Leavitt Slams ABC News for False Iran Threat Warning on West Coast, Demands Retraction
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a sharp rebuke of ABC News after the network published a story suggesting an Iranian threat to the United States.
She condemned the coverage as alarmist and misleading, noting that it was not confirmed.
“This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people,” Leavitt wrote on X Thursday morning.
She explained that the story was “based on one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip.”
“The email even states the tip was based on unverified intelligence,” she continued. “Yet ABC News left out this critical fact in their story! WHY?”
Leavitt made clear that there is no credible Iranian threat to the homeland.
“TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” she emphasized, insisting that responsible reporting must distinguish between speculation and verified intelligence.
The White House criticized the network for creating unnecessary panic, arguing that Americans deserve accurate information, especially on matters of national security.
ABC News had reported on Wednesday that the FBI received an email suggesting Iran might have considered a drone attack off the West Coast, as highlighted by Resist the Mainstream.
While the tip was circulated to local law enforcement in California, it explicitly noted that the intelligence was unverified—a detail ABC did not include.
By presenting the email as an imminent threat, the outlet implied a level of danger that federal authorities say does not exist.
Leavitt’s remarks arrive amid a backdrop of genuine security incidents affecting the United States.
Just Wednesday morning, Stryker, a major U.S. medical company, experienced a cyberattack, highlighting the ongoing risks to critical infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the tragic Austin, Texas, mass shooting was carried out by a suspect reportedly supportive of Iran, while authorities arrested two ISIS-linked men following a failed bombing attempt aimed at anti-Muslim protestors at New York City’s Gracie Mansion, underscoring the spectrum of threats facing Americans today.
Officials say these real incidents demonstrate the need for vigilance while contrasting sharply with sensationalized reporting based on unconfirmed information.
The White House stressed that federal law enforcement continues to monitor potential threats using verified intelligence.
Leavitt’s comments highlighted the importance of public trust in agencies like the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, insisting that media coverage should support, not undermine, confidence in these organizations.
By calling out ABC News, she reinforced the administration’s view that reporters must prioritize accuracy over sensationalism, particularly on national security matters.
The White House’s response reflects a broader effort to ensure that reporting on national security is measured, accurate, and contextualized.
In contrast to speculative stories, officials continue to address confirmed threats, safeguard critical infrastructure, and protect citizens from credible dangers.
Leavitt’s outspoken criticism of ABC News underscores the administration’s commitment to holding media accountable when reporting crosses the line from public information to unnecessary alarm.
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