Washington, D.C. — The White House is facing criticism after posting a digitally altered image of a woman arrested during a Minnesota protest, with independent analysis finding the photo was modified to make her appear emotionally distraught and darker-skinned than in the original image.
The woman, Nekima Levy Armstrong, was one of three people arrested Thursday following a demonstration that disrupted church services in St. Paul, Minnesota. Protesters alleged that a local pastor was serving as the acting field director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests online, framing them as part of a broader law enforcement response.
Shortly after Bondi’s post, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared an image showing Armstrong calmly being escorted by an officer. About 30 minutes later, the White House posted a nearly identical image depicting Armstrong crying. A subsequent Guardian analysis overlaid both photos and found the images matched exactly in positioning, background details, and officer placement, indicating the White House image had been digitally altered.
When asked directly whether the photo had been manipulated, the White House did not deny the alteration. Instead, a spokesperson pointed to a social media post dismissing criticism and suggesting the administration would continue using AI-generated or edited images as part of its messaging strategy.
Media watchdogs have warned that such practices risk blurring the line between documentation and propaganda, especially when government accounts present altered imagery as factual evidence. The White House has previously shared AI-generated content online, raising concerns among journalism and misinformation experts about public trust and the ethical use of digital tools by federal officials.
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