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Karoline Leavitt Made Ironic Comment During Presser, Instantly Regretted It

This is pure irony.

568
568 points

Critics mockingly declared the Trump White House an irony-free zone on Thursday after press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Iran of face-saving—a charge many felt could just as easily apply to the administration she represents.

During a press briefing, Leavitt was asked to comment on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s defiant statement following the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities and the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Khamenei had insisted that Iran would “never surrender” to the United States.

“Look, we saw the Ayatollah’s video, and when you have a totalitarian regime, you have to save face,” Leavitt said. She continued, “I think any commonsense, open-minded person knows the truth about the precision strikes on Saturday night. They were wildly successful,” despite ongoing debate among international analysts and U.S. intelligence officials about the true extent of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.Leavitt without a trace of irony:

“When you have a totalitarian regime, you have to save face. I think any common-sense, open-minded person knows the truth about the precision strikes on Saturday night. They were wildly successful.” pic.twitter.com/JfeywPggBH

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 26, 2025

The statement quickly drew attention online, not for its diplomatic weight, but for what many perceived as a striking lack of self-awareness. Critics on social media mocked the irony of a Trump official accusing a foreign government of authoritarian-style face-saving, while serving in an administration frequently criticized for its own authoritarian tendencies, including efforts to suppress dissent, spread misinformation, and erode democratic norms.

Commentators pointed to what they saw as hypocrisy, with some describing the moment as emblematic of the administration’s tendency to project its own behavior onto others.

Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery

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Terry Lawson

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Terry is an editor and political writer based in Alabama. Over the last five years, he’s worked behind the scenes as a ghostwriter for a range of companies, helping shape voices and tell stories that connect. Now at Political Tribune, he writes sharp political pieces and edits with a close eye on clarity and tone. Terry’s work is driven by strong storytelling, attention to detail, and a clear sense of purpose. He’s skilled in writing, editing, and project management — and always focused on getting the message right. You can find him on X at https://x.com/terrylwsn.

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