White House Criticized for Sharing Undisclosed Altered Arrest Image

Digitally modified photo of Minnesota protester raises concerns over transparency, ethics, and the use of manipulated images in official government messaging.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 23, 2026|Washington, D.C.

The White House is facing public criticism after sharing a digitally altered image of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minnesota-based civil rights attorney and protester, without disclosing that the photograph had been modified.

The image was posted Thursday on the official White House account on X and depicted Armstrong appearing to cry during her arrest at an immigration protest held inside a church in Minnesota. The post labeled Armstrong a “far-left agitator” and did not include any disclaimer indicating that the image had been altered.

Shortly after the post went live, social media users began comparing it to an earlier, unaltered photograph of the same arrest that had been shared by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. In the original image, Armstrong appeared calm, prompting widespread questions about whether artificial intelligence or digital photo editing had been used to manipulate her facial expression in the White House post.

The lack of disclosure sparked criticism from across the political spectrum, with users warning that presenting altered images as factual documentation undermines public trust and blurs the line between official communication and political messaging. Media analysts and commentators raised broader concerns about the ethical implications of using manipulated images in government communications, particularly when they involve real individuals and contentious political issues.

Later in the day, White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr reshared the post and acknowledged that the image had been altered, stating that “the memes will continue.” The comment intensified debate over whether humor or political messaging justifies the use of edited imagery without transparency from official government accounts.

The incident has renewed broader discussions around misinformation, the responsible use of digital tools, and the need for clear disclosure when images are altered—especially as artificial intelligence and photo-editing technologies become increasingly prevalent in political communication.

As of publication, the White House had not issued a formal clarification or disclaimer on the original post.

Sources

TRT World reporting on the altered image controversy

Official posts from the White House on X

Public statements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Social media statements from White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr