Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, has been under intense scrutiny since her 2025 appointment, but a recent moment during a press briefing took things to a whole new level. While discussing Trump’s new tariff policy on May 19, 2025, Leavitt couldn’t stop fidgeting with her hair, sparking a wave of criticism online. Critics quickly began questioning whether her constant hair adjustments were a telltale sign of dishonesty. “Is there a connection between her hair movements and her lies?” one viewer asked. What sparked this bizarre social media frenzy, and does it reveal more than just nervous energy?

The One Thing Karoline Leavitt Does That Gets Her Haters Riled Up

Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old press secretary for former President Donald Trump, has quickly become one of the most talked-about figures in American politics. Known for her unapologetic conservative views and no-nonsense demeanor at the podium, she has earned both admiration and criticism. Since stepping into the high-profile role of White House press secretary in early 2025, Leavitt’s every move has been scrutinized by media outlets and social media users alike.

While much of the criticism surrounding Leavitt revolves around her political stance and some of her controversial remarks, there’s one behavior that has left her critics particularly irritated: her constant fussing with her hair during live broadcasts.

Karoline Leavitt candid

The Moment That Set Social Media Ablaze

On May 19, 2025, during a press briefing where Leavitt addressed President Trump’s new tariff policy and the “One, Big, Beautiful Act,” a moment of fidgeting caught the attention of viewers. As Leavitt took a question from CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, she began fidgeting with her hair—brushing it to the side, tucking it behind her ear, and repeating the motion multiple times throughout the briefing.

The clip of Leavitt’s hair adjustments was quickly posted on X (formerly Twitter) by MeidasTouch’s Acyn, where it quickly went viral. Social media users, already keen to critique Leavitt for her role in the administration, took to the platform in droves to comment on the behavior. “Can someone tell us why she is playing with her hair?” one critic wrote. Another user suggested, “I wonder if there’s a correlation between her lies and when she plays with her hair.”

The Criticism Intensifies: “Lying” or “Nervous Habit?”

The backlash was swift and loud. Many viewers, frustrated by what they saw as unnecessary distractions during a serious political discussion, began to focus their attention entirely on Leavitt’s body language rather than the substance of the briefing. “When she keeps playing with her hair, that means she’s lying,” one user boldly claimed, adding to the growing narrative that Leavitt’s nervous habit was somehow tied to dishonesty.

Others focused on the disruptive nature of the behavior itself. “Starting a GoFundMe to get this chick some hair scrunchies,” one commenter joked. “Someone needs to get this woman a barrette. Her constant pushing-hair-back moves are so annoying,” another added. While some viewers took the opportunity to make lighthearted jokes about the situation, others were less forgiving, viewing it as a lack of professionalism.

A guide to Karoline Leavitt's White House style, from a Gucci watch to  'Republican hair'

Leavitt’s Response and the Bigger Picture

Despite the harsh online backlash, Leavitt remained unfazed by the commentary, continuing her role at the White House and handling her duties as press secretary. For Leavitt, the moment appears to have been a simple, albeit repetitive, gesture, which some critics argue is a harmless nervous tic or unconscious habit.

However, the disproportionate attention paid to Leavitt’s fidgeting highlights the heightened scrutiny she faces as a young, female political figure. In the cutthroat world of political reporting, body language—particularly a woman’s body language—often becomes a focal point of debate, sometimes overshadowing the actual content of the discussion. This pattern is not uncommon for women in high-profile roles, where personal traits like appearance or mannerisms are often more heavily scrutinized than those of their male counterparts.

Why Does This Matter?

For Leavitt, the controversy over her hair-fussing may seem trivial, but it raises important questions about the way women in politics are perceived. While her supporters argue that the focus on such minor details is an attempt to undermine her credibility, critics seem eager to latch onto anything that detracts from her professional accomplishments.

At just 27 years old, Leavitt is already one of the youngest press secretaries in history, and her presence at the podium has made waves in the political world. However, the constant distractions—whether it’s her physical mannerisms, her attire, or her outspoken views—show that, unfortunately, women in politics often face additional hurdles. While male counterparts rarely face such intense scrutiny over their behavior, women like Leavitt are often evaluated through a different lens.

Who is Karoline Leavitt? Youngest White House press secretary | FOX 4  Dallas-Fort Worth

Conclusion: The Price of Public Scrutiny

Karoline Leavitt’s latest press briefing may have sparked a wave of attention due to her on-air behavior, but the larger issue remains how women in politics are consistently scrutinized for their appearance and actions in ways that men are not. Whether it’s body language, fashion choices, or personal relationships, the public often focuses on these trivial details, diverting attention away from the important work at hand.

While some will continue to criticize Leavitt for her mannerisms, others will look beyond the surface-level distractions and focus on her achievements. The true test for Leavitt—who has already proven her strength in a high-pressure job—is whether she can continue to rise above the distractions and carve out her own legacy, one that goes beyond her appearance and mannerisms.

As the youngest press secretary to serve in the White House, Leavitt has a bright future ahead of her—one that won’t be defined by her hairstyle or fidgeting habits. Instead, it will be shaped by her ability to lead, communicate, and navigate the complex world of politics, something that goes far beyond the surface.