image manipulation in a subsequent post on X: “YET AGAIN to the people who feel the need to reflexively defend perpetrators of heinous crimes in our country I share with you this message: Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Levy Armstrong’s arrest stemmed from her involvement in a protest that reportedly disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. The prominent civil rights attorney has been a vocal critic of certain immigration enforcement policies.
The incident raises significant questions about the ethical boundaries of government communications and the use of manipulated images to shape public perception. Media ethics experts have long cautioned against the use of altered photographs in news and official government communications, as they can mislead the public and damage institutional credibility.
Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security responded to requests for additional comment about the altered image or the circumstances surrounding its publication.
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of increasing concern about misinformation and manipulated media in political discourse, particularly as advanced technology makes image and video manipulation increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect without careful analysis.
Experts note that the public release of doctored images by official government channels is particularly problematic as it can undermine public trust in institutions charged with providing accurate information to citizens.
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10 Comments
This is concerning. Distorting visual evidence to advance a political narrative is a dangerous tactic that erodes democratic norms. The White House should be held accountable for this breach of public trust.
Well said. The public deserves truthful reporting from their government, not manipulated imagery.
Altering images to mislead the public is unethical and undermines trust in our institutions. I hope the White House will issue a correction and commit to sharing accurate information in the future.
Agreed. Transparency and honesty are crucial for a well-informed citizenry.
I’m curious to learn more about the context surrounding this incident. Were there any legitimate reasons for the White House to share an altered image, or is this simply a case of blatant misinformation?
That’s a good question. The White House’s explanation, if any, will be crucial in determining whether this was an honest mistake or a deliberate attempt to mislead.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, manipulating images is a serious breach of journalistic ethics. The White House should issue a full retraction and apology to maintain credibility with the public.
Well said. Transparency and accountability are essential for a healthy democracy.
As someone interested in mining and energy news, I’m disappointed to see this type of political controversy overshadowing important discussions about the state of those industries. I hope we can return to fact-based reporting soon.
I agree, the focus should be on the substantive issues facing the mining and energy sectors, not partisan battles over visual propaganda.