SHOCKING! KAROLINE LEAVITT’S ALLEGED SLAM ON BRITTNEY GRINER SPARKS WNBA CONTROVERSY, FUELING WILD RUMORS OF MANDATORY TESTING AND SENDING SOCIAL MEDIA INTO A FRENZY!

In a whirlwind of controversy that has rocked the sports world, a viral rumor alleging that Karoline Leavitt, a prominent political figure and former Trump administration spokesperson, insulted WNBA star Brittney Griner with a derogatory term has ignited a firestorm across social media and beyond. The unverified claim, which surfaced on August 1, 2025, via a now-debunked Facebook post by the “Today in America” page, suggested Leavitt called Griner a “sh!t” while questioning her gender, prompting widespread outrage and speculation about the WNBA implementing mandatory sex testing for the 2026 season. Despite swift denials from credible sources, including the White House and Snopes, the rumor has fueled heated debates, with X posts exploding with reactions like “Leavitt’s out of line!” and “WNBA testing? This is wild!” The fallout has sent shockwaves through the basketball community, raising questions about truth, misinformation, and inclusivity in women’s sports.

The controversy began when the “Today in America” Facebook post, which garnered over 500,000 views, falsely claimed Leavitt made the inflammatory remark during a public appearance, tying it to a supposed WNBA announcement about mandatory sex testing for all players starting next season. The post, lacking any verifiable evidence, was quickly amplified by X users, with some accusing Leavitt of targeting Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury star, over her gender identity. Others speculated about the WNBA’s alleged policy shift, with one X post reading, “If the WNBA starts testing, it’s a slippery slope—Griner’s caught in the crossfire!” However, Snopes debunked the claim on August 3, 2025, labeling it “false” and noting no record of Leavitt’s alleged comment exists. The White House issued a statement calling the rumor “obviously fake,” while the WNBA confirmed to MEAWW News that no such testing policy is planned.

Despite the debunking, the rumor’s viral spread has kept the controversy alive, with Leavitt’s silence on the matter adding fuel to the fire. Known for her outspoken conservative views, Leavitt has not publicly addressed the alleged slur, though sources close to her team told NBC News that she considers the claim “baseless” and a “distraction from real issues.” Meanwhile, Griner, who faced intense scrutiny during her 2022 detention in Russia, has remained focused on her season, averaging 18.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, per ESPN. Her supporters have rallied on X, with one user posting, “Brittney’s a champ—Leavitt’s rumor is just noise!” The controversy has reignited debates about gender inclusivity in sports, with some fans praising Griner’s resilience and others questioning the motives behind the rumor.

The alleged WNBA testing policy, though debunked, has sparked its own wave of speculation. Posts on X have drawn parallels to past controversies, like the 2009 gender verification debate surrounding South African runner Caster Semenya, with one user writing, “The WNBA rumor feels like a repeat of old attacks on athletes’ identities.” Experts cited by The Athletic argue that such rumors exploit sensitive issues to sow division, noting that the WNBA has championed inclusivity, with policies supporting transgender athletes since 2015. The league’s silence on the testing rumor, beyond denying its validity, has left some fans frustrated, with one X post demanding, “WNBA, clear this up for real!”

The social media frenzy has been relentless, with #GrinerRumor and #WNBATesting trending on X. Clips from the original Facebook post, though flagged as misinformation, continue to circulate, amassing millions of views. Fans have divided into camps, with some defending Griner’s legacy—she’s a nine-time All-Star and led the Mercury to a 2014 championship—while others fuel the rumor mill, speculating about Leavitt’s intentions. “This is just politics invading sports,” one X user wrote, while another countered, “Griner’s been through enough—leave her alone!” The controversy has also drawn attention to Leavitt’s rising profile, with Fox News noting her growing influence in conservative circles, which may have made her a target for fabricated stories.

As the dust settles, the lack of evidence has done little to quell the online storm. The WNBA, preparing for its 2026 season, faces pressure to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity, while Griner continues to let her game speak, with a standout performance in a recent win against the Chicago Sky. Leavitt, meanwhile, remains a polarizing figure, with her alleged remark—though unproven—casting a shadow over her public image. The episode underscores the power of misinformation in the digital age, with one CNN analyst noting, “A single post can spark chaos, and the truth struggles to catch up.” For now, the WNBA and its fans are left navigating a controversy that, while baseless, has exposed deep divides in sports and society.