Jake Tapper Slams White House Press Secretary Over Trump’s Greenland–Iceland Mix-Up
CNN anchor Jake Tapper publicly criticized White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt after she defended former President Donald Trump following his apparent mix-up between Greenland and Iceland during a World Economic Forum appearance.
Tapper addressed the issue on social media, calling out what he described as “lies” from the press secretary. He emphasized that Leavitt’s salary is funded by American taxpayers, adding to his frustration over what he viewed as an unnecessary defense of an obvious mistake.
“OK, right, you know that was filmed, right?” Tapper said directly to the camera in a pointed response. To support his claim, he played video footage showing Trump clearly saying “Iceland” three separate times while referring to Greenland.
The CNN host went further, comparing Leavitt’s defense to a famous quote from George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Tapper cited the line: “The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential demand.”
“We don’t have to reject the evidence of our eyes and ears,” Tapper said. “We know that he confused Greenland with Iceland. I mean, you can lie to us if you want, but I don’t know why it’s worth it.”
The exchange quickly gained attention online, sparking debate over transparency, accountability, and the role of press secretaries in defending political figures. Critics argue that attempting to explain away clear, recorded statements only undermines public trust, while supporters of the administration claim the controversy is being exaggerated.
As the clip continues to circulate, the moment has become another flashpoint in the ongoing tension between the media and the White House—raising broader questions about truth, messaging, and credibility in modern political communication.
