Karoline Leavitt’s Explosive Attack on Ilia Malinin Sparks Firestorm – Scottie Scheffler Steps In With Razor-Sharp Defense
In the wake of one of the most shocking disappointments in recent U.S. Olympic history, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt unleashed a blistering public condemnation of figure skater Ilia Malinin, calling his eighth-place finish in the men’s singles event at the 2026 Winter Olympics “truly shameful” and demanding his permanent removal from Team USA.
The outburst came just hours after Malinin – the two-time world champion and owner of the first ratified quad axel in competition history – collapsed spectacularly in the free skate on February 14, 2026, at the Milano Cortina Games. After leading following the short program, Malinin fell twice, popped several planned quads, and failed to land his signature quad axel cleanly, finishing 15th in the free skate segment and eighth overall. The result marked a devastating blow to U.S. figure skating, which failed to secure any individual medals in men’s singles – a first in decades for the powerhouse nation.
Leavitt, speaking on her official X account and later amplified in a Fox News appearance, did not hold back:
“It’s a disgrace!” she wrote in English to reach wider audiences. “Ilia Malinin’s performance was a disaster that let down the entire country. Team USA didn’t win a single individual medal in men’s figure skating because of him. He should be removed from the national team immediately and banned from ever representing the United States again.”
Her comments quickly went viral, racking up millions of views and igniting a firestorm across social media. Supporters praised her for “speaking truth to power” and holding athletes accountable for national pride. Critics, however, accused her of politicizing sports, bullying a young athlete under immense pressure, and displaying a shocking lack of understanding of Olympic-level competition.
Malinin, only 18 years old, had entered the Games as the overwhelming favorite. He had dominated the sport for two years, winning back-to-back world titles, three Grand Prix Finals, and becoming the first skater to land a ratified quad axel in international competition. His short program in Milano Cortina had been strong, placing him first and setting up expectations of gold. The free skate meltdown – attributed by coaches to “Olympic pressure,” mental fatigue, and minor equipment issues – left fans, analysts, and even rival skaters stunned.
Leavitt’s call for a lifetime ban was widely viewed as extreme. Even some conservative commentators distanced themselves, noting that Malinin had already faced intense scrutiny and self-criticism. In post-competition interviews, Malinin had been visibly emotional, saying simply, “I blew it. I let everyone down. I’ll come back stronger.”
The backlash against Leavitt intensified rapidly – until Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 golfer and one of America’s most respected athletes, stepped into the fray.
In a concise but razor-sharp statement posted on his Instagram and shared widely, Scheffler wrote:
“Ilia Malinin is 18 years old and just competed on the biggest stage in the world. He gave everything he had. He didn’t cheat, he didn’t quit, he fought through pressure most of us can’t imagine. Attacking him like this – especially calling for a lifetime ban – is not leadership. It’s cruelty. We lift our athletes up when they fall, not kick them when they’re down. Ilia has my full support.”
Scheffler’s words – calm, measured, and authoritative – shifted the narrative overnight. The post garnered millions of likes, retweets, and shares within hours. Fellow athletes, including gymnast Simone Biles, tennis star Coco Gauff, and fellow golfer Rory McIlroy, reposted or commented in solidarity. Media outlets ran headlines like “Scottie Scheffler Schools Karoline Leavitt” and “Golf Legend Defends Malinin, Shuts Down White House Criticism.”
The public reversal was swift and overwhelming. What began as a viral attack on Malinin morphed into widespread condemnation of Leavitt’s tone and demands. Hashtags such as #StandWithIlia and #ProtectOurAthletes trended globally, drowning out Leavitt’s original post. Many pointed out the irony: a White House official demanding a lifetime ban on an 18-year-old for a single poor performance, while Scheffler – a symbol of quiet professionalism – defended him with grace.
Leavitt did not respond publicly to Scheffler’s rebuke. Her X account went silent on the topic for the remainder of February 15, 2026, and subsequent appearances focused on unrelated political matters. Sources close to her office told CNN that she had “no further comment” on the matter.
For Malinin, the support from Scheffler and others provided a lifeline amid the darkest moment of his young career. In a follow-up Instagram story, he wrote simply: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Your words mean more than you know. I’m heartbroken, but I’m not done. See you next season.”
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the intersection of politics, sports, and mental health. Analysts noted that high-profile athletes like Malinin face extraordinary pressure – not just from competition, but from public expectations amplified by social media and political figures. Mental health experts praised Scheffler’s intervention as a model of leadership, emphasizing the need to protect young athletes from harsh, disproportionate criticism.
Meanwhile, U.S. Figure Skating issued a statement supporting Malinin: “Ilia is a remarkable talent and a tremendous representative of our sport. We stand by him fully and look forward to his continued success.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics continue, but this off-ice controversy may prove to be one of its most talked-about moments. What began as a disappointing athletic performance has become a powerful reminder: in the spotlight of global competition, words matter – and sometimes, a short, principled defense can turn the tide more effectively than any quad jump.
For Ilia Malinin, the road back begins now. For Karoline Leavitt, the silence may speak louder than her original outburst ever did.