White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Minneapolis protesters for flipping off ICE agents, prompting accusations of hypocrisy after President Trump made the same middle-finger gesture days earlier at a Michigan Ford plant. Critics — including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rep. Nellie Pou and The Lincoln Project — shared video and images to underscore the perceived double standard. The White House defended the president, while commentators pointed to broader partisan inconsistencies over profanity and political rhetoric.
Karoline Leavitt Accused Of Hypocrisy After Condemning Protesters' Middle Fingers — While Trump Made Same Gesture
Leavitt complained that protestors were using profanity, when just this week, President Trump did the same thing. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt drew sharp criticism after publicly rebuking demonstrators for flipping the middle finger at ICE agents — just days after President Donald Trump reportedly made the same gesture toward an autoworker during a Michigan factory visit.
At a White House briefing on Thursday, Leavitt held up photographs from an anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis and said, "Look at this vehicle, it says 'F ICE,' you have these individuals who are putting their middle finger proudly so at the camera." She added, "Another ICE vehicle that was vandalized by these left-wing agitators," and argued that "people don’t do this without encouragement from people in power, who make them feel like it’s okay."
@GovPressOffice/X
Leavitt called the conduct "despicable rhetoric" and criticized what she described as targeting of federal personnel. Her remarks quickly prompted backlash on social media and from political opponents, who pointed to video of President Trump making an identical gesture earlier in the week.
Video and Reactions
California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a clip of Mr. Trump making the gesture on X (formerly Twitter), adding, "Wait until she learns about the 1st Amendment …" New Jersey Congresswoman Nellie Pou shared an image of the president giving the finger with the caption, "Like this?" and The Lincoln Project posted a video of the exchange with the comment, "Save us the outrage, sweetie."
@RepNellie/X
According to multiple reports, while touring a Ford plant in Michigan this week, President Trump twice responded "F--- you!" to autoworker TJ Sabula and then made a middle-finger gesture. Sabula has since been suspended from his job.
White House Response and Context
The White House defended the president’s conduct. Communications Director Steven Cheung said Mr. Trump "gave an appropriate and unambiguous response." In a separate statement to the Daily Beast, White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson accused the outlet of downplaying "violent rioters who have defaced property and called for the murder of ICE agents."
Observers and critics highlighted what they described as a double standard: conservative officials and commentators who condemn profanity and vulgar gestures when used by opponents but who either overlook or defend similar language and conduct by political allies.
Donald Trump points and flips the bird at a factory worker. / supplied
For example, several Fox News hosts, including Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and Harris Faulkner, have publicly criticized profanity from Democrats in recent months. At the same time, phrases and memes such as "F--- Your Feelings" and the euphemism "Let’s Go Brandon" have been widely embraced by some supporters of former President Trump.
The episode has renewed debate about political rhetoric, accountability for public officials, and how partisanship shapes outrage on social media.
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