Overview

• On Monday Karoline Leavitt claimed on Fox News that President Trump coined and successfully implemented the foreign policy doctrine of ‘peace through strength’ during his first term
• Social media users and fact-checkers pointed out the doctrine dates to Roman Emperor Hadrian and was echoed by figures like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton
• Historical records show the phrase first entered the Republican Party platform in 1980 and was popularized by Barry Goldwater’s 1964 campaign and Ronald Reagan’s presidency
• Leavitt defended U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a demonstration of Trump’s commitment to achieving peace through the credible use of force
• The misstatement drew widespread online criticism, with commentators accusing the White House of spreading misinformation and prompting new scrutiny of official communications