Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, has been getting much attention lately. The 27-year-old, the youngest person ever to hold the job, posted a picture on Instagram that got people talking – and not in a good way. The photo showed her looking stylish with a Louis Vuitton handbag, but there was a problem.
View this post on Instagram
Why? Well, let’s back up a little bit. Leavitt made some pretty strong comments about France that didn’t sit well with many people. She said that France should be “grateful” to the U.S., claiming that the French would be speaking German without America. This was her response to calls for the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, to be returned.
But here’s the catch: Leavitt proudly carried a Louis Vuitton bag in the same post. Louis Vuitton is, of course, a famous French brand. So, people started asking, “Why is she criticizing France yet carrying a French-made handbag?”
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
One commenter on her Instagram said, “Why have a Louis Vuitton bag if everything from France is so bad????” And honestly, it’s a fair question. If you’re going to criticize a country so harshly, maybe don’t wear their luxury products. It feels like a huge contradiction.
But not everyone agreed. Some people defended Leavitt, calling her “stunning” and praising her work for President Trump. One comment said, “Absolutely stunning representation of our country! Thank you for what you do and stand for and helping Mr. Trump!” Another one read, “Young, smart, and gorge. So refreshing. Thank you for all the excellent work, Karoline.”
Even more interesting is that Leavitt didn’t let the criticism stop her from posting personal moments. She also shared a sweet picture of her son, saying, “Sunday morning muffins with my sous chef.” She posted another photo of her son being pushed by his great-grandmother in a flower-filled park. It was a nice moment, but the timing couldn’t have been more ironic. While showing a softer side, she was also stirring the pot with her political comments.
Leavitt’s job is to speak for the president, and she often has to defend policies with which many disagree. As someone who works for a president who has repeatedly made controversial statements, it’s unsurprising that she might get some heat. But when you add a pricey French handbag to the mix, it just feels like a slap in the face to anyone hurt by the policies she supports.
Now, some might say, “It’s just a handbag. Who cares?” And sure, it’s not a massive deal in the grand scheme of things. But it’s not about the bag itself. It’s about the fact that Leavitt, and many Republicans like her, often talk out of both sides of their mouths. They’ll bash other countries and then turn around and benefit from what those countries offer.
Leavitt is young, yes, but she is also part of an administration that has damaged the U.S. and its relationships with other countries. From pulling out of international agreements to attacking the press, the Trump administration has consistently shown a disregard for the world beyond America’s borders.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
