In a passionate and unscripted response that’s quickly making waves online, Karoline Leavitt — the youngest-ever White House press secretary and rising Republican star — stood firmly behind Donald Trump and his supporters following a controversial swipe by Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. In a recent appearance, Leavitt fired back at what she described as an “incredibly dory” accusation: that nearly 80 million Americans who voted for Trump were suffering from some form of mental illness.

The moment, which blended defiance with a touch of sarcasm, has only added to Leavitt’s growing political momentum.

“She is a rising star,” someone off-camera noted at the start of the segment — a sentiment Leavitt didn’t try to dispute. “I hope that she continues to be a rising star,” she said, pausing before adding, “for the Republican Party at least.” The remark, though casual, set the tone for what would become a sharp takedown of Crockett’s rhetoric.

Leavitt expressed disbelief at the notion that millions of Americans — including business owners, law enforcement officers, nurses, teachers, and average working-class citizens — could be dismissed so carelessly. “I think it’s incredibly dory to accuse nearly 80 million Americans of mental illness,” she stated, referencing the core of the America First movement.

She pointed out that Trump had won a historic share of the vote — something Crockett, she said, “couldn’t dream of achieving.” According to Leavitt, that support wasn’t based on personality alone, but on real concerns from real people: the “forgotten men and women” across Middle America.

She continued, painting a picture of the Trump base far removed from the political elites in Washington, D.C. — a group often ignored by mainstream media and progressive politicians. “As we all know,” she emphasized, “from where you all grew up, outside of this Beltway… that’s who makes up this president’s movement.”

In a particularly biting remark, Leavitt suggested that Jasmine Crockett attend a Trump rally to witness the movement firsthand. “She can see it for herself,” she said pointedly, implying that Crockett’s criticisms came from ignorance rather than insight.

This moment adds fuel to the ongoing cultural and political clash between rising Republican voices and progressive Democrats like Crockett, who have not shied away from using bold language to describe the Trump era. Leavitt’s response — equal parts composed and cutting — signals her increasing readiness to be a leading spokesperson for the GOP’s next generation.

Whether one sees her remarks as impassioned or inflammatory, one thing is certain: Karoline Leavitt isn’t backing down, and her voice is only getting louder.