Did Anderson put vanity in Vanity Fair?

Ann Lam and Valentina Sanchez

February 12, 2026

Photographer Christopher Anderson photographs the Trump administration

Vanity Fair, a news magazine which debuted in 1859, covers topics ranging from food, fashion, music, celebrities, films and lifestyles, along with political figures. The magazine itself has featured former presidents, George Bush and Barack Obama along with their administrations. Graphic by: Ann Lam

On Dec. 16, 2025, Vanity Fair released a two-part portfolio of the White House administration written by Chris Whipple and photos taken by Christopher Anderson.

In the past, Anderson has involved himself in photojournalism. In 2000, he photographed Haitian refugees in a sinking wooden boat called ‘Believe in God’ for which he received the Robert Capa Gold Medal award.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Anderson said he was initially wary of accepting the assignment of photographing the administration because his “journalistic DNA would not sit comfortably with this idea” until he later learned that “the qualifications for this job was to come as a journalist.”

Since the release of the photos, varying from full body to close-ups of faces, have received both praise and criticism.

One of the portfolio’s photo of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s face is shown close up, which made her facial features such as wrinkles, lip fillers and pores more visible than a photo taken further away, was described as “horrifying” in an article from Hyperallergic.

Miles Gonzales ‘27 said, “I thought that [the photos] were satire…to portray how [the Trump administration thinks] they’re super strong and everyone takes them really seriously…I think it kind of makes me lean more towards maybe there were some intentional choices to make them seem unintelligent.”

In an email to USA TODAY, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said that the photos, including Leavitt’s, were “deliberately edited” to “demean and embarrass” the administration.

On the other hand, in an X post from Republican Florida representative Anna Paulina Luna, the photo of press secretary Karoline Leavitt was “stunning.”

Kamila Jimenez ‘26 said, “Honestly, I believe Anderson did forward a message. Of course not through words but through his work exposing these leaders as what they are seeked out to be [which] is fake and unprofessional.”

Gonzales said, “I think [the photos are] reflective of how one half of America sees the administration. I think the other half, probably the part that supports those people, would maybe don’t see them like in the photos.” Photo by: Christopher Anderson

In an Instagram post made by Anderson, he said, “The internet seems shocked by the choice to not retouch any blemishes or wrinkles. It’s shocking to me that the world expects reality to be removed from a picture. My intention is not mockery or cheap shots. I’d like to think I’m a stone-faced but critical observer.”

While being interviewed by Vanity Fair, Anderson said that he was told he was too close by White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.

Anderson’s style of close-up photos is also seen in his previous works of other political figures such as previous presidents Geroge Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joseph Biden, as well as current president Donald Trump.

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About the Contributors

Ann Lam, Assistant Managing Editor

Ann Lam is a junior and this is her second year at The Cougar Press. She enjoys playing violin and piano. She also loves painting, marine life and 3D modelling.

Valentina Sanchez, Staffer

Valentina Sanchez is a senior at VHS in her first year at The Cougar Press. She enjoys listening to music, watching movies and building legos.