White House Press Secretary Faces Backlash Over Inconsistent Statements

Karoline Leavitt's comments about Trump's Truth Social posts spark questions about transparency

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is facing criticism for her inconsistent statements regarding Donald Trump's posts on the social media platform Truth Social. Leavitt previously defended a controversial post from Trump's account, claiming it was just an internet meme, but later the White House said it was actually posted by a staffer, not Trump himself. Now, Leavitt is telling reporters that Truth Social posts come directly from Trump, leading many to question the administration's transparency.

Why it matters

The White House's conflicting messages about the source of Trump's social media posts raise concerns about the administration's credibility and commitment to honesty. As a key spokesperson, Leavitt's statements play a crucial role in shaping the public's perception of the president's actions and the White House's transparency.

The details

In a recent press briefing, Leavitt told reporters that Americans should take Trump's Truth Social posts at face value, as they come "straight from the horse's mouth." However, this contradicts the White House's previous response to a controversial post from Trump's account that appeared to feature AI-generated images of apes with the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama. At that time, the White House claimed the post was made by a staffer, not Trump himself. When pressed further, the administration's story seemed to change again, leaving many questioning the truthfulness of the White House's statements.

  • On February 5, 2026, Trump shared a post on Truth Social that featured AI-generated images of apes with the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama.
  • On February 6, 2026, the White House claimed the post was made by a staffer, not Trump himself.
  • On February 19, 2026, Leavitt told reporters that Truth Social posts come directly from Trump, "straight from the horse's mouth."

The players

Karoline Leavitt

The 28-year-old White House Press Secretary who has faced criticism for her inconsistent statements regarding the source of Donald Trump's social media posts.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose Truth Social posts have been the subject of controversy and conflicting statements from the White House.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The White House may need to provide further clarification on its policies and procedures regarding the president's social media activity to restore public trust.

The takeaway

The White House's inconsistent messaging on the source of Trump's social media posts has raised concerns about the administration's commitment to transparency and honesty. As a key spokesperson, Leavitt's statements play a crucial role in shaping the public's perception of the president's actions, and the administration may need to take steps to ensure a more consistent and credible approach going forward.