MSNBC analyst claims Americans were ‘not smart enough’ to stop Karoline Leavitt’s rise to the White House

MSNBC commentator and former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill sparked intense backlash this week after suggesting during a live panel that the American electorate was “not smart enough” to stop Karoline Leavitt from reaching one of the highest positions in American government.

McCaskill made the controversial comment during Monday’s edition of Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace, where the discussion centered on Leavitt’s growing political influence, her fiercely loyal voter base, and what MSNBC panelists described as the “dangerous normalization of political extremism.”

Speaking alongside Charlotte Howard, Executive Editor of The Economist, and Bloomberg’s David Gura, McCaskill reacted to a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed praising American voters for seeing through political “noise” and electing leaders who reflect their values.

Her response stunned many.

“Well, the Wall Street Journal may think Americans are smart enough to know better,” McCaskill said.
“But clearly, they weren’t smart enough to stop Karoline Leavitt.”

“She’s Not Qualified. She’s Just Loud.”

The panel, which aired live on MSNBC’s prime block, continued as McCaskill doubled down on her criticism—arguing that Leavitt’s rise to national prominence had less to do with merit and more to do with media exposure and partisan loyalty.

“She didn’t climb the ladder. She was lifted by a machine,” McCaskill claimed.
“This idea that some 27-year-old, just because she’s good on camera, should be shaping national narratives? That’s not leadership. That’s branding.”

Her remarks immediately drew sharp reactions across the political spectrum—and particularly among conservative voters, many of whom see Leavitt as a generational talent and a rare voice in the White House willing to challenge legacy media directly.

Leavitt’s Camp Fires Back: “These Elites Still Don’t Get It”

While Karoline Leavitt herself did not respond directly on-air, a spokesperson from her communications office issued a statement just hours after the clip went viral:

“This isn’t about Karoline. This is about every American who’s been told they’re too dumb, too backwards, or too uninformed to participate in democracy.
Once again, coastal elites like Claire McCaskill are saying the quiet part out loud.”

The statement called McCaskill’s language “offensive and revealing,” adding:

“They don’t hate Karoline Leavitt because she’s wrong. They hate her because she’s winning—without their permission.”

Voter Reactions: “We’re Not Stupid. We’re Just Sick of Being Ignored.”

On social media, the response was fast and furious. Conservative pundits like Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly criticized McCaskill’s comments as “elitist” and “dangerously dismissive of the very voters her party claims to represent.”

A clip of the moment, posted by X user @RightSideFocus, racked up over 6 million views within 24 hours. One viewer wrote:

“She didn’t just insult Karoline Leavitt. She insulted every American who voted for her or supports her message.”

Even some moderate Democrats expressed concern over McCaskill’s rhetoric, with one former Obama advisor telling The Hill anonymously:

“You don’t win back independents by calling them stupid.”

A Pattern of Disdain?

This is not the first time McCaskill has faced criticism for comments seen as dismissive of voters outside traditional Democratic strongholds.

In 2020, she drew ire for questioning the values of working-class Missourians. In 2018, she lost her Senate seat to Republican Josh Hawley—a race many analysts say was influenced in part by her inability to connect with rural and suburban voters.

“Claire McCaskill lost her state and learned nothing,” one National Review columnist wrote this week.
“And now she’s blaming the rest of the country for doing what her own constituents did years ago.”

Who Is Karoline Leavitt—and Why Does She Trigger the Left?

Karoline Leavitt, now 27, has risen from obscure Trump press aide to the youngest-ever White House Press Secretary, and perhaps one of the most compelling conservative communicators of her generation.

Her press briefings routinely go viral, not for gaffes or drama, but for her disciplined dismantling of hostile media narratives. She’s been praised for her quick command of facts, refusal to pander, and ability to hold her own against more experienced journalists.

To her supporters, she’s not just the face of the administration—she’s the future of the Republican Party.

To her critics, she’s “dangerous”—because she’s good.

“She’s articulate. She’s media-savvy. And she’s not afraid,” said one former Bush speechwriter.
“That combination makes her terrifying to a media class used to controlling the conversation.”

From Briefings to Bookstores?

Leavitt is rumored to be shopping a memoir, with working titles like Unfiltered or Permission Not Granted floating in insider circles. She’s also reportedly in talks to guest-host a primetime news special later this summer.

And while she’s denied interest in elected office “for now,” her name has already appeared on 2028 VP shortlists circulated in conservative donor circles.

If McCaskill’s goal was to minimize her impact—it may have done the opposite.

Final Thoughts: Who Decides Who Deserves Power?

At its core, this controversy isn’t just about two women on opposite sides of the aisle.

It’s about who gets to define competence—and who gets dismissed by default.

“If voters choose someone, and the elite class calls them stupid for doing so—who’s really out of touch?” asked columnist Mollie Hemingway.

McCaskill may have expected applause from her MSNBC audience.

But across the country, the backlash was clear:

Karoline Leavitt didn’t sneak into power. She was sent there—by voters tired of being underestimated.

And for those voters, McCaskill’s comment didn’t hurt Leavitt.

It proved her point.

Karoline Leavitt Responds: “Some Voices Yell. I Just Show Up.”

When asked about Claire McCaskill’s comments during a scheduled press availability at the White House, Karoline Leavitt didn’t raise her voice—or take the bait.

Instead, she offered a brief, measured response that drew applause from across the aisle for its restraint and precision:

“You know, I’ve learned something in this job: some people try to change minds by yelling. I try to do it by showing up, doing the work, and speaking directly to the American people.”

She added, with a soft smile:

“I don’t need to prove I’m smart. I just need to be honest—and consistent. Voters can decide for themselves who respects them.”

The room fell briefly silent before reporters shifted to the next question.

Her answer—polished yet deeply human—was quickly shared across conservative and centrist media outlets. Political analyst Kristen Soltis Anderson called it:

“The kind of reply that shows confidence, not defensiveness. A subtle masterclass in letting someone else overplay their hand.”

Even some progressive commentators acknowledged the strength of her approach.

“She didn’t go nuclear. She didn’t whine. She just reminded everyone she’s already in the room,” one journalist posted on X.
“That’s how you win arguments in 2025.”

Leavitt’s quiet composure stood in contrast to the combative tone that sparked the controversy in the first place—offering what many called “a reminder that dignity still resonates.”

Editor’s Note: McCaskill’s original comments were directed at Donald Trump. This piece explores their cultural relevance in the context of rising figures like Karoline Leavitt.