Karoline Leavitt is facing scrutiny after appearing to walk back earlier criticism of a news report about threats from Iran, sparking a heated exchange between the White House and critics on social media.
Last week, Leavitt sharply criticized an ABC News report, accusing the outlet of spreading misinformation that could alarm Americans. In a post on X, she dismissed the report’s claims and argued there was no immediate danger to the United States.
“TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” Leavitt wrote.
The statement quickly drew attention online, with observers pointing out what they saw as a shift in tone from the administration’s broader messaging about the dangers posed by Iran. Critics suggested the comment contradicted the government’s justification for taking military action against the country.
The White House responded aggressively to those claims. The administration’s Rapid Response account on X fired back at critics, using blunt language to clarify its position.
“No such threat to our homeland of Iran launching a drone offensive on our West Coast, dumba—-. The nuclear threat of the psychotic, murderous Iranian regime is very real, however. Thank God we finally have a President who’s doing something about it,” the account wrote.
The online dispute comes amid heightened political tension following the recent resignation of Joe Kent, who had been appointed by Donald Trump to a role in the administration.
Kent stepped down earlier this week and posted a resignation letter on X explaining his decision. In the message, he questioned the rationale behind U.S. military action toward Iran and argued that the country did not pose an immediate danger to the United States.
Leavitt addressed Kent’s remarks directly in a lengthy post on Tuesday, disputing one of his key claims.
“There are many false claims in this letter but let me address one specifically: that ‘Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,’” Leavitt wrote in response to the resignation letter.
She added that the argument had been repeatedly echoed by political opponents and some media outlets.
“This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over.”
The debate highlights growing tensions around the administration’s messaging on Iran and the broader national security narrative. While officials maintain that the Iranian government represents a serious long-term danger, critics argue that the administration has not clearly demonstrated that an immediate threat existed.
The dispute continues to play out publicly online, underscoring how disagreements over foreign policy are increasingly unfolding in real time on social media.
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