Did White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argue with a reporter about the history of U.S. relations with France during a March 2025 press briefing? No, that's not true: A transcript posted online and filled with references to World War I and the Louisiana Purchase was fabricated. Authentic video of the press briefing shows that Leavitt briefly answered a question about the Statue of Liberty and then moved on, with no additional back and forth.
The claim originated in a post on X (archived here) on March 17, 2025, which was a reply to a short clip of Leavitt answering a question about the Statue of Liberty. The post read:
Rest of conversation -
REPORTER: So, just to clarify--your position is that France owes its entire existence to the United States?
LEAVITT: Absolutely. If it weren't for the U.S., the French would be speaking German right now. That's just a fact.
REPORTER: Interesting. Because if it weren't for France, we wouldn't even have the United States. Ever heard of the American Revolution? France bankrolled it. Sent troops. Fought Britain on multiple fronts. And, oh yeah--gave us the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of freedom. Do we only acknowledge history when it's convenient?
LEAVITT: Well, the United States has been the beacon of global freedom--
REPORTER: Right, and who gave us the actual beacon? The French. And let's not forget, France won World War I before the U.S. even entered it. So by your logic, does that mean Americans should be thanking the French for not speaking German in 1918? REPORTER: Also, if we're going down this road--how about the Louisiana Purchase? You know, that huge chunk of land that doubled the size of America? Bought it from the French. Are we sending them a thank-you note?
LEAVITT: Look, I think we're getting off track here. The point is--
REPORTER: The point is, we didn't just swoop in and save the day while France sat around waiting. Nations cooperate, trade, and yes, sometimes even rescue each other.
This is how the post appeared online at the time of writing:
(Source: X screenshot taken on Tues Mar 18 11:14:23 2025 UTC)
That exchange did not actually take place.
During a press briefing on March 17, 2025, a reporter asked Leavitt about remarks made by French Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann, who claimed that since "the Americans...have chosen to side with the tyrants," the U.S. should return the Statue of Liberty to France.
Leavitt, in response to the reporter's question, said President Donald Trump would not be returning the monument and added "It's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now. So they should be very grateful to our great country."
Leavitt then turned to a different reporter for the next question, and there was no further back and forth on the future of the Statue of Liberty or the history of Franco-American relations. The exchange can be watched in full below:
Read more
Other Lead Stories fact checks about Karoline Leavitt can be found here.
