To say that Donald Trump has surrounded himself with sycophants and not capable people for the job would not be an understatement. Their lack of knowledge has often embarrassed the government in front of Congress, the Senate, and the media.
In a recent press briefing, Karoline Leavitt boldly claimed that Trump coined the slogan “peace through strength.” This claim, when it came from the press secretary, was met with disbelief and criticism. It also started the conversation regarding hiring well-read and informed people in the government.
Leavitt’s statement gave way to the debate over historical accuracy in political communication. Certainly, Leavitt was again trying to praise Donald Trump for his foreign political stance; her remarks about a document’s usage of centuries-old terms showed how ill-informed top governmental officials are.
The expression “peace through strength” has significant historical roots. It not only predates the Trump administration but also the United States as a nation. The phrase finds itself attributed to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. He reigned in the second century AD.
Leavitt is ridiculous – either impossibly dumb or an incredibly blatant liar. “Peace Through Strength” was the motto of the US 8th Air Force. Barry Goldwater used the phrase in campaign ads in 1964. And, most famously, it was a slogan of Reagan’s. Trump did not come up with it. pic.twitter.com/oL3xDelaQS
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) June 23, 2025
Hadrian’s military policy was centered on strong borders and defensive fortifications. One of them was Hadrian’s Wall. It represented a concept of peace preserved through visible strength and readiness.
During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan also used the phrase. He used it to defend a major military buildup to hamper the Soviet aggression. It later became widespread in modern political discourse. George Washington also suggested this concept in his 1793 State of the Union address.
Many commonwealth nations show their military might in annual parades with the same concept in mind.
Leavitt’s claim has, therefore, been widely refuted. Given the political atmosphere where history, facts, and science have lost their place, historians and political pundits rapidly pointed out its long-standing history in politics and literature.
JUST NOW: In a deranged and senile moment, Donald Trump takes credit for the word “equalize.”
Trump: “Basically what we’re doing is equalizing. It’s a new word that I came up, which I think is probably the best word.” Is it time for the 25th Amendment?— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 12, 2025
Leavitt’s error rapidly went viral. It caused a lot of criticism, and she was mercilessly mocked online. Commentators were also shocked by the historical error. However, many used this chance to show the rising pattern of claiming historical anecdotes as his own by Trump’s supporters.
Leavitt was mocked, made fun of and heavily criticized for her blind devotions towards Donald Trump. Admiring one’s leader is not wrong but attributing historical magnanimities to him just to gain their attention and favors is not acceptable in modern democratic society.
Yes, Trump invented everything. Peace through strength, the wheel, electricity, and let’s not forget – the Bible. All of it. Truly a time-traveling genius.🔮📘🛢️
— JoSatirico (@JOP_1985) June 23, 2025
One user commented, “Trump invented everything—peace through strength, the wheel, electricity…,” while another said, “This woman is as historically ignorant as her boss.” The pushback reflects a growing concern among Americans. Many believe such random statements undermine the intellectual integrity of public conversation.
Despite the criticism, Trump’s core supporters remain unbothered. MAGA supporters continue to have unflinching faith in Trump’s leadership. They credited him with single-handedly reshaping American diplomacy. They also believe that Trump has restored strength in the global arena in the American name. For these supporters, facts frequently are not important. Donald Trump’s comments are taken as true, regardless of historical record.
Leavitt’s verbal blunder may appear to be a trivial error, but it highlights a larger issue in current political communication: the casual rewriting of history to fit a narrative.
Scroll down for some images of Karoline Leavitt:
