The latest close-up photos of President Trump’s team are causing a stir. Faces of Susie Wiles, Karoline Leavitt, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio look raw and real. You can see blotchy skin, heavy makeup, and tired eyes. These are far from the polished images the White House usually shares. The pictures give the public a rare glimpse inside the walls of power.
The portraits were taken by photojournalist Christopher Anderson, who spent a year following Trump’s second term.
Anderson is known for showing politicians as they really are. He calls his work “X-ray icons,” aiming to capture what is beneath the surface of American politics. His photos mix formal shots with extreme close-ups, sometimes unsettling, sometimes revealing small gestures that hint at emotion. The goal is not to embarrass anyone, but to show reality.
Anderson has photographed politics for over 20 years. He started as a conflict photographer and later focused on politicians. His work has appeared in The New York Times, TIME, and other major outlets. He treats everyone the same, regardless of party, capturing truth rather than image.
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The portraits were released alongside Susie Wiles’ candid Vanity Fair interviews. Wiles called Trump intense and said he has “an alcoholic’s personality,” even though he does not drink. She criticized top aides, describing JD Vance as a longtime conspiracy theorist. She called Elon Musk “a complete solo actor… an odd, odd duck” and admitted she was “initially aghast” when Musk shut down USAID. She also addressed the Epstein case, saying of Trump’s claims about Bill Clinton, “There is no evidence.”
Together, the photos and interviews paint a White House under pressure. They show leaders as real people with flaws, emotions, and moments of vulnerability. It is a sharp contrast to the carefully controlled images the administration usually projects.
Trump himself has often criticized images that do not flatter him. He complained about a Time magazine cover and a painting that failed to capture his likeness. These new close-ups, raw and unfiltered, highlight the difference between public image and private reality.
Featured image courtesy of Christopher Anderson / Vanity Fair
