Overview
- Vanity Fair’s package paired candid interviews with stark close-ups of senior officials including JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Susie Wiles, Karoline Leavitt, Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino and James Blair.
- Rubio accused the magazine of manipulating images and context, while Wiles called the feature a hit piece and Scavino denounced online ridicule.
- Anderson told multiple outlets that the portraits were not retouched, that this style predates the assignment, and that some subjects arrived with personal hair and makeup.
- Leavitt’s photo drew the most intense reaction online, prompting mockery focused on visible marks and a counter-reaction criticizing the commentary as misogynistic.
- In a new post, Anderson highlighted a Native American painting positioned over Stephen Miller in his portrait, as broader commentary used the shoot to argue for the value of real photography over AI-generated images.