No Mercy: Karoline Leavitt’s Alleged $800M Lawsuit Against The View Debunked

July 29, 2025, 10:44 AM +07 – A sensational rumor claiming that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt filed an $800 million lawsuit against ABC’s The View, declaring, “They had their chance. It’s over,” has set social media ablaze, with X posts amplifying a narrative of a courtroom reckoning that left the show’s hosts—Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sunny Hostin—in panic. The claim, which surfaced in April 2025 and resurfaced recently, alleges Leavitt sued for defamation, winning $500 million in compensatory damages and $300 million in punitive damages, bankrupting the network. However, fact-checking by Snopes, Lead Stories, and reputable outlets confirms this is a fabricated story driven by AI-generated content, with no evidence of a lawsuit. The hoax, while gripping, highlights the fragility of truth in today’s polarized media landscape.

The rumor began with YouTube videos from channels like MagnetTV GENIUS DATA and Agenda Insight, claiming Leavitt triumphed in a New York federal court on April 18, 2025. Titles like “Karoline Leavitt FINALLY WINS $800M Law Suit Against ‘The View’” garnered hundreds of thousands of views, alleging the hosts’ “reckless” comments about Leavitt’s qualifications and Trump ties sparked the suit. Posts on X fueled the fire, with users like @BrianBu25828007 claiming, “A leaked 200-page document has caused a stir,” and @Mel_BrooksSA celebrating Leavitt’s “victory.” One post even suggested Megyn Kelly’s reaction—“She brought the fire”—sealed the narrative. Yet, no credible news outlet, including CNN, ABC, or Fox News, reported such a lawsuit, and searches on Google and court records yield no evidence.

Leavitt, 27, the youngest White House Press Secretary, appointed in January 2025, is no stranger to controversy. Her outspoken defense of Trump’s policies and clashes with media figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Peter Doocy have made her a conservative icon and a target for criticism. In December 2024, Leavitt called The View hosts “wrong about everything” on Fox News, responding to Joy Behar’s January 2025 claim that Leavitt’s appointment was based on her appearance rather than qualifications. Whoopi Goldberg criticized Leavitt’s rejection of “wokeness,” saying, “Without that wokeness, you might not have that job.” These real tensions fueled the hoax’s plausibility, as the show’s liberal stance often clashes with Leavitt’s conservative rhetoric.

The fabricated lawsuit narrative claimed Behar’s comments, labeled “sexist” by conservatives like Charlie Kirk, prompted Leavitt to sue, with a fictional court awarding her $800 million. Videos used edited clips of Leavitt and The View hosts, paired with AI-generated voiceovers, to create a false courtroom drama. Snopes noted that these channels, known for fictional content, included disclaimers admitting their videos were for “entertainment purposes only.” A related claim that Goldberg fled the country post-lawsuit was also debunked, part of a pattern targeting The View with fake lawsuits involving figures like Melania Trump and Carrie Underwood.

The hoax’s spread reflects a broader trend of misinformation exploiting political divides. X posts like @vaultus2250’s “Karoline Leavitt FINALLY WINS $800M Law Suit” and @judgejeaninne’s claim of Megyn Kelly’s support amplified the story, despite no evidence of Kelly’s involvement. The lack of mainstream coverage—CBS, NBC, and ABC remained silent—further fueled speculation, as seen in recent controversies like the The View cancellation hoax or Jamie Lee Curtis’s CBS allegations. A 2025 Gallup poll shows only 31% of Americans trust mainstream media, making platforms like X fertile ground for unverified claims.

Leavitt’s real legal battles add context. In February 2025, the Associated Press sued Leavitt, White House chief of staff Susan Wiles, and deputy chief Taylor Budowich over their exclusion from Trump events, citing First Amendment violations. Leavitt defended the move at CPAC, saying, “We are in the right,” and framing it as a stand for “truth and accuracy.” This lawsuit, reported by Daily Mail, contrasts with the fictional The View narrative, showing Leavitt’s willingness to engage in legal fights but not against ABC.

The View remains a lightning rod. Its 2024–2025 season, averaging 2.294 million viewers, thrives on controversy, with Behar’s Trump critiques and Goldberg’s social commentary drawing both praise and ire. The show’s summer hiatus, announced July 24, sparked a separate cancellation hoax, debunked by ABC’s confirmation of a September 2 return. The Leavitt rumor, while false, taps into real friction, as her December 2024 Fox News jab at the hosts’ “conspiracy theorist” label fueled conservative support.

The hoax’s emotional impact is undeniable. Fans of Leavitt celebrated a perceived victory, with one X user posting, “Karoline bankrupted The View—justice served!” Others, defending the show, called it “another AI lie to divide us.” The narrative’s collapse, confirmed by Lead Stories and The List, underscores the need for media literacy. Leavitt has not addressed the rumor, likely to avoid amplifying it, while The View’s hosts continue their unapologetic commentary. As one X user reflected, “No lawsuit, no $800M, just noise. Let’s focus on real issues.” The Leavitt-The View saga, though fictional, reveals a nation grappling with truth in a fractured media age.