Muhammad Amanullah | August 16, 2026
The True Post — The resignation of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has taken a new turn after Iran’s embassy in South Africa made a controversial claim about why she decided to leave the position.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Leavitt would step down as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her family. Leavitt recently returned from maternity leave after giving birth to her second child. She described the decision as difficult but said balancing the demanding White House job with family life had become an important consideration. (Al Jazeera)
However, Iran’s embassy in South Africa has promoted a different explanation, claiming that Leavitt left because she felt betrayed and disappointed by Trump.
Iran’s Embassy Makes a Sharp Claim
The Iranian embassy questioned the publicly stated reason for Leavitt’s departure and suggested that her resignation was connected to an alleged incident involving Trump’s departure from Turkey.
The embassy shared a picture of Leavitt and used strongly worded language to suggest that she had been left in a dangerous situation while Trump attempted to protect himself.
The claim has circulated widely online, with some social media users linking it to reports and speculation surrounding an alleged “decoy plane” operation involving Trump.
However, there is no independent confirmation that Leavitt resigned because of such an incident. Forbes reported that the claim was being pushed by an Iranian embassy but noted that it was unlikely Leavitt had actually been on the aircraft described as the decoy flight. (Forbes)
What Did the White House Say?
The claim promoted by the Iranian embassy conflicts with the official explanation for Leavitt’s departure.
Trump announced that Leavitt was leaving the press secretary position to spend more time with her family. She is also expected to remain connected to Trump as an outside adviser and influential Republican figure. (AP News)
Reports also indicate that Leavitt’s decision came after returning to work following the birth of her second child. The 28-year-old press secretary had previously become the youngest person to hold the position in U.S. history. (AP News)
The “Decoy Plane” Controversy
The Iranian claim appears to be connected to a story circulating about Trump’s departure from Turkey.
According to reports, the theory suggests that Trump used a different aircraft or departure arrangement to avoid a potential threat, leading to speculation online about whether other officials were left behind.
Iran’s embassy used the alleged incident to suggest that Leavitt felt betrayed by her boss.
However, the available reporting does not establish that Leavitt was on the aircraft involved or that the alleged incident caused her resignation. (Forbes)
Leavitt’s Relationship With Trump
Leavitt has been one of the most prominent defenders of Trump and played a major role in communicating his administration’s policies to the media.
Trump has publicly praised her work and, following the announcement of her departure, indicated that she would remain an important political ally.
Her departure therefore does not currently appear to represent a formal political break with the president.
Why Is Her Resignation Significant?
Leavitt’s departure is notable because she has been a central figure in Trump’s communications operation since the beginning of his second administration.
She became White House press secretary in January 2025 and made history as the youngest person ever to hold the position. She also returned to work relatively soon after the birth of her first child and later became the first pregnant White House press secretary. (Wikipedia)
Her decision to step down has consequently generated considerable interest, particularly because she had remained closely aligned with Trump throughout her tenure.
Iran’s Claim Remains Unverified
The Iranian embassy’s claim has added a new layer to the controversy surrounding Leavitt’s resignation, but it is important to distinguish between an allegation and an established fact.
The publicly reported explanation remains that Leavitt is leaving to focus more on her young family, while Iran has promoted an alternative theory involving an alleged falling-out with Trump.
At present, there is no independent evidence establishing that Trump’s alleged departure from Turkey or a personal disagreement with Leavitt was the reason for her resignation. (AP News)
The controversy is likely to continue as more details emerge about Leavitt’s departure and the events surrounding Trump’s reported trip to Turkey.
