BREAKING: Jalen Hurts just broke the internet and Washington is shaking! In a scathing new interview with TIME magazine, 2024 Super Bowl MVP and philanthropist Jalen Hurts didn’t hesitate to call Karoline Leavitt “a predator” and call on America to “wake up before it’s too late.”
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, fresh off leading his team to a triumphant Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2024, has unleashed a verbal bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the sports world and the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
In an exclusive, no-holds-barred interview with TIME magazine, published just hours ago, the 26-year-old MVP didn’t mince words when discussing the Trump administration’s latest invitation for the Eagles to visit the White House.
What started as a routine query about his attendance spiraled into a fiery critique of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, whom Hurts branded “a predator” preying on the vulnerabilities of American democracy.
“America needs to wake up before it’s too late,” he declared, his voice steady but laced with the same intensity that propelled him to gridiron glory.
The interview, conducted amid the glitz of the TIME100 Gala in New York City, has exploded across social media, amassing over 50 million views on X alone within the first hour, trending under hashtags like #HurtsSpeaks and #WakeUpAmerica.
For those unfamiliar, Hurts’ ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. Drafted by the Eagles in the second round out of Oklahoma in 2020, he quickly silenced doubters with his dual-threat prowess—rushing for over 600 yards in his rookie season while throwing for more than 3,000.
But it was the 2024 Super Bowl that cemented his legacy. Facing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a rematch of their heartbreaking 2023 loss, Hurts orchestrated a comeback for the ages, scrambling for a game-sealing touchdown in overtime to secure a 31-27 win.
Named MVP for the second time in three years, he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy under the lights of the Caesars Superdome, tears streaming down his face as confetti rained.
Off the field, Hurts is a beacon of philanthropy, founding the Hurts Foundation in 2021 to combat food insecurity in Philadelphia’s underserved communities.
His initiatives have distributed over 1 million meals and funded literacy programs for at-risk youth, earning him spots on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and now TIME’s 100 Most Influential list for 2025.
Married just last week to his college sweetheart Bry Burrows in a private ceremony in Texas, Hurts embodies the quiet strength of a man who lets actions speak louder than words—until now.
The catalyst for this outburst traces back to the Eagles’ long-awaited White House invitation, a tradition for Super Bowl champions that has been mired in controversy since Donald Trump’s first term.
In 2018, the Eagles’ victory parade turned political when Trump disinvited the team after some players knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice.
Fast-forward to 2025, and with Trump back in the Oval Office, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt— the 27-year-old firebrand and youngest press secretary in history—announced on April 15 that the Eagles had “enthusiastically accepted” the invite for an April 28 celebration.
Leavitt, a former Trump campaign spokesperson known for her sharp-tongued defenses of the president and unapologetic promotion of MAGA policies, framed the event as a “unifying moment for America.” But whispers of discord emerged when Hurts, at the TIME100 Gala on April 24, dodged a reporter’s direct question about his attendance.
Captured on video, he paused, glanced left and right, muttered “Umm,” and walked away, the awkward silence echoing louder than any touchdown roar. The clip went viral, racking up 10 million views overnight, with fans speculating about his reluctance.
Enter the TIME interview, where Hurts finally broke his silence—and then some. Seated in a quiet corner of the gala venue, overlooking the twinkling Manhattan skyline, he opened up to TIME’s senior sports editor about the weight of that moment.
“I’ve always believed in leading by example, not headlines,” Hurts began, his Alabama drawl measured. “But when it comes to this White House trip, I can’t stay quiet anymore.
This isn’t about football or politics—it’s about the soul of our country.” He pivoted sharply to Leavitt, whose rapid rise from Trump rally organizer to press podium powerhouse has drawn both admiration from conservatives and ire from critics.
“Karoline Leavitt isn’t just a spokesperson; she’s a predator,” Hurts charged, his eyes narrowing. “She prowls the airwaves, twisting facts, preying on fear and division to keep people hooked on hate.
I’ve seen it firsthand—growing up Black in the South, watching leaders like her weaponize words to silence voices like mine. She’s not informing; she’s hunting, and too many Americans are the prey.”
Hurts didn’t stop there.
Drawing parallels to his own underdog story, he lambasted the administration’s handling of social issues, from immigration crackdowns to what he called “eroding protections for the vulnerable.” “We just won the Super Bowl because we built a team that lifts everyone up—offense, defense, special teams, all in sync,” he said.
“But this White House? It’s divide and conquer. Leavitt’s briefings aren’t briefings; they’re battle cries that pit neighbor against neighbor.
And for what? Power? I’ve got power on the field, and I use it to build, not break.” His call to action was urgent: “America, wake up before it’s too late. We’ve got kids watching—Black, white, Latino, everyone.
If we let predators like her define our future, what are we teaching them? That division wins? Nah, unity does. Get involved, vote, speak out. Before the clock runs out on us all.”
Washington is reeling. Leavitt fired back within minutes on X, calling Hurts’ remarks “a cheap shot from a millionaire athlete who’s never faced a real press scrum.” Trump himself weighed in from Mar-a-Lago, tweeting, “Jalen Hurts should stick to throwing passes, not temper tantrums. Eagles were invited—most are coming.
Sad!” The Eagles organization, caught in the crossfire, issued a neutral statement praising Hurts’ leadership while confirming the team’s attendance sans specifics on individuals. Teammates like wide receiver A.J. Brown voiced support, posting, “QB1 speaks for all of us sometimes.
#PhillySpecial,” while running back Saquon Barkley, a Trump supporter, urged “cooler heads.” Political analysts are buzzing: CNN’s Jake Tapper called it “the most pointed celebrity rebuke of the administration since Oprah’s 2020 speech,” while Fox News dismissed it as “woke grandstanding.”
The internet, true to form, has imploded. Memes flood TikTok, superimposing Hurts’ Super Bowl scramble over Leavitt’s podium glares, captioned “Dodging defenders vs. dodging truth.” Celebrities chimed in—LeBron James retweeted with fire emojis, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quoted Hurts in a thread on media manipulation.
Philanthropy circles, where Hurts is revered, see this as an extension of his activism; his foundation’s recent push for voting rights in Philadelphia schools now feels prescient. Critics, however, accuse him of hypocrisy, pointing to his lucrative Nike deal and Invesco QQQ sponsorships as insulating him from real stakes.
As the dust settles—or doesn’t—Hurts remains unfazed, already back in Philly for OTAs. In a follow-up text to TIME, he added, “I didn’t say this to go viral. I said it because it’s true.
Football taught me resilience; life taught me responsibility.” At 800 words strong, this moment marks a pivot for Hurts from sports icon to cultural conscience.
Whether it galvanizes a slumbering nation or fades into the news cycle’s frenzy, one thing’s clear: Jalen Hurts just threw a Hail Mary that no one’s forgetting. The ball’s in America’s court now—will we catch it?
