A recent Vanity Fair magazine photoshoot featuring key figures from the Trump administration provided a rare and revealing glimpse into the inner circle's dynamics, complete with nervous jokes about job security and pointed remarks about the media.
Behind the Scenes in the Roosevelt Room
The photoshoot, which took place in the White House's Roosevelt Room, brought together seven officials selected by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The group, which included Vice President JD Vance, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, senior aide Stephen Miller, and deputy chiefs of staff Dan Scavino and James Blair, was captured by photographer Christopher Anderson.
According to Vanity Fair's account, the officials entered the room "a bit like nervous schoolchildren." The tension was palpable, culminating in a telling moment when an unnamed official looked around and declared, "We're all going to get fired for this."
Vance's Confident Retort and Media Jabs
Vice President JD Vance was quick to respond to the anonymous official's grim prediction. "Except for me," Vance reportedly replied. "I have 100 percent job security." His confident assertion highlighted his perceived solidified position within the administration.
The photoshoot was not without its pointed commentary on the press, a recurring theme of the Trump presidency. As Anderson took pictures, Vance reportedly made digs at the magazine itself. "Is this the part where you say we're all evil?" Vance asked, aligning with the administration's frequent criticism of media outlets.
Further adding to the awkward atmosphere, hardline aide Stephen Miller commented on the staged nature of the event. He reportedly called the idea of sitting at the end of the table "not natural," and in the resulting cover photo, he is shown seated on the arm of a swivel chair beside the table rather than at it.
Fallout and a Revealing Cover Image
The photoshoot occurred just before Vanity Fair published a series of explosive articles about President Trump's inner circle on Tuesday. The coverage included revelations from Chief of Staff Susie Wiles about "Trump 2.0" that were so shocking they reportedly forced her and the White House into damage control mode.
One of the images from the tense Roosevelt Room session eventually became the cover photo for one of those articles. It serves as a visual representation of the power players surrounding the president, captured in a moment that mixed official duty with clear personal apprehension about media exposure.
The incident underscores the persistent wariness between the administration and the press, and reveals the undercurrents of insecurity and confidence that coexist within the upper echelons of Trump's team. The joking fear of being fired, juxtaposed with Vance's bold claim of invulnerability, paints a complex picture of loyalty and survival in Washington's most powerful office.
