Donald Trump’s press secretary sparks outrage after wearing controversial t-shirt in resurfaced photo
A picture of Donald Trump’s press secretary wearing a t-shirt with a controversial slogan has resurfaced on X.
American political figure Karoline Leavitt serves as the White House Press Secretary under Donald Trump.
Now aged 27, she became the youngest person in the US to ever serve in her position. Since assuming office in January she has made a number of bold political claims, and her personal life has also raised eyebrows.
She has also defended her relationship with husband Nicholas Riccio, who is 32 years her senior.
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Leavitt admitted the age gap made her marriage a little unorthodox, but stressed how ‘supportive’ her partner is.
“It's [a] very atypical love story, but he’s incredible,” she said during an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show.
“He is my greatest supporter, he’s my best friend, he’s my rock.”
Leavitt and Riccio, 59, announced their engagement in December 2023, before tying the knot in a private ceremony.
“A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband,” she recalled.
However, the relationship is not the aspect of Leavitt’s life that has caused controversy this week. Instead, a selfie in which she wears a t-shirt with the slogan ‘Make America Blonde Again’ has caused anger.
The picture was originally posted and circulated in March 2024, several months before Leavitt became Trump’s press secretary.
‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA), the inspiration behind Leavitt’s t-shirt, has become a divisive phrase due to its implied nostalgia for a period in US history when many marginalised groups, such as African-Americans, Indigenous populations, LGBTQ+ groups and immigrants faced discrimination.
On the other hand, some Americans consider it to be a call for national pride and supporting traditional American values, representing a polarising view of the future of America as Trump imagines it.
Leavitt’s picture was reposted on Monday by an X account and has amassed thousands of views.
“As in make America White again,” one outraged X user responded.
“If there was a tariff on bleach, MAGA would implode!” another person declared.
While one woman said the picture makes her 'want to be a brunette again'.
A White House official confirmed the picture's authenticity via Snopes "This is a legitimate picture of Karoline. Her hairdresser made these T-shirts and Karoline bought one at her salon."
Tyla has contacted the White House for a comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, News