Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Trump Photographer Planned to Publish a Book of Her White House Photos—But Trump Got to It First

Trump Photographer Planned to Publish a Book of Her White House Photos—But Trump Got to It First
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images // Win McNamee/Getty Images

One of the most common criticisms of former President Donald Trump is his perception as a grifter. Whether he's stiffing contractors or promoting campaign contests with no apparent winner, the former president has demonstrated a laser-focus on generating as much money as possible for his coffers, with others bearing the expenses.

Such was the case for Trump's White House photographer, Shealah Craighead, according to a new report from Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman of the New York Times.


In the final weeks of Trump's time in the White House, Craighead—who's known for her work with Republican presidents—alerted Trump's aides that she would be curating the photos she'd taken of Trump into a book, just as every White House photographer since the late President Ronald Reagan has done.

Initially, Trump's team demanded a portion of Craighead's advance in exchange for Trump to write a foreword, but they later told her to halt the plans.

Now, Trump is selling a book featuring Craighead's photos and those of other photographers, in some instances for more than $200 per copy, and pocketing the profits, and reportedly snagging a multimillion dollar advance.

Trump's former press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, told the Times:

“Shea’s a very talented photographer and this was really all of her hard work. I just keep thinking: What a shame that he is actually now profiting off of it. But then again, this is the guy who is hawking caps and all kinds of stuff right now to raise money for himself.”

Because the photos were taken by an official White House photographer, they're considered public domain, so Trump's hijacking of Craighead's photos is technically legal, but morally loathsome.

For her part, Craighead—who has since shelved her book plans—declined to comment specifically about the matter, but did tell the Times:

“I stay apolitical as possible, as I am a neutral historical documentarian. By staying neutral I am able to remain a keen observer.”

Social media users were disgusted at Trump's latest grift.




But they weren't surprised.





John Bredar, an author with expertise on the history of White House photographers told the Times that the initial arrangement—Trump taking a cut of the Craighead's advance in exchange for promotion and a foreword—was also the first apparent instance of a former President seeking to make money from a White House photographer's planned book.

More from People/donald-trump

Screenshot of Riley Gaines; Simone Biles
Fox News; Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

Riley Gaines Ripped After Boasting About Getting 'Groveling' Apology From Simone Biles

Anti-trans activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was called out after she boasted about getting a "groveling" apology from Olympic gymnast Simone Biles just days after Biles criticized her for regularly attacking the transgender community for participating in sports instead of promoting inclusivity.

Last week, Biles ridiculed Gaines in a post on X after Gaines complained about a recent victory by a Minnesota high school softball team that has become a focus of conservative media attention due to the reported inclusion of a transgender girl on the roster.

Keep ReadingShow less
Olivia Munn, John Mulaney; Ms. Rachel
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Women's Cancer Research Fund; Ms Rachel - Toddler Learning Videos/YouTube

John Mulaney Speaks Out After Wife Olivia Munn Gets Death Threats Over Ms. Rachel Comment

Actor and comedian John Mulaney has taken to Instagram to lambaste users for sending death threats to his wife Olivia Munn and their kids.

Munn sparked major controversy last week when she said in a People magazine interview that she hates watching popular kids' YouTuber Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Anne Griffin Accurso.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vincent Scardina

Florida MAGA Voter Tears Up After ICE Detains A Third Of His Workers—And Now He Can't Find New Ones

As MAGA Republican President Donald Trump ramps up the agenda put forth for him by the misogynist, White supremacist, Christian nationalist Heritage Foundation's Project 2025—which includes importing White people and deporting as many Black and brown people as possible in response to the Great Replacement conspiracy theory—more and more 2024 Trump voters are asking why they're being negatively impacted.

Business owners, who as a matter of routine hired non-White documented and undocumented immigrants, are complaining that the agenda they endorsed in the voting booth is now hurting their bank accounts. People like roofing company owner Vincent Scardina of Florida.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters from Fox News
Fox News

Jesse Watters Blasted For Hypocrisy After Using Term He Was Previously Outraged By

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was called out for hypocrisy after he described the oustings of ABC News correspondent Terry Moran and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg as them having been "86'd"—just weeks after complaining about the term "86 47," which he sees as a clear call to assassinate President Donald Trump.

The term "86" means to eject, discard, or disprove of, and though it's said to have military origins, it's commonly used in restaurants when getting rid of unruly customers or when a patron has specific dietary restrictions. For example, saying "86 the mushrooms on the burger" means to prepare a burger sans mushrooms. Similarly, saying "86 the burger with mushrooms" means to not make the burger at all.

Keep ReadingShow less
Guest or second bedroom
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Married Couples Explain Why They Decided To Sleep In Separate Bedrooms

Every couple is different, and what they will expect from their relationship and what they will need in order to feel fulfilled will differ, as well.

Some obvious examples would relate to wealth and sex drive, but there are other, less obvious examples, too, like sleep schedules and sleep hygiene.

Keep ReadingShow less