White House Press Secretary’s Saudi Nuclear Deal Remarks Spark Online Backlash

During a White House press briefing on Thursday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked why the United States was pursuing a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia while Iran remained excluded. Leavitt answered that the proposed deal “absolutely puts America first,” emphasizing that it would give U.S. companies priority access to Saudi nuclear projects and benefit American industry workers and supply chains.

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The discussion concerns a proposed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The deal is part of broader U.S. efforts to expand nuclear energy partnerships with allies, while Iran continues to be barred from similar civilian nuclear arrangements under existing non-proliferation policy.

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Leavitt’s remarks framed the agreement as a strategic move to support U.S. industry and align with the president’s priorities. She indicated that negotiations would continue and that the administration views the partnership as a means to strengthen American economic interests abroad.

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• “This agreement in particular, as it's been discussed thus far, does give priority access for American companies and the Saudi nuclear energy program, which will ultimately benefit American industry workers and supply chain,” — Karoline Leavitt, house press secretary

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• “Saudi Arabia flew planes into American buildings on 9/11 and chopped up a journalist they didn’t like,” — Jim Stewartson, writer and political commentator, in a post on X

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