Vanity Fair photographer explains reason behind viral portraits of Trump’s administration

Vanity Fair journalists released a statement after publishing a controversial series of close-up portraits featuring senior members of Donald Trump’s White House administration.

The photos were taken as part of a retrospective marking the first year of Trump’s second term and included figures such as Susie Wiles, Marco Rubio, Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino, James Blair, Vice President JD Vance, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Unlike traditional White House portraits, the images avoided patriotic backdrops and formal posing. Instead, they used tight framing and intense lighting, creating unusually intimate and highly detailed visuals.

The photographer, Christopher Anderson, is known for this close-range style. His approach made facial details highly visible, which quickly drew attention and debate across social media platforms.

Reactions were mixed. Some Trump supporters accused the magazine of deliberately portraying officials unflatteringly, while critics across the political spectrum described the images as harsh or uncomfortable to view.

Anderson defended his work, saying the portraits were not meant to mock or embarrass anyone. He explained that close-up political photography has long been part of his artistic approach, regardless of ideology.

While Karoline Leavitt has not directly addressed her portrait, she criticized Vanity Fair over alleged misrepresentation in the accompanying article. Vanity Fair journalist Chris Whipple responded by stating that all interviews were recorded and conducted on the record.

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