Archive · 5 Oct 2026
White House Defends New Aide After Anti-Biden Rifle Photo Resurfaces
Beni Rae Harmony has started a job as an assistant press secretary at the White House.
A photo of her wearing a shirt insulting Joe Biden and holding a rifle began drawing attention.
The photo was reportedly shared online in 2021.
Harmony said it was taken in December 2025.
The White House defended her and said she had been a trusted voice for the MAGA movement.
Before this job, she worked as a correspondent for Real America’s Voice.
She had also worked for Republican politicians Paul Gosar and Matt Gaetz.
The article says the photograph prompted backlash.
The White House defended newly hired assistant press secretary Beni Rae Harmony after a 2021 anti-Joe Biden photo resurfaced.
The photograph shows Harmony and an older man holding rifles and wearing matching shirts bearing an anti-Biden slogan.
Harmony said the photograph was taken in December 2025, while the post was reportedly first shared in November 2021.
Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly praised Harmony as a trusted voice for the MAGA movement and welcomed her to the communications team.
Before joining the White House, Harmony worked for Real America’s Voice and held press roles with Republican politicians Paul Gosar and Matt Gaetz.
- Who
- Beni Rae Harmony, newly hired assistant White House press secretary; the White House defended her.
- What
- The White House defended Harmony after a photo of her in an anti-Biden shirt holding a rifle resurfaced.
- When
- The defense came on Sunday; Harmony announced her new role on Friday. The article says the photo was reportedly posted in November 2021, while Harmony said it was taken in December 2025.
- Where
- The White House; the photograph was reportedly posted on Instagram.
- Why
- The photo resurfaced after Harmony announced her new job and prompted backlash.
Critics
White House
Photo and appointment
Critics
The image prompted major backlash after it resurfaced following Harmony’s appointment.
White House
Anna Kelly defended the hire, describing Harmony as a trusted MAGA voice and saying she would be an outstanding addition to the communications team.
When the photo was taken
Critics
The image was reportedly posted on Instagram in November 2021.
White House
Harmony said the photograph was taken in December 2025.
- New role
- Assistant White House press secretary
- New hire
- Beni Rae Harmony
- White House response
- Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly praised Harmony as a trusted voice for the MAGA movement.
- Earlier work
- Harmony had been a correspondent for Real America’s Voice.
- Other roles
- She previously worked for Paul Gosar and Matt Gaetz, according to the article.
- Photo date discrepancy
- The post was reportedly shared in November 2021; Harmony said the photograph was taken in December 2025.