Fact Check: Did Leavitt say Saudis can have nukes because they bring cash to Mar-a-Lago?
WASHINGTON, DC: After President Donald Trump announced a major update in the proposed nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia, a rumor is circulating on social media platforms claiming that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Saudis are allowed to do so because they bring cash to Mar-a-Lago. The claim has sparked speculation, needing a fact-check.
Claim: Karoline Leavitt said Saudis are allowed to have nukes because they bring cash to Mar-a-Lago
According to the viral claim that surfaced on X, Karoline Leavitt said, “The reason the Saudis are allowed to have nuclear weapons but not the Iranians is because the Saudis always remember to bring suitcases of cash to Mar-a-Lago and bought my new baby a Maserati."
"Plus Ivanka calls the Saudis 'my personal ATM.' What don't you understand?"
The alleged remark has drawn mockery and criticism from online users, while others interpreted it as a joke, indicating that they believe the remark to be authentic.
Fact Check: False, Karoline Leavitt made no such remark
The claim, however, is false, as there are no records of Leavitt making such a remark about the proposed nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia.
A search on Google for the quote yielded no relevant results from prominent news media outlets.
The account that posted the claim is not credible, and the post is likely intended as satire, made for the sake of engagement.
A fact check by Grok said, “No, Karoline Leavitt did not say that. The quote is satirical fiction from an X post by humorist Paul Rudnick, mocking Trump family's ties to Saudi Arabia amid the recent U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear deal."
"Leavitt has spoken about the deal (e.g., making it contingent on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords), but there is no record of her using this phrasing or anything similar.”
Donald Trump announces new terms for Saudi nuclear deal
The claim surfaced as Trump on Thursday, July 23, announced a major update in the proposed nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia, adding a new condition that was not there when the deal was announced.
The landmark 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the two nations allows American firms to build reactors and develop infrastructure in the kingdom.
According to a Truth Social post by Trump, there would be “no enrichment of material” under the agreement and the civil nuclear deal would not be approved until the kingdom normalizes its relationship with Israel.
The deal “which pertains only to non-military use” will be approved, "but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords."
