In a moment that’s igniting fierce backlash across the political and entertainment worlds, conservative commentator Karoline Leavitt is under fire after making a vulgar and inflammatory remark about WNBA star Brittney Griner — a comment that has since gone viral and triggered widespread condemnation.

During a heated online exchange late Tuesday night, Leavitt allegedly referred to Griner as “a sh!t” in response to ongoing speculation and right-wing conspiracy theories regarding Griner’s gender identity — a narrative that has long been rooted in transphobic rhetoric and misinformation.

The comment, made in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked a storm of outrage, with many accusing Leavitt of crossing a line that’s not only deeply personal but dangerously dehumanizing.

A Slur Dressed as Political Commentary

Karoline Leavitt, a former Trump White House aide and rising Republican media figure, made the comment while engaging with users debating Griner’s identity — a subject that has been weaponized by far-right figures for years, despite no factual basis for questioning Griner’s gender.

When one user cited a long-debunked claim about Griner being “biologically male,” Leavitt replied with a blunt, “She’s a sh!t — and everyone knows it.”

That one line — short, cruel, and searing — has now thrust Leavitt into the center of a social firestorm.

Public Backlash: “This Isn’t Free Speech. It’s Hate.”

Prominent voices across the political spectrum swiftly condemned the remark.

MSNBC’s Joy Reid blasted the comment as “pure hate speech,” while WNBA officials released a statement defending Griner, saying:

“Brittney is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a global icon, and a survivor. She deserves respect, not slurs.”

Even some conservative commentators distanced themselves from Leavitt, calling the remark “beneath the dignity of any serious public figure.”

Activist groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign also weighed in, urging media outlets to stop platforming “individuals who profit off demonizing others for clicks and clout.”

Silence from Leavitt — But the Damage Is Done

As of now, Leavitt has not issued a formal apology or retraction. Her account remains active, but the original post has been deleted — a move seen by critics as an attempt to evade accountability without accepting responsibility.

In contrast, Brittney Griner has remained silent — a stance that many are praising as dignified and resilient.

Griner, who endured nearly a year of detention in Russia and returned home to continue her basketball career and advocacy work, has long been a target of online trolls and conspiracy theorists. This latest attack has renewed calls for stronger social media moderation and real consequences for public figures who engage in hate-fueled behavior.

ABC and Major Networks Under Pressure

In the wake of this controversy, there’s growing scrutiny of platforms that give airtime to individuals like Leavitt. ABC, Fox News, and other networks where she’s appeared are facing mounting pressure from viewers and civil rights organizations to cut ties or issue statements condemning the remarks.

“Silence is complicity,” wrote one user in a now-viral thread tagging major TV networks. “You don’t get to platform hate and pretend to be neutral.”

The Bigger Picture: When Free Speech Turns Toxic

This isn’t the first time a high-profile figure has targeted Brittney Griner, but the language used by Leavitt marks a new low. Critics argue that such rhetoric not only endangers Griner personally but also contributes to a broader climate of violence and hostility against LGBTQ+ individuals and athletes.

In a world already boiling over with division and misinformation, moments like these serve as a harsh reminder of how quickly words can become weapons.

And while Karoline Leavitt may have tried to scrub her comment from the internet, the backlash is only just beginning.