Donald Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt has accused Vanity Fair journalists of being ‘disingenuous’ after sharing a controversial collection of super close-up portraits online.

For those who missed it, the fashion mag arranged a shoot this week with a number of the President’s senior administration members, including 28-year-old Leavitt, as well as Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, Secretary of State and Vice President, JD Vance.

The mission of the right-wing get-together was to reflect on the first 12 months of Trump’s second stint in the Oval Office. Sharing the portraits on Instagram, the publication wrote in the caption: “In the past year, Trump and his team have expanded the limits of presidential power, unilaterally declared war on drug cartels, imposed tariffs according to whim, sealed the southern border, achieved a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, and pressured NATO allies into increasing their defence spending.”

Susie Wells is amongst those to be photographed (Christopher Anderson/Vanity Fair)

Despite the caption somewhat buttering-up the group’s ‘achievements’, the article itself tells a totally different story.

Filled with candid interviews from Trump’s close-knit team, the bombshell piece subtly implies that relations behind the walls of the White House aren’t quite as amicable as they seem.

Alongside shocking quotes – the majority of which allegedly given by Wells – the piece included a collection of official portraits which differ greatly to others we’ve seen in the past.

As opposed to positioning each sitter beside a historical painting, behind a desk or close to an American flag, the photographer since identified as Christopher Anderson chose to get up close and personal.

Famed for his signature zoomed-in style of portraiture, Anderson managed to capture every crease, pimple, make-up smudge and ingrown hair in his images – much to the amusement of some left-leaning onlookers, who joked that the mag had done the group ‘dirty’.

Seemingly the most hotly-discussed image was of media boss Leavitt, with critics claiming to have noticed several puncture marks around her mouth and putting them down to lip injections – though, this theory hasn’t yet been confirmed.

“This is the meanest photo I’ve ever seen,” one X user wrote, whilst another asked of the press sec: “Did she not notice the camera was 2 inches from her face? Why did she let them do this?”

As we say, however, whilst Leavitt hasn’t yet addressed her headline-hitting headshot, she has spoken out against the outlet’s team of writers, claiming they warped the quotes given to fit a specific narrative.

The claim was firstly made by Susie Wiles, who accused Vanity Fair reporters of changing the context of her words, after she was said to have described Trump as having an ‘alcoholic’s personality’.

Journalist Chris Whipple – the man responsible for the piece – also claimed Wiles accused VP, Vance of having been a ‘conspiracy theorist for a decade’.

Leavitt has since slammed the piece as ‘disingenuous’ (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

She went on to slam the article as a ‘hit piece’, claiming ‘significant context’ was disregarded by editors, who hoped to ‘paint an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative’ about her team.

Reiterating these allegations, Leavitt told press outside the White House today (17 Dec): “This is, unfortunately, another example of disingenuous reporting, where you have a reporter who took the Chief of Staff’s words wildly out of context – did not include the context of these conversations.”

She went on to add: “Further, I think the most egregious part of this article was the bias of omission that was clearly present.

“We see a lot of this when dealing with the media everyday.”

Leavitt went on to allege of the press: “You will leave out important context, leave out comments and facts.

“You know, many people in this building spoke with that reporter, and those comments were never included in the story – probably because it didn’t push this false narrative of chaos and confusion that the reporter was clearly trying to push.”

The photos have sparked quite the debate online (Christopher Anderson/Vanity Fair)

In response, Whipple told CNN that ‘everything’ included in the article was ‘on the record’, adding: “I recorded every interview.”

You can read Vanity Fair’s full piece here.

Donald Trump just signed-off on a huge change to a US drug law.

On Thursday (18 December) the 79-year-old US president signed an executive order that would reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug and open new avenues for medical research.

Essentially, the switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside the likes of heroin and LSD.

Instead, it would sit in the Schedule III category with ketamine and some anabolic steroids – however, this doesn’t mean marijuana would be legalised as some individual states have done.

It does mean though, that it could change how the drug is regulated and reduce a hefty tax burden on the cannabis industry.

Trump said in the Oval Office: “I’m pleased to announce that I will be signing an Executive Order to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance with legitimate medical uses.

Donald Trump just signed an executive order to reclassify cannabis (Getty Stock Image)

“This reclassification order will make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers and future treatment.”

He added: “It’s going to have a tremendously positive impact.”

It’s also important to note that the change still need to go through the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) formal rule-making process.

If it does, it would make for a landmark decision and one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades.

According to Reuters, it could ‘reshape the cannabis industry, unlock billions in research funding and open doors long closed to banks and investors’.

Similarly, the Justice Department under Trump’s Democratic predecessor Joe Biden proposed reclassifying marijuana to a Schedule III substance.

However, Trump has not had completely open encouragement from across his party for the move and some Republicans have spoken out in opposition to any changes.

For example, as reported by Fox News, a group of lawmakers sent a letter to Trump on Thursday urging him to not to make the change.

The move has been met with backlash from some Republicans (Getty Stock Image)

They argued that reclassifying marijuana would send the wrong message to America’s young people.

The group penned in their letter: “We write to urge you to oppose rescheduling marijuana, a harmful drug that is worsening our nation’s addiction crisis. Reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug will send the wrong message to America’s children, enable drug cartels, and make our roads more dangerous.”

But, the US president told reporters at the White House: “We have people begging for me to do this, people that are in great pain for decades.

“I don’t want it, okay. I’m not gonna be taking it. But a lot of people do want it. A lot of people need it.”

He added though that this ‘in no way sanctions its use as a recreational drug – has nothing to do with it’.

Trump warned: “It’s never safe to use powerful controlled substances in a recreational manners, and especially in this case. So unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just don’t do it.”

Onlookers of Donald Trump’s ongoing state visit to the UK have been blindsided after catching wind of his age, compared to King Charles III’s.

For those out of the loop with this week’s political get-together, the US President landed on British soil earlier this week alongside wife Melania before being transferred to Windsor Castle yesterday.

After being met off their Marine One chopper by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the couple were escorted to the King and Queen. The six then spent the day together, enjoying state feasts, military parades, and musical performances.

When the evening rolled around, the high-profile group were then joined by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer for a lavish meal, during which each guest rocked up dressed to the nines – including both Trump and Charles.

Photos of the powerful pair donning full tuxedos, smiling alongside one another have since been doing the rounds online, including one shared on the official White House Instagram account, captioned: “President Donald J. Trump and His Majesty King Charles III.”

The King hosted Donald and Melania Trump for a state banquet last night (Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

As we say, however, one of the most surprising revelations that the US-UK snaps has brought to light is how old the two world leaders actually are, with their ages regularly being mentioned by TV broadcasters during live coverage.

And what has seemingly left a number of social media shook, is that Trump is actually older than Charles, despite the latter being the oldest monarch to ever ascend to the British throne.

Oh, yeah, we should probably have said – the President is 79, born on 14 June, 1946, and the King is 76, born on 14 November, 1948.

Responding to the news, one social media spectator noted: “Hard to believe that Trump is actually older than King Charles.”

“King Charles III looks like a much older man standing beside Trump. However, he’s actually two years younger than Trump,” another wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The picture in question was posted to the official White House and POTUS social media accounts (Instagram/@potus)

A third went on to say: “Wow, Trump is 4 years older than Charles. Charles looks like he could be Trump’s father, age-wise.”

“Unbelievably Trump is two years older than King Charles,” another continued.

A similar photo of the Republican leader and British monarch also set tongues wagging for another reason, with viewers online wondering whether or not the American had had his teeth whitened for their meeting.

Or, if not, then whether Trump’s publicists had ‘edited’ his pearly whites, to make them appear brighter and whiter.

“Whoever did the teeth whitening editing needs to be fired,” one wrote after the snap was shared on socials, as another jibed: “The FaceTune teeth whitening was a massive fail. You’re fired!”

The trailer for Melania Trump’s titular movie has finally been released after mass anticipation.

The 55-year-old first lady – and wife to President Donald Trump – first teased the project back in October, confirming that she was set to star in her very own Amazon documentary.

Aptly titled Melania, the idea reportedly came to mind after cameras followed Melania for a total of 20 days during the run-up to her husband’s 2025 inauguration back in January.

It marks the first time that a president’s other-half has fronted such a project, making the feat something of a history-maker.

“For the first time, global audiences are invited into theatres to witness this pivotal chapter unfold,” the mother-of-one told Fox News. “A private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business, and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America.”

Check out the trailer below:

Unsurprisingly, the news of Melania’s latest professional endeavour has somewhat divided people.

Some MAGA-fans are seemingly thrilled, with one gushing in the comments: “So excited for this!!”

Another added: “Gorgeous! Can’t wait!”

A third agreed: “This is iconic.”

Others seemed simply astounded that the project has rolled around so quickly.

“OMG I HAVE CHILLS,” one wrote.

Someone else claimed: “This will be the most viewed film in the world soon.”

Another Trump supporter admitted: “WOAH WOAH WOAH!!! I forgot about this.”

Melania started her own production firm (Amazon MGM Studios)

One particular scene from the trailer also seems to have set tongues wagging, showing 79-year-old Trump asking his wife if she’d seen the results of the November 2024 election, after which he came out on top against Democratic lead Kamala Harris.

In the clip, Melania simply replies: “I will see it on the news.”

Responding, one fan laughed: “They are the meme of memes!”

Another noted: “I like to imagine that every thing Donald Trump ever does, he does solely to try to impress her, but she just says, ‘I did not,’ so he tries again.”

Intriguing new details about the project emerged in November, after Melania – who shares 19-year-old son Barron with the Republican leader – gave her social media followers an insight into the production company responsible for the incoming flick, revealing it was her own family’s.

A branded intro – similar in nature to those made famous by MGM (roaring lions), or DreamWorks (the tiny fisherman) – featuring a giant, silver letter ‘M’ emerging between the words ‘Muse’ and ‘Films’, was used to reveal that she’s started up her own brand.

“PRESENTING: MUSE FILMS,” Melania wrote at the time. “My new production company.”

MELANIA currently has a release date set for 30 January, 2026.