White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is under fire this week—not for a political comment but for a high-fashion accessory that critics say clashes with the administration’s messaging. Leavitt, who has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s new tariff-heavy economic strategy aimed at boosting American manufacturing, was recently seen carrying a $4,800 Louis Vuitton handbag—sparking controversy across social media.
The drama began when a political account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a candid elevator selfie of Leavitt sporting a pristine white Louis Vuitton Monogram Messenger bag. The post was accompanied by a screenshot from the brand’s website, clearly displaying the luxury item’s hefty price tag, as reported by The Irish Star.
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Critics quickly jumped on the apparent contradiction, questioning how the Press Secretary could champion American-made goods while carrying a European luxury item. One sarcastic user posted, “Look, she just wanted to get one before it gets sprayed with a tariff. Leave the poor woman alone. Just kidding about the leaving her alone part.”
The timing couldn’t have been more awkward for the administration. The controversy erupted just days after what Trump dubbed “Liberation Day,” when he unveiled a sweeping set of new tariffs intended to reduce dependence on foreign imports and encourage domestic production.
Leavitt had recently defended those tariffs during an April 3 appearance on NewsNation’s Morning in America. “There’s not going to be any pain for American-owned companies and American workers because their jobs are going to come back home,” she declared, touting tariffs as a pathway to “price stability” and higher wages for American workers.
Trump has long argued that foreign nations have “pillaged” the United States through unfair trade practices, and he has used tariffs as a tool to rebalance the playing field. During his first term, he imposed tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada, and the strategy has only intensified. On April 5, he introduced a flat 10% tariff on all imports, affecting major trade partners such as the UK, Brazil, and Australia.
Then, on April 9, Trump escalated things further with targeted tariffs: 49% on Cambodian imports, 46% on Vietnamese goods, 20% on EU products, and a staggering 104% tariff on Chinese imports after Beijing refused to ease its tariffs on U.S. goods.
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The White House has labeled these as “reciprocal tariffs,” claiming they are meant to match what other nations charge the U.S. However, reports indicate that some countries with trade surpluses in America’s favor—like the UK—have still been hit with blanket fees.
As Leavitt continues to defend Trump’s economic plan, her designer handbag has become an unexpected symbol in the debate over American-made values versus luxury lifestyles—highlighting the tricky optics of mixing high fashion with “America First” messaging.
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