The White House, under Donald Trump’s administration, raised concerns about an unflattering photograph featuring Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The photo, taken in November 2025 during a Thanksgiving event where Leavitt was pictured with her son alongside a pardoned turkey named “Waddle,” has since been removed from circulation following objections from White House officials.
Reportedly, the image was one of many captured at the event, but it was singled out for removal after a complaint was lodged. The photo, taken by AFP photographer Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, showed Leavitt introducing Waddle before a round of playful questions from reporters.
AFP’s director of brand and communications, Grégoire Lemarchand, stated that the decision to pull the image was made internally after considering editorial standards and available alternative photos from the same event. Although the photo was withdrawn, Lemarchand clarified that AFP did not face any overt pressure to take it down.
Regarding the White House objection, Lemarchand emphasized that while the staff found the image unflattering, there was no formal request or external coercion to remove it. There was no confirmation from Getty Images’ vice president of brand and communications, Anne Flanagan, about any similar complaints received from the Trump administration.
