A Fabricated Firestorm: The Karoline Leavitt and Brittney Griner Controversy

Just hours ago, a viral social media post claimed that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ignited a firestorm by allegedly calling WNBA star Brittney Griner a derogatory term after “discovering the truth about her gender.” The post, which exploded across platforms like Facebook and Threads, further alleged that the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced mandatory sex testing for all players starting next season, a decision purportedly tied to discussions about gender identity and inclusivity in women’s sports. The claim, which garnered over 69,000 reactions and 18,000 comments on a single Facebook post, suggested that Griner, a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, would be barred from competition until undergoing testing. However, a thorough investigation reveals this story to be a baseless fabrication, designed to inflame controversy and generate ad revenue, with no evidence supporting Leavitt’s alleged remarks or the WNBA’s supposed policy change.

Brittney Griner, a 34-year-old three-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time WNBA All-Star, has long been a target of speculation about her gender due to her 6-foot-9 stature, deep voice, and unconventional appearance. Born on October 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, Griner rose to fame as the nation’s top high school women’s basketball player in 2009, later leading Baylor University to a national championship in 2012. Her professional career with the Phoenix Mercury and, more recently, the Atlanta Dream has been marked by athletic dominance and off-court advocacy. Griner, who is openly gay, has spoken candidly about the bullying she faced for her physical appearance, including being mistaken for a male since childhood. In a 2015 ESPN Magazine Body Issue feature, she addressed these rumors head-on, saying, “I’ve heard, ‘Oh, she’s not a female, she’s a male.’ I just want people to see somebody who embraces being different.” Her 2024 memoir, Coming Home, further detailed her struggles with body image and the emotional toll of public scrutiny, particularly after her 2022 detention in Russia for drug charges.

The viral claim originated from a post on the “Today in America” Facebook page on August 1, 2025, which linked to a blog article lacking credible sources. The post’s sensational headline—“THIS JUST HAPPENED: Karoline Leavitt calls Brittney Griner a ‘sh!t’ after discovering the truth about her gender”—was amplified by similar posts on Threads and other platforms, some featuring AI-generated images or videos to lend false authenticity. Fact-checking outlets like Snopes and Reuters have debunked the story, finding no evidence from reputable news sources, such as CNN, ESPN, or The New York Times, to support claims of Leavitt’s remarks or a WNBA policy shift. The White House dismissed the story as “obviously fake” in an email to Snopes, and the WNBA has not issued any statement regarding mandatory sex testing, a policy that would likely dominate sports media if true. Investigations traced the rumor to a network of clickbait blogs, some operated from Vietnam, designed to exploit divisive issues for ad revenue.

Karoline Leavitt, the 28-year-old White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump’s second term, has been a polarizing figure known for her combative defense of the administration. However, no public record exists of her making such a statement about Griner. The claim’s timing aligns with broader cultural debates about gender in sports, fueled by high-profile cases like Lia Thomas in swimming. Critics of the rumor argue it exploits Griner’s visibility as a lesbian athlete and her history of enduring transphobic speculation. In 2022, similar false claims surfaced, alleging Russian authorities ordered a DNA test to determine Griner’s prison placement, which PolitiFact and Newsweek debunked, noting her pre-trial detention in a women’s facility and her birth certificate confirming her biological female status.

The fabricated story has sparked heated reactions online, with some users on X and Facebook amplifying the misinformation, while others, including Griner’s supporters, condemned it as a cruel attack on her identity. Griner’s response, though not directly quoted in the viral posts, aligns with her past resilience. In a 2025 Good Morning America interview, she said, “The way people talk about my voice… it’s like a punch in the gut every time. I’m done apologizing for that.” The controversy underscores the persistent challenges faced by athletes who defy traditional gender norms, with Griner’s deep voice and flat-chested physique often weaponized by detractors. Yet, her achievements—two Olympic golds, a WNBA championship, and a Nike endorsement as the first openly gay athlete signed by the brand—speak to her strength and authenticity.

This incident highlights the dangers of misinformation in the digital age, where sensational headlines can spread faster than facts. The WNBA, a league with significant representation of lesbian and bisexual players, as noted in a 2022 ResearchGate study, continues to navigate complex discussions about inclusivity. For Griner, the rumor is another chapter in a lifelong battle against prejudice, one she has faced with unapologetic pride. As the dust settles, the absence of credible evidence leaves this story as a cautionary tale of how lies can overshadow truth, threatening the integrity of public discourse and the dignity of individuals like Griner who have already endured so much.