The White House shared an AI-manipulated photograph of a woman arrested by US authorities. The edited image shows her crying. The original picture shows no tears. Experts confirmed the manipulation to BBC Verify. The post has gathered almost five million views on X.
How the Image Was Changed
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the original photograph. The White House shared an altered version about 30 minutes later. In the first image, the woman appears expressionless. In the second, tears stream down her face.
Hany Farid is a computer science professor at the University of California. He founded GetReal Security. According to BBC Verify, Farid said this is not the first time the White House has shared AI-manipulated or AI-generated content. He called the practice troubling on several levels.
The woman in the picture is Nekima Levy Armstrong. She was arrested for allegedly organizing a demonstration that disrupted a church service in Minnesota last Sunday. A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as pastor at the church.
White House Response
BBC Verify asked the White House to comment on the image. Officials directed reporters to an X post by deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr. He wrote that enforcement of the law will continue. He added that the memes will continue. He thanked people for their attention to the matter.
Expert Concerns About Trust
Farid said the White House is sharing deceptive content. He warned they are making it increasingly difficult for the public to trust anything they share. The manipulation changes how viewers perceive the woman’s emotional state during arrest.
The edited image spreads faster than corrections can follow. Social media amplifies altered content before fact-checkers can respond. The White House treats the manipulation as part of its regular messaging strategy. Officials show no plans to stop using AI-edited images in political communications.
