Karoline Leavitt Sparks Firestorm After Shocking Comment About Brittney Griner and Online Speculation About Gender Identity

In a controversy that has taken both the sports world and political circles by storm, Karoline Leavitt, a rising political commentator and former White House assistant press secretary under the Trump administration, is under intense scrutiny following a derogatory and inflammatory comment allegedly made about WNBA star Brittney Griner. According to multiple sources and viral social media clips, Leavitt referred to Griner as a “sh!t” after allegedly learning new “truths” regarding the athlete’s gender identity—remarks that have since sparked outrage, disbelief, and a storm of commentary across the internet.

This article unpacks the timeline of the events, the wider implications for transphobia in public discourse, the history of speculation surrounding Griner’s gender presentation, and the broader cultural war that this incident has reignited.

Who Is Karoline Leavitt?

Karoline Leavitt, just 28 years old, has rapidly become one of the most recognizable young voices in conservative politics. A proud New Hampshire native, she made headlines during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles for her unapologetic support of Donald Trump and her confrontational style in media interviews. She has served as a spokesperson for Trump-aligned super PACs, appeared frequently on Fox News, and has gained a loyal following on social media where her posts often go viral.

Leavitt positions herself as a culture warrior, aiming to “defend traditional values” in what she often refers to as a “radically woke America.” Her commentary spans issues from immigration and national security to gender ideology, often laced with provocative language.

The Incident: What Did Karoline Leavitt Say?

On July 30, during a now-deleted livestream on X (formerly Twitter), Leavitt allegedly made a series of remarks about Brittney Griner in response to a viral post questioning the athlete’s femininity. A clipped video of the stream—posted by an anonymous user and shared thousands of times—shows Leavitt appearing visibly disturbed by an article about Griner’s physique.

The moment that set the internet ablaze was her reaction to a commenter referencing longstanding conspiracy theories about Griner being a man. Leavitt, shaking her head and appearing to suppress laughter, responded:

“I mean, are we even sure anymore? Honestly, if that’s what passes as a woman today, then the whole world’s gone mad. She’s a sh!t, plain and simple.”

The clip was quickly cut and circulated, with many alleging that Leavitt was mocking Griner’s appearance and possibly her gender identity. Within hours, the phrase “Karoline Leavitt Brittney Griner” was trending on both X and TikTok, with commentators and celebrities chiming in on both sides of the divide.

Brittney Griner’s History and Public Perception

Brittney Griner has long been the subject of internet speculation due to her deep voice, tall stature (6’9″), and athletic build. Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA All-Star, and a social justice advocate, she has endured waves of criticism and mockery online—some of which are rooted in misogyny, racism, and transphobia.

Griner herself has consistently identified as a woman and has never indicated any gender fluidity or transgender identity. In her 2014 memoir “In My Skin,” she opens up about being bullied for being masculine and coming out as gay during her teenage years. She has also spoken candidly about how society often attempts to strip athletic women of their femininity.

In an interview with ESPN in 2016, Griner said:

“People can’t handle the idea of a strong, tall woman. So they try to take away your identity. But I know who I am. I’ve always known.”

This clarity, however, hasn’t stopped online conspiracy theorists and fringe commentators from repeatedly questioning her gender—a phenomenon that mirrors the treatment of other high-profile Black women in public life.

Backlash and Political Fallout

Within hours of the clip spreading, prominent voices from the worlds of sports, politics, and activism denounced Leavitt’s remarks.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a brief statement:

“These kinds of baseless and hateful attacks on our players have no place in civil society. Brittney Griner is a valued member of our community and deserves to be treated with respect.”

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted:

“Misogyny, racism, and transphobia wrapped into one cruel sentence. This is what the new wave of conservative politics looks like? Shameful.”

Others, however, defended Leavitt. Tucker Carlson called the backlash a “coordinated leftist attack” and claimed that she was “merely pointing out what many Americans are quietly thinking.” On his online show, he suggested that the left was “trying to force a biological and ideological delusion onto the population.”

The Transphobia Debate in Sports

While Griner is not transgender, this controversy has again shined a spotlight on the hot-button issue of gender in sports. Over the past few years, the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports has become one of the most divisive topics in American political discourse.

Republican politicians in at least 25 states have introduced or passed legislation banning transgender girls and women from competing in female sports at the school or collegiate level. Supporters argue that these bans protect fair competition; critics view them as blatant discrimination against an already vulnerable population.

Karoline Leavitt has previously spoken out against transgender inclusion in sports. In a 2023 interview with Newsmax, she stated:

“Biological men should not be competing against women. Period. It is dangerous, it is unfair, and it undermines the achievements of real women.”

Her remarks about Griner, while not explicitly targeting the transgender community, have been interpreted by many as an extension of this ideology—particularly given how they were made in a moment of derision and mockery.

Social Media Reaction and the Divide

The social media response has been predictably polarized.

Supporters of Griner and progressives have launched campaigns calling for media platforms to stop booking Leavitt as a guest, with the hashtag #CancelKaroline trending on X. A Change.org petition demanding an apology reached 250,000 signatures within two days.

On the other hand, conservative influencers like Matt Walsh and Candace Owens rallied to Leavitt’s defense. Owens posted:

“So now it’s ‘hate speech’ to say what you see with your own eyes? The left wants to criminalize reality.”

The incident has once again illustrated the culture war battle lines in America, with identity, truth, and freedom of speech colliding in full view of the public.

Brittney Griner’s Response: Silence or Strategy?

So far, Brittney Griner has not publicly addressed Leavitt’s comments. Her representatives have also declined requests for comment.

This silence may be strategic. Griner, having recently returned to the WNBA after her harrowing detention in Russia in 2022–2023, may be focused on her athletic career and public image. Alternatively, she may be choosing to avoid further engagement with conspiracy theorists or media firestorms that tend to derail productive discourse.

Some observers speculate that Griner might eventually address the issue in an op-ed or public appearance, as she has done in the past when facing similar scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture: What This Tells Us About America Today

This episode is about more than just one cruel remark. It reflects the deep fractures in American society when it comes to gender, race, and the limits of free speech. It also shows how quickly reputations can rise or fall in the age of viral media.

Karoline Leavitt, for better or worse, has positioned herself as a mouthpiece for a new, bold conservatism that seeks to shock and provoke as much as it seeks to persuade. Whether this helps her future political aspirations or dooms them remains to be seen.

As for Brittney Griner, she continues to symbolize resilience—not just as an athlete, but as a human being navigating fame in an era where every aspect of identity is up for debate, scrutiny, or outright distortion.

Conclusion

In a country increasingly divided on what truth and decency look like, the clash between Karoline Leavitt and Brittney Griner is a potent symbol of our times. Whether viewed as a free speech issue, a moment of bigotry, or simply another battle in the endless culture wars, it is a moment that has commanded attention, provoked emotion, and demanded reflection.

What happens next will not only shape the futures of the women involved but also signal the direction in which American political and cultural discourse is heading.