Malia Obama Instagram selfie triggers White House security probe, reports say

The leaked T-shirt photograph is said to have prompted a security investigation

The selfie that is reported to have triggered a White House security probe

The White House is said to be investigating how a selfie of Malia Obama ended up on Instagram.

The picture shows which Malia, 16, posing in a Pro Era T-shirt, a Brooklyn hip-hop collective.

The selfie that is reported to have triggered a White House security probe (Pro Era/Instagram)

The personal picture was posted directly to Pro Era’s Instagram page. When asked, a representative for the rap group, Joey Bada$$, said the picture was passed between "a mutual friend of Malia and the Pro Era member."

It hasn't been confirmed whether the photo is genuine, or whose device it was taken on, but the White House are reportedly looking into how it ended up online.

White House officials have yet to respond to questions about the reported probe.

Malia and her sister Sasha, 13, were recently the subject of controversial comments about their clothes by a Republican official at Thanksgiving.

Elizabeth Lauten, a communications director for congressman Stephen Fincher, wrote in a post she later deleted on Facebook: "Dear Sasha and Malia: I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play."

She added: "Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar."