Karoline Leavitt Fires Back at Democrat Who Called 80 Million Americans Mentally Ill: "It's Incredibly Derogatory

In a blistering takedown delivered from the White House press room, Karoline Leavitt, the combative voice of President Trump’s communications team, forcefully condemned Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for labeling millions of Americans mentally ill due to their support for the president. Leavitt’s remarks came in response to a controversial interview in which Crockett accused Trump supporters of being "sick," igniting a firestorm of backlash that now threatens to further polarize an already divided political landscape.

The remarks in question came from Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett during a sit-down interview with veteran journalist Katie Couric. In a scathing rebuke of Trump’s base, Crockett declared, “We’ve got a mental health crisis in this country because everyone, no matter how you affiliate yourself, should be against Trump, period. This is not partisan for me. It is really sick and anybody that supports it is also sick.”

 These statements, delivered with the conviction of a progressive firebrand, quickly reverberated throughout the media and social networks, triggering outrage from conservatives and calls for an apology from across the aisle.

Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Leavitt seized the opportunity to denounce what she described as an “elitist, condescending assault on millions of everyday Americans.” She began by stating firmly, “It’s incredibly derogatory to accuse nearly 80 million Americans of mental illness,” referencing the staggering number of votes Donald Trump received in the last presidential election.

Leavitt went on to highlight the disconnect between Washington elites and the real Americans who comprise Trump’s movement. “The last time I checked, Jasmine Crockett couldn’t dream of winning such a majority of the public as President Trump did,” she added sharply, striking at Crockett’s national electability.

Leavitt painted the America First movement as a broad coalition of hardworking citizens: “The forgotten men and women, business owners, law enforcement officers, nurses and teachers and Middle America, as we all know from where you all grew up outside of this Beltway. That’s who makes up this president’s movement.”

Her words were calculated and resonant, drawing a stark contrast between the working-class voter base that propelled Trump to the presidency and the progressive politicians who, in her view, have lost touch with those constituents.

In an especially pointed remark, Leavitt challenged Crockett directly, inviting her to attend a Trump rally “to see for herself.” She didn’t stop there. With a smirk, she added that while Democrats might see Crockett as a rising star, “for the Republican Party, at least,” she represents a gift—a radical voice whose extreme rhetoric turns off moderate voters and energizes Trump’s base.

Crockett, who has been generating media attention since the beginning of Trump’s second term, has frequently positioned herself as a progressive warrior battling conservative forces in Texas and in Washington. From her clashes with Governor Greg Abbott to her viral takedowns of Republican lawmakers in House hearings, she’s carved out a persona that many on the left admire and many on the right view with disdain.

Earlier this month, Crockett shocked a local reporter during a sit-down interview with WFAA political correspondent Jason Whitely. When asked about her potential aspirations beyond Congress, Crockett responded by claiming that Republicans have personally approached her to express admiration. “It’s become clear, as I have been out in various cities throughout this country, where I’ve had Republicans walk up to me and tell me how much they like me,” she said.

Whitely, taken aback, responded, “No, you haven’t! Are you serious?” Crockett insisted, “You’d be surprised. Oh yeah.” Whether real or exaggerated, the exchange added fuel to Crockett’s image as a polarizing but magnetic figure.

Crockett, 44, is now eyeing the chairmanship of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee following the death of longtime Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly. The vacancy has opened a fierce competition between rising Democratic stars including Crockett, Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, and Robert Garcia of California.

The outcome will be decided in a June 24 caucus vote, a crucial date for Crockett’s trajectory within the Democratic establishment.

Despite her bombastic style, Crockett commands respect within the party for her media savvy and fearless messaging. CNN commentator Scott Jennings recently named her alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as one of the “true leaders” of the Democratic Party—a sentiment that, ironically, mirrors Trump’s own mocking designation of her as a leading voice of the left.

During a recent speech at the NRCC President’s Dinner, Trump called Crockett “a very low-IQ person” and a “lowlife,” yet also joked that she may become the Democratic nominee for president in 2028.

Crockett demurred when asked about those ambitions, saying she preferred to focus on helping her party reclaim congressional majorities. “I want to win the majority back in Congress, but also win the presidency going into 2028,” she said, suggesting she is more interested in being a team player than pursuing personal advancement—for now.

But not everyone sees her comments as strategic or helpful. Leavitt’s takedown of Crockett was more than a political rebuke—it was a warning shot that incendiary rhetoric could backfire on the Democrats. By accusing tens of millions of Americans of being mentally ill, Crockett may have inadvertently handed Trump’s team a new narrative to rally his supporters around: that of the persecuted patriot, demonized by elitist Washington progressives.

This narrative plays well in the conservative ecosystem. Fox News and other right-wing outlets quickly picked up Leavitt’s response, with commentators arguing that Crockett's comments exemplify the very disdain that alienates swing-state voters. Republican strategists privately welcomed the controversy, seeing in it a chance to reinforce their core message that Democrats are out of touch with working-class Americans.

The clash also underscores the broader communication war unfolding in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race. While Democrats aim to energize their progressive base with bold rhetoric and confrontational leaders like Crockett, Republicans are positioning themselves as the voice of reasoned patriotism—a coalition that includes police officers, nurses, factory workers, and teachers.

Ultimately, this latest spat may prove emblematic of the deepening divide in American politics, where civility has been replaced by sarcasm, and where disagreement increasingly morphs into dehumanization. As Crockett and Leavitt continue to battle for dominance in their respective parties’ media ecosystems, their words are doing more than attacking each other—they are shaping the tone and tenor of America’s political future.

In the days ahead, eyes will remain fixed on Crockett’s bid for the Oversight Committee chairmanship and whether Leavitt, now Trump’s sharpest media surrogate, continues her ascent as one of the most prominent voices of the administration. But one thing is already certain: accusing 80 million Americans of being mentally ill is not a political strategy—it’s a political earthquake, and Karoline Leavitt made sure the aftershocks will be felt for weeks to come.