Striking cheekbones and a chiseled jaw earned a Republican lawmaker a social media fact check — and lots of ridicule — over a visibly altered photo of Sen. J.D. Vance.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) shocked and confused his X followers Wednesday when he shared the virtually enhanced picture of former President Donald Trump's running mate, with the cryptic message "Gm."
X has since added a community note that the image had been "digitally altered to change J.D. Vance’s appearance," and viewers added some snarky replies.
"Babe, wake up," quipped Zeteo News contributor Kat Abughazaleh. "A sitting congressman just yassified jd vance." She later added, "I saw the original tweet and was trying to remember his senate portrait, god it’s so much worse side by side."
"Kat," replied former BuzzFeed investigative reporter Ellie Hall, "I am weeping."
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Abughazaleh was not the only viewer to have some fun with Collins' image, which showed Vance appearing notably slimmer than in his official headshot.
Washington Post analyst Philip Bump joined in on the mockery by sharing the two images, enhanced and not, in gif form.
The Advocate contributor Parker Malloy took the image in another direction, adding rounded cheeks and removing Vance's beard.
Other commentators bronzed Vance's skin, shrank his features, manipulated his eyebrows, sharpened his chin and added eyeliner.
"Republicans are insane," wrote Danielle Moodie, Daily Beast contributor and podcast host of The New Abnormal. "@RepMikeCollins are you ok?!?"
"That is not what he looks like," replied Vanity Fair commentator Franklin Leonard. "What is wrong with you?"
See it for yourself below or click here.
babe wake up, a sitting congressman just yassified jd vance https://t.co/LXkCtWOvxVpic.twitter.com/ppguflKp9G
— Kat Abu (@abughazalehkat) October 2, 2024