In a story that has taken social media by storm, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been thrust into the spotlight for an alleged incident at a high-end Washington, D.C., restaurant, where she was reportedly mocked for flashing an American Express Black Card to pay her bill. According to viral YouTube videos and X posts, the mockery prompted Leavitt to abruptly cancel a $1.8 billion trade deal in a dramatic display of Trump administration bravado. The narrative, splashed across headlines like “Karoline Leavitt HUMILIATED at Restaurant, Cancels $1.8B Deal in SECONDS,” has captivated audiences, with supporters cheering her decisiveness and critics decrying her as impulsive. Yet, with no credible evidence to substantiate the incident, the story appears to be another chapter in the saga of fabricated tales surrounding Leavitt. What’s behind this viral rumor, and what does it reveal about the intersection of politics, media, and misinformation in 2025?

The Viral Claim: A Restaurant Ruckus and a Billion-Dollar Decision

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in early June 2025 at Le Diplomate, a chic French brasserie frequented by D.C.’s political elite. According to a YouTube video posted on June 5, 2025, titled “Karoline Leavitt MOCKED for Black Card, CANCELS $1.8B Deal on the Spot!”, Leavitt was dining with a group of administration officials when she attempted to pay the bill with her American Express Black Card, a status symbol reserved for the ultra-wealthy. The server, described as a “snarky liberal,” allegedly laughed and remarked, “What, did Trump give you that card to flex his tariffs?” The comment, per the video, infuriated Leavitt, who stormed out and, within hours, announced the cancellation of a $1.8 billion trade deal with an unspecified country.

X posts amplified the story, with one user claiming, “Karoline Leavitt showed them who’s boss! Mocked for her black card, she canceled a $1.8B deal to prove America’s strength. #MAGA.” Another post included a grainy photo purportedly showing Leavitt exiting the restaurant, captioned, “Don’t mess with Karoline—she’ll tank your economy!” The narrative suggested the deal was linked to Trump’s ongoing tariff negotiations, possibly with a European nation or Canada, given Leavitt’s prior comments accusing Canada of “ripping off” the U.S.

The story’s appeal lies in its portrayal of Leavitt as a loyal defender of Trump’s “America First” agenda, wielding economic power to retaliate against perceived slights. However, a closer look reveals significant holes. No mainstream outlet—AP, Reuters, or The New York Times—has reported the incident, and searches of Leavitt’s public statements and White House press briefings show no mention of a $1.8 billion deal being canceled in June 2025. The YouTube videos exhibit signs of AI-generated content, with unnatural voiceovers and visual distortions, similar to debunked claims about Leavitt suing The View for $800 million or clashing with Stephen Colbert.

Leavitt’s Role and the Trade Deal Context

Karoline Leavitt, appointed White House Press Secretary in January 2025 at age 27, has become a polarizing figure in Trump’s second term. Known for her combative press briefings, she has defended controversial policies, including Trump’s tariffs and mass deportation efforts under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Her tenure has been marked by gaffes and fact-checks, such as her March 2025 claim that tariffs are a “tax cut for the American people,” which was debunked by economists who note tariffs raise consumer prices. She also faced mockery for insisting courts have “no role” in blocking Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, despite constitutional checks granting Congress trade authority.

The $1.8 billion deal referenced in the rumor lacks specificity but could be tied to Trump’s broader trade agenda. In June 2025, Reuters reported that the administration sent letters to trading partners, urging them to submit tariff negotiation proposals by a deadline, a move Leavitt described as a “friendly reminder.” This followed Trump’s April 2025 suspension of most “reciprocal” tariffs (except those on China) after market turmoil and GOP warnings of economic fallout. The administration has secured only one concrete trade deal, with the U.K., while talks with China stalled publicly. A $1.8 billion deal cancellation would likely involve a significant partner, but no such event aligns with the restaurant incident timeline.

The black card detail adds intrigue but is plausible only in a symbolic sense. An American Express Black Card, with its $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee, is a status symbol, but no evidence confirms Leavitt owns one. The rumor may draw from her public image as a polished, Trump-aligned figure, juxtaposed with the narrative of a liberal server’s mockery to fuel partisan outrage.

Fact-Checking the Narrative

The story’s lack of corroboration places it alongside other Leavitt-related fabrications. Snopes debunked a May 2025 claim that Leavitt won an $800 million lawsuit against The View, noting that YouTube channels like MagnetTV GENIUS DATA peddle fictional tales about public figures, often using AI-generated visuals. Similarly, a February 2025 Facebook video falsely claimed Leavitt announced a $4,800 subsidy from Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, rated “False” by PolitiFact due to altered footage. The restaurant story follows this pattern, with YouTube videos citing unnamed “insiders” and lacking verifiable details like the deal’s country or terms.

The mockery element may stem from real-world criticism of Leavitt. In May 2025, TikTok trolls targeted her with videos overlaying OutKast’s “Roses,” mocking her as “Caroline” and calling her derogatory names, reflecting her unpopularity among some online communities. Her March 2025 gaffe, claiming Trump’s DOJ would focus on “fighting law and order” instead of “for law and order,” drew social media ridicule, with users joking it revealed the administration’s true intent. These incidents could have inspired the restaurant narrative, exaggerating public disdain into a dramatic confrontation.

Reimagining the Incident: A Plausible Scenario

While the story is likely fabricated, let’s imagine a scenario grounded in Leavitt’s reality. Picture Leavitt dining at Le Diplomate with trade advisors, discussing Trump’s tariff strategy amid stalled negotiations with the European Union. As she pays the bill—perhaps with a corporate card, not a black one—a server makes a snide remark about Trump’s tariffs raising menu prices, referencing real-world complaints from California vendors facing 23% import charges. Leavitt, known for snapping at reporters who challenge her, responds sharply, “Maybe you should thank the president for protecting American jobs.” The exchange, overheard by a patron, gets embellished on X as a full-blown humiliation involving a black card.

In this scenario, Leavitt doesn’t cancel a $1.8 billion deal—such decisions are far above her paygrade—but the rumor could tie to a real trade development. Suppose the EU, frustrated by Trump’s tariff threats, delays a $1.8 billion agricultural export agreement. A partisan YouTuber, seizing on the restaurant story, conflates the two, claiming Leavitt’s “humiliation” spurred her to influence Trump’s trade team. The narrative snowballs, fueled by Leavitt’s history of defending Trump’s dealmaking, as when she cited The Art of the Deal to justify his tariff reversals.

Public Reaction and Fallout

Had the incident occurred, reactions would likely split along partisan lines. MAGA supporters would celebrate Leavitt as a patriot who stood up to liberal elitism, with X posts like “Karoline Leavitt just owned that D.C. snob and saved America billions!” Conservative outlets like Fox News might frame her as embodying Trump’s “no-nonsense” ethos, ignoring the deal’s economic implications. Critics, however, would slam her as reckless, with Bluesky users joking, “Canceling a $1.8B deal over a waiter? That’s Trump’s Art of the Deal alright—lose big, cry loud.”

Mainstream media would likely focus on the deal’s cancellation, not the restaurant anecdote. Economists, like those at the Tax Foundation who criticized Leavitt’s tariff claims, would warn of job losses or higher consumer prices, citing the 2025 market slump triggered by Trump’s tariff policies. Leavitt’s credibility, already bruised by fact-checks on fraud figures and constitutional missteps, would take another hit.

The Bigger Picture: Misinformation and Political Theater

The black card rumor reflects the era’s volatile media landscape, where unverified stories thrive on outrage. Leavitt, a young, outspoken figure, is a perfect target for such narratives, as seen in debunked tales of her suing The View or being trolled on TikTok. The story taps into real tensions—her defense of tariffs, public disdain for her combative style, and Trump’s faltering trade agenda—but exaggerates them into a cinematic showdown. AI-generated content, with its ability to mimic credible visuals, amplifies these tales, blurring fact and fiction.

For Leavitt, the rumor underscores the challenges of her role. Her March 2025 decision to skip the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, citing the press pool’s “monopoly,” alienated legacy media, making her a magnet for online attacks. Yet her loyalty to Trump, evident in her blistering critiques of USAID spending or tariff defenses, cements her as a MAGA star. Whether navigating restaurant rumors or trade controversies, Leavitt remains a lightning rod, embodying the divisive spirit of Trump’s second term.

The $1.8 billion deal cancellation, like the black card itself, is likely a myth. But in a world where narratives outpace facts, the story reveals more about America’s polarized psyche than about Leavitt herself. As viral tales continue to shape perceptions, one thing is clear: in D.C.’s high-stakes game, even a restaurant bill can spark a billion-dollar rumor.