US EditionWhite House shares doctored image portraying arrested church protester in tears
The White House confirmed digitally altering a photo of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong to depict her as crying during her arrest at a Minnesota church protest.
- On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the White House's official X account published an image showing Nekima Levy Armstrong sobbing during her arrest, accompanying announcements about arrests tied to a protest at Cities Church, St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Nekima Levy Armstrong led protesters into Cities Church on Sunday chanting `ICE out` and `Justice for Renee Good`, prompting U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi to direct arrests including Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen.
- Digital-Forensics checks found markers tied to Google AI tools, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a similar photo 30 minutes earlier and Anna Bower questioned its authenticity.
- The altered post remains online, as White House spokespersons confirmed manipulation to CNN, users of X added a community note, and prosecutors warned uncertainty about edits could affect legal credibility.
- The administration's prior use of synthetic images suggests the White House communications accounts follow an AI-heavy approach, with communications scholars like Mike Ananny warning this may erode trust in official visuals.
201 Articles
201 Articles
Reforma
The White House edited the photo of a woman arrested in protest against ICE to appear crying; 'memes will continue', he warned.
White House Darkens Skin And Adds Tears In AI-Altered Photo Of Minnesota Protester
The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of a protester who was arrested at a demonstration in Minnesota. The image, which was modified using artificial intelligence and posted on social media, shows the protester falsely crying. The White House posted a digitally altered photo of a protester arrested in Minnesota On Sunday, Nekima Levy-Armstrong, who is a civil rights lawyer and former candidate for Minneapolis mayor, was one of th…
The White House manipulated a photo of a protester's arrest with artificial intelligence.
The White House manipulates the photo of an activist (ANSA)
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