Karoline Leavitt shares post calling Minneapolis shooting work of ‘demonic forces’

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared an Instagram post urging prayers for victims of last week’s Minneapolis church shooting that killed two children.

Critics quickly noted that the original post, from conservative lifestyle magazine 'The Conservateur', described the attack as the work of a “demonic force.”

Karoline Leavitt urges public to pray for victims of Minneapolis church shooting

Karoline Leavitt reposted 'The Conservateur’s message, which read in part, “There is a demonic force moving when a transgender maniac sprays bullets at pews of Catholic school children. Shame on the progressive leaders and lawmakers who make this about the man in the White House, the second amendment, or so-called trans bigotry.”

The post added, “This is a corruption of minds to commit horrific acts of violence. We pray for the victims, their families, and the entire Annunciation community during this grueling time. And yes, prayers do count and do work.”

The language mirrors talking points widely circulated by Trump allies and right-wing commentators following the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.

Transgender identity of shooter sparks MAGA backlash

FBI Director Kash Patel identified shooter Robin Westman as male, though court filings showed they had previously sought to change their name and identify as female. That discovery led to claims by MAGA supporters that transgender people pose a unique threat.

Commentator Matt Walsh posted on X, “The trans agenda is losing. They’re losing on every playing field, in every area of American life. We’ve defeated them politically. We’ve defeated them culturally. But understand this: now is precisely the moment when trans militants are the MOST dangerous. They’ve lost. The game is over. Now they’re more desperate than ever. More full of hatred and anger than ever. They’re going down but they’ll take as many sane, normal people with them as they can. It’s going to get worse from here. Be on your guard.”

Bo Loudon, a close friend of Barron Trump, tweeted, “America does NOT have a ‘gun problem.’ America HAS a transgender problem. Transgenderism needs to be labeled as a MENTAL ILLNESS!”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the shooter was a 23-year-old “claiming to be transgender,” saying the attacker targeted children during their first morning Mass. According to her statement, the suspect had scrawled messages including “For the Children,” “Where is your God?” and “Kill Donald Trump” on a rifle magazine.

“This level of violence is unthinkable. Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere. We mourn with them, we pray for healing, and we will never forget them,” Noem said.

Data contradicts claims of transgender link to mass shootings

Despite assertions from conservative commentators, research does not support claims that transgender people are disproportionately responsible for mass shootings.

A Violence Prevention Project report found only one transgender shooter among more than 200 incidents between 1999 and 2024, Audrey Hale, who killed six people in a 2023 Nashville school shooting. Of the remaining perpetrators, 192 were men.