Trump tariffs: Internet finds White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a dress made in China

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a red and black lace dress, (right) the dress available on Chinese websites. (Image credit: @thinking_panda/X)

While the trade war between the US and China deepens, social media has become a battlefield with the Chinese and their supporters slamming one blow after the other on the US. The recent attack involves White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt as social media users spotted her wearing a dress that was apparently manufactured in China.

Netizens shared photos of a red and black lace dress that Leavitt was seen wearing to an identical one available on Chinese websites. While it is not clear whether she was indeed wearing a dress made in China, social media users were divided into two groups: one believed that the dress available on the Chinese website was a copy, the other criticised Leavitt for slamming China while wearing their products.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blames Made in China while wearing a beautiful lace dress Made in China.Blaming Made in China is her job, enjoying Made in China is her life. pic.twitter.com/804FQglSoO
ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) April 14, 2025

"Fake news. She's wearing the French original whereas the advert shows a Chinese copy. It's funny indeed, but the spin of the tweet is dishonest," wrote Victor The Cleaner (@VictorTheClean3) on X. "China steals everything. Probably a copy," added Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden).

On the other hand, another X user Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) commented, "Leavitt slams Made in China while rocking a Chinese-made dress, hypocrisy much? Tariffs hit hard, but her wardrobe says she’s all for it. Classic politician move: blame China, but keep the cheap goods." "Trump branded merchandise that MAGA ppl love are mostly Made in China, so it comes as no surprise that the spokes woman wears Chinese outfits," added NerdTech (@nerdtechgasm).

A Chinese news channel has disclosed that a Chinese factory has been churning up merchandise for Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) campaign since 2016. China 24 stated that the products "highlighted a paradox in China-US relations under the current [US President Donald] Trump administration". It also claimed that business for the factories has been good due to Trump's campaign while adding a clip from his 2016 campaign where Trump urged voters at a rally to "buy American and hire American."