On January 11, 2026, a routine press gaggle aboard Air Force One took a turn for the viral when President Donald Trump made a controversial joke involving White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a bout of heavy turbulence.
The 79-year-old President was flying back to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago residence when the aircraft hit unexpected "rough air." As the cabin began to shake, Trump reached for a seat handle to steady himself, quipping to the gathered pool of reporters: "I’m looking for something to grab here because it’s going to get rough... and it’s not going to be Karoline."
The Anatomy of the Viral Moment:
The "Grab" Joke: The remark immediately ignited a firestorm on social media, with critics calling it "cringe-worthy" and "highly inappropriate," while supporters defended it as the President's signature off-the-cuff humor.
History of "Flirtatious" Comments: This incident is being viewed through the lens of Trump's long history of unusual public praise for the 28-year-old Leavitt. In October 2025, he famously gushed about her physical appearance, saying her lips move "like a machine gun" during press briefings.
Leavitt’s Reaction: Video clips show Leavitt, who was standing directly behind the President at the time, smiling and laughing along with several reporters, a detail that has polarized viewers.
The "Suspicious Object" Context: The turbulent flight capped a high-stress weekend for the administration. Earlier that day, the President's motorcade was diverted due to a "suspicious object" found near Palm Beach International Airport, an incident Leavitt later had to address in a formal statement.
Online Reaction & Media Fallout:
The clip, shared widely by accounts like Acyn and Call to Activism, has amassed millions of views. Opponents argue the joke reflects a "continued lack of professional decorum," while MAGA influencers have praised the President for his "unfiltered authenticity" and ability to break the tension of a scary flight.
