The political landscape was rocked by a stunning collapse in damage control efforts from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt amid the explosive feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The fallout, which escalated into a public spectacle, saw Leavitt struggle to manage the narrative as the alliance between Trump and Musk unraveled. Reports indicate that the crisis peaked when Musk alleged that the Trump administration was delaying the release of the Epstein files due to Trump’s alleged involvement, a claim Leavitt failed to directly refute.

For hours, Leavitt remained conspicuously silent as the Musk-Trump rift dominated headlines, leaving the White House scrambling. When she finally responded, her statement—“This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who’s unhappy with the one big beautiful bill because it does not include the policies he wanted”—was widely criticized as a non-denial, raising eyebrows among observers. The lack of a clear rebuttal only fueled speculation, with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins noting the suspicious vagueness of her remarks.

The situation deteriorated further during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, where Leavitt attempted to spin the crisis. Visibly nervous, she emphasized Trump’s focus on the “one big beautiful bill” and highlighted a recent Oval Office meeting with Musk, suggesting their rift was minor. However, her delivery—marked by a strained voice and awkward deflections—failed to convince viewers. Social media buzzed with mockery, including a viral X post joking that Leavitt practiced saying “boys will be boys” for hours to downplay the feud. Her attempt to pivot to topics like national security and trade talks with China fell flat, with no tangible progress to back her claims, exposing the administration’s weak position.

This debacle underscores deeper tensions. Trump’s uncharacteristic restraint toward Musk, contrasted with Leavitt’s usual aggressive stance against critics, hints at an underlying vulnerability. The White House even pulled Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller from a Fox News slot, signaling a desperate bid to regroup. Critics argue Leavitt’s spin reflects the limits of her talent, honed through years of MAGA messaging, when faced with Trump’s reckless governance. Despite her skill surpassing predecessors like Kayleigh McEnany or Sean Spicer, the scale of this PR disaster—compounded by Trump’s economic polling woes—has stretched her capabilities thin.

As of now, no White House press briefing is scheduled, leaving Leavitt’s next move uncertain. The public and media await her response to the barrage of questions likely to follow. This episode, blending personal rivalry with political stakes, has left the administration’s image in tatters, with Leavitt’s faltering performance amplifying the chaos. Whether this marks a turning point or a temporary setback remains to be seen, but the damage is palpable.dị