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Karoline Leavitt under fire for explanation over why Trump bombed Iran
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt found herself at the center of widespread social media ridicule on Wednesday after offering an unusual explanation for President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iran.
The administration has already given multiple justifications for the strikes.
But during a press briefing, Leavitt appeared to introduce yet another reason - one critics quickly summarized as being based largely on “vibes”.
Her remarks came as reporters pressed the White House for clarity about what exactly prompted the military operation.
Reporter Questions Lack Of Clear ‘Imminent Threat’ Behind Iran Strike
During Wednesday’s press briefing, a reporter from The Independent challenged the administration’s explanation for the military action, asking why officials still had not clearly outlined the threat that justified the operation.
Specifically, the reporter asked why the administration “can’t say what the imminent threat against the United States was” that required the US to launch Operation Epic Fury.
Leavitt responded by promising to clarify the president’s reasoning behind the decision.
She told reporters that she would “explain to you exactly what led the president to make the decision.”
White House Says Decision Came From ‘Cumulative Effect’ Of Threats
According to Leavitt, the decision to carry out the strike wasn’t tied to a single event but rather a broader pattern of threats from Iran.
“This decision to launch this operation was based on a cumulative effect of various direct threats that Iran posed to the United States of America, and the president’s feeling, based on fact, that Iran does pose an imminent and direct threat to the United States of America,” she said.
Leavitt described Iran as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism,” while also claiming the country was “rapidly and aggressively building up” its missile programme.
She also accused Iran of being “hellbent on death and destruction.”
Leavitt Says Trump Had A ‘Feeling’ Iran Was Preparing To Strike
The press secretary continued by emphasizing that Trump’s decision ultimately came from his assessment of the situation, which she said was grounded in both intelligence and instinct.
“The president had a feeling, again, based on fact, that Iran was going to strike the United States, was going to strike our assets in the region, and he made a determination to launch Operation Epic Fury based on all of those reasons.”
However, the phrasing immediately caught attention online.
Social Media Points Out Irony Of ‘Facts Don’t Care About Your Feelings’
Leavitt’s explanation quickly sparked mockery across social media platforms, where users highlighted the wording of her comments.
Many pointed out the irony that conservatives have long embraced the phrase “facts don’t care about your feelings,” popularized by podcaster Ben Shapiro.
Given that context, critics argued the press secretary’s repeated references to the president’s “feeling” about the threat stood out.
As the clip circulated online, the phrasing became a focal point for critics questioning the administration’s evolving explanations for Operation Epic Fury.