White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt once again found herself in the spotlight—not for a political statement this time, but for a detail in a photo she posted that sparked a wave of online reactions. Over the weekend, Leavitt shared an Instagram snapshot that quickly ignited debate across social media, as followers zeroed in on a seemingly minor yet controversial fashion choice.
The controversy followed Leavitt’s sharp public comments about France. She had recently responded to a remark made by a French politician who questioned whether the Statue of Liberty—a historic gift from France—should be returned. Leavitt didn’t mince words, delivering a pointed and unapologetic statement: “My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, so they should be very grateful to our great country.”
Her response quickly made waves, drawing both applause and criticism. While her bold stance resonated with many supporters, others took issue with what they saw next in the post—a high-end designer handbag.
The accessory in question? A Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM tote, valued at over $2,000. The luxury item—crafted by one of France’s most iconic fashion houses—seemed at odds with her harsh rebuke of the country. One critic summed up the contradiction bluntly: “Why have a Louis Vuitton bag if everything from France is so bad????”
The comments section lit up. Some accused her of hypocrisy, while others saw the issue as trivial. Supporters quickly came to her defense. One wrote, “Absolutely stunning representation of our country! Thank you for what you do and for standing with President Trump!” Another praised her presence and poise: “Wow, Karoline, you look fantastic. It’s good to see such professionalism in action.” A third added, “Young, intelligent, and absolutely stunning. It’s so refreshing to see!”
But while the online world debated bags and diplomacy, Leavitt appeared unbothered. At just 27, she continues to break ground as the youngest Press Secretary in U.S. history, often brushing off criticism related to her age and experience. Rather than engaging with the growing online chatter, she chose to shift focus to something more meaningful—her family.
She shared a series of tender moments from her weekend, posting a photo of her toddler helping her bake in the kitchen, captioned, “Sunday morning muffins with my sous chef.” In another image, her son was seen being pushed in a stroller by his great-grandmother, with the caption, “Niko being pushed by his great grandma!”
Through it all, Leavitt has shown no sign of retreating from her position or her values. While the public continues to dissect her choice of words—and her accessories—she remains focused on her responsibilities within the administration and her role as a mother.
To some, her handbag was a contradiction. To others, it was a non-issue. But to Leavitt, it seems, the real priority isn’t fashion or feuds—it’s balancing the weight of a high-profile job with the quiet, grounding moments of home life.
