White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is no stranger to criticism, with opponents accusing her of spreading propaganda for President Donald Trump. But on Wednesday, social media users claimed she went a step further; this time with her wardrobe.
During a White House press briefing, some observers noted that Leavitt’s outfit bore a striking resemblance to the iconic clothing of Ri Chun-hee, the long-time North Korean state TV anchor. Ri is famous for her dramatic, highly theatrical broadcasts defending dictator Kim Jong Un, and clips of her passionate delivery have become viral hits online over the years.
The comparison focused largely on the colour of Leavitt’s outfit, which appeared nearly identical to Ri’s signature look. According to HuffPost, social media users were quick to react, turning the resemblance into a flood of jokes and memes.
The outfit sparked a wave of online jokes and comparisons
Journalist Aaron Rupar posted on X, , saying “Leavitt was wearing Ri Chun-hee’s outfit today.” His post got more than 300,000 views. Writer Hemant Mehta added that the color choice didn’t help while Leavitt was making her statements.
Some users took the comparison even further, sharing edited images that appeared to show Leavitt in Ri’s full ensemble. Others pointed out similarities in messaging style, noting that Leavitt’s statements on behalf of President Donald Trump sometimes mirrored the dramatic, propagandistic delivery associated with the North Korean anchor. The administration has faced growing criticism over Trump’s controversial trade deal negotiations recently.
The timing also added fuel to the fire: Leavitt recently announced she is expecting her second child, and the administration is facing mounting criticism over Trump’s controversial trade deal negotiations.
Some also joked that Leavitt cannot match the charm of Chun-hee even if she tried her best. “Leavitt can try as hard as she likes, but she will never be as cool as Chun-hee or have the gravitas that she brings to her role as her Dear Leader’s fan #1,” one person wrote.
“She can copy her outfit, but can never get her grace, screenpower and adorability, another person wrote. Another user joked that the outfit resembled Marge Simpson’s and quipped that North Koreans seem to enjoy more rights than Americans these days.
“That’s the Marge Simpson outfit clearly. And don’t disparage the dprk. People there have more rights than they do in America,” they wrote.
The jokes and comparisons spread quickly across social media platforms. People continued to share images and comments about the outfit throughout the day. The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns about how the White House communicates with the public. This comes as Trump’s threats escalate into military action in other areas.
Published: Jan 8, 2026 01:59 pm