Trump battled ‘evil forces’ on campaign trail in ‘spiritual warfare,’ Karoline Leavitt says

New York Post - Apr 1st, 2025
Open on New York Post

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claims that 'evil forces' targeted President Trump during his campaign, asserting that divine intervention saved him during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13th. Leavitt, in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, emphasized her belief in 'spiritual warfare,' suggesting that Trump's survival was a miraculous event, underscoring a greater purpose for his presence in the current political landscape.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions and security concerns surrounding political figures in the United States. Leavitt's remarks also reflect the intersection of faith and politics, as well as the narrative of spiritual conflict influencing public perception. This development could potentially impact Trump's political strategy and rally support among religious constituents, while also raising questions about the role of divine providence in political affairs.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

3.4
Unfair Story
Approach with caution

The story presents a sensational narrative centered around Karoline Leavitt's personal beliefs and unverified claims about an assassination attempt on President Trump. While it touches on topics of public interest and has the potential to engage certain audiences, its overall quality is undermined by a lack of factual accuracy, source reliability, and balanced perspectives. The reliance on a single source and the absence of corroborating evidence diminish its credibility and impact. The story's potential to provoke controversy is notable, but its ability to drive meaningful discussion or influence public opinion is limited by its deficiencies in accuracy and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

4
Accuracy

The story contains several factual claims that require scrutiny. The claim about Karoline Leavitt being the White House press secretary is accurate, but the assertion that President Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, is misleading. There is no verified report of such an incident occurring on July 13th or any other date. The statement about 'evil forces' and Trump being 'saved by the grace of God' are subjective beliefs rather than verifiable facts. These elements significantly undermine the story's accuracy. The lack of source support for the assassination claim is a critical flaw, as it is a significant event that would require substantial evidence and corroboration from credible sources.

3
Balance

The story lacks balance as it predominantly presents a singular perspective—that of Karoline Leavitt—without offering alternative viewpoints or counterarguments. The narrative is heavily influenced by Leavitt's personal beliefs and interpretations, which are not adequately challenged or balanced by other perspectives. This one-sided approach may lead readers to perceive bias, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation or include voices that might disagree with or contextualize Leavitt's claims.

5
Clarity

The story is relatively clear in its presentation of Leavitt's statements, but it lacks logical flow and structure. The narrative jumps from discussing 'evil forces' to an unverified assassination attempt without adequately connecting these elements or providing a coherent storyline. The language used is straightforward, but the lack of supporting evidence and context affects the overall clarity and comprehension of the story.

2
Source quality

The story relies solely on statements made by Karoline Leavitt, without citing any additional sources or evidence to support the claims made. This reliance on a single source, especially one with a vested interest in promoting a particular narrative, raises concerns about source credibility and reliability. The lack of attribution to other authoritative voices or corroborating evidence diminishes the story's overall credibility and impartiality.

3
Transparency

The story lacks transparency in its presentation of facts and context. It does not provide sufficient background information or context about the alleged assassination attempt, nor does it explain the basis for Leavitt's claims about 'evil forces' and divine intervention. Without clear explanations or disclosures regarding the methodology behind these claims, readers are left with an incomplete understanding of the situation and the factors influencing the narrative.

Sources

  1. http://kelly.house.gov/media/press-releases/task-force-interim-staff-report-chronicles-stunning-security-failures-and-key
  2. https://www.fbi.gov/news/speeches-and-testimony/remarks-to-media-on-the-butler-pennsylvania-assassination-attempt-08282024
  3. https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2024/12/3-key-findings-trump-assassination-attempt-butler/401632/
  4. http://kelly.house.gov/resources/task-force-attempted-assassination-donald-j-trump