I'm the last person to defend the pedo in Chief but you're reaching:

• The old fart is leaning on the top step, which is clearly seen by his body being over the ladder.
• The proportions are correct and the subtle lighting is on point.
• The 'choice' of ladder is meaningless, much like the tree being in front of a doorway which only indicates that the doorway isn't in use, or that the Christmas tree is so temporary that it won't impede the movement long, if at all, as you mentioned, it's not like Christmas Celebrating folk to throw up the tree and decorations on the eve of Christmas, which further indicates that its only for the gram.

This is yet another giant nothingburger, much like the Queen Elizabeth's photoshoot some two months back. This is also a distraction, as if the bumbling idiot would go through such elaborate 'Photoshop' nonsense and do so for absolutely no discernable motive or goal. The bumbling idiot embarrassing himself every single time he opens his mouth, or is around children, or bikes, and he can't even handle softball questions as he flees in clear panic from journalists when otherwise his staff aren't fervently rushing the media away from his shit eating smirking he proudly flaunts without a shared of shame, he deserves much more scrutiny than a Stoopid photo op.