White House posts an altered photo of Minnesota protester's arrest to make it look like she was crying
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The White House posted a digitally altered photo on social media showing protester Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing to cry during her arrest at a Minnesota church protest against ICE, while the original image showed her with a neutral expression.
- The altered image, labeled with a caption calling Armstrong "a far-left agitator," was shared shortly after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the unaltered photo, and was also reposted by Vice President JD Vance.
- The White House press office described the altered image as a "meme," with spokesman Kaelan Dorr stating enforcement of the law and memes would continue, amid public criticism about the manipulation.
- Digital forensics expert Hany Farid suggested the image was likely AI-ed
